The Hostage (Presidential Agent 2)

"You sonofabitch!" Lieutenant Schneider interrupted. "You really don't-"

"Out!" Chief Kramer exploded. "Out of here, Schneider! Right goddamn now!"

"Let him stay until I finish," Castillo said evenly.

Kramer raised an eyebrow, stared at Schneider, then sighed and nodded.

"Having said that," Castillo went on, "I'm going to keep Secret Service protection on her until I get the bastards that shot her. The agents are pretty good at protecting people."

"So are we," Chief Kramer said. "And as far as you're concerned, Schneider, when you come to visit your sister and you see detectives from Dignitary Protection sitting on her beside the Secret Service, instead of Highway, you think long and hard about why I decided to do that. Now get out of here. Wait by the elevator. I'm not through with you."

"How about keeping him in here while I go say goodbye to her?" Castillo asked. "I really have to get out of here right now."

Kramer nodded. "Sit there, Lieutenant Schneider," he ordered, pointing to a vinyl-upholstered couch. "And if you get off that couch before I tell you you can, I'll have you up on charges."

Kramer waited until Lieutenant Schneider angrily threw himself onto the couch and then put out his hand to Castillo.

"Let me know what I can do to help."

"Thanks, Fritz," Castillo said, and walked out of the waiting room.

Special Agent Jack Britton was standing by Betty's door.

"I only heard you were coming here forty-five minutes ago, Charley. I called Miller and-"

"I'm glad you're here, Jack," Castillo said. "I'm headed for Paris and what I'd like you-"

"Miller told me," Britton interrupted. "Everything. Thanks for keeping me on this."

"I need you, Jack."

"I'm on an American Airlines flight from Miami to Buenos Aires at eleven something tonight."

"Go to the Four Seasons, and then get in touch with Tony Santini."

"I'll do it."

Castillo pushed open the door to Betty's room. Her mother and father were standing on either side of the bed. Her father gave him another icy look, and when he did, her mother looked over her shoulder and saw Castillo.

"Charley's here, honey," her mother said. "Dad and I will be right outside."

"Thank you, Mrs. Schneider," Castillo said softly. He offered his hand. "We haven't been formally introduced, and I'm very sorry it had to be under such conditions."

Betty's mother took his hand in both of hers, made a soft smile, then turned for the door.

Her father shook his head, walked wordlessly to the door, and held it open for his wife, then followed her through it.

Castillo went to the bed and took Betty's hand.

With great difficulty, Betty asked, "The Mastersons? Okay?"

"They've got twenty-four Delta shooters and half of the Mississippi state police sitting on them."

"Delta?"

"Special Forces guys."

She was surprised to hear that and asked with her eyes for an explanation.