Page 4 of SEAL's Promise
“Do you know the location of the closest hospital?” Amy asked Tim.
“We always know where to obtain medical help in case you’re injured.”
“Hurry.” Her voice was choked with tears. “Eric’s unconscious.”
The drive to the hospital couldn’t have been more than a few miles. However, with the number of vehicles on the roads, the race for medical help seemed to last hours.
Finally, Tim swerved into the hospital parking lot and sped toward the ER entrance. When Rachelle would have opened the door, he said, “Wait.”
He glanced around the area, exited the vehicle in a rush, and came around to the passenger side to open the door and haul Eric out. “Get in front of me,” he ordered Amy and Rachelle. “Go.”
In less than a minute, they were inside the safety of the hospital. One look at Eric, and the nurse motioned for Tim to take Eric to an examination room.
Amy hustled after them, leaving Rachelle in the corridor outside the room. A medical team rushed inside. Soon, Tim joined Rachelle. “How is he?” she asked.
“They’re prepping him for surgery.”
“What are his chances?”
“Not good.”
Oh, no. “Does Amy know?”
He nodded. Tim glanced at her, zeroing in on her cheek. “With everything happening so fast, I didn’t have the chance to ask if you were all right.”
“I’m fine, thanks to you and Eric.”
“You did great back there.”
Shouts and screams came from the reception area, followed by the distinctive sound of gunfire.
Amy opened the door. “What’s going on?”
“Trouble.” Tim yanked her from the doorway and shoved her and Rachelle away from the pandemonium. “Go. Hide.”
“We can’t leave Eric alone. He’s vulnerable.”
“The terrorists want you. Once I neutralize the threat, you can return.” He palmed his weapon. “Move, Amy.”
Rachelle gripped her friend’s arm and tugged her down the corridor at a run. Once they rounded a corner and were out of Tim’s direct line of sight, she headed for the stairs leading down to the bottom level of the hospital.
“Where are we going?” Amy whispered. “We can’t go far or Tim won’t be able to find us.”
“Someplace safe where I can call for help.”
“We’re in a hospital. How much safer can we get?”
Rachelle could think of several places. Out of this city topped her list.
“Are you calling the police?”
More gunshots, closer this time.
She pressed her finger to her lips to warn Amy to be silent. Rachelle didn’t know what was going on or why, but they were being hunted. If they didn’t escape soon, she and Amy wouldn’t live to see the sun rise.
CHAPTER TWO
Cal Taylor poured coffee into his mug and headed for his boss’s office. He nodded at Brent Maddox’s administrative assistant who waved him into the office without interrupting her phone conversation.