Through the gap in the broken door, I saw the silhouette of a helmeted soldier.

“Breaching!” a voice shouted.

The door burst open, slamming back against the wall.

Two military police officers entered, their weapons raised.

“Drop the weapon! Drop the weapon!” they yelled.

The bright tactical lights on their rifles swept the room, blinding us in the darkness.

Hayes froze, his eyes darting from the soldiers to me.

He knew he was caught.

He slowly let his fingers relax, and the heavy black pistol slipped from his hand, clattering onto the linoleum floor.

I kicked it away, sending it sliding under the metal filing cabinets.

One of the officers moved in, grabbing Hayes by the shoulder and forcing him to the ground.

The other officer kept his weapon trained on the door, checking the corners.

“Captain Brooks, are you secure?” the officer asked.

“I’m secure,” I said, my voice shaking slightly as the adrenaline began to fade.

“My father… he’s hurt. We need a medic immediately.”

The officer nodded, speaking into his shoulder mic.

“We need medical support to the security office. Gunshot wound to the torso.”