Cara and David.
Gabe dropped to his knees at the dock's edge and reached down. Cara was closer. His hands found hers, ice cold and shaking so hard he almost lost his grip.
"I've got you.” He pulled her toward the dock. “I've got you."
Wade was beside him, grabbing David. Between them, they hauled both up onto the dock.
Cara was blue. Lips nearly purple. Body convulsing with shivers. Eyes unfocused.
David wasn't much better.
Price was already on his radio. "I need medics at the boat house. Two civilians in the water, hypothermia, and a suspect with gunshot wound."
Price looked at Wade. "Nice shooting."
"You’re welcome," Wade said. He was focused on David, checking his brother's pulse and trying to keep him alert.
While Price moved to stand over Hale, Gabe stripped off his jacket and wrapped it around Cara's shoulders. Itwouldn't help much—wet clothes against wet skin—but it was something.
Her teeth chattered so hard she couldn't speak.
"It's okay. You're okay.” He rubbed her arms, trying to generate warmth, trying to keep her conscious.
"C-cold." She managed to get the word out.
"I know. I know. Help's coming."
Gabe looked over at his brother for the first time. David was slumped against Wade, shaking violently, his face pale and lips blue. But his eyes were open and clear. When they met Gabe's, something shifted in his expression. Relief? Guilt? Maybe both.
"You look terrible," David managed through chattering teeth.
A laugh broke from Gabe's chest, unexpected and raw. "Better than you, bro."
"You came looking for me." David's voice was hoarse, barely audible. "You idiot."
"Yeah, well." Gabe's throat tightened. "Somebody had to."
David's eyes filled, but whether from emotion or the cold, Gabe couldn't tell. "Three weeks. I'm sorry. I should've?—"
"Later." Gabe's voice came out rough. "Right now just get warm."
David nodded, still shaking. "N-not going anywhere."
"Good."
Footsteps thundered down the stairs. Two paramedics with gear—emergency blankets, warm packs and oxygen.
They stopped, staring between the three casualties.
“This guy can wait,” Price said, pointing to a third paramedic already thundering down the stairs toward them.
One of the medics knelt beside Cara and started checking vitals. "How long in the water?"
"Five minutes. Maybe less." Wade answered while Gabe couldn't find words.
"Pulse is strong. Breathing good. She's fighting it." The medic wrapped her in a metallic emergency blanket. "Let's get her up to the ambulance."
David was already on his feet. Propped between Wade and the other first responder and swathed in his own metallic blanket, David swayed but Gabe was heartened to see him walking a straight line as Wade helped him slip past Gave and Cara.
