The Negotiator

by Dee Henderson

  “Kate, a peaceful conclusion will be found. Trust that.”

  “I’m praying Jim lets me do the talking.”

  “You’re too deeply involved in this case. Don’t get your hopes up. You’re going to be on the sidelines for this one.”

  “You’re relieved at that fact.”

  “Are you going to hate me if I say yes? Devlon isn’t exactly a friendly hostage to protect.”

  “How are they going to handle this? That the one being held hostage is the one probably responsible for blowing up the plane?”

  “Probably is the operative word. We’ve got a theory, but not airtight proof against Devlon. And he is the hostage.”

  “Tony is in deep trouble.”

  He didn’t respond. He didn’t have to.

  Twenty-four

  The block around the bank had been sealed off. Media vans and their journalist teams were along the perimeter, trying to get the best vantage point or interview. From the numbers present, word must have leaked that this standoff was related to the airline bombing. Police had to control the crowd of spectators at the barricades. Overhead, the steady thumping beat of police helicopters guarded the scene. Kate scrambled for her badge and hurried through the crowd of cops to the forward command post, Dave jogging along beside her. There were so many different agencies here, men from her unit, the FBI, some of the ATF people. The task force had descended. It was a noisy, busy environment. Exactly what she expected.

  “Jim.”

  He broke free from the cluster of men to join her. “I’m sorry it’s going down like this, Kate.”

  She kept her voice cool. “I’ve never met him.” She had to keep her distance if she was going to have any hope of being involved before this was over. “Where are things?”

  “Come take a look at the blueprints. I could use your firsthand knowledge, both of the environment and the two men.” She followed, well aware of the less-than-comfortable looks coming from others in the command center. As far as most of them were concerned, she was related to a suspect and therefore a security risk. She was grateful to have Dave beside her. She sensed when someone else joined them and saw the men around the room abruptly shift their gaze away. Kate glanced back. Marcus. Between Dave and Marcus there was an implicit warning being issued to others in the room. It felt nice to know they were protecting her back.

  She turned to look at the blueprints as Jim identified locations. “We’ve got the elevators shut down, Graham and a team in position on the stairs, more on the roof. It appears to be only Tony Jr. and Devlon on the tenth floor. Shades are drawn, lights are off, but snipers in the surrounding buildings have picked up movement—” he tapped a location—“here.”

  “Devlon’s office.”

  “Yes. The security guard downstairs said Devlon cleared Tony Jr. to come into the building. Franklin and Olsen are working to get us video optics snaked in through the ductwork along here so we can see what is happening. Phones have been isolated; we’ve already shut down the air-conditioning, and we’re preparing to shut down electricity and water.”

  Kate nodded, having expected all of those steps. “Tony Jr. arrives at the bank, and Devlon clears him to come up. What happened when he got up there? Were shots fired? How did we get word about what was going on?”

  “That’s what’s so puzzling. Fifteen minutes after Tony Jr. went upstairs, Devlon called the security guard to say he was being held hostage and told him to call the police.”

  “Tony Jr. wanted us brought in?”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you made contact?”

  “Christopher. He’s gotten through by phone. Tony Jr. wasn’t in the mood to talk, said to call back in an hour. We’re still twenty minutes away from that time.”

  If Kate had to pick someone to handle the negotiations in her place, Christopher would have been her choice. “Is everyone aware Devlon is a suspect in the bombing?”

  “They know. But Tony Jr. is not making this easier for his own defense.”

  “If Tony Jr. dies, the ability to prove it was Devlon who planted that bomb gets more difficult.”

  “I know that, too.” Her boss looked at her. “I can clear you to work with Christopher, but as much as I’d like to, I can’t give you the phone.”

  It was more access than she thought she would get. “I’ll take it.”

  “Get him up to speed. You’ve got about fifteen minutes before that next call.”

  Kate nodded and turned to scan the room. She spotted Ian in the corner, and he waved her over. Leaving Dave and Marcus talking over the tactics of the situation with Jim, she crossed the room; where Ian was, Christopher would be. She was right. Christopher had made a private corner for himself tucked behind the communication gear. He was lighting his pipe, ignoring the commotion. It was so traditionally Christopher that she couldn’t help but smile.

  He spun around a chair for her. “Nice mess, this one is, lass.”

  “How much do you know?”

  “Not nearly enough. The FBI profile,” he lifted the pages from his lap, “is worthless. It assumes Tony is the bomber, something I understand you doubt; therefore, its conclusions are probably wildly wrong. From that kid’s shaky voice it is clear he’s petrified.”

  She let out a deep breath. “Innocent, but so terrified he’s going to get himself killed by doing something dumb.”

  “Lass, you and I are going to make sure that doesn’t happen. Tell me everything you think happened.”

  Since she didn’t have much time, she sketched in the case. The facts did look incriminating. There had to be a reason to look deeper and see that Devlon was the one who had actually helped Ashcroft. Tony was her brother. No one was going to get away with framing him for something he didn’t do. “Tony probably went after Devlon thinking the only way to clear his name was to make the man confess.”

  “Rather naive of him.”

  “Yes.”

  It was time to make the call. Ian set it up for those in the room to hear it. Kate wished she were the one reaching for the phone instead of Christopher.

  Come on, Tony, pick up.

  “Hello, Tony, it’s Chris again.”

  “Why did you shut off the electricity?”

  To keep you from seeking safety in the restroom, maybe get you to crack a window blind. That wouldn’t be said of course. Christopher was right. Tony sounded young…and frustrated. Frustrated was not good.

  “The alarm inside the bank was ready to sound, and we knew that would be rather distressing for you to hear. We didn’t have the codes, so we shut down the system the only way we could.”

  There was a pause. “I want to speak with Marla.”

  Wife. Kate scrawled the word for Christopher. He nodded. “We can try to arrange something.”

  “When she gets here, call me. In the meantime, start looking for the combination to Devlon’s office safe.”

  “What are you looking for?”

  “Just get me the combination.” Tony slammed down the phone.

  Kate winced. “An hour hasn’t eased that sound of panic.”

  Christopher reached over to replay the conversation. “He gave himself an hour to search the place, and he didn’t find whatever he expected. What’s he looking for? And what happens if he doesn’t get it?”

  She ran her hand through her hair. “He was being blackmailed. Maybe he is looking for something he thinks Devlon acquired.”

  “I’m surprised he wasn’t pleading his innocence.”

  She looked at Christopher and saw it was an observation, nothing more, and agreed with him. “I think he’s given up believing someone will listen.”

  Christopher nodded. “Then we’ll just have to convince him otherwise.”

  “We’ve got video,” one of the technicians across the room announced.

  Kate pushed back her chair so both she and Christopher could see the screens being turned on. They had one camera with a view of the corridor, another that had been lowered into the corn
er of Devlon’s office.

  “Are the tactical teams getting this?” Marcus asked.

  “Yes.”

  Devlon sat in a chair that had been pulled to the center of his office.

  Kate leaned toward the screen. “What’s that around Devlon’s wrist?”

  “Looks like he’s handcuffed to the chair,” Christopher speculated.

  “Tony made a mistake leaving Devlon in a chair with rollers. If things get interesting, his hostage can move on him. And he left the other hand free.”

  “He should have used a phone cord, an electrical cord, something,” Christopher agreed. “The kid’s not thinking things through.”

  Tony stood in the doorway of the office, trying to watch both directions of the corridor, a gun in his right hand. He had made a few changes to the furniture arrangements. One of the secretary’s desks had been pulled over to give him access to the phone. The other desk had been moved in front of the stairway door.

  The two men were arguing about something, Kate could see Tony’s growing anger and Devlon’s belligerence.

  “Can we get audio?” Kate asked.

  “Franklin is laying down the relays. You’ll have it in another minute,” Olsen promised.

  Dave rested his hand against her shoulder. Kate appreciated the silent support. Tony was pacing. Having seen too many situations like this, she could read the growing storm. Audio sputtered on, the first words broken by static. “…you framed me with that meeting! Now I want those tapes you took from Ashcroft’s apartment.”

  “What tapes? I was never near Ashcroft’s apartment.”

  “I saw you coming out! Now where are the tapes?!”

  Kate flinched an instant before Tony fired the handgun wildly over Devlon’s head.

  The chatter over the secure mikes was instantaneous as the SWAT teams positioned to swarm in.

  “No! Everyone stay in place. Do not breach! Repeat, do not breach!” It took shouts from the team leader to get over the vocal traffic and freeze them from moving. “We’re still secure!”

  Christopher had his hand on the phone. Jim nodded at him. It rang for almost a minute before Tony stormed back across the room to pick it up.

  “Tony, what’s going on up there? Is anyone hurt?”

  “Everything is just fine. Just keep away from me and get me what I want!” In the monitors, Kate could see him still pointing the gun at Devlon.

  “You’ve got a lot of nervous cops around you. It’s not a good thing to fire a gun in this situation.”

  “Where’s the combination?”

  “We’re still checking, Tony.”

  “I want that combination!”

  Kate watched the monitor, worried at the agitation. Was he on something? The situation would be impossible to stabilize if he was.

  “Calm down. If we can’t locate it, we can drill the safe for you.”

  Kate wrote. Tell him we know it’s Devlon.

  “Tony, we know you are innocent. We know that Devlon is the one who planted the bomb.”

  “He’s trying to frame me for it.”

  Ashcroft.

  “We know Ashcroft planned this entire thing, that he and Devlon set you up to take the blame.” Christopher looked over at her. “Tony, he framed your sister, too. Come out peacefully and let us sort this out.”

  “I don’t have a sister.”

  “She’s sitting right here. Kate Emerson, thirty-six—although she doesn’t look it, a decent cop for someone who no longer walks the beat. You want chapter and verse on your parents? The house where you grew up?”

  There was silence. “She died years ago.”

  “Hardly. She changed her name, but she’s been here in town all her life. Her name is Kate O’Malley. Maybe you saw her on the news lately.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Christopher covered the phone. “Kate, I need you up there.”

  Thank you, Christopher. His word was gold unless they went tactical. She looked at Jim for agreement. “Go. Join Graham on the stairs.”

  The gear was ready. She shoved her feet into the boots.

  “What are you doing?”

  She didn’t spare the seconds to look up at Dave. “My job.” Olsen handed her the vest. She pulled in a deep breath to snug down the straps. The gear was custom designed for her, and she got it on fast.

  “Ian, audio check.”

  She nodded as she got a good clear signal through her earpiece.

  “You’re going to negotiate this?”

  “Christopher is. But I’m the proof.”

  “Give me a minute. I’m coming with you.”

  She could argue with him, but it would take time she didn’t have. “Hurry.” She saw Christopher hang up the phone.

  “Kate, get in position. Marla is about five minutes out. I’ll put her on the phone with Tony, then try to work it so you can open that stairway door and chat with him.”

  “Can we do anything on the safe combination?”

  “Even if we could, the risk is too great that it’s empty. If Devlon did ever get his hands on evidence that somehow could incriminate him, you can bet it’s long since been destroyed.”

  Kate knew he was right, but it would be so much easier to have something in hand to convince Tony he could safely end this standoff.

  Marcus touched her shoulder as she went past. The pressure was a silent message of support. He was listening in to the same tactical chatter she was. She squeezed his hand in return and moved to the door. She was about to meet her brother for the first time. She could think of much easier places to do it.

  She looked over at Dave as they entered the building. He had borrowed gear, was decked out much as she was. His face was grim, and she didn’t need that additional stress. He had volunteered to come along. She didn’t mind him protecting her back, but added pressure was not something she welcomed or needed. A cop stationed in the bank building lobby pointed toward the stairwell.

  Kate glanced over at Dave as they entered the stairwell. “Ten flights. Bet I beat you to the top.”

  “This is hardly a race.”

  She took the first flight, going up two stairs at a time. “It’s not a major war either. He’s not going to shoot his sister.”

  “Really? You know that for a fact?”

  He was afraid for her. How was she supposed to deal with that? She didn’t want to deal with it. He shouldn’t be putting her in a situation she had to deal with it. “Didn’t you say prayer made a difference?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well then quit raining on my prayer. I intend to meet my brother and get him out of this mess.” She turned the corner and sprinted up the next flight. “It’s just like a kid brother, digging a hole I have to get him out of.”

  “That’s what this morning at church was about?”

  “Part of it. I’m okay if something happens. Quit stressing out, or you’re going to be worthless to me if this does go bad.”

  “You believe?”

  She took a moment in the turn at floor five to look over at him. “You don’t have to sound so skeptical about it.”

  “Sorry. You took me by surprise.”

  She took a deep breath and sprinted up the sixth flight. “You get what you wished for and you’re surprised. Where’s the logic in that?”

  He grinned at her. “There is none. It’s pure relief.”

  “Then catch up. You’re slowing me down.”

  She slowed as they reached the eighth floor, and by the turn into the tenth walked the last flight to eliminate the noise. Graham had six men with him. They had taken positions away from the door, against the concrete wall. Graham smiled when he saw her and whispered over his mike, “Good to see you. No real change. Thompson has the video feed.”

  She nodded and stopped beside Thompson to get a look. The situation looked much as she had left it. Except now Tony was fifteen feet away on the other side of this door. The nervousness had as much to do with the uncertainty of meeting him as with th
e danger in the situation.

  Christopher’s voice came over the command circuit. “Kate, Marla is here. I’m going to patch the conversation onto channel three.”

  “Switching to three,” Kate acknowledged. She leaned against the concrete wall beside Graham. He wordlessly handed her a piece of gum. She smiled and accepted it. She knew even as she unwrapped it that it would be Juicy Fruit. Graham was accustomed to long waits.

  Marla’s voice came over the channel, strained and worried. “Tony, the building is surrounded with cops. Give yourself up before you get hurt. Please.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’ve got Devlon, and one way or another he is going to pay.” Kate frowned at Tony Jr.’s choice of words. They were definitely running out of time.

  “Tony, Marcus O’Malley is down here. He’s with the U.S. Marshals, and he knows about Ashcroft and Devlon. You can trust him.”

  “If they know what happened, how come I’m the one being hunted? No, Devlon is going to confess. He’s going to tell them what he did.”

  “Tony, please.”

  “Did you meet this sister that I’ve supposedly got?”

  “No, she’s not here. But they tell me she’s the one who actually figured out what happened.”

  “Put Chris back on the line.”

  “Here he is.”

  “Marla says this Kate isn’t there. Are you lying to me? You said she was beside you. If she’s real, put her on the phone.”

  “Better yet, why don’t you meet her? She’s at the stairway door.”

  “I’m not opening any door to the cops! What do you think I am, a fool?”

  Kate folded the gum wrapper into a nice foil square.

  “Tony, she really did figure out what was going on. I’ve got one of the calls Ashcroft made to her right here. Hold on, I’m going to play it.”

  “Hello, Kate O’Malley. I’ve been looking for you, and what do I see— you made the news last night. We’ll have to meet soon.”

  “That’s her answering machine tape, Tony. That’s Ashcroft’s voice, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  “He was dragging her into this. Besides this tape, we’ve got others. He used her name in the bomb threat. Kate O’Malley is very real; she’s a cop, and she’s your sister. When she says it was Devlon and Ashcroft, she knows what she’s talking about.”