Page 6 of Her Steadfast Hero

“Why?” Warden Nunez asked. “We’re in the middle of an epic crisis. Are only American lives important to you?”

“From what you’ve told me, Riggs was instrumental in saving four men in the infirmary after it collapsed. I would think you would be grateful to him. As for Harrison, he was in the same cellblock as most of the men who escaped, and he stayed. He chose not to escape. This tells me a lot about the men’s character. These are good men who have proven themselves. They are members of the United States Army, and I demand to talk to them. Have I made myself clear?” David was too tired to play any phony diplomatic games. Bernardo was standing beside him. He knew the governor would weigh in if necessary, but it wouldn’t be. The warden would cave.

“Follow me,” the warden said woodenly.

Bernardo started to follow.

“Governor, I would like to speak to my men in private.”

Bernardo looked startled, but then he smiled. “Of course.”

The warden led him to a small sour smelling room with a table surrounded by four chairs. Riggs and Harrison were brought in by two guards, they were handcuffed but not shackled.

“My name is Captain David Sloane. I’m a member of Military Police Investigations. I came to Las Flores two days ago because of you two. Things got a little off track.”

“It sure as hell did.” Harrison put his elbows on the table and rested his head in his hands. “Jesus, I thought when we were brought here it was as bad as it got, and then the earthquake hit. This shit just keeps getting more and more real.”

Riggs let out a nervous laugh.

“So you’re Robert Harrison, and you’re James Riggs?” David pointed to each man in turn.

“I’m Bobby.” Harrison held out one hand as best he could in handcuffs. David shook it.

“I’m Jim,” Riggs said, doing the same.

“Okay, so Bobby, I know you were only giving name, rank, and serial number. I think I know a little bit of what was going on. The cop that you decked was corrupt. He was probably forcing underage kids to sell drugs for him, and was knocking them around for money, and you got involved trying to protect them.”

David watched as both of their mouths fell open.

“I’ll take your looks of disbelief as confirmation. Look, I don’t have time for the little happy dance we would normally do. We have thousands of people dead. We have a worthless police force that is on the take, probably a corrupt warden, and forty-six prisoners still on the loose. Just tell me what the fuck I need to know to get you guys cleared of the charges.”

“It’s complicated,” Harrison began.

“I’m good at complicated,” David responded.

“Some people could get hurt.”

“I won’t let them,” David promised.

“How do you know that? They’ve already been hurt.” Harrison was adamant. He wasn’t going to talk, and David needed to convince him.

“I’m not going to tell anyone what you tell me in confidence if I think it will get them into trouble. I promise you. I’m just trying to understand. Your keeping quiet only guarantees that you’re going to stay in prison. That helps no one. Trust me, the government has bigger fish to fry right now. So, please, tell me,” David coaxed.

“We’re staying at this little hotel, down near the beach. This is the second year I’ve been here.” Harrison said.

“It’s my first. I came to sketch. Bobby’s here because of Lola.”

“I want to marry Lola.”

David nodded.

“Lola’s little brother and her cousin are both thirteen. They’ve been selling drugs in the capital city, San Marcos. I promised Lola I would get them to stop. When I confronted them, they told me that their boss had been threatening them. He’s been saying that he would kill Lola if they didn’t do what he told them. I said they should introduce me to him. I didn’t realize he was a cop.”

“What happened when you were introduced?”

“At first, we weren’t. We hung around the bar having a beer. The kids were in the back playing pool. The age rules aren’t as strict.” Harrison let out a half laugh. “So we’re at the bar having a beer and the next thing I know Jim gets hit with a pool cue.”

“Was it the cop?”