It had been 5 days since the attack. As much as the city had many rubble and scars from the war it had, things were slowly returning: schools, bars, restaurants, everything back on track.
In the meantime Leon had stayed at a hotel in the city, tried to rest even a little, but even so, he felt tired not only physically, but mentally as well, not even on his vacation he had a bit of peace. The government sent him to the Slav Republic to investigate the use of biological weapons in the ongoing civil war, everything was nothing short of hell, fighting big-mouthed quadrupeds, finding an extremely sexy and cheating spy, fighting the country's president and to finish shooting a man's spinal cord and paralyzing him because that was it, or turning into a monster.
He sighed tiredly, taking another sip from the glass of whiskey he was holding, it was still 8:00 am and the blonde was waiting at any moment to call him on another mission. He dreamed of spending a week on a secluded beach with a cooler full of cold beer and a beach chair, wearing nothing but fabric shorts, putting on his sunglasses and admiring the ocean. Feeling the cool breeze cool him while listening to the roar of the waves, trying to forget even for a few hours that the world was in chaos and that he was not an agent who saw the greatest barbarities of humanity.
In a way he had failed in this mission, he knew that Ada had taken a sample of the virus and that she would sell it on the black market and could cause another outbreak, but that was not a problem for now.
He asked that Hunnigan's call was to release him for the rest of the month, going back to the apartment in Washington DC and sinking into the couch would be good, he could call someone he knew and go out to a bar and come home drunk and make sure that she would erase and would not have any nightmares, the moment she thought of an acquaintance the image of Claire came to her mind, it had been a year since she saw her friend at the Terra Save event, maybe it was the chance, it would all depend on her schedule.
He heard the phone ring, picked up the control of the television that was on and with low volume passing the city's news, turned off the device and accepted the call, putting the cell phone to his ear afterwards.
"Hunnigan" spoke hoarsely.
"It looks tired" the brunette commented upon hearing her partner's hoarse and tired tone.
"But ready for anything, say." Ingrid took a long breath and Leon was surprised by the action, but didn't dare comment on anything.
"The president is requesting your presence in Washington."
As close as he was to the president, he didn't often attend the White House, because his schedule was always full, he felt a strange sensation with the request.
"Something happened?" Leon asked, showing a little concern.
"Any information will only be said as soon as it arrives at American soil, I need you to come as soon as possible, I will send you the coordinates of your transport" Hunnigan replied seriously.
"Ok, I'm coming" he hung up the phone, standing up and placing the empty glass on the tray on top of the dresser. He took the room keys from the head of the bed and walked to the door, he didn't have any suitcase with him, he only carried with him his bag and the m19 pistol.
As soon as he left the hotel, the location of the jet arrived at his cell phone, he started walking along the cobblestone streets until he found a taxi and asked to be taken to the desired location.
As usual, the private plane was waiting for him, he paid the taxi driver with the money he had and walked to the vehicle, got in and relaxed in the soft seat, it would be a few hours to the US, he would use it to rest and try to clear the bad thoughts from his head about the strange conversation with Ingrid.
Washington
4:00 pm
Hunnigan called just as he got off the jet, told him he should be in the White House at 7:00 pm, would have time to take a shower and change, and was extremely grateful, he felt too dirty and didn't feel like going inside. In the White House, like a beggar, however much one was to go, he would go.
A presidential car took him to the apartment in the city center, it took a few minutes to reach the building, passed the reception and entered one of the elevators clicking on the sixth floor. He reached the floor and walked calmly to luxury apartment number 608, put the key in the lock and unlocked the door, appreciating the neutral and lifeless image of his home. He hardly stepped there, if it was twice a month he considered it a lot, it was hard to say that anyone lived in the apartment; he wiggled the key on the couch and headed for the hallway where the bathroom was, took off his clothes and enjoyed the hot water coming out of the shower, it was a relief to know he was home.
She put on loose clothes and separated the clothes she would wear to go to the White House, seeing that she still had time, she decided to order a hamburger since she hadn't eaten since this morning, turned on the TV and looked for any series that was on.
In that short time he could smile calmly, it wasn't an isolated beach, but he was feeling at peace at the moment.
White House
7:00 pm
He knocked on the door and soon heard a muffled "enter", entered the large presidential room where Adam admired the big city lit by the huge glass window behind his desk, it was a beautiful view Leon had to agree.
"I'm glad you came" Adam commented, turning to his friend.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Leon asked.
"Please sit down."
"I'm comfortable here." argued Kennedy.
"It would be nice if you sit down" Adam replied suggestively, Leon was more nervous by the way he made the request, apparently bad news would come.
"I have a mission for you, but this isn't a field one. I want you to find any clues to the location of a group of kidnapped people." Benford started by moving a folder next to Leon, who took it.
"Who would this group be?" Leon asked taking the folder ready to open it.
"Employees of Terra Save." that information stopped Leon from opening the file, he looked at Adam who conveyed seriousness and compassion in his eyes. "This is the missing list."
Gathering courage, he opened the object, rummaging through the list, and soon found the name he least wanted to be there.
Claire Redfield.
"When did the attack take place?" Leon asked, still maintaining his professionalism.
"Last night. During a welcome event for new employees," the president replied, the blonde looking at the list again and finding a familiar last name.
"Burton" Leon spoke out loud.
"She's Barry Burton's eldest daughter, she was one of the new employees, her first day, remember anyone?" Adam commented, trying to alleviate the tense atmosphere of the situation.
"It always sucks when that happens" Leon commented and sighed, not being able to find Adam's comment funny, his concern was all in Claire. He knew Redfield knew how to take care of herself, but he couldn't help but wonder what her friend was going through wherever she was, he just prayed that she got out alive. "Do you know the reason for this?"
"We're looking into that too, I put you on this because I know your friend is involved and you'd want to know the details, the BSAA is already aware of what's going on, and they're doing their part. I'm counting on you."
"Don't worry president, I'll do my best"
Leon got up from his seat and headed out of the room, pressed the folder he was holding in his hands, feeling bad for what had happened, even though he had no guilt whatsoever.
"I'll bring you back Claire, whatever it takes."