Time and space seemed to slow as Brad ran toward her, limping as fast as he could. Spencer turned back and Brad waved him toward the cargo plane, then dropped next to Allison. She was moaning softly and trying to shove herself to her feet.
"Allison," Brad's voice cracked, "don't try to move!"
"Brad," she coughed, "I can't get—"
Ignoring the heavy gunfire, he scooped her up and felt the blood run down his arm. "Hold on to my neck."
She raised one arm and clasped his neck. "Brad…"
"Just a few more yards," he gasped while he limped toward the C-123. He saw Spencer turn and run toward him.
A staggering blow knocked Brad off balance, and his wounded leg buckled under him. He stumbled twice before they collapsed in a heap.
Brad pushed himself to his hands and knees, then stared in shock and disbelief at Allison. She had taken the brunt of the rounds that had ripped into the two of them. "Allison… oh, God, Allison."
He tried to lift her, but fell back when his limbs failed to respond to the sensory inputs. Brad saw a blurred image of Nick and Lex, then the dark settled over him.
Palmer and Blackwell, with assistance from Spencer, carried Allison and Brad into the airplane. They heard the distinct sound of bullets impacting both sides of the fuselage.
"Easy," Nick said as the three men, with the help of Crowder and Jimenez, gently placed Brad and Allison on the flight deck next to Chase Mitchell.
When the last soldier leaped through the door, the cargo pilots fire-walled the big radial engines and released the brakes. The airplane leaped forward and slowly gathered speed in a hail of gunfire.
Three-quarters of the way down the runway, the Provider shuddered from the concussion of a mortar shell that exploded near the right wing.
Just as the aircraft rotated, a small-arms round penetrated the fuselage and struck a soldier next to Blackwell.
The pilots kept the plane low, accelerating as they raised the landing gear and flaps. With a sudden lurch, the C-123 pitched up in a steep, climbing turn to clear the rising hills.
After five minutes, the pilots leveled the battered airplane and reduced power. The right engine was smoking and running rough, but they kept it going in order to expedite getting the wounded to Vientiane.
Gunny Rodriguez lay mortally wounded near the rear entrance to the cargo bay. He had been the last person to board the battle-damaged airplane.
Brad opened his eyes when Lex and Nick moved him to a long bench seat. Vaguely he became aware of where he was when he heard Palmer speak to Blackwell. He also heard the cries and groans from the severely wounded soldiers.
"Brad." Nick leaned closer and carefully examined his friend's eyes. "How are you feeling? Do you want something for the pain?"
Austin had never seen Nick Palmer's face look so pale and full of sorrow.
"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 and struggled 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."