Tunnel of Love?
The debris mound continued to rain chunks of concrete down on the ground, but fortunately it seemed to be slowing and the barrier was holding. Unfortunately now the progress Grant had made was gone and with it hope of finding a way out diminished.
Daniel, carrying Della in his arms, found a clear area and gently laid Della down. Perry knelt beside her, taking her hand. "Della! Della honey, open your eyes, please." Daniel searched for his first aid kit and finding it on the ground next to his car, started pulling out the heavy gauze pads.
When he started to reach for Della's blouse, he stopped, embarrassment showing on his young face. "Mr. Mason, you need to open her blouse." Perry nodded and hurriedly unbuttoned Della's blouse, but only moving the left side away, knowing how embarrassed she would be. Daniel started packing the pads into the wound, but with each one he placed, it was immediately soaked red with Della's blood. "I can't stop the bleeding. I need something else to put in the wound."
Perry stood, stripping off his jacket and tie. Then he shed his shirt, grasping the bottom he ripped it in half, handing it to Daniel who immediately folded the pieces, placing them against the wound. "I need something to hold them in place.
Kevin Grant, hearing this, reached into his tool bag, handing the cop a roll of construction tape. With Perry gently lifting Della in his arms, Daniel wrapped the tape as tightly around Della's body as he dared, hoping to stem the flow of blood.
The other survivors who had been watching silently, now came forward offering their coats, jackets and sweaters to help make Della more comfortable. Perry looked at each of them with tears in his eyes, thanking each one of them for their care and generosity.
The women helped Perry and Daniel use the clothes for a makeshift pallet, making Della as comfortable as possible. Seeing that the bleeding had slowed a little, Daniel motioned for Grant to follow him a short distance away.
"Mr. Grant, how much damage do you think that slide did?"
Grant shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can't say. Why?"
Daniel looked back over at the famous lawyer, kneeling beside his lady, whispering to her. "Because if we don't get some help soon, that woman is going to bleed to death. Whatever that bullet hit was major."
"Wow. Well let's go take a look at the slide. I'll be able to tell you more then."
Grant and Daniel Kelly examined the mound of debris, both pointedly ignoring what could be seen of Pierce's body underneath the large slab of concrete. As Grant studied the mound, seeing that it had shifted more to the right side of the tunnel, Daniel could not help his thoughts turning to the lady who lay behind the barrier.
Finally Grant looked at the officer. "Well, the way I got to the top before is no longer an option. And if I try to get to the top again I could bring everything down."
"Grant you've got to try." Grant looked back to the barrier, knowing why he had to attempt the dangerous climb.
"Alright. But I need you to watch every move I make. If something happens to me, it will be up to you to go next."
Daniel shook Grant's hand. "I have every confidence that you're gonna make it. Besides,". Daniel grinned at him, "I'm afraid of heights."
The men shared a quiet laugh, but both knew this was their one last chance.
Phillip Stevens came around the barrier to join them. "Anything I can do to help?"
Daniel looked at him. "Mr. Stevens you should be back with your wife."
"Actually I came to tell you that Miss Street is worse. The bandage you put on has soaked through. My wife and the other ladies are taking off some of their...ah...undergarments to make another compress."
At the news, Grant turned to Daniel. "Okay I'm on my way. Mr. Stevens we could use a second pair of eyes to watch for any shift in the debris."
"Sure thing." With that, Grant headed to the far left side of the debris. He hoped the shift hadn't blocked the top or there was probably no hope.