Healing the Wild – Chapter 6
On the SeaQuest…
Nathan tried clearing his mind while he made his way to his room. He quickly dialed a number on the vidlink. His friend, Bill Noyce, appeared on the other line.
"Well, Nathan… to what do I owe the pleasure of a call from you?"
"I'm afraid this isn't a happy call, Bill."
Noyce instantly recognized his friend's stressed out look and changed his tone.
"What's wrong, Nathan?"
"Bill, we received an emergency call from the Terra Guardi colony. They were dealing with some drug traffickers. I sent my team to go help and…well, Alfredo Diaz and his gang intercepted."
"Alfredo Diaz…I've heard that name before, but there are quite a few drug traffickers in that area. Did you detain him?"
Nathan looked down and let out a deep sigh he didn't realize he was holding in.
"Bill, they took Dr. Westphalen hostage so they could escape."
Noyce looked stunned for a moment as he processed what his friend just told him.
"I see. And the rest of the crew?"
"The rest of the crew is fine. I've picked up one of the colony members who has something Diaz wants. I've got Lucas working with him right now in the lab. Apparently, Diaz also kidnapped the man's son as a means of maintaining cooperation."
"Well, Nathan. I can get several UEO agents to assist. We'll put everyone on high alert."
"That's just it, Bill. We need to keep this on the down low. Diaz said if he even suspects the UEO is on his back, he's going to kill her. That's why we've got to do this alone. I'm only telling you this because I wanted you to know that I plan on foregoing our current mission to take care of this. And I also need you to help me ward off any unwanted attention."
"I'll do what I can, but Nathan…you don't plan on confronting this man alone, do you?"
"Bill, I don't really seem to have a choice. He said once he receives the package from us, he will let Kristin go. But I am not inclined to believe the promises of a manipulative drug lord. I have to be prepared to get her myself."
"Fair enough. But at the very least, I would expect you to have some people on the ground to help. This man has very powerful influences all across the country…and all of South America for that matter. There's no telling where he will go or what he will do. Let me alert our allies in Colombia on the matter. That way you'll have some leverage. They've been tracking this guy for a while. I'll be sure your upcoming missions are taken care of and you can have at least a few days off for this. No one will know why."
Nathan nodded, knowing that he could use a little bit of leverage. "Just promise me there won't be a big stink about this…no media. If anything gets out and they know the UEO is after them, it could be the last we see of Kristin…and I would not be able to live with myself if that happened. So make it your priority to prevent that."
Noyce could tell his friend was worried. "Nathan, you have my word. I know how much she means to you…" Noyce said knowingly.
Nathan looked at him quizzically. "What are you talking about?" Being confronted about his feelings was the last thing he needed. "She is a member of my crew and I am responsible for her safety."
Noyce let out a small smile, not wanting to put his friend on the spot in a tough situation. "Look, I know Dr. Westphalen is one hell of a woman and she is needed on the SeaQuest. You and I both know she is strong enough to get through this."
"That she is."
"Just hang in there."
Nathan pulled his PAL unit and pressed a button.
"Commander Ford."
Jonathan Ford answered on the other line. "Yes, captain?"
"I want you to set a course for the shores of Colombia. We have a drug lord to catch."
"Aye, captain."
Noyce nodded at him. "We'll get her back."
Nathan responded. "In the meantime, I fully expect you to keep this under wraps as much as possible. Only tell those you need to and make sure they are aware of the consequences. There's too much at stake."
Back at Diaz' estate…
Diaz and Kristin were sitting at a table with 3 other men in full conversation.
"So, my dear…do you understand what you need to do?"
Kristin sounded unsure, but mostly because she didn't like the idea of participating in a drug deal.
"I suppose so."
"Good. Because you do know that your dear Cynthia's life depends on your cooperation." Diaz smiled, knowingly. He continued. "Let's get ready for our next mark. Remember, we get the money no matter what."
Somewhere in the town of Barranquilla…
That night, Kristin stood at a street corner, waiting on her cue. The dress Diaz told her to wear was very tight and low cut, and he made her put on more makeup than she was normally comfortable with…she felt very vulnerable and scared, but managed to keep it together for the sake of knowing Cynthia would remain safe.
She looked around and noticed the man in the grey suit from the picture Diaz showed her. He was carrying a briefcase and walked into the hotel across the street as expected. She took a deep breath and walked behind him, following him towards a table at the bar where he met with another, shorter man. She asked the bartender for a glass of wine and walked over to join them.
"Hi there."
The men, in their late forties, looked up at her appreciatively. She smiled back.
"I don't suppose you'd mind if I have a seat with you handsome gentlemen."
The taller man, Jorge, hesitated for a moment, at a loss for words. "Uh…sure."
Kristin sat down and took a sip. "I do appreciate it. I don't really know anyone here and I would so enjoy some company." She smiled seductively.
"Well, we are happy to keep you company, miss…" Jorge waited on her to finish her name.
"Just call me Crystal."
"Crystal. You certainly don't seem like the type who would be alone on any given night."
"Oh, somehow I always manage to find someone to keep me warm." She raised an eyebrow at them.
The men looked intrigued. Xavier, the short man, replied. "Well, we would love to be that someone, but we have business to take care of."
Jorge looked annoyed at his partner and ignored his comment. "How much?"
Xavier looked shocked at Jorge. "Are you crazy? We don't have time for this. The boss will be very unhappy."
Kristin responded. "Oh, please, gentlemen. I'm sure we can work some sort of agreement. I can make it quick and worthwhile for both of you."
Xavier raised his eyebrow, considering the proposition.
"How about $500 for both?"
"Done. I'm in Room 248. Meet me there." She smiled, putting down her glass and winking at them while she walked away to the elevator.
The men smiled at each other, knowingly. Xavier spoke first. "The boss will kill us."
"Oh come on, Xavier…live a little. When do we ever get a chance to enjoy ourselves? Besides, we have time. He picked up a remote unit and pressed the button. "Guys, standby. Dropoff due in one hour. No sign of Diaz's men yet." "Roger that." Came the voice on the other end. Jorge looked back at Xavier. "See? No one will know the difference. It's not like we're going to pay her." He said knowingly.
"Fine. She does look like a tasty piece of ass."
"Let's go."
The men walked towards the room with the briefcase and knocked. Kristin took a deep breath and answered the door.
"Come on in gentlemen. Let me just freshen up real quick and we can get down to business."
Jorge spoke up. "Let's not waste any more time, little lady." He pulled out a gun and held it to her stomach while he proceeded to kiss her on the lips. He forced her to start walking back towards the bed. Xavier put down the briefcase and started taking off his belt. Kristin was scared, now pinned to the bed, with Jorge kissing and sucking on her neck vigorously while groping her breasts. He had the gun in his hand, ready to shoot. She forced herself to stay calm, but was squirming on the inside. Just as Xavier was about to finish taking his pants off, three men stormed into the room with guns raised. A few shots quietly rang and all Kristin could feel was the weight of Jorge's body fall on top of her and a sharp pain on her thigh. She screamed in pain and quickly pushed him off of her, trying to compose herself. She sat up and looked at her thigh, which had been shot by Jorge's gun. Blood started trickling out of the wound. A white light quickly shone and the wound healed itself, leaving behind a fading bruise. Kristin breathed heavily, tired and confused as her body recovered from a gunshot for the second time. The men who stormed in stared at her in disbelief. One of them snapped out of it, reached for the briefcase and quickly opened up the contents.
"It's all here." He nodded at the other men. One of the men walked over to Kristin.
"Lady, I don't know what the hell just happened, but you did well. Señor Diaz will be pleased with you." Kristin didn't answer and avoided making eye contact.
"Now come. Let's go before anyone else shows up."
She got up slowly, her mind completely detached from the situation, as the men put their guns away and quietly but quickly led her out of the room and down the stairs to the entrance. Alfredo Diaz was waiting for them in a limousine outside and they hopped in. The three men sat at the front of the limo, while Kristin was led to sit in the back, next to Alfredo. He addressed the men.
"I assume everything went according to plan."
One of the men responded. "Yes, sir. The lady did what you asked. Um…Señor, she was shot in the thigh and…um…well…"
Alfredo smiled at his men and turned to Kristin's thigh, which had a visible, but faded bruise. "I see you've found out exactly why I recruited her. She is very valuable to us."
Kristin had been staring out the window trying to make sense of what happened. She had just taken part in a twisted drug deal, assisted in the murder of two men, gotten shot and healed herself…again. The whole situation made her feel sick. Diaz knocked her out of her distraction.
"So, dear Doctor, it appears you make for quite the little actress." He struck an impressed, yet somewhat condescending tone. "I didn't think you had it in you. And of course, your healing powers have come in handy." He reached out and softly touched the bruise on her leg.
Kristin quickly shifted her leg out from under his hand and kept quiet, still avoiding eye contact and feeling a chill in the air-conditioned limo. She wrapped her arms around herself in a huddle, a single tear escaping her left eye. Diaz noticed and took off his jacket. He placed it around her shoulders.
"Here. You look like you could use this."
Kristin quickly brushed off the jacket, disgusted. "Don't touch me. I'd rather freeze."
The men in the front laughed. Diaz waved at them to be quiet and turned back to Kristin.. "You really are a feisty one. Come now, don't be silly…you have goosebumps." He readjusted the jacket on her shoulders and she stared at him for a moment before wrapping it tightly around her, not wanting to admit that she needed the added warmth. She turned her gaze back out the window, not wanting to give them any more pleasure as they drove in the night.
A/N: Sorry it's been so long. A lot has happened in real life recently, namely the birth of my first son. So, as you can imagine, my hours are a little messed up as I get used to taking care of a new baby. But I have not forgotten about my stories and will continue to update as soon as I can/find time. Thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoy! Please feel free to review.