Unexpected 5: The Perfect Daughter

Chapter 6: Rabbit

While Hondo was getting carted off, Hicks named Deacon the substitute leader of the squad. The only issue was that Deacon himself was rattled by the thought of his own daughter being missing.

Just as he was exiting the hotel lobby, Annie approached him and gave him a big hug. She was very emotional, not being able to contain her tears. She revealed that it wasn't just the scare of what just happened in the hotel, but the fact that she called her parents and there was still no news about Lila. She was very worried about their daughter because she didn't even take her phone with her, so there was no way to communicate with her or trace her. Her parents had already called everyone they knew, with no avail. She promised Deacon she was going to try some of her friends, the ones she knew, to see if they could locate her. They were sure that Lila would not just take off like that. They called the police and filled a missing child report but the officers said they were short staffed, which meant it could be hours until they had some news.

"Deacon, the perps made a run for it and may have gone away from the Center. Check the perimeter first. Rocker is doing backup for LAPD" Hicks called over the radio

"Copy that, Commander." he said, as he rounded up the team. "Guys, some of Laguna's people have escaped LAPD's enclosure. We have to search the perimeter."

"Who are we looking for?" Tan asked

"Anyone heavily armed or moving suspiciously. Also, Hicks had told me that they tend to dress with something blue. Be it shirts, shoes, bandanas, wrist bands... anything with the color blue!" he instructed as the squad had gathered in front of the hotel's entrance

The team separated into two: Tan and Street were to search the left side of the hotel, making sure to inspect the cars in the street. Deacon and Luca were to secure the parking lot and the right side of the hotel. Chris had to be the look out by placing herself on the roof of the building next door.

"These guys have already hit several civilians and cops, including one of our own. We can't let them escape!" Deacon urged

"For Hondo! Fill the gaps." Luca urged as he placed his fist in the middle of the group

"Stay liquid!" called the others as the fist pumped collectively

Deacon moved towards the parking lot, as Luca followed, stride by stride. Both officers moved hugging the walls, from the entrance of the hotel to the lot. The parking lot was isolated, about 30 cars parked mostly in the second level. The officers made their way to the edge of the hotel, overlooking the lot. The paused to examine the wide space and notice the guard's shed was empty, door opened.

"Movement to your six, Deacon." announced Luca, who glanced at the security guard posts overlooking the yard.

The small posts stood against the light stand at 20 feet from the ground, small stairs going up through it. The officers moved through the gate and on the lot, as they found the guard hiding below the counter in the shed. The scared old man signaled 'two' as he lifted his index and middle finger to Luca and Deacon. Both officers gestured for him to stay put, as they advanced.

They went through the first row of cars, looking through to make sure no one was hiding in between. They found another guard leaning against a car in one of the aisles. The young man was breathing heavily, as he grabbed his left lower leg. Blood covered his fingers, as both officers approached him. He tried holding on but blood was coming out profusely. He had taken a bullet to the thigh, and now his entire uniform was bloodied.

Deacon radioed in for medics and instructed Luca to attend the injured man. He continued through the rows of cars until he reached the lookout post. He could identify two shadows moving from within as he stared upwards.