Mitchell's expression hardened.
“I know. I need the names of the escorts.”
The officer entered the information.
Then he frowned.
“That's strange.”
“What?”
“One escort is listed as Captain Daniel Price.”
“And the second?”
The officer looked up.
“Colonel Andrew Pierce.”
Mitchell immediately reached for his radio.
“All units, this is Lieutenant Mitchell. Possible hostile personnel inside the housing complex. Do not approach without authorization. Secure the perimeter.”
He turned toward the building.
A moment later, a woman appeared behind the glass entrance.
She was in her early thirties, holding a little girl's hand.
The child looked frightened.
Mitchell approached carefully.
“Ma'am, are you Mrs. Turner?”
The woman nodded.
“Who are you?”
“Lieutenant Ryan Mitchell. I'm here to help.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Where's my husband?”
“He's safe.”
“Then why did those men bring us here?”
Mitchell glanced down the hallway.
“What men?”
She looked toward the stairwell.
“The officers who came to get us.”
“Where are they now?”
“They said they had to make a phone call.”
Mitchell stepped between her and the stairwell.
“Stay here with me.”
Then he heard footsteps.
Slow.
Measured.
Coming from the upper floor.
A man in an Air Force uniform appeared at the top of the stairs.
He was tall, with short dark hair.
A faint scar ran along his left cheek.
Colonel Andrew Pierce.
He looked directly at Mitchell.
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Then Pierce smiled.
“Lieutenant.”