CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Jim was speeding now, something telling him time was of the essence. The Nextel phone rang again as Jim grabbed the phone. "What? I'm nearly to the junction of Highway 147 and 167. Is something wrong with Iris? Talk to me, Randall!"
There was a pause as Jim impatiently waited for a response from Nathan. "Jim, Iris does need you here and the sooner you're here the better. I believe her labor's begun. She's asking for you as matter of fact. I find myself genuinely touched by her affection for you."
"Can I speak to her? Randall? Are you there?" Jim asked, getting no response as he heard the phone on the other end hang up. Beating the steering wheel in frustration, Brass swore a blue streak at the phone and floored the accelerator.
"Jim, what'd he say?" Nick queried with wide eyes at the speed they were now going.
"Nothing and I'm starting to get a really bad feeling that something's way rotten in Denmark," Jim growled in reply as the car sped on into the night.
As the van hit the water, Iris was thrown back in the seat momentarily stunned by the impact and then by the shock of the frigid water as it poured in through the open window. It stung like cold pinpricks as she quickly oriented herself. She filled her lungs with air as the van quickly sank beneath the surface, trying not to panic and keep herself focused. The headlights remained on and illuminated the murky water about the van in an eerie glow. It was cold, so cold…
Praying for strength, Iris pulled frantically at her wrist held captive within the handcuff. She could see blood seeping from the abraded skin as it went in dark ribbons floating away. Her wrist remain trapped, she was unable to free herself. Iris swung herself so she could brace her feet against the door, again pulling with all her might and straining to get the wrist through the handcuff. It held her fast. The cold water was beginning to paralyze her.
Merciful God, take us quickly, protect Jim from Randall. Give him strength and encourage him. I love him with all my heart and thank you for the time you allowed us to share. I ask for a miracle to restore us to him. Iris could feel herself beginning to lose consciousness and focused her last thoughts on Jim and their babies. She could no longer hold the air in her lungs and as it escaped from her in a rush of bubbles, her last cry was of his name as the water rushing into her mouth muffled it. "JIMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYY." The thunder roared in her ears as she felt the blood rushing through her veins, lightning sparked in front of her eyes as her vision dimmed, a storm was coming she knew as the darkness closed in on her. The headlights of the van continued to gleam beneath the water, serving as an eerie landmark.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil…
Jim and Nick finally arrived to the driveway. Brass whipped the car and spun a little gravel in the process. The house was on their right as they drove down the drive. Christmas lights winked inside the living room area, a mockery of the holiday Jim thought. They saw the boat dock in the distance. They were so close now.
"Remember, Nick, play it cool!" Brass reminded as Nick gave a quick nod in agreement.
Jim parked the car. He and Nick quickly got and walked to the boat dock, their guns drawn and held ready. The Nextel phone chirped. "All right, Randall, we're here, so where are you and Iris?"
"Proceed to the end of the dock, James, all will be made known," Nathan instructed.
Jim and Nick went cautiously down to the boat dock. Not a soul was to be seen. At the edge of the dock, they peered out into the lake, wondering was Randall in a boat with Iris. Large bubbles were erupting the surface about ten feet from them. They each exchanged puzzled looks. What was going on?
Jim's Nextel phone warbled at him. "Randall, what the….? Where's Iris?" Jim roared as he paced angrily at the end of the dock. Nick kept scanning the water, suddenly spying lights beneath the surface as his heart literally froze.
"Jim, I hope you remembered the red key because without it you'll have a devil of a time getting to Iris. Iris is in the cargo van we took her from you in but said van is now at least 15 feet underwater off the end of the dock. My calculations are rough but I am sure by the time you reach her she will have drowned. I promised you'd see her today but never said she'd be living and breathing." A chuckle was heard in the phone as Nathan gloated. "See, I do win, James. I deprive you of what's most important to you and what better day than this."
Jim exploded in rage. "Damn you, Randall, to the furthest pit in hell! I told you if you ever went near Iris I'd put you six feet under. I made that an oath and I'll keep it, by God." Nick got his attention as they both gazed at the dim lights beneath the water's surface.
Jim agonized what to do next. "I'm going in to get her! You keep an eye out for Randall. Shoot first and ask questions later!"
"No!" Nick cried.
"There's no time to debate, Nicky, I'll go in after her, that's that!" Jim said tersely.
"You're right, Jim, and I'm the better one to go in. Gimme the key, time's wasting! I'll bring her to you, Brass. Let me do this, please!" Nick demanded.
Jim knew he was right and slapped the key in Nick's hand. Nick stripped off his coat and bulletproof vest. Without hesitating, he dove into the water like an arrow. Jim peered anxiously at the water, his lips moving in a silent prayer.
Nick nearly doubled over in pain as the cold water penetrated his skin with icy needles. He knew he didn't have much time as he kicked himself down toward the van. The headlights were beginning to dim now but still gave off just enough light to bathe the area in a soft glow. Nick could see Iris now and he what he saw sent a wave of horror through his being.
An occasional air bubble still escaped through her nose and mouth. Her eyes were closed and there was a peaceful look on her face as if she slept. Her hair fanned gently about her in the current of the lake. Nick saw her handcuffed wrist and he swore angrily in his mind. Taking the key, he grasped Iris's wrist and fumbled slightly to get the lock open. He was nearly to the point that he would have to return to the surface for air, but he refused to give up and the lock opened. Iris was free. Nick gently guided her out of the open window and held her close. He kicked powerfully back as he bore her up to the surface. His lungs were nearly bursting at this point but he had her as he'd promised Brass.
"Oh, God!" Jim's heart nearly broke as he saw Nick break the surface to swim quickly to the edge of the dock with Iris. He rushed over to help Nick bring her out of the water. They got her up and then gently laid her onto the deck. Her head rolled limply to one side as water drained from her mouth and nose. Jim dropped to his knees beside her and felt her neck for a pulse and put his ear to chest, willing her to have the heartbeat he strained to hear and couldn't.
"We're starting CPR right now! Nicky, get those coats from the car. We gotta get her warm and you too," Jim ordered brusquely.
"Jim, she's…she's gone…" Nick said brokenly.
"You don't get it! She's been in below-freezing water long enough to lose consciousness. There's a slim chance she can be revived with CPR and that's enough for me! Get those coats now! Get on the police radio and have dispatch call Desert Palm!" Jim instructed angrily.
Nick darted up to the car, called dispatch, grabbed the coats and returned promptly. "Flight for Life will be here in 10 minutes max".
Jim rapidly cleared and checked Iris's mouth. He gave two quick breaths and thirty chest compressions as he'd learned in a recent CPR course he and Iris had taken. Nick put the coats about Iris as Jim continued the CPR routine. Brass told him to take over doing the rescue breaths as he maintained the chest compressions.
"Stay with us, Iris. Don't you dare die on me! I'll come right behind you and snatch you back. Don't think I can't tell Heaven no and beat on its gates until they let go of you. They can't have you till we're old and gray, because you can't go where I won't follow," Jim said fiercely into her ear before blowing two more quick breaths. Jim looked heavenward as he beheld shooting stars overhead; he remembered Iris telling him about a meteor shower weeks ago as Iris and Grissom were star nuts.
"James!" Nathan Randall addressed him loudly as he stepped out from behind a copse of trees flanking the dock area. He held Iris' service revolver trained on Jim and Nick.