He groaned and opened his eyes. “Go,” he rasped out. “Save him.”
Dodger was up and aiming at the running man, squeezing the trigger. He went down and didn’t move. He turned to see Anna almost to the suicide bomber. Max had his man subdued, and 2-Stroke had the other man in a headlock, struggling with the man’s hand as he reached for the detonator, but someone in the crowd helped 2-Stroke and finally they got the guy neutralized.
“Bomb,” Anna shouted, waving her arms. “Bomb!”
The bomber had almost made it to the vehicle. Dodger turned. There were people running back and forth in the square, and the shot was at least fifty yards away, but he found the guy’s head.
Anna turned to look at him and he waited. She got it, bless her. She leaped into the air, and Dodger pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the terrorist in the back of his head, and bright red blood splattered the Popemobile and the pontiff’s stark white robes.
Anna grabbed the bomber’s hand as he fell, and it was a few tense moments before she raised it, the detonator held high.
It was over. They had done it. But the victory was bittersweet. He could still lose Anna, and he knew in his heart he couldn’t bear it. But it was out of his hands, as frustrating as it was.
He turned and ran to Mouse, pulling off his T-shirt to stem the flow of blood soaking into his shoulder. “What the bloody hell do you think you were doing?”
“Saving your life.”
“Where the hell is the second bullet?”
Mouse laughed softly. “It lodged in my laptop—some bulletproof vest, huh?”
“You must really care a lot about me to sacrifice your laptop, mate.”
“You brought Anika back whole, untouched and alive. You saved my parents untold grief. I would do anything for you, Dodger.”
“You bloody fool. You’ve done plenty. You scared the crap out of me. Let’s get you to the hospital.” He helped Mouse up as Anna ran over, the Vatican police mopping up and calming the crowd.
“Is he all right?”
Max and 2-Stroke came up to them just behind Anna.
Dodger helped him to his feet. “Yeah,” he said, holding up the laptop. “He’ll live, but the bloody machine is toast.”
“Don’t worry. It’s all backed up,” Mouse said with a grimace. “Damn, it hurts to get shot.”
At the hospital, the four of them sat together while Mouse was in surgery. Chiara showed up around half an hour into the wait. “Any news?” she asked, clearly distressed.
“Not yet, but they said it would take a while.”
She sat down next to them. “The Holy Father is doing well. He was grateful for your help and insisted that you meet him in the basilica when you are able.”
Anna beamed. “Wow, that would be such an honor. Thank you.”
“Unfortunately, the bystander was killed, but two of the terrorists are dead, the other two in custody. Also, Juranek was found in his cell. He’d hanged himself. He won’t face justice, but I’m satisfied with the outcome. His family will be given new identities and lives. At least we won’t have that innocent blood on our hands.” She sighed. “Thank you for bringing this information to us. We are indebted to all of you.”
The doctor came out to the room and Dodger rose, his chest tight. “Mr. Mach came through the surgery very well. He is recovering now.”
Relief flowed through Dodger. He was so bloody glad. There was no way he wanted to face Mouse’s parents.
“When can we see him?” Dodger asked.
“In about fifteen minutes. His nurse will let you know.”
“We’re headed to the airport,” Max said. “Anna, we do need to talk.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “I know. I’ll see you when I see you. Take care, both of you, and thank you for your help.”
It was a long bloody fifteen minutes, but soon Anna, Dodger, and Chiara were at Mouse’s bedside.
“You were very brave, Mouse,” Chiara said with a small smile.
“Thanks,” he said groggily. “You have the most beautiful eyes.”
Dodger smirked. “Mouse.” He looked at her. “He’s still a little bit out of it.”
She smiled wide and sat down in a chair close to the bed. “I don’t mind.”
Mouse started to wave them out, and since they had a meeting with the pope, Dodger started to back away, but stopped when Anna bent down and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for saving Dodger’s life, Mouse. I love you for it.”
He grinned and waved again, then winced. “It was nothing.”