Chapter 28

I waited for the door to open but it never happened, even after I heard a bolt sliding. That was when light spilled through a small open hole at the bottom of the door. It reminded me of a cat door that swung open and shut and was probably the same size. As the flap opened fully, I watched mesmerized as a long narrow tray started to appear and then as the flap was pushed closed and I heard the sound of a bolt sliding into place.

I couldn't believe what I was looking at on the tray. There were several bottles of water and at least four rolls covered in plastic. A paper dish held a selection of fruit, an apple, a banana and a peach. There was a lot of food for one meal and as I heard a door bang loudly closed, I had a feeling that this wasn't just one meal. I was being held here for some time.

Dropping the chair back onto the floor I considered what that meant. At least I wasn't going to be killed straight away but I had no idea how long they would keep me here for? Would that be a short time or a long time? I placed the tray on the table ignoring the food that was on it, to be honest eating was the last thing on my mind. I studied the door, seeing no handle or key hole and to be honest was beginning to despair of ever getting out of here. The only place that I hadn't really explored was that section above the door where the light was coming in through.

I soon discovered that the table had metal brackets at the bottom of the legs securing it onto the floor, though wiping my hand over the surface of the table it seemed to have been cleaned and polished. It had me wondering what this place was used for and even where I was. There were no sounds coming through the walls or even from beyond the door. Did that mean that there was no one here keeping an eye on me? That had tears come to my eyes because if no one came here then Ranger would have no one to follow here, that was if he even realized what had happened to me. Surely, he would wouldn't he, surely when the mic went dead he'd know something was wrong, wouldn't he? I knew that the mic had disappeared but was really hoping that maybe Ranger had snook a tracker in a piece of jewelry. That hope diminished as I felt my ears and realized even my earrings had been removed. What excuses would Allegro make? Though I wasn't sure if Ranger would even know that Tomas was involved. Tomas could just play ignorant to knowing anything, but what about Allegro?

I closed my eyes tightly together in an endeavor to stop the tears coming again and to give myself a talking to. Come on, when has anyone been able to keep me locked up. There has to be a way to get out of here. That done, I picked up the chair and put it next to the door before climbing up on it, frustrated when I still couldn't see over the top of the door. I hadn't realized how tall the door was and staying on the chair looked around at what I could use to get more height.

The bed was like the chair, secured to the floor, so I took a look behind the drape at what was my meager bathroom. Nothing, unless I was to try and move the toilet but to be honest the idea of water leaking out all over the floor made that a definite nonstarter. The table was probably the better option, but I was groaning out loud when I saw how well the screws had been put into the anchors that were in the concrete. That left the screws going into the wood.

Time passed slowly as I worked the table back and forth to loosen the screws and having freed three of them, I was feeling elated until of course the wood broke above the screw with several splinters ending up in the palm of my hand. It was a precarious tower that wobbled a lot, but I was determined to reach that space above the door. I hadn't worked out what that would achieve other than give me an idea of where I was. I was surprised that what was above the door was in fact just a thin wire mesh but it gave me an idea of how to get out of the room. I was looking down into a narrow hallway with a blank white wall opposite me and a solid wall at the end. though to me it looked as though there might have been a window that had been filled in. Pressing my cheek against the mesh I spied the door that I'd heard close but struggled to see how it would open. I couldn't see what was next to me but assumed that maybe there was another room. Getting back down was more of a tumble but landing on my backside didn't cause an injury even though it hurt.

That was when I decided to eat some of the food so sat on the bed eating, I contemplated the best way to get out. Once out I wouldn't be able to get back in, though I knew that wasn't something that I wanted to do. My hand was sore, and my shoulder was aching and I was feeling so tired. I wanted to sleep but was too afraid to lie down. What if someone came back to check on me? That thought spurred me into action so using the blanket to protect my hands I was soon teasing away at the wire.

Once the mesh was removed and the blanket was laid over the lower ledge, I stared down at the drop below me. I knew that I could only go through the gap head first which meant I would likely hurt myself. I even looked to see if I could reach the bolt to open the door, but yeah, you guessed, it was too low for me to get to.

I lay in a huddle on the hard ground trying to get the air back into my lungs. I'd managed not to land on my head, but my shoulder and back had taken the brunt of my landing. I had tears in my eyes until I eventually felt my lungs begin to relax and I could take in some deeper breaths. Moving, I knew I'd hurt my shoulder, the same one as before, but I had to get up. On my knees I took the opportunity to look around, surprised to be seeing two doors that looked the same. I used the wall to push myself up wincing slightly and then pulled the bolt back on that second door.

It was the stench that hit me first as the door opened, making me cover my nose and mouth with my hand. I couldn't place what the smell was and didn't dare step inside the room so pushed the door fully open. Even with the light so dim I recognized that there was someone laying on the bed. I waited for them to move and when that didn't happen moved closer for a better look. The smell intensified the closer I went, and I realized it was coming from the bed.

At first, I thought that the man laid there was dead until I heard a slow rasping sound as he took a breath. I had no idea what to do because even to me it was obvious that he was totally out of it and very, very ill. Pulling the blanket back slightly I could see dried blood on the mattress but couldn't work out where it was coming from. As I looked at the grey complexion and the matted blonde hair a photo that I'd seen came to me. Oh god, this was Bria's boyfriend, the man that Ram knew. Grant an FBI agent. Had he been kept here since that night when Bria was shot? But why, unless like me someone thought that he knew something.

I had to get help, and fast, because I knew I couldn't move him on my own and the way he looked I wasn't too sure how much longer he'd survive for. Behind the door were several trays that I must have pushed out of the way when I'd come in so I grabbed a bottle and one of the napkins. Carefully I dribbled a small amount of water onto his lips not wanting him to choke him and then turned and walked away from him.

The door that blocked the hallway, well it was open. My captures obviously didn't think that I'd be able to get out of the room so had been hadn't bothered to lock it. I ducked down as I slowly pulled that door open and found myself looking into a large derelict room. It could have been someone's house with the furniture stood around and there were even the remains of what could have been a kitchen. There was dirt and dust forming a layer over everything, except for a pathway on the floor that led to what I hoped was the front door. There were no windows again which felt weird to me, no wonder no one lived here. The main door had a brand new yale lock fitted which I suppose would keep people out, but it allowed me to open the door and step out into freedom.

Damnit, it was pitch black and come to think of it, it was cold. I knew that I'd been taken from the garage around lunchtime so judging from the darkness I'd been locked up for maybe six hours or even eighteen. I was thinking that maybe it was morning because it seemed to take an age to get that table free. Looking around I couldn't see any lights anywhere even though there looked to be buildings. I shudder went through me because this reminded of that town in Saudi where I was waiting for Ranger, but those men had turned up. I must still be in Italy, wasn't I? No lights, no cars and no people. I sat down on what was the edge of the sidewalk shivering from the cold.

I'd sat with Grant for a while, slowly moistening his lips. I couldn't say that he was any better but at least he hadn't got any worse. Back outside with a blanket around me I was so pleased to see that the sun was slowly starting to bring the new day in but was totally confused with what I was seeing. Buildings with doors and windows blocked up and brightly colored graffiti painted on the walls. Buildings that would have looked right in somewhere like Las Vegas with three floors and arched windows, columns along the front.

I sure didn't expect there to be a phone anywhere nearby, but I had to look. I walked down the street overgrown with weeds past houses until I saw the steeple of a church. That was where I headed for hoping maybe there could be someone there. The sound of talking had me duck down and hide inside a doorway, so afraid that Tomas or the American had come back to check on me. I waited and watched as the talking grew louder until two young people came into view. They were wearing rucksacks and looking at a map, so maybe I could trust them to help. Standing up I walked toward them though they didn't show any surprise at seeing me.

"Hey. I need some help"

I shouted seeing them turning to walk toward the church. Of course they stopped and waited for me as I ran over to them. The young girl stepped forward while the boy took her wrist as though thinking that maybe I was a threat.

"Do you speak English?"

I almost swore as they shook their heads and tried to think of words that maybe they'd understand.

"I need help"

"An ambulance"

That had their frowns changing so maybe I was onto something.

"Ambulanza?"

"Si. Phone, do you have a phone"

Please let them have a phone.

"Dobbiamo telefonare per chiedere aiuto?"

I just nodded my head as I watched the girl take a phone from her pocket and press some numbers. I had no idea who she was talking to but could only hope that she was calling for help. When she'd finished the call, she looked beyond me and waved her arms, before pointing behind me.

"Dove, fammi vedere"

All that I could do was to show them where Grant was and hope that she had called for help and it would get here soon. I had them follow me back to the house and led the way through to the room at the back where Grant was. He was still breathing but as far as I could see hadn't moved since I'd left him. The girl refused to come inside the room, who could blame her, the smell alone was enough to keep her out in the hallway. The boy, well young man I suppose, was doing his best to look at Grant and suddenly turned to the girl and shouted at her.

It seemed like an age before there was the sound of voices and the room suddenly filled with people wearing bright orange uniforms and carrying medical supplies. I was pushed out of the room while they tended to him and watched as Grant was carried out of the house on a stretcher. I followed expecting to see an ambulance but was greeted with the sight of a helicopter.

I wasn't going to be left behind so I held Grant's hand as they carried him hoping they would think that I was with him, or at least knew him. No one asked me any questions or spoke to me which suited me fine because I had no idea what I would have said. I felt totally shattered both physically and mentally when at last we boarded the helicopter. All I wanted was to have Ranger with me. I don't remember much of the flight because I was watching as the medics were working on Grant. They'd set up IVs into his arm, an oxygen mask on his face and electrodes on his chest. After running their hands over him to check for broken bones that was when they discovered where his injuries were and applied dressings even though to me, he didn't look as though he was still bleeding.

As the helicopter began its descent, I saw the buildings of Milan below us and the roof top that had a large circle on it that we seemed to be heading for. Once landed another medical team came out and took over, leaving me to follow behind. A nurse was suddenly behind me, leading me in a totally different direction. I told her I needed to make sure that Grant was okay but either she didn't understand me or chose to ignore me. How I ended up sat on a bed behind a curtain I had no idea and that was when I lost it. I couldn't stop crying which panicked the nurse.

"Telephone?"

I managed to say in between sobs. I think she just wanted me to calm down so was immediately pulling a phone from her pocket and handing it to me. My hands were shaking as I input the number and then held the phone to my ear, just waiting for Ranger to answer. I was just hoping it wouldn't go to voicemail like it had last time because I really needed him to answer me, to hear his voice and know that he would come to me.

"Ciao"

"Ranger"

There was no time lost before he was talking right back to me.

"Babe, where are you?"

"Hospital"

I could hear something in the background and then the sound of a door closing.

"Stay on the phone Babe. Do you know which hospital?"

I'm sure that I groaned because I had no idea of where I was but was thinking of the rooftops that we'd flown over when we'd landed in the helicopter.

"Center of Milan, I think"

I could hear talking in the background and was sure that Les was with Ranger so waited until Ranger spoke again sure that he would need to focus on his driving.

"Are you hurt Babe?"

I contemplated that answer by trying to feel through all of the aches I seemed to have developed and decided that no I wasn't hurt.

"No. I just need you here"

"On my way"

I must have laid down then with the phone pressed tightly to my ear, just listening to the sound of the car, the engine as it revved up and the gears changed. He was coming, he'd be here soon.

A hand on my cheek suddenly had me opening my eyes and seeing Ranger stood there next to the bed. I smiled as he leant down and kissed my head and suddenly, I knew everything would be alright. Moving to sit up I flinched as a pain shot through my shoulder, but I had no desire to stay any longer in the hospital so quickly put the smile back on my face.

"You need to be checked over Babe, you're in pain"

I shook my head defiantly and noticed that someone had put cream on my hand where the splinters of wood had pushed under my skin. There didn't seem to be any pieces there so maybe someone had dealt with my hand while I was asleep.

"No, I'm fine. A hot soak and bed is all that I need"

If Ranger was prone to sighing, then I was pretty sure that would be what he would have done. Instead, he reached over me and lifted a cable and pressed the call button. I didn't want to be seen by a doctor and I would not stay here if there was any indication of them keeping me in. Of course, the doctor didn't speak English so no matter what I said he didn't answer me, instead it was Ranger who was doing all of the talking. A nurse appeared and started to cut my T-shirt across my shoulder before the doctor started to examine it. He stopped and was examining my arm and then spoke to Ranger which only annoyed me even more.

"What is he saying?"

"He wants to have an Xray taken"

Why would he want to do that, it was sore, but I could still move it, so it wasn't broken.

"Please Babe"

I sank back against the pillow because hearing that one word made me realize that it had to happen, not for me but to suppress any worries that Ranger had. Ranger stayed with me as they transferred me to a wheelchair and a porter pushed me through the corridors.

"Is Grant going to be okay?"

Because so far, Ranger hadn't asked me about what had happened and I really was worried about Grant. He'd looked so close to death when he was being looked after by the paramedics in the helicopter that I wasn't sure if he'd survive.

"Grant, who's he?"

I could see that Ranger was totally confused with what I'd asked so maybe he wasn't aware of where I'd been or what had happened.

"Ram's friend. He was locked up with me, but he looked so ill. They brought him here in the helicopter, but I don't know what happened to him"

I watched as Ranger took out his phone and as he spoke to someone before he turned back to me.

"Santos is going to find out"

Back on the hospital bed I was back to getting annoyed. The doctor had come back and was talking to Ranger again but kept looking at me. What the hell did the doctor think was so wrong that he had Ranger frowning?

"What's wrong, what is he saying?"

Because now I was starting to worry that maybe there was something seriously wrong with me.

"You can't see it but remember how you had that bruise on your arm?"

The bruise where everyone kept grabbing hold of me? It was a bruise, nothing more, so why was it so important?

"He noticed that some of your capillaries are darker colored and when he did an Xray he found something lodged in your arm that could be causing it. He wants to remove whatever it is and then put you on antibiotics"

I was damned sure that Ranger was giving me a pretty version of what the doctor had said but it didn't make me feel any better.

"He's going to knock me out and cut me open?"

Okay, I was feeling a little hysterical now at the idea of that happening. No way did I want to have an anesthetic and be unconscious, what of something went wrong like it usually did with me?

"No. He's going to numb the area, so you'll be wide awake. Whatever it is, it isn't very deep"

The only thought that came to my mind was when I'd been shot. Had a fragment of a bullet hit my arm? I couldn't remember the area bleeding and Hector had dug out the bullet. Was that why Ranger looked so guilty because he was thinking the same as me and had missed it? I was turned onto my stomach with my arm by my side, but I made sure that I Ranger's hand secure in my other. Okay, I squeezed his hand hard when I felt a needle go through my skin but pretty soon, I was unaware of anything else. I heard the sound of something being dropped into a dish and wanted to see what it was,

"They're just putting in a couple of stitches now. All done Babe"

"What was it?"

I was aware of Ranger reaching over me and he was soon holding a small metal tray, studying whatever was inside.

"Just a piece of metal. Go to sleep Babe and then when you wake up, I'll take you back to the house"

I could go with that, as long I didn't sleep for too long. I really hated hospitals.