Hide and Seek by Jeff Struecker Page A

rubbed her arms then brought her fist back to her chest. She looked into Amelia’s face. “You’re hurt. You’re bleeding.”
    Amelia wiped at her eye. She used her right hand. Odd, since she was left-handed. That’s when she noticed the deep gash on her hand. It continued to ooze blood. A wound recognized hurts worse than one not noticed. The open gash began to burn as did the one over her left eyebrow. “Just a graze, I think.” It felt worse than that.
    “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know . . .”
    “There’s nothing to be sorry about, Jildiz. You’re not the first powerful person to be a kidnapper’s target.”
    “I’m not that important.”
    “You’re the daughter of the president. You should have security around you all the time. I can’t believe your father lets you travel alone.”
    “That’s my idea. I don’t like having security around me.”
    “This might change your mind. Do you have your cell phone?”
    “No. I had it on the seat in the car.”
    Amelia pulled hers from a pocket and tried to place a call to the embassy. Nothing. There was no signal. “Cell system is down. That means things are worse than they seem.”
    “Is that possible?”
    “Yes. Very possible.” Amelia glanced up and down the alley in which they had taken refuge. She estimated they had run a mile ducking in and out of alleys. Overhead, smoke began to darken the sky. The smell of burning buildings and the pungent smell of tire smoke assaulted her nose.
    “Do you think they’ve let him out of the freezer yet?” She cringed when she spoke.
    “Not if they’re smart. They should wait for the police.” The wail of sirens clawed through the thickening air.
    Jildiz straightened. “The police might be slow in coming. They have other things to deal with.”
    “Riots?”
    The lawyer nodded. “Yes. In 2010 it took all the police and firefighters and a good number of soldiers to restore peace.” She took a deep breath.
    “Are you okay?” A sudden panic washed over Amelia. She had been so intent on escape and her own injuries she hadn’t checked Jildiz for wounds.
    “I’m okay. Asthma. Exertion sometimes brings on an attack.” She conjured up a smile. “It’s why I gave up being a downhill skier and became a lawyer. An asthma attack in court is always good for a postponement.”
    “I guess so. Do you use an inhaler?”
    “Yes, it is in my purse, which—”
    “Which is still in your car. I should have guessed.”
    Jildiz shifted uncomfortably. “Sorry. No one sent the memo about the kidnapping. I could have been better prepared.”
    “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” Amelia studied Jildiz, fearful she would stop breathing.
    Another grin. “I am smart. I am persistent. I am also vain. Sucking on a rescue inhaler makes me feel less attractive.”
    “Nonsense. It’s all the rage these days.” Amelia patted her on the shoulder. “Jildiz . . .”
    “I know. We can’t stay here. We have to keep moving.”
    “Can you do that?”
    “Do I have a choice?”
    Amelia pursed her lips. “No. If Machine Gun Mike was calling for backup then more of his kind may be crawling out from under the rocks.” She stood. “We’re miles from the nearest hospital. Maybe we can find a landline and get you out of here.”
    “And you, too.”
    “Sounds good to me.”
    They stood. “Okay, our priority is to find a safe place with a phone.” In her haste to lead Jildiz to safety, Amelia struck a course without much thought. Instinct told her to put as much distance between her and the spot where the attempted abduction took place, a decision that landed them in a rundown part of town, the first victims of the recent depression. Most of the buildings in this section of town were empty.
    Certain that no danger was close, she turned to Jildiz and looked deep into her eyes. “You need to listen to me. I’m going to get us out of this and get you back to safety, but to do that you need to do everything I say. You need to do it