Page 30 of Her Honorable Hero

“You’re going to help me lower Griff down into the opening. Then, when the others arrive, you’re going to direct them to this opening. Got it?” Josiah said.

Billy nodded.

It was a tight fit. But Griff worked his way through the hole and the leash ended about six feet above one of the upended seats. He easily dropped down, and as soon as he was clear of the wreckage, he unwrapped the cord and Josiah pulled it up.

Griff used his phone flash light to start checking things out. His first order of business was to check on the woman that he’d been hoping was alive. She wasn’t.

He waited for Josiah to come down. He knew that Billy wouldn’t be able to hold his weight, so Griff was ready to assist the man on his descent. But there was no need. Josiah dropped down with catlike reflexes and both men turned around and called out.

“Scarlett?”

“Miranda?”

“Griff?” Miranda responded.

Josiah called out his wife’s name again. When there wasn’t a response, Griff could almost feel his fear.

“Are you all right, Miranda?” Griff shouted.

“I am. Susan’s injured, and I haven’t found Scarlett or Hope.”

“We’re coming,” Josiah said.

“Help,” a man’s weak voice came from their right.

“We’ll be there,” Griff responded. Josiah and he worked together to move a seat out of the way, as well as a luggage rack and some duffle bags and suitcases.

“Guys, do you see the light on the ceiling?” Miranda shouted out.

“Yes,” Griff responded as he looked up. It was a rotating circle of light about fifteen meters ahead of them. His girl was smart.

“Scarlett,” Josiah called out again. Still no answer. Then he called again, his booming voice filled the entire car. “Scarlett Anne, answer me.”

Again, he was met by a moment of silence, but then a cacophony of voices raised. A chorus of people calling for help. Griff and Josiah looked at one another, knowing that they were needed. Griff felt for his friend’s father, knowing that his first priority was to find his wife.

As they started forward, there was a thud behind them. When he turned, Griff saw Billy.

“I told you not to come down here,” Josiah all but roared. “You needed to tell people where we were.” Griff winced, it was the first time he had heard his captain come down so harshly on someone.

“There’s a helicopter hovering up there. He saw me, and knows I went inside. Look, I can help. I’ve taken first aid classes.” Griff was impressed at how well the kid held up against Josiah, but all that changed when he had to step around a dead body. Griff and Josiah waited and it didn’t take long for Billy to straighten up and look at them. “Seriously,” he said in a low voice. “I can help.”

Griff was impressed.

“In that case, follow us. And be careful where you step,” Josiah said.

They all forged forward, when a hand raised up behind the next seat they came across.

“Can you help me up?”

Josiah carefully pulled an older African American man to his feet.

“Are you okay, Sir?”

“I’m in one piece. I just need a few minutes to catch my breath, then I can help. The train’s slipping, right?” He looked between Josiah and Griff.

They both nodded.

“Well, let’s start evacuating,” he said briskly.