Page 97 of Fear No Evil
P.S. Your dad is on his way.
P.P.S. Here’s my phone number. Call when you can.
Maggie memorized the number, then reread Jake’s message before clutching the note to her chest and studying her surroundings. Where was she, exactly?
The sterile room was like any other hospital room, double occupancy with an empty bed next to hers. But the signs on the wall were all in Spanish. Peering through the wide window for clues, she caught sight of a distinctive, decorative panel mounted to the exterior of the building. The panel brought to mind El Hospital Universitario Nacional in Bogotá. Lifting the note again, she realized the letterhead said just that. She was back in the city where she’d done her first tour.
Maggie tucked the note back into her passport, laid that back on her wheeled table, and then took stock of herself. An intravenous tube snaked out of a vein on her right hand, while a PICC line disappeared into the underside of her left arm, delivering antibiotics straight to her heart. The infection must have been a bad one.
A peek under her hospital gown revealed monitors stuck to her bare chest, which explained the quiet beeping of a machine near her head. It also revealed how shockingly underweight she was. Gosh, she’d only been in the wilderness for what—two weeks and a day?
An abrupt knock at her door had her looking up. “Come in?”
The door cracked six inches, allowing her caller to peek at her before pushing his way inside. Recognition flooded her, along with relief and affection. Tall, dark, and distinguished, with silver hair at his temples and green eyes identical to hers, Drake Ellis commanded respect wherever he went. He crossed to her bed with a pained expression.
“Hey, Daddy.”
He leaned over and hugged her fervently. “Oh, Mags.”
“Gosh, do I look that bad?”
His chuckle sounded more like a sob, and his eyes were damp when he finally straightened. “You look wonderful. And you’re alive, which is all that matters.”
The words confirmed what Maggie had guessed: She’d come pretty close to dying. A memory niggled of Jake pleading with her while the helicopter swept them away from El Castillo’s summit.“Don’t you dare die on me, Lena.”She’d had no intention of dying.
“I feel pretty weak,” she admitted, if only to explain why she hadn’t hopped out of bed to greet her father.
“The doctor said you had a serious infection. They’ve been pumping antibiotics into you for four days now.”
“I’ve been here forfour days?”
“Yes, and I would have been here sooner, but I was in the middle of a big case. Besides, your boss said you had someone staying with you?” He looked around pointedly.
Maggie glanced at the empty armchair. “He just left. Remember Jake Carrigan, Dad, my boyfriend in France whose number you blocked on my new phone?”
Her father’s expression turned wary. “What about him?”
“He’s a SEAL now. He saved my life in Venezuela and again in Morocco. We were partners on this latest assignment. And I’m in love with him.” She astonished herself by blurting the last part on a defiant note.
“Well!” Her father looked stunned. “I’m delighted to hear that.”
“You are? I mean, you’re the reason we lost touch for twelve years. Aren’t you worried that he’s going to ruin my career?” Again, she sounded angry, blaming him for something that was ultimately her decision. “Sorry.” She briefly closed her eyes. “I hate feeling helpless, and I’m taking it out on you.”
“That’s okay, Mags.” He looked her over, then glanced around the room. “Is there anything I can get you?”
“Can you get me out of here?”
“Well, that’s the plan, but you’ll have to be cleared by your doctor first.”
Maggie sighed. “How long will that take?”
“Not too long. We spoke over the phone. He said he’d release you in a couple of days.”
“Days!” Maggie whimpered.
“Are you hungry? You look like you could do with a good meal. How about pizza? We could get it delivered.”
Searching herself, she discovered she did have a bit of an appetite. She didn’t want to be a stick the next time she saw Jake, so she’d better fatten up. “Sure, pizza sounds great.”