Targets of Opportunity (1993) (48 page)

"Is Allison okay?" Brad asked in a flat, guttural voice.

Nick gave her a furtive glance. Cap Spencer had cupped Allison's small hand between his while Rudy Jimenez tearfully covered her face with a utility jacket. She hadn't made it. Operation Achilles was over, and Hollis Spencer would carry the guilt with him for the rest of his life Palmer hesitated and glanced at Blackwell, then snapped out of the paralysis of anguish. "She's in good hands, Brad. Try to relax."

Brad noticed the pained expression in Nick's eyes. He choked an
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truggled to speak. "Please tell Leigh Ann . . ." he swallowed twice and coughed, "where they are taking me . . . which hospital."

"I will." Palmer strained to keep his composure as Lex gloomily shook his head. "You rest . . . and save your strength. We'll be on the ground soon. "

Brad nodded weakly and closed his eyes. "Thanks."

Chapter
FORTY-FOUR

The lights of the city were beginning to twinkle brightly as the sunlight dissipated over the Menam Khong River. The narrow streets were becoming clogged from the early-evening hustle and bustle in the open-air markets. The lewd jokes and loud noises from the partying crowd drifted from the raunchy bars and settled over the river traffic.

Nick Palmer paid the taxi driver, then hefted his bag of new toiletries and clothes and entered the Constellation Hotel. He walked straight to the front desk and set his belongings on the floor.

"Is Miss Leigh Ann Ladasau registered?" he asked when Lo Van Phuong turned and gave him a toothy smile.

"Mister Palmer, good to see you again." The general manager concealed his astonishment at seeing Nick dressed in a ripped and soiled flight suit. He glanced at the pilot's bandaged hand, pretending not to notice it.

Nick acknowledged the pleasantry and gazed toward the commotion coming from the crowded, smoke-filled barroom. He was not in the mood for small talk.

Sensing Palmer's restraint, the amiable man erased the smile from his face. "Yes, Miss Ladasau staying with us. She check in today." He glanced at his wristwatch. "She go to dinner maybe ten, fifteen minute ago. She say she be back soon."

"Thanks," Palmer said while he reached for his wallet. "Do you have any rooms available?"

-Yes." He smiled and reached for a key.

"When she returns," Palmer said wearily, "please don't mention that I inquired about her."

Lo Van Phuong smiled innocently. "As you wish."

After Nick had signed the guest register, he went to his room for a quick shower and a fresh change of clothes. He would wait to talk to Leigh Ann until she had finished her dinner and returned to the hotel.

Donning a clean shirt and khaki slacks, Palmer went to the front desk. Leigh Ann had not returned from dinner.

Deciding to go into the bar, Nick ordered a double scotch on the rocks and took a seat where he could observe the entrance to the lobby.

He thought about Brad Austin and all the experiences they had shared since they had first met on board the aircraft carrier. The memories cascaded through his mind, and he took another sip of his drink.

Still reliving their close calls in the air and their humorous times on liberty, Nick suddenly became aware of someone entering the lobby. He looked up to see Leigh Ann walk to the front desk.

Forgetting his drink, Palmer rose from his chair and quietly left the bar.

Leigh Ann stopped in midsentence and turned to see who was approaching her.

"Nick," she exclaimed excitedly while reaching out to hug him. "What a pleasant surprise!"

Palmer awkwardly embraced her and stepped back with a trace of a smile on his face. "You're as beautiful as ever."

"Thank you, Nick." She laughed, then added, "Always the gentleman." She noticed his bandaged hand. "You look great, too, but what happened to your hand?"

"Just some minor damage," Nick answered uncomfortably, then fell silent.

"Is Brad with you?" she beamed before noticing the pained expression on his face. "Nick, what's wrong? Has something happened to Brad?"

Hesitantly, he took her by the arm. "Leigh Ann, let's go to your room . . . if you don't mind."

"Nick," she said somberly as they walked down the hallway, "has there been an accident?"

"Yes."

The color drained from Leigh Ann's face as she shakily placed her key in the lock and opened the door.

"Tell me the truth, Nick," she said with a strained intensity.

He absently closed the door and gently took her by the shoulders. "Leigh Ann, Brad just came out of surgery . . . and he's in serious condition."

She stared at Nick with a mixture of confusion and disbelief written on her taut face. "Is he going to be okay . . . ? What happened?"

He paused while he framed an answer. The doctors had been cautiously optimistic about Brad's chances when he was taken to the recovery room. "It's a long story, Leigh Ann. " Nick thought about the events of the last few hours and shook his head. "We're not going to know much until tomorrow, but the initial report sounded good."

Relieved that Brad was alive, Leigh Ann inhaled deeply. The room seemed to be spinning as Nick reached to steady her. When he took her in his arms, she buried her face against his chest and sobbed. He held her tightly and felt the shudders that tortured her body.

Nick could hear the faint sounds from the bar as the dull noise mixed with the street traffic. He shared her concern and silently prayed that his friend would be okay.

"Go ahead, let it out." He pressed her head into the hollow of his shoulder and gently stroked her hair.

Glancing at the IV bottle hanging next to his bed, Brad Austin focused his eyes and took inventory. He had both feet and both hands, so he obviously had his arms and legs. His bruised stomach hurt, and his chest felt as if someone had dropped an anvil on it.

He slowly raised his head off the damp pillow and surveyed the spotless room. A sudden chill ran through him as he remembered seeing Allison fall to the ground and struggle to get to her feet. His head plopped back on the pillow, and he heard a distinct voice.

"Captain Austin," the unsmiling nurse said while she checked his dressings and the IV, "you have visitors, if you feel up to having company."

His first attempt at talking came out as a croak. He tried a second time. "Sure."

The terse woman walked out, and a moment later Leigh Ann appeared in the doorway, followed by Nick Palmer.

Brad's eyes reflected his happiness. "Leigh Ann . . . Nick." He lifted his hand a few inches above the bed.

As shocked as she was to see Brad in his condition, Leigh Ann maintained her poise while she walked to the bed and clasped his outstretched hand. "You had us worried."

Nick remained by the door. "The drill sergeant . . ." He coughed and cleared his throat. "The nurse gave us five minutes, so I'm going to step outside. I'll see you later."

Austin turned his head to look at Palmer. "How is Allison?" He felt Leigh Ann squeeze his hand at the same instant Nick lowered his head and quietly replied.

"Brad, Allison didn't make it."

Brad stared blankly at the ceiling, then glanced at Leigh Ann while Nick stepped from the room.

She fought the tears that suddenly filled her eyes. "Brad," Leigh Ann patted his hand, "Nick told me you did everything you could for Allison."

He forced the pain and anguish deep inside him and kept his thoughts to himself. No one could know the guilt he felt about Allison.

Leigh Ann leaned over and gently kissed Brad on the forehead. "The doctors told us that you're going to be fine . . . and I'm going to take you home as soon as you're able to travel."

Brad smiled, and his eyes glistened. "I'm ready now, if you can smuggle me out of here."

Leigh Ann laughed softly and wiped a tear from her cheek.