𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 ◇ 𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐃

V̶

The gas station was bustling with late-night activity, but the presence of law enforcement and flashing lights had drawn the attention of the patrons. Mike, Armando's father, stood alongside a group of officers as they approached Amara and Elena, who were huddled near a payphone, visibly shaken but safe.

Mike's face was a mix of concern and determination. He approached them, his badge prominently displayed. "Amara, Elena, I'm Officer Mike Aretes. I need to know everything that happened. Armando's in the hospital, and we need to get to the bottom of this."

Amara, her hands still trembling, looked up at him. "We... we managed to escape. Njeri helped us. She bought us time to get away, but they took her before we could get out."

Elena nodded, her voice shaky. "Njeri was amazing. She distracted the guards and helped us get out through a ventilation shaft. But when we got to the outside, they came after us and took her. We barely managed to get away."

Mike's face tightened with concern. "Do you have any idea where they might have taken her?"

Amara shook her head. "We're not sure. They moved us around a lot, so we didn't get a good look at where we were being held. But I'm sure they're still holding her somewhere close by."

Mike's radio crackled to life, interrupting their conversation. He answered it, his expression shifting from worry to alarm as he listened. "Mike, we have a situation. Armando's missing from his hospital bed. There's no sign of forced entry, but his room is empty."

Mike's heart raced. "What? How could this happen?"

The officer on the other end continued, "We're searching the area now, but we need to know if there's any connection between Armando's disappearance and the case you're working on."

Mike turned back to Amara and Elena, his face grim. "It seems like there's a connection. They must have taken Armando to keep him from interfering. We need to act fast."

Elena looked at Mike with pleading eyes. "Please, find Njeri. She's done so much for us. We need to get her out before it's too late."

Mike nodded, determination hardening in his eyes. "We will. I'll use all available resources to find both Armando and Njeri. You two stay here and provide any more information you can."

As Mike and the officers began to coordinate a search for Armando, the realization set in that their situation had become even more urgent. The criminal network was now targeting those closest to them, and time was running out.

Mike's thoughts were a whirlwind as he relayed instructions to his team and coordinated with the hospital staff. He knew that finding Armando and Njeri would be a race against the clock. With every minute that passed, their chances of rescue diminished.

The officers set out in multiple directions, canvassing nearby areas and checking any possible leads. Meanwhile, Mike's mind was focused solely on finding his son and ensuring Njeri's safety. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, but he remained resolute.

As the night wore on, the search intensified, with every available resource being utilized to locate Armando and Njeri. The stakes had never been higher, and the fight to save them had become more critical than ever.