Neighbors reported elderly people in the back bedroom, and her crew had to rescue them. In her mic, she heard, “Don’t be a baby about this, Tess. You have to do what’s right.” “I will, Mitch. I promise.” As they crawled at a snail’s pace, the temperature rose. Sweat beaded on her forehead, neck and chest. She could hear her own labored breathing. Behind her, a crash, as if timber had fallen. Mitch stopped and said, “I think we’re at the door to a bedroom.” They were working totally blind, so they had to go by touch. “According to a neighbor, there’s supposed to be another room to the right. Mauro, you go with Righetti.” Tess didn’t want to work with the recruit. He reminded her too much of Joey and she didn’t want to care about him. Still, she followed orders, and on her knees, Tess felt for the doorway. “In here, Mauro.” She heard him creep inside behind her. Tess knocked her knee on something metal and stinging pain shot through her. “I found a bed.
