Hard Line - Pamela Clare Page 0,71

planned, but he’s got control of the doors. So far, he hasn’t shown aggression toward anyone here. We haven’t seen him for about an hour.”

Thor tried to remember what Hardin had told him about the B1 Lounge as a life pod. It had its own power plant. It had food, restrooms, and a kitchen, as well as medical supplies, sleeping bags, its own coms and computers. The staff would be safe there—at least until the food ran out.

“Jones, Segal—Hardin said the station could be run from the lounge. Does anyone on staff know what he meant or have access to the station’s systems?”

“I’ll ask.”

“Isaksen, Segal here. I’ve kept Tower apprised of our situation. I just gave him an update to let him know you’ve checked in. They’re working on a rescue op, but that’s likely some time off, thanks to the weather.”

Then Jones was back. “Lance, Ryan, and Charli from coms say they both have access to the system. McClain says that power for the heating can be rerouted to the lounge, cutting off the rest of the station. But doing that might drive Hardin to attack us—or to seek shelter elsewhere. That might bring him out to you.”

Those weren’t the only risks.

“Can Hardin override that command and cut off power to the lounge?”

The bastard was capable of almost anything.

“Lance says he thinks they can lock him out of the life pod controls altogether. Lance and Charli are working on it now. The life pod’s systems operate independently, so if they get in there first and establish admin control—”

“Do it. Will they be able to open the doors to the rest of the station?”

“They don’t know, but the lounge’s powerplant has its own exit on the ground floor. The guys from the service arches think they can force it open if this doesn’t work. But we still won’t be able to access the rest of the station.”

“Would Decker or Kristi be able to bring me some kind of weapon and get medical aid to Dr. Park?”

“When it comes to weapons, all we’ve got is our concealed carry pieces. Everything else is locked up in our rooms.”

Fuck. “Right.”

Jones continued. “Between the fifty-six of us in the lounge, only one has a parka, and no one has gloves or hats or masks. I’d be willing to borrow the parka and take my chances, but the wind has picked up. We’ve got whiteout conditions outside. I’m not sure I’d find you.”

“No, stay there. It’s too risky.”

The good news was that whiteout conditions would keep Hardin indoors, too.

Samantha whimpered.

“Work on cutting off power to the rest of the station. Check in before you throw the switch. We need to come up with a plan that gets me back into the station and gives us access to our weapons. The three of us would have no problem taking out Hardin. But I need to go. I think Dr. Park might be regaining consciousness.”

“Copy that. Jones out.”

Samantha tried to open her eyes, but couldn’t, the sound of Thor’s voice lifting her out of the darkness. “Thor?”

“I’m right here, skat.” Warm lips kissed her forehead. “You’re safe. Do you hear me? You’re safe, and you’re going to be okay.”

“So … cold.” Her skin seemed to burn—on her face, her fingertips.

“I’m going to make you some hot cocoa, okay? Will you drink it for me?”

“He … killed me.”

“He tried.”

The next thing she knew, Thor lifted her head. “Samantha, I need you to drink. This will help warm you up.”

Something warm touched her lips, the scent of chocolate tickling her nose.

She drank, sweet, warm cocoa sliding down her throat.

“Good.”

It felt so good, but she was so tired.

“Stay awake, skat. Keep drinking. That’s right. Another sip.”

She did as he asked.

“Jones says Hardin drugged you.”

“A shot. Mida…zolam.”

“Midazolam?” A burst of static. “Jones, this is Isaksen.”

“Isaksen, Jones here.”

“Can you ask the doctor or Kristi about midazolam? Samantha is coming around. She says that’s what Hardin used to drug her.”

“Copy that.”

The conversation seemed to be happening somewhere far away, the words drifting around Samantha, her mind unable to capture them for long.

“Isaksen, Jones here.”

“Jones, go ahead.”

“Decker says it’s a strong sedative. She probably needs oxygen. He says they keep portable oxygen canisters in all of the buildings in case someone gets sick from the altitude. McClain here says to look beneath the bar.”

We’re just going for a little walk out the rear fire escape. Oh, don’t worry. I disabled the alarm. I’m hoping I got the dose right and you can still walk,