Attempted Abduction

by Sommer Smith

  * * *

  Grayson looked at the small bundle in the arms of the pretty young nurse. Who knew such a tiny thing could cause such massive problems? And be so terrifying...

  The pediatrician who seemed to be in charge was frowning in thought. She seemed to grasp the truth of what he’d said but, if he had to guess, was battling the professionalism so deeply ingrained in her. “It could mean you’re risking her life,” she finally said.

  “How sick is she? If she is well enough to travel, not moving her could risk dozens of other lives...” He knew it sounded cold, but this was a tough situation. He had to make her understand. It was his job.

  The young nurse challenged him again. “How can you ask her to value one life over another?”

  He kept his eyes fixed on the doctor. “I’m not trying to risk any lives here. I will do everything I can to keep her safe and healthy. That means keeping her under constant medical supervision if possible. I just can’t leave her here.”

  He glanced again at the nurse, thinking she might start to concede. Instead, her green eyes snapped with fire. He felt a spark of admiration for her.

  “So you want to just pick up and leave with a tiny, helpless life whom we should all be protecting. How are you going to keep her safe?” she asked, her stance defiant despite her arms being full. “Don’t you think she needs medical care until we know she is strong enough to travel?”

  “That’s my intent, other than the fact that we have to travel. There’s no choice. The risk is greater if we don’t move her. But I aim to protect her.” He looked at the baby again. He would rather be in charge of Savannah’s safety, but a falling-out with his boss had had him assigned to Baby Girl Reid instead of her mother. There had recently been some false accusations raised against him, but his supervisor had yet to disclose where they’d come from. Despite his inexperience with infants, he knew he had to prove he could do the job.

  “Taking her from the NICU could endanger her health. Isn’t that important to you?” The nurse’s voice had softened a bit, probably hoping to appeal to his emotional side. She didn’t know he had been forced to block that off, thanks to his job. Maybe even years before that, if he were honest.

  But this wasn’t about his family history. “Is she so critical? Do you have any reason to believe she will be in danger without medical intervention?” He turned his attention back to the doctor to ask the question.

  Dr. Covington thought for a moment. “No, she isn’t critical. But it’s hospital protocol to hold a premature infant for observation.”

  “So she could survive without the hospital monitors and equipment?” Grayson ignored the feel of the nurse’s indignant stare on his face.

  Dr. Covington considered this before nodding. “I’ll let you take her to a safe house under one condition.”

  Grayson heard the nurse suck in a breath, but he remained focused on the doctor. “What’s that?”

  Dr. Covington gave the nurse a look he could only define as apologetic. “Lauren goes with you. She’s the best pediatric nurse we have in the NICU. If anything goes wrong with Baby Girl Reid’s health, she’ll know what to do until you can get her to a hospital.”

  The nurse’s eyes widened. “Dr. Covington, you can’t be serious. This baby needs close monitoring.”

  The doctor nodded. “Which you can take care of. She’s showing none of the usual complications seen in a preemie. And this is an emergency situation.”

  “Get your things.” Grayson gestured for the nurse to gather whatever she needed. He wanted to sigh when she just stood there gaping at him, the baby quietly working the bottle in Lauren’s arms.

  “Who says I agree?” She looked like a mad hen, only a lot cuter.

  He ignored the thought. “I don’t have time for this.”

  Dr. Covington began unhooking the monitors while the nurse continued to hold the bottle with one hand and the infant in the other and stare.

  Grayson took the baby as soon as she was freed and started for the door.

  The nurse shrieked. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m taking this baby somewhere safe, with or without you.” He didn’t slow his pace at all. His instincts told him she would follow. Sometimes the job just had to be done. There was no time to waste.

  It was silent behind him for two beats before he heard tennis shoe soles whispering a quick rhythm behind him.

  “Wait!” She laid a hand on his shoulder. “We need some diapers and formula and things to get us by until we can get more.”

  He looked down at the baby, then gave the nurse a nod.

  “Where exactly are we going?” Her voice wavered at his back. He could hear her gathering supplies from a cabinet behind him.

  “I haven’t received orders on our final destination yet.” He heard her suck in a breath. It probably seemed daunting to her, though it was something he had grown accustomed to. “It’s likely it will be a pretty long distance.”

  Dr. Covington called their attention to where she stood watching them, halting them both with her words. “How should I direct the authorities when they arrive and want to question Nurse Beck?”

  She gestured at Lauren, and Grayson realized he was about to turn this woman’s life upside down and didn’t even know her name. He reminded himself it was just the nature of the job. He gave the doctor a piercing look. “Tell them it has been taken under the jurisdiction of the US Marshals Service.”

  The doctor nodded and looked again at the nurse. “You know how to reach me if you need me. I’ll see that your shifts are covered.”

  Grayson was surprised at the nurse’s quiet acquiescence as they trekked through the hospital. They made their way to the lot out back and walked toward a big black SUV. He had parked as close to the building as possible to provide enough cover to get the baby inside, knowing it would take precious minutes to secure the infant.

  “What about a car seat?” Lauren jumped in front of him, clearly intending to block his path to the vehicle if she didn’t like his response.

  “Already taken care of.” He motioned for her to look inside.

  She opened the back door to find a baby carrier already secured on the seat. She gave him a nod of approval. “That’s a relief.”

  “Did you think I just planned to toss the baby in the back seat?” He couldn’t keep the irritation from his voice.

  “You never know. I don’t know anything at all about you.” She took the baby from his arms, her hand brushing against the scar beneath his T-shirt. He drew in a sharp breath as she began to settle her into the carrier.

  If she noticed his indrawn breath, she didn’t mention it.

  “Right. Well, you can rest assured, as required by my job, I always play by the rules when it comes to safety. I’m protective. And intelligent.” He practically growled the words at her. “That’s about all you need to know right now.”

  She stopped and gave him a startled look, like it had never occurred to her that she might have insulted him. He wanted to laugh. She was completely unexpected.

  “What’s so funny?” The veins stood out on her small hands as her slender fingers adjusted the straps around the baby’s chest.

  “You get ruffled easily for someone who likes to hand out insults.” He motioned for her to get in the front passenger seat as he closed the back door. “Come on. We need to get going.”

  She obeyed, but as soon as they were in the vehicle, she returned fire. “I do not hand out insults. Maybe you’re just easily offended.”

  “What? You just practically accused me of being too dumb to remember a car seat.”

  “I didn’t—Well...I didn’t mean to sound that way. It’s just something I didn’t really expect you to think of. I mean, you don’t seem like the type to be a father. My apologies.”

  His brow furrowed. “How do you know I’m not a father?”


  She shrugged. “You seem uncomfortable with the baby.”

  He couldn’t argue with that. He was surprised she had so quickly picked up on it, though. “It’s true I haven’t spent much time around newborns.” He put the SUV into Drive and checked his mirrors thoroughly before pulling out. He didn’t see anything suspicious at the moment, but it was impossible to be too cautious at a time like this.

  “In any case, I’d rather you not make assumptions. Just ask me. Lack of communication in a situation like this can get people killed.” He knew she would probably think he was overreacting, but there were some things that needed to be established. Lives depended on it. “So, just so we are clear, I’m in charge here. You listen and do what I tell you first, ask questions later.”

  “Fine.” She shot him a look that said it didn’t sit well with her but that she would yield for the time being. He liked that she was feisty, though her temperament could put them in danger if she didn’t watch it.

  “Oh, and by the way.” Lauren looked at the baby. “I think the mother named her Lily. So, if that’s okay with you, that’s what we will call her. She needs a name.”

  He nodded and checked the mirrors again, still seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

  He looked over in time to catch Lauren typing something on her phone. “What are you doing? Why do you have that?”

  “What now?” She threw up her hands.

  “Your phone. It’s traceable. Anyone who wants to know your whereabouts can track you. If whoever is after her discovers you have left the hospital with Lily, it would be easy to figure out where to look for you.” He held out his hand.

  She clutched her phone to her chest, giving him an offended look. “Not unless they know my number. I’m not in the habit of giving it out to just anyone.”

  He frowned and shook his head at her. “Pretty much anyone with a background in crime will be able to get it. I’m sure the hospital has it, right?”

  “Yes, but that information is private.” Her expression was stricken.

  “And any experienced hacker can still retrieve it. What if whoever’s trying to get the baby finds out you’re with us?” He hated to be the one to shatter her bubble of security, but the phone had to go.

  She wasn’t giving up easily, though. “What if I turn it off? Or on airplane mode? Isn’t there a way to keep it from being tracked?”

  “It’s risky. Is a cell phone important enough to risk the baby’s life—and yours?” He had to hope that appealing to her sense of self-preservation and protective instincts would work.

  “I just need to keep in touch with my family. But if you think it’s too risky...I understand.”

  Her dejection was almost comical. What was with her attachment to the device? “I do, actually. If I will allow you to use my phone to check in with your family, would that suffice?”

  She gave a small nod. “My sister has a serious medical condition. They might need to reach me at any time, but if I can check in with them frequently, that would help.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. You can make calls on my secure phone anytime you need to, though. It will be safer.” He gestured for her device.

  “What do you plan to do with it?” she asked, holding it out with obvious reluctance.

  He instructed her to power off the phone and removed the SIM card, then asked her to place it into the console of the SUV in answer to her question. “Don’t turn that phone on for any reason.”

  She looked completely panic-stricken. “How often can I call to check in? They also might need to get in touch with me from the hospital—”

  “You’re going to have to go off the grid for a bit. Hopefully, it won’t be long and we’ll have this whole situation resolved. You can check in as often as you like. Why do you expect your family to need you so frequently? What is wrong with your sister?”

  “She has cystic fibrosis and is awaiting a lung for transplant. I help my mother with her care from time to time.”

  Grayson felt a little remorse in that moment. “I really am sorry. But we can’t risk anyone knowing you’re with me. It might put them in danger, as well. Safety comes first.” He glanced at his mirrors again. “Right now, I’m just trying to make sure we aren’t being followed.” He sighed, then asked, “Can you give them a good reason to be out of touch for a day or two? At least let them know you will be checking in from a strange number from time to time?”

  “Yes. It just worries me to be out of contact.” She looked like she might start crying and his gut clenched in response.

  He understood her concerns but had no idea how to correct the issue. He knew she wouldn’t want to put her family in danger, though. Perhaps he should try to explain that sometimes the bad guys used family members to get what they wanted. That he knew she wouldn’t want it to come to that, so it was safer to avoid contact until the situation was resolved.

  But then he turned a corner and found the road blocked by a big white van. “Uh-oh. This isn’t good.”

  There were structures on either side of the street, with narrow sidewalks between the road and the buildings. There was no way around the van.

  Grayson slammed on the brakes with a shouted warning. He then threw the SUV into Reverse, trying to get going again before the van could follow. But it took the big SUV some time to accelerate, and by the time he sped away, the van was in close pursuit.

  The baby began to cry, filling the SUV with her high-pitched little wails.

  “Hold on, Miss Beck.” He performed some evasive driving maneuvers to try to lose the van.

  “I think at a time like this it’s safe to use first names, no? Lauren.” She was still trying to right herself from being tumbled in place, glad she had secured her seat belt.

  Lily was crying in earnest now. “Right. Do me a favor, Lauren, and keep an eye out for that van while I try to lose it. Let me know if the driver tries to start shooting.”

  “Shooting?” Her high-pitched reply told him she hadn’t expected that.

  “It’s unlikely, since he seems to be alone. And I’m sure he was told no shooting around the baby.” Grayson hit the gas.

  “Unlikely. But not impossible.” She unbuckled and climbed into the back seat with the baby while he drove in a straight line.

  “No, not completely. But he likely won’t risk hitting the baby. Just stay low as much as you can and still keep watch.” He kept his voice even, hoping to encourage calm. They were almost out of town, at least.

  To his surprise, Lauren began to sing to the baby in a soft, sweet voice. Lily began to quiet a little and Grayson found he had to focus on what he was doing. She had a beautiful voice.

  She paused her singing for a moment. “He’s still there but falling back some.”

  Lauren resumed her lullaby, but Grayson interrupted. “Okay, then. Hold on. I’m going to try to completely lose him.”

  He began to slow the SUV, but just as they came to an intersection, another car came from out of nowhere and was headed right at them. He slammed hard on the brakes and tried to swerve without losing control of the SUV. It rocked hard and they barely slid by without colliding with the other vehicle. The car just kept going, leading him to believe it was in league with the van.

  While Grayson was trying to recover, however, the white van drew closer. Lauren didn’t even have to tell him. “Great. There isn’t much of anywhere to lose him out here.”

  “So what now, then?” She had to be loud to be heard over the crying baby.

  The infant’s wails accelerated the fraying of his nerves. He needed to concentrate, but a crying baby wasn’t something he could easily block out.

  “I’ll have to double back. We can’t take any chances on giving up our location.” Grayson thought hard, trying to come up with a route that might help him lose their tail. His large hand moved automatically to the scar on his chest, rubbing it w
ith his fingers as if to make the throbbing go away. It was a habit he hardly noticed doing anymore.

  The town of Birchfield wasn’t small, but once a person got too far out, there weren’t a lot of different roads to take. At least they were out of DC. This was usually a fairly quiet area, which was probably why their assailant had waited until they’d made it this far to give chase.

  Putting his thoughts aside, he took the first turnoff that came available, hoping it would lead to where he thought it would. The network of roads around a town like Birchfield were pretty predictable, meaning a few blocks down he would find another turn that would eventually lead him in a big square right back to town. No criminal would want to chase them through town, especially not right to city hall and the police station.

  “He’s getting closer.” Lauren sounded a little panicked in the back seat. He wasn’t sure she wouldn’t start crying right along with Lily. He needed to encourage her.

  “Don’t worry. I have a plan to lose him.” He saw the turnoff he was hoping for in the distance, so he floored it for a few seconds, then made a right. He wasn’t yet sure how he would ever be able to leave the police department without someone following them again. He would work it out somehow.

  The turn worked to his advantage, Grayson soon discovered, because it was a dirt road. He wasted no time gunning the engine and creating as much of a dust screen as he possibly could. The driver of the van, also having made the turn, finally fell back a ways to improve his visibility.

  Grayson sped to the next turn. It would still be a close call getting into town before their tail realized what he was doing and tried something else.

  “Mind if I ask about your plan?” Lauren hadn’t relaxed much, although, thankfully, her singing had finally lulled Lily back to sleep.

  “I’m trying to get back into town and to the police department. He won’t dare try to take the baby with that many law enforcement personnel around. We will just have to pray they aren’t all out on patrol or on calls when we get there.” He slowed as little as possible to make the next turn, but their tail was drawing close again.