Page 16 of SEAL's Resolve
Once off Hart Mountain, the caravan headed for Interstate 40. Minutes later, they exited onto Highway 18. At that point, Josh took the lead and zoomed past the speed limit. As an officer with the Otter Creek police, Josh would be able to flash his badge if they were pulled over for speeding before they hit the Otter Creek town limits.
At the one-hour mark, Josh drove up to the emergency entrance of Memorial Hospital. “Stay with her while we check the area, Torres.” He and Rio joined the rest of Durango.
Rafe scanned the area as well. While he trusted Durango, he trusted his own judgment more. Although he hadn’t seen a tail, Kristi wasn’t secure. She had a GPS tracker embedded under her skin. Anyone with the right information could track her to their current location.
Within two minutes, Josh was back. “We’re clear. Need help?”
Rafe shook his head. He climbed out, then lifted Kristi into his arms.
“I can walk,” she protested.
“You pushed yourself as far as you need to for tonight.” He winked at her. “Besides, carrying you makes me look good in front of the nurses.”
She smiled. “From the looks you’re receiving from the women in the waiting room and behind the desk, your plan is working.”
When one of the nurses pointed him to an exam room, Rafe carried her inside, anxious to have her out of sight of others. He set Kristi on the exam table. Within two minutes, someone knocked on the door.
Rafe stepped in front of Kristi, his hand on his weapon.
Rio peered into the room. “Dr. Anderson is here.”
Relaxing, Rafe motioned for Rio to send him in. He turned to Kristi. “He’s the best doctor in town. All the ladies, from babies to gray-haired grannies, love Doc Anderson.”
The doctor walked into the exam room, his eyes twinkling. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Torres. Glad you’re not in need of my services this time. Who’s your friend?”
“This is Kristi Stewart. Fortress rescued her from kidnappers who used a stun gun on Kristi and drugged her.”
Anderson sobered. “I see. Let me take a look at you, my dear. Mr. Torres, please wait outside.”
He frowned. “She’s still in danger, Doc.” Although the town’s favorite doctor was old enough to be Kristi’s grandfather, she would feel vulnerable with any unknown male. He didn’t want to leave her if she was uncomfortable.
The doctor raised an eyebrow. “I assumed you would stand watch. Grace St. Claire will be joining us in a moment.”
Immediately feeling better about leaving Kristi, he laid his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be right outside the door. If you need me, call out. I’ll hear you.”
The door to the exam room opened again, and Grace walked inside. Her face brightened. “Rafe, it’s good to see you again. How are you?”
He gave the nurse a one-armed hug. “Better now that your husband can’t torture me in PT every day.”
She grinned. “He’ll be pleased to know that you appreciate his efforts. Who’s this?”
Rafe introduced Kristi. “Take good care of her, Grace. Kristi is a friend.” That might be stretching their acquaintance a bit, but Kristi didn’t dispute his claim of friendship. Then again, that might have more to do with her physical state than anything. She was exhausted and fighting adrenaline dump.
Grace’s expression softened. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay with her.”
As Rafe left the room, Dr. Anderson said to Kristi, “Now, my dear, let’s talk while I check you for injuries, all right?”
Even though Rafe knew he couldn’t stay in the room, he still felt as though he was abandoning her. Closing the door behind him, he took up a watch position in front of the door. Anyone who meant to harm Kristi would have to go through him first, and he was hard to take down.
Rio came to stand beside him. “How is she?”
“In a great deal of pain, but she’s not complaining. Do you think Anderson will keep her overnight?”
A nod. “You have a problem with that?”
“I want her in a more secure location.”
“If she’s admitted, Durango will help with security until Wolf Pack arrives. They should be here in two hours.”