He listened to the pathetic attempts of the National Geographic executive as he tried to apologise for this breech of responsibilty "thats all very well ...but I have a young man here under sedation and in a state of devastation......why the hell didn't you speak to him before you released this?"
the voice on the other end of the line tried to explain that 'Miss Reeves' had not informed them of a change of status ..
his trivialisation of the facts annoyed Kevin even more ....plus he was annoyed with Heather for not telling them about Nick.....even if somewhere deep inside he understood she didn't really have time too...that was irrelevant.....she shouldn't have gone at all!!!....
Everything Kevin had felt before about her right to pursue her career ....
Nick's unreasonable protestations seemed twisted around .......now it was Nick who had been right......she shouldn't go...and Heather who was selfish and unthinking...and for Kevin not having this straight in his mind...being unable to rationalise properly was driving him crazy.
he always knew what was right and what to do...but not now.......not now.
He brought this annoying conversation to a close..."well I expect you to refer all future decisions about this matter to me....thats right you heard me....no.... Mr Carter is in no condition to speak...I will take responsibilty for the moment....thats right Kevin Richardson...Thank you..."
He placed the telephone back on the cradle......and looked up as the doctor came out of the bedroom
Kevin didn't have to ask the doctor how Nick was ........his eyes asked for him.
The doctor spoke quietly to Kevin "He's sleeping ...I think he'll stay that way for a few hours...I gave him a shot ...but you might find these useful"
he handed Kevin a small botle of yellow capsules.
Kevin peeped in thru the door
Nick was still curled up in a ball but his breathing was easier...
AJ escorted the doctor out of the room ....and they guys all stared at each other none daring to say what they were thinking...
only Kevin had something to verbalise "Damn her!"
*Cotopaxi...the next day...*
further rain and low cloud had halted the search and Simon grew more despondent by the minute...
his elaborately constructed tissue of lies was being picked to pieces far too easily by this investigator
he rang his wife and told her he was safe.....
she had cried and Simon had felt a pang of guilt ..his lies seemed even worse now in the shadow of fear and remorse.
The search leader had been out on a 'scout' early and was scurrying back up to the mud hut.
He spoke to his second in command but his eyes were on Simon..
"weather report is good..we will resume the search in an hour"
The second in command immediately reached for his walkie talkie and contacted the rest of search party.
Simon looked curiously at the Search leader........he suspected he was about to tell him something he didn't really wanna hear
he was!
"I have to tell you Sir ..we are fast approaching a time limit here for her survival..."
Simon stared his eyes wide..
"But you already said she couldn't have survived ..are you telling me she could have?"
his eyes were glaring with anger that he had been lied to...
The Search leader was unmoved by Simons distress..."I'm telling you that she had a very slim chance of survival...and that slim chance has all but disappeared"
Simon could not withold his rage..."Then why the fuck aren't you searching whatever the conditions ..she could be alive you jerk..."
The Search Leader fixed Simon with another of his challenging stares "If I were you Sir I would be very careful who you accuse of what....your part in this unfortunate incident has not gone unoticed!"
Simons blood chilled.....they suspected him ...or they knew!
In his effort to shed the guilt Simon went back into the Mud hut and searched through Heathers belongings for her address book..finding it among her clothes he quickly checked Nick’s itinery and found the correct phone number.
*The Hotel*
The dull ring of telephone broke the tension in the room....
Kevin motioned the others to stay where they were...and he walked calmly over to the
phone...knowing that this could be 'The Call'... Slowly he lifted the receiver.. and shakily said 'Hello?'
"Is that Nick?"
Kevin swallowed hard.. "No ..it's .....this is Kevin..Nick can't come to the phone ...who is
this?"
"Uhm this is Simon....I'm a colleague of ......Heather's"
Kevins face drained and he steadied himself against the wall..
The guys crowded around him.... "Simon!....I er....have they found her?"
The others couldn't hear the voice on the end of the line..but the look on Kevins face and the way he rubbed his eyes told them the answer had been 'no'
Kevin listened as Simon told him what he had seen....
There was something about the earnest way Simon was relaying this story that bothered Kevin but he couldn't figure out what.
They talked for a while longer...Simon explaining all the Search Leader had said.
Kevin explained that Nick was sedated and wouldn't be talking to anybody..
Simons last words bothered Kevin even more.. "Tell Nick...I'm......sorry"
With that he hung up.
Kevin stared at the phone for a few moments before putting the receiver down
AJ.. buzzed around him like an angry bee.. "what did he say?......Kev?....what did he say?"
Kevins voice was flat and emotionless.. "The Rescue Leader said she's probably dead...and .... they will continue looking for her body..that's all"
They heard a yell from the bedroom......all four of them raced in to find Nick sat bolt upright and sweating heavily...
His breathing uneven ....panic in his eyes.... "Guys I just had the worst dream ever....."
Nick stared at his brothers as slowly his mind re-registered the events of the last few hours.....
"no.....no........NO!"
Nick fell back on his pillows and began a fresh descent into hell.