"With an earthquake this big in Veridia, high-ranking government officials are sure to be here. Zane, I need you to find out which official is in charge and where their command post is."
Zane Patterson froze for a second. "You want to see a high-ranking official?"
"Yes. I need to know how many people in Veridia are homeless and how much medicine, water, and food they need."
"We also need to tally up how much liquid capital, available personnel, and usable connections the Valentine Family has."
"Veridia is the city that raised us. Now that it's in trouble, it's our duty to protect it."
Zane Patterson watched her, suddenly noticing something new in her eyes—something he'd never seen before.
It was like a light rising from some deep place, suppressing the moisture in her eyes, suppressing her trembling, suppressing all the tears that had yet to fall.
He slowly reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair from the side of her face behind her ear.
"Wait for my word," he said.
*
