Page 51 of The Condemned (Echoes from the Past #6)
FORTY-ONE
Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany
Rhys kicked off his shoes and stretched out on the bed, enjoying the firm support beneath his back.
Hotel Europa looked like something straight out of a Grimm fairy tale, and after the spartan accommodations of the Mustafa Hotel, he was enjoying the amenities.
Rhys acknowledged to himself that he was way too attached to his creature comforts, but the private bath that smelled of pine cleaner and boasted excellent water pressure made him doubly happy.
He plugged in his iPad to charge—another luxury—and reached for his mobile.
He’d go down to the bar and have a beer later, and if the appetizing smell coming from the restaurant was anything to go by, he’d be having a good dinner.
But first, he’d call Quinn. It was just past three o’clock, so she’d most likely be on her own.
Rhys swallowed back his nervousness as he made the call. Quinn picked up on the second ring.
“Rhys, I left you a dozen messages. Where have you been?” she cried. Rhys heard the fear in her voice. Perhaps Gabe had done too good a job of preparing her for the worst.
“I’m sorry,” Rhys replied in his most soothing tone. “I know you were worried, but I had to be sure of my information before I rang you.”
“And? Are you sure now?” Quinn asked in a small, quivering voice.
“Yes, I am. Quinn, there’s good news and there’s bad news.
I’ll start with the bad, if you don’t mind.
Jo and a local guide took a trip into the mountains.
They drove over an explosive device, which detonated beneath their vehicle.
The guide survived, but when he woke up in hospital, he had no idea what had happened to Jo. ”
“Rhys, please, just tell me. I can’t bear this,” Quinn moaned.
“I’m sorry. I thought you’d want to know what happened. Jo, who was badly hurt, was lucky enough to be picked up by American troops who were in the area. They took her to a military facility in Kabul, then flew her out to their base in Germany, which is where I am now.”
“You’re in Germany?” Quinn exclaimed.
“I arrived this morning on a military transport.”
“Have you seen her? Have you seen Jo?”
“Quinn, Jo suffered a subdural hematoma, as well as some other injuries. She’s been operated on and is on the mend. I saw her this morning. She recognized me.”
“Oh, thank God! Did you tell her about me?” Quinn asked, her voice small and shaky.
“Jo’s doctor warned me not to upset her. I couldn’t just blurt out that I’d been sent by the twin sister she’d never heard of. It’ll take time, Quinn. You must be patient. The worst is over.”
“Rhys, where exactly are you?”
Rhys heard the determination in Quinn’s voice and smiled. He knew exactly where this was going, but this was the Quinn he knew and loved, and he’d expect nothing less. “Perhaps you should give it a day or two,” he suggested, knowing his advice would be completely ignored.
“Absolutely not. I will be on the first flight to Germany, as soon as you tell me precisely where you are. ”
“All right. I’m in Ramstein-Miesenbach, and Jo is at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. She’s in the best of hands, Quinn.”
“Rhys, did her doctor indicate when she can come home?” Quinn asked.
“No, she didn’t. Jo was in an induced coma for several weeks. She’s not going anywhere just now. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Quinn, how’s our case going?” Rhys asked, his mind switching momentarily to work.
“I’ll fill you in when I get there. I have to go. I can’t wait to tell Gabe, and I need to call my dad, and Logan. Not sure if I want to tell Sylvia though,” Quinn mused. She sounded lighter, and full of purpose. “Perhaps Logan can pass on the news.”
“Text me your flight information. I’ll see about hiring a car.”
“Rhys, I can’t thank you enough,” Quinn said, her voice soft and breathless again. “What you’ve done for me…”
“It was my pleasure. Now, I have a date with a wiener schnitzel and a stein of local lager, and if you’d spent a fortnight in Kabul, you would understand just how exciting that is. I will see you soon.”
“Enjoy your schnitzel, Rhys,” Quinn said with a chuckle.
Rhys disconnected the call and stared at the blank screen for a moment, wondering if he’d made a terrible mistake by calling Quinn so soon.
How would Jo react, in her current state, to a sister she’d never met, and would Dr. Stein object to Quinn putting Jo through such emotional upheaval so soon after waking her from a coma?
Perhaps he should have waited until he’d spoken to Dr. Stein and had a clearer picture of what to expect, but at this stage, nothing would keep Quinn away.
Even if she weren’t allowed to visit with Jo, she’d sit outside her hospital room, happy in the knowledge that they were finally in the same place at the same time.
The shower beckoned, and Rhys set aside his mobile and stripped off his clothes, which still smelled of the musty room in Kabul.
He hoped Hotel Europa had laundry service.
He stepped beneath the blissfully hot spray and inhaled the pleasant smell of lavender soap.
He’d allow himself one evening of indulgence: a long, hot shower, followed by a good dinner, and a film or two, if he couldn’t find a cooking program.
He’d never thought he’d be this excited to see a television.
Tomorrow, Quinn would arrive, and they’d deal with whatever circumstances arose together.