Page 31 of Her Steadfast Hero

“What about the hostages?” Aiden asked.

“There are eight, all members of Doctors Without Borders. One female and she’s an American. They are scattered in different rooms around the hospital. We only have eyes on five of them,” David admitted.

“Dammit,” Aiden O’Malley muttered.

“It sounds like you’ve done a good job. Who have you been working with, the local police force?” Gray asked.

“The police force is corrupt. He has very few men. He has done almost everything on his own,” Carlos piped up from the driver’s seat.

“Is this true?” Gray asked.

“Unfortunately, it is. You won’t have a lot of people to rely on. The few good men we do have are securing the perimeter of the hospital. We’re using locals for the manhunt.”

Gray must have heard something in David’s voice.

“What? What happened?”

“We still have thirty-three prisoners at large, and they just butchered five men who were in a search party.”

“Fuck,” the big guy named Jack said quietly.

“How many men do you have searching for these escaped prisoners?” Gray asked.

“I don’t know anymore,” David admitted. “After the attack, some of the men have abandoned the search. After the hospital situation is handled, I can get back to managing the manhunt.”

The truck lurched as they ran over rubble.

“How did you get involved again?” Gray asked.

“I got here the day of the earthquake. I’m an MP. Two Army NCO’s were charged by the corrupt police force for assault. I was here to find out what the hell was going on.”

“Our lieutenant governor appointed him the Chief of Police for Las Flores,” Carlos said proudly.

“You’re a member of the United States Army, right?” Gray asked raising his eyebrow.

“Tell me about it. It’s a long fucking story, and I pray to God we can drink a whole hell of a lot and laugh as I tell you about it.”

“So do I, Captain. So do I.”