Chapter 16
For what seemed like an eternity, Ron and Leo watched the monitor for signs that the gas was working. Slowly, they noticed the sluggishness increase in those people walking around the room. One by one, the walkers would find a place to sit and begin to nod off.
Ron turned the camera to watch the President's reaction. After having unknown drugs in their system, it had worried the doctors Ron had consulted about the additional effects of the gas on the First Couple. He noted with alarm as the President started to cough, at first lightly, but gradually the coughing became more intense. Ron noted that he was also having some small seizures. "Damn!" But there was nothing Ron could do. Patience was the key here.
Leo noted the seizures too. He cringed at the thought that his best friend and the leader of the free world could be dying just beyond his reach and became very anxious to get to his two friends. "Ron, let's go." He held his gas mask in his hands.
"No. We have to wait until everyone is out."
"Ron, they could be DYING in there. The President is having seizures. We need to get them out."
"Not quite yet. We still have the leader awake. He needs to be totally asleep before we crash through the door. I don't want anyone hurt who doesn't have to be."
"Ron." But Leo knew his words fell on deaf ears. His personal feelings were overriding his professional perspective of letting the experts handle the situation. He knew that Ron knew best. But his heart was being torn apart with the knowledge that his friends could be dying with help so close by.
Eventually, Jed fell back on the bed, unconscious.
"Okay, folks. Put your gas masks on and get ready to get through that door. Get the medical team up here and get the masks on them as well." Turning to his Russian counterpart, he asked about his team's readiness. "Yes" was the only answer.
Ron and Leo continued to watch. Soon, they noted that everyone seemed to be unconscious. Now it was time.
"GO!"
Using metal battering rams, the door was quickly destroyed and the furniture that had been placed against it was splintered.
Both Americans and Russians poured into the room. Ron quickly ran to the President's bed and started cutting the restraints. Leo ran to Abbey's bed and checked for a pulse. 'Thank God!' Still alive.' Leo ripped off the oxygen mask and lifted her up into his arms. Turning, he walked quickly to the door where a stretcher waited. Placing her gently on the mattress, the side rails were quickly raised and she was whisked away to a room on the other end of the hall to be assessed.
He turned to see the Head of Presidential Security holding the President of the United States in his arms. Laying his limp body on another stretcher, Ron pushed the stretcher down the hall, quickly following the path that the First Lady's stretcher had just taken.
The Russians quickly restrained the drugged terrorists and dragged them off to a holding vehicle, parked in the hospital courtyard. At last, the horrible ordeal was over.