Lady in Red Pt. 02 Ch. 03

"Let me make some calls and it'll be done," assured Paula as she pulled her phone from her pocketbook. "We'd gladly pay far more than that to get Steve and those kids back safely. It's an excellent idea."

Cable news had a field day with the situation. They existed to hash and rehash any and all possible scenarios. To have a media favorite like Steve Hammer being chased through the jungles of South America as he attempted to save two American kids was a story tailor made for cable. They spoke at great length on how the reward for Steve would be difficult for locals to ignore. When Gwen made her announcement that her company would pay a million dollars to anyone that helped Steve and the children reach safety, the frenzy increased. The story dominated television and the internet.

Gwen and her group were preparing to leave Washington the following Tuesday, when Amber called again. "Juan Flores, the cartel kingpin just told cable news outlets in Colombia that he'll allow Steve and the girls safe passage from Colombia, for ten million dollars. Would you care to respond to that, or do you want to speak to your financial people first?"

"I can respond to that one right now, and you can quote me," declared Gwen with obvious anger. "Not just 'No', but 'Hell no!' to that offer. It's extortion, pure and simple. Steve would never be part of anything like that and I wouldn't think of tarnishing his service and reputation by stooping so low as to even consider extortion. You can tell that Bozo to put that in his crack pipe and smoke it!"

Gwen's explained the situation to her family as soon as she put the phone down. "Steve will be proud of your handling of this entire situation," praised Lisa. "I learned a lot when I felt I had unfairly risked his life back when that terrorist took him. I tried to apologize, but he told me that men like Jason and him are honored to help people in need. They ask only for appreciation, not contrition, for their efforts. He's proud of his service and proud to be helping those kids. He needs you, needs all of us, to be proud of him and to make sure we conduct ourselves in a manner that he would approve of."

"Thanks, Lisa. We'll miss you in Sparta for the hospital dedication and our Memorial Day blowout, but everyone will understand that your place is here with your husband as he recuperates," replied Gwen as she gave her sister a farewell hug.

"Are you sure that you and Jordan will be up to performing under these conditions?" asked Lisa. "People would understand if you postponed it this year. Everyone knows Steve is in Colombia, trying to save those two kids, and himself."

"We both agreed to carry on," answered Jordan. "Charlie and the band are ready to play. We'll dedicate the show to Steve, and to all veterans that can't make it, for whatever reason. Steve would want us to do the show, and to bring the house down when we do. That's exactly what we intend!"

The dedication of the new hospital was scheduled for noon on Friday. Once that was over and the public had the afternoon to tour the new facility, the annual Memorial Day concert was set to begin. The concert by Jordan, Gwen, and Steve had been a tradition in Sparta since the benefit they had performed for the injured Sparta policeman. It had grown every year and had evolved into a celebration that lasted the entire long holiday weekend.

The tension ratcheted up a few notches on Thursday, the day before the hospital dedication and concert. The cartel forces were reported to have cornered Steve Hammer and had engaged him in a heated firefight. The huge monitors in Performing Arts Center suddenly came on as Gwen, Jordan and the band were finishing up their final run-through for the next day's show.

Everyone in the building stopped what they were doing to watch and listen to the report. "Cartel forces are reported to have located U.S. Navy SEAL Steve Hammer outside a small village in Eastern Colombia. Sources report that a fierce battle has been waged for the past two hours. Incredibly, this would indicate that the cartel forces have been held at bay by a single U.S. SEAL. It isn't known how many cartel combatants are involved. Eye witnesses near the scene are reporting heavy casualties."