Chapter 7 - The Distraction
Veronica aimed her backup weapon directly at Rachel's chest.
I did not have time to think or hesitate.
I hurled the heavy fire extinguisher with all my strength.
The red cylinder smashed into Veronica's shoulder just as she pulled the trigger.
The bullet sparked against the concrete ceiling.
Rachel charged forward and swung the metal crowbar at Veronica's hands.
The gun spun across the floor and slid under a parked car.
I ran to Rachel and pulled her back behind the concrete pillar.
We were totally unarmed and facing a ruthless cartel associate.
Veronica slowly stood up and pulled a tactical knife from her belt.
She was limping, but her eyes were filled with pure murderous rage.
She taunted us, saying the cartel had already sent cleaners to the pediatric ward.
My heart stopped completely.
I had left Chloe alone in her room without the police guard.
I told Rachel to hold Veronica off for as long as she possibly could.
Rachel gripped the crowbar tightly and nodded with fierce determination.
I sprinted toward the concrete stairwell and yanked the heavy metal door open.
I climbed the stairs so fast my lungs felt like they were bleeding.
I burst onto the fourth floor and ran down the sterile white hallway.
The door to Chloe's room was wide open.
I screamed her name and rushed inside.
The hospital bed was completely empty.
The heart monitor was flatlining because the wires had been violently ripped away.
I fell to my knees in absolute despair.
I had failed to protect my only child.
Then I heard a soft whimpering sound coming from the bathroom.
I slowly stood up and walked toward the closed bathroom door.
I pushed the wooden door open.
A man dressed in dark scrubs was lying dead on the bathroom tiles.
Mark was sitting on the floor leaning against the bathtub.
He was awake, bleeding from his fresh IV lines, and holding Chloe tightly in his arms.
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He looked up at me with tears in his exhausted eyes.
He whispered that he would never let them take our little girl.
