Chapter 42

I finally prop Hooriya against the wall by the stairs so I can help the other women.

"Stay here. I'll carry you up when the others are taken care of. I need you to keep assuring them that we mean no harm." Soft, soulful cries are now coming from several of the cages and we need to get them out as quickly as possible.

Though Hooriya's voice is shaky, it's firm and soothing. Even if I can't understand the words, I understand the tone. A female paramedic arrives and helps assess the victims. I don't know the woman well but fully understand the tight set of her jaw as she takes in the scene and evaluates the situation. Slade and Kip carry women one by one up the stairs. I chose these two men because they are both married and known to be tight-lipped. Cops love gossip and I want to keep the women out of as much of that tongue-wagging as possible.

Hooriya is barely standing on her own when the last woman is carried away. "I'm going to lift and carry you up the stairs," I tell her.

"No,