Chapter 130

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY

Barbara was shaking all over as she found her clothes in the small closet and dressed. She peeked through the edge of the doorway to make sure no one was in the hallway but there stood the deputy. She was tempted to tell him about the call, to have him talk to Detective Reeves and the federal agent but decided against it. She couldn't take that risk. If Huller saw them, he'd kill Mazie and Ivy.

But how was she going to sneak past the deputy?

She paced the room then had an idea. She threw the hospital gown back on over her clothes, then cracked the door open slightly. "Deputy, I need the nurse. I've been pressing the call button for a while and no one's come."

"I'll get one," he said, glancing down the hall.

"Thank you." She waited until he disappeared around the corner then eased out the door and down the hall in the opposite direction. She took the back staircase instead of the elevator, gripping the handrail as a dizzy spell swept over her.

Gripping the handrail with clammy hands, she paused and inhaled several deep breaths as she descended the staircase. When she reached the bottom landing, she dashed into the hospital hallway then followed signs to the ER. Keeping her eyes averted, she quickly made her way to the door and outside.

The chill from the wind engulfed her and nerves tightened her stomach. An ambulance screeched up and medics jumped out and opened the rear door. She hurried past them and rounded the curve to the side of the building.

The white van careened up and stopped in front of her. The window slid down.

"Get in," the man barked.

For a moment she couldn't breathe. Though Nate had aged, his eyes were familiar. And his voice… now she knew it, too. Remembered his screams as the social worker tore him from her arms.

"I said get in," he repeated.

Terrified but knowing she'd do anything to save her daughters, she slid inside.