Read Under Fire for Free Online

the ambulance with me and I’ll check you out?”
    Frowning, Cori glanced around to see a lady firefighter gripping the sleeve of her leather coat, expression grim. She shrugged out of the woman’s grasp. “You’re kidding, right? Do I look like I’m unconscious and drowning to you? Did you see how hard that chain hit Zack in the face?”
    “They’re going to get him out,” the woman replied, striving for calm. But her voice wobbled, betrayed the upset she tried to hide. “I’m Eve Marshall. Right now my job is to attend to you.”
    “Look, Eve, I appreciate that, but I’m a nurse.” Or she would be in four months . . . a graduation that wouldn’t be in her future if not for Zack’s sacrifice. “I got a bump on the head and I’m shook-up, but Zack’s going to need you more.”
    Eve paused, then nodded. “All right. You’re welcome to go sit in the ambulance, where it’s dry, or—”
    “I’ll stay out of the way.” Cori gestured to a mountain of a man donning a harness with a thick rope attached to it. He’d stripped off his fire department hat, coat, pants, and boots, leaving him in a navy polo shirt and trousers. Two others were checking every square inch of the straps. “Is he going in?”
    Eve turned and heaved a deep breath, eyes darkening with worry. “Yes. That’s Lieutenant Paxton. We can all lift or carry a person if necessary, but he’s the strongest in a situation like this.”
    Cori studied the giant, hard and popping with muscle. The man looked like he could bench-press a truck, which meant he had a chance of rescuing Zack. Maybe a better-than-average chance. The ferocity of the storm had abated somewhat, and although the Cumberland was swollen to overflowing the banks, it wasn’t a swift-moving river.
    Please, let him get Zack out. Alive.
    In those couple of seconds, skidding for the guardrail, she’d felt completely helpless. Alone, terrified and at the mercy of fate. Zack must’ve felt that way when he went over the side.
    Tears sprang to her eyes as she watched them lower Lieutenant Paxton the few feet to the river. Her head knew the accident wasn’t her fault, but her heart wasn’t listening. If either of these men was hurt, she’d never be able to live with herself.
    Leaning over as far as she dared, craning her neck, she noted the metallic red of her Explorer just below the water’s surface. From here, she couldn’t tell whether she was looking at the side or the roof, but the vehicle was jammed against one of the bridge columns. She prayed the vehicle would stay put.
    Paxton went in right next to the submerged SUV, tugged on the rope. They gave him slack and he dove, disappearing into the murk. How long had Zack been under at that point? Less than one minute?
    The bridge might’ve been deserted, the only sound the dying wind and soft patter of sleet. No one spoke; no one moved. The tension and fear were palpable as everyone waited, practically hanging over the edge, gazes glued to the water. Next to the firefighters, Cori saw two cops she hadn’t noticed before. They seemed nervous, too.
    A minute passed. Longer.
    The lieutenant surfaced, but had no one in his grasp. He took a deep breath and dove again.
    Another minute. The strain mounted in the anxious group. Cori glanced at them to see a Hispanic firefighter tug a gold cross from beneath his coat, clutch it in his palm. No one else noticed, but she saw the handsome man bow his head, lips moving in silent prayer. His entreaty lasted only a few seconds; then he crossed himself, hid the necklace, and resumed his vigil.
    Touched, Cori ached with the need to cry. That one act, witnessing a man’s prayer for his missing comrade, and these people became real . These were Zack’s friends, sick with fear. They knew there was a good chance by now that he wouldn’t make it.
    “Please,” she whispered, crossing herself, as well. “Get him out.”
    How long since the vehicle went under? Four or five minutes? Too long,