"We aren't going to interfere with your surgeon. We just need to conduct a visual sweep of the room."
"Or, better yet, you have a live feed of the surgical theater, don't you? Pull up the monitors."
If they couldn't breach the physical doors, a visual confirmation would suffice.
Dane threw out the demand specifically to test the department head's reaction.
The man's face remained a mask of stern outrage. "I apologize, but hospital protocol strictly prohibits the viewing of surgical feeds by unauthorized personnel. It's a severe breach of patient confidentiality!"
That absolute refusal instantly confirmed Dane's suspicions. The man was hiding something.
"Protocols can be bent, and harboring a syndicate of foreign terrorists is a far worse violation!"
Dane stared the man down with lethal intent.
The department head's face drained of color. "Don't make wild accusations! Our hospital has absolutely nothing to do with any fugitives!"
"If criminals breached the perimeter, that's a security issue, and it's highly unlikely they're still in the building anyway."
Dane stepped closer, his voice dropping to a terrifying whisper. "Then explain the ambulance. Your hospital dispatched an ambulance that directly extracted the kidnappers."
"They must have hijacked it! What was the driver supposed to do?"
"We can't even locate the driver right now. For all we know, he's been murdered!"
"Instead of hunting down the actual terrorists, you're here harassing medical professionals!"
"Serenity Grand operates strictly within the law. Dr. Grant is performing a highly sensitive procedure, and I strongly suggest you stop wasting time here!"
"Go catch the real criminals and clear our hospital's name!"
Dane was a second away from simply shoving the man aside and kicking the doors off their hinges when Silas jogged down the corridor.
"What's the hold-up?"
They had been sweeping the floors with brutal efficiency. This was the final unverified room.
Silas had found nothing in his sector, which meant the target was almost certainly behind these doors.
The rest of the hospital had been fully secured by the SSD.
Seeing Dane and his operative stone-walled outside the OR, Silas knew something was wrong.
"Who are you? Are you not aware that federal agents are actively hunting armed fugitives in this building?" Silas demanded, glaring at the department head.
The man forced a pained smile. "Dr. Grant is personally conducting a highly complex operation. The
patient booked this appointmenet
month advance. She has severe facial burns. If she misses this reconstructive window..."
The department head spouted a rehearsed medical excuse, but Silas wasn't listening.
"We guarantee this is strictly a visual inspection. As long as the room is clear, we will not interfere with the surgery."
"This is a national security crisis. I expect this hospital to comply immediately."
"You stalling us right now gives me probable cause to arrest you for obstruction of justice and aiding a terrorist cell."
Silas's absolute authority caused the department head's expression to waver, though he desperately tried to maintain his cover.
"This procedure is incredibly delicate, and the patient has waited a very long time. I'm begging you to show some leniency. At least let Dr. Grant finish the surgery!"
Listening to the man beg, a terrifying realization suddenly struck Dane. He grabbed the man by the collar and violently hurled him against the wall. "Get out of my way!"
Silas realized what Dane was thinking, and his blood ran cold.
"Breach the doors! Do not let them touch Claire's face!"
The second Dane shouted the command, Silas drew his weapon.
The department head was guarding the door specifically to buy the surgical team enough time to finish the reconstruction.
OR doors were heavily magnetically sealed from the inside and guarded by internal security. Without clearance, brute force was nearly impossible.
Their only leverage was the department head.
The thought of these psychotic operatives slicing open Claire's face just to smuggle
her out of the country made Silas slam his fist into the drywall.
He leveled his gun at the department head. "Order your security to open those doors right now the hostage is inside and harmed will personally ensure this hospital is burned to the ground!"