Celtic Empire (Dirk Pitt 25)

Dirk unbuckled his seat belt, had to push his seat back to a full recline in order to tumble free. Rolling over and kneeling on the crumpled ceiling, he adjusted Summer’s seat back, then unclasped her belt. It took some twisting and contorting, but he pulled her up and around, their heads ducking into the now overhead passenger footwell.

“Looks . . . like . . . you . . . bought . . . another . . . car,” she mumbled. Even under the dim light, Dirk could see the glazed look in his sister’s eyes, and he feared she would lose consciousness at any time.

“At least I have insurance this time,” he said. “Can you hold your breath?”

She gave a faint nod. Water was already seeping through the damaged windshield and rear window, filling the interior to their shoulders.

“Okay, it’s just a short swim. Here we go.”

The map light still burned, so he reached for the passenger-side window switch. He took a deep breath as the glass slid down without protest, filling the remaining air pocket. Ducking down, he wriggled out the window. Grabbing the side mirror for support, he spun underwater and reached in for Summer.

She was limp as he reached up and clasped her under the arms. He had to pull her down to exit the window. Her upper torso was out the window when her pant pocket caught on the gearshift lever. She twisted and squirmed, her face contorted in pain, before slipping free. Dirk pulled her clear of the car and shot to the surface just a few feet overhead.

They both gasped for air. Dirk tugged his sister to shore, heading to the nearest bank, just beneath the bridge. Overhead, he heard the sound of a car—the Audi—pulling away. Another vehicle crossed the bridge a minute later.

He turned his attention to Summer, who was breathing heavily and wavering in and out of consciousness. The shoulder of her shirt was seeped in blood, and he could see a pair of small perforations in the fabric. He compressed the wound with his palm, while catching his breath, then slipped an arm around her.

“C’mon, girl, let’s get up the hill.”

Half carrying her, half dragging her, Dirk lumbered up the embankment with Summer, setting her down at the edge of the road. He searched for help, but the nearest house was far in the distance. Salvation appeared in the form of a panel van that approached from the east, bearing the logo DINGLE PLUMBING on its side.

Dirk waved the van to a stop as it crossed the bridge, approaching the side window of the startled driver.

“My sister has been injured in a car accident. Can you take us to a hospital?”

The plumber looked from the drenched and battered man to the crouched figure of Summer lying on the road.

“Aye, St. Anne’s is just on the other side of town.”

He jumped out and helped Dirk carry Summer to the rear of the van, setting her on the floor. Dirk tended to her wounds as the plumber took to the wheel and sped forward. The town of Cahersiveen was just a mile ahead, and he raced through its quiet streets to St. Anne’s Hospital on the western outskirts.

Summer was carried into the entrance, where the medical staff rushed her to the emergency room. Dirk barely had a chance to thank the plumber before a nurse dragged him into an examination room to dress his head wound. He glanced in a mirror, noting his soggy clothes were splattered with blood and his face battered. His only concern, though, was for his sister.

“You look like you jumped off a building,” the nurse said, applying a bandage to his scalp.

“Not far off the mark. It was a bridge, actually.”

As the nurse finished, his cell phone rang in his pocket. Even though it was a water-resistant model, he was nevertheless surprised it had survived intact. He answered the call, finding Brophy on the line.

“The boat’s ready and waiting,” he said. “Are you kids going to join me on the water this morning?”

“No,” Dirk replied, rubbing his sore neck. “I’m afraid we already made a splash.”

59

Riki was pacing in front of the rental boat when Ainsley and Gavin stepped onto the dock. With a scowl, she held up the boat keys acquired from the vessel’s owner, who had already come and gone.

“What took so long? And what happened to the car?” she asked, noting the fender damage.

Ainsley passed her the tablet and a cup of coffee while Gavin shook his head and grinned.

“No need to worry. They’re not going anywhere . . . for a long time.”

“What are you talking about?”

“We ran into them,” Ainsley said.

Gavin nodded. “Saw