Read Online Code Black by Philip S. Donlay - Free Book Online Page A

man turned away as if to provide her some privacy, then absently picked up a nearby laser pointer and began to mindlessly click it on and off. Lauren watched as the spot of intense red light danced aimlessly around the wall and ceiling. Matt repeatedly sliced the beam through the cloud of smoke from their cigarettes. Lauren looked at Matt as she swept her phone to her ear. She very subtly shook her head in reference to the distracting light.
    “Whoops.” Matt shrugged an apology and thrust the device into his coat pocket
    “Hello,” came Michael’s confident tone.
    “Michael, it’s me.” At the sound of his voice, Lauren found it almost impossible to sort through the rapidly shifting events. The uncertainty of what had happened to Donovan was becoming harder to deal with.
    “Do you know anything yet?” Michael said loudly, the sound of gale-force winds rustling through the connection.
    “No,” Lauren said, as a surprise sob escaped from her throat.
    “I got a call from your boss,” Michael said, hoping to comfort her. “Calvin brought me up to date and is trying to use some military contacts to get me to O’Hare. Hopefully I can hitch a ride on a truck or a jeep and get to you. Lauren, please hang in there, I’m coming as fast as I can, but the storm is really getting wound up.”
    “I’m glad Calvin called you,” Lauren managed to whisper. “Hurry. Just get here. I need you.”
    “It’s going to be all right,” Michael reassured her. “Calvin told me there has only been one crash. I, for one, am hanging onto that scenario. For all we know, Donovan is sitting in first class, pissed off that the onboard phones quit working.”
    “I know,” Lauren said, grateful for Michael’s typically upbeat words.
    “I’ll keep you posted on my progress. Call me the moment you hear from him.”
    “I will. Bye.” Lauren ended the call as her eyes filled with tears. Another sob escaped as she covered both of her eyes with one hand. More tears cascaded down her cheeks as she wept silently. To her surprise, she felt a hand reach out and take hers. She looked up and saw that Matt, too, had tears running down his face. She squeezed hard and they clung to each other, survivors, waiting for the answers to unthinkable questions.
     

 
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
     
    Donovan pulled the oxygen mask off his head and relished the cool air on his face. They were nearing 10,000 feet and he could now breathe safely on his own. He inhaled deeply, and then wiped the perspiration from his cheeks. He massaged his face where the rubber had pressed hard into his skin. He thought of removing the mask from the captain, but decided the 100% oxygen might prove beneficial for the injured man.
    Level at 10,000 feet, with a lower cloud deck still below them, Donovan leveled the aircraft and nudged the throttles forward. He had no idea how much fuel was on board and by going slow, he could conserve what they did have—plus he really didn’t know where they were, or where they might be headed.
    The dull roar of the slipstream decreased as the 737 slowed. A noise to Donovan’s left announced Audrey’s return from the cabin. His earlier fear at being alone vanished at the sight of her. “You can take off your mask,” Donovan said as she slid past the mangled door. He faced forward, trying to limit his exposure to this woman from his past.
    Audrey slipped free from the clumsy mask and bottle and lowered it to the floor. “God, that feels better. I was getting worried; the tank is basically showing empty. How are you doing up here? I’m sorry it took me so long, but it’s truly a mess back there. The medical kit was somehow wedged in its compartment.” She paused for a moment. “You saved my life and I don’t even know your name.”
    “I’m Donovan Nash,” he said warily, without facing her. He braced himself for any clue that she had recognized him.
    “I’m Audrey Parrish. I’m so glad you did what you did.” She put her hand on