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do, Ill do anything I have to. Im not going to let her die.
Dont worry, Blair said grimly. No one is dying tonight.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
It was too dark for Blair to see exactly what was happening on the beach, even with the floodlights on the boat
spotlighting the people swarming all over it. When she had attempted to run down in search of Cam, Paula had
informed her that both she and Diane were confined to the house until further notice. Blair would have argued, but that
only would have delayed Paula in organizing the teams to get Cam and Valerie up to the house. She was acutely aware
that Paula was doing everything possible to take care of the injured, even though she had to be crazy with worry over
Renée.
Despite understanding the reasons behind the protocols, Blair couldnt control what she felt, which verged very close
on panic. She just wanted to see Cam, and waiting was agony. She alternated between stalking out to the rear deck and
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pacing in the kitchen. Diane waited at the window, watching the activity on shore in pale silence.
Here they come, finally, Blair said when she was able to make out a clutch of figures transporting a still form on a
stretcher toward the house. Only a single stretcher. Her chest tightened. What did that mean? Where was the second
casualty? Where wasCam ?
Im sure theyll take them right upstairs, Blair said, concentrating on what she could do rather than letting the terror
swallow her. Lets go up so we can help.
Within minutes, Felicia and Wozinski half-carried Cam into the bedroom. She was wrapped in an emergency thermal
blanket and, other than her shoes, appeared to be naked. Her face was gray and her skin looked rubbery from the cold,
but Blair was nevertheless enormously relieved to see that she was conscious and making some effort to walk. Blair
pushed back the covers on the bed. Over here.
Ill get the IV set up, Wozinski said, as Felicia and Blair helped Cam into bed.
No, Cam rasped. You and Felicia give Savard a hand with Valerie.
Stark had supplies brought over from the emergency aid center at the marina, Blair said, replacing Cams damp blanket
with several layers of dry ones. I heated four liters of saline in the microwave. Greg, I can help you get Cams line
started while Felicia assists in the other room.
Yes maam, Greg said.
Cam shook her head weakly. I can wait
No, you cant, Blair said firmly. Go ahead, Greg.
Felicia said, Ill be next door with Valerie.
When Greg left to get supplies, Blair sat on the edge of the bed next to Cam. She cupped her cheek, shuddering
inwardly at the icy touch. Are you injured anywhere?
Bumps and bruises. Cams teeth chattered. Fire feels good. Maybe I can sit closer.
As soon as you get some warm fluids into you. Blair stroked her face. You know that rapid external rewarming can
cause problems. Blair had skied in enough remote areas to know the protocol for exposure and hypothermia. So did all
of her security staff, and every shift contained at least one agent who was an EMT like Savard and Wozinski. Many
hypothermia victims died during the initial resuscitation attempts because warming the outside of the body without
raising the internal temperature led to cardiac collapse. Well get you warmed up as fast as we can, but were not taking
any risks.
Right now Id take my chances, Cam said, shivering violently. Christ, Im cold.
Ill get some more blankets.
No, Cam said, grasping Blairs hand. It wont help. Juststay close.
I can do better than that. Blair kicked off her shoes, shed her jeans, and got under the covers. She cradled Cams head
against her shoulder and wrapped her arms and legs around her. Im not going anywhere.
Cam had drifted off by the time Wozinski returned. He silently and efficiently started an IV in Cams right arm and hung
a liter of warm saline. That will run for about ten minutes. Ill be back to hang the second liter then.
Thanks, Greg. Blair said, stroking Cams hair. For everything.
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Its an honor, maam.
Alone, Blair closed her eyes, even though she wasnt tired. She wasnt planning on sleeping. All she
wanted was to listen to Cam breathe.
* * * * *
Glad youre here Greg, Renée Savard said, applying EKG pads to Valeries chest. Start another IV in
her left arm, would you. We need to get another bag of the hot stuff into her. Her temps ninety-two.
Got it.
Tell me what I can do, Diane urged, pressing close to the side of the bed near Valeries head, trying not
to interfere but wanting desperately to do something. Valerie looked so white, so stillso lifeless. Please.
Here. Felicia tossed Diane a thermal towel from the emergency kit brought over from the marina. Dry
her hair and when that towel gets cool, Ill get you another hot one.
Valerie moaned, her body twitching reflexively when Diane touched her. Diane blocked out the sound
and concentrated on doing anything she could to get her warm and dry. Is she going to be all right?
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