Suno eyed Luc up and down. “Are you hurt?”
Luc continued to cough as he shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
Cravens waved over an EMT. “Let’s get you checked out just to make sure.”
Luc ignored the agents, craning his neck to find Priscilla. He relaxed when he spotted her across the clearing surrounded by three men in dark suits as well as a paramedic.
“What’s your name?” Cravens asked, as Suno whipped out a notebook and pen.
“Luc Langsdale.”
An EMT hustled up, his medical bag over one shoulder and a bottle of water in the other hand. “My name’s Tom. Let’s get you checked out.”
“I’m fine. I’m worried about Priscilla.” Luc started to walk toward her, but Tom put his hand on his arm.
“She’ll be taken care of. We need to make sure you’re okay too.” Tom handed him the bottle of water. “Take small sips. Do you want to sit down?”
“I don’t know.” Luc tried to twist off the cap of the bottle but his hands shook too much. The trees seemed to come closer to him as the sunlight faded behind their leafy branches. Luc was vaguely aware of Tom’s hand on his shoulder guiding him to the ground, then forcing his head between his legs.
“Breathe in and out nice and slow.” Tom draped a blanket around Luc’s shoulders. “Concentrate on breathing.”
Gradually, the spinning stopped. Luc raised his head.
“Better?” Tom crouched down beside Luc and uncapped the water bottle. “Here you go. You’ve been through quite a lot. Why don’t you take it easy for a little bit? I told the agents you wouldn’t be answering any questions for the moment.”
Luc sipped some tepid water, trying to refocus his thoughts. He didn’t think he could do anything other than sit there, but the need to know that Priscilla was all right drove him to struggle to his feet. He scanned the area, but couldn’t find her.
“Easy there.” Tom supported him with a hand under one of Luc’s elbows. “You should really stay seated for a bit longer.”
Luc took a step forward, searching for a glimpse of her, but all he could see were men and women dressed in either SWAT team uniforms or suits with bulletproof vests overtop. “Where is she?”
Tom frowned. “You said her first name is Priscilla?”
“Priscilla Anderson.” To the side, Luc spotted Culvert standing in handcuffs between two FBI agents. Good. At least that man was safely in custody again. Dr. Devins and Laura weren’t visible to him either. He hoped both had been cuffed and arrested too.
“I’ll radio my supervisor and see if she’s been taken to the hospital.” Tom spoke into his radio while Luc continued his visual search of the area.
“Good news. She’s on her way to the hospital, and you’ll see her soon, because you’re headed there yourself.” Tom smiled as two more emergency technicians arrived with a gurney. “Your ride’s here. Let’s get you loaded up and into the ambulance.”
“Is she okay?” Luc questioned. He was about to protest riding on the stretcher, but his legs went wobbly on him. Tom helped him onto the stretcher.
“I didn’t hear of anyone seriously injured.” Tom conferred briefly with the two other EMTs. “You’ll be able to find out for yourself soon.”
As Luc lay back onto the gurney, his entire body sagging with spent adrenaline, he turned to the only thing he could do. Lord, please keep Priscilla safe.
* * *
Priscilla quickly dressed in a clean pair of jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt after her shower. At least this marshal hadn’t gotten her another flannel shirt. She would never wear flannel again.
She had spent hours being poked and prodded in the ER before being pronounced well enough to be discharged. A female US marshal whom she hadn’t met before had brought her yet another change of clothes and had finagled a shower for her in the female employee locker room. Her right knee ached, her left shoulder sported the beginnings of a large bruise from the seat belt and her head hurt. The ibuprofen had taken the edge off her aches and pains, and a good night’s sleep would help immensely. But who knew when she would be able to actually close her eyes, given the parade of FBI agents, US marshals and others who clamored for statements and information about the last four days.