The Ultimatum

by Nancy Moser

  You know the answer.

  Cal took his plate to the counter. He would not admit God was the source of his wife's calm. God didn't calm down; He stirred up. Look at Treena. Look at his dad…

  He rinsed the plate. He was glad he'd told Annie about Treena. It was good she knew why he was against God. Maybe it would cause her to ease up a bit.

  Fat chance.

  Cal wasn't sure anything could make his wife's faith waver. Their current situation was a perfect example. While Cal spent time wondering why this was happening, Annie seemed able to forgo the need for such answers and just deal with the problem at hand. And so well, too. Except for a few flashes of anxiety, Annie was a stone wall of faith and control. Her inner strength was a puzzlement.

  And an inspiration. Admit it.

  “Here,” Jinko said. “Take my plate. I'm done.” He leaned back, expecting Cal to obey.

  I'll show you what you can do with your plate.

  “Cal…”

  Cal snatched up the plate. He hated this. Hated it.

  Hated Jinko.

  He finished the dishes, his mind swirling with acts of revenge. Jinko would pay. Cal would make sure of it.

  Merry parked her van a half block from Annie's house. She shut off the engine. “I hate being this far away.”

  “Ken wants us to be safe,” Bailey said from the passenger seat. “He didn't want us coming this close.”

  Touché. “Yet if it weren't for me wanting to stop by Annie's—”

  “He wouldn't be putting his life in danger.”

  Actually, she'd thought of that. After losing one husband to early death, she wasn't too pleased she'd fallen in love with a man whose profession could be dangerous. She offered up another quick prayer for everyone's safety.

  And she quit complaining. It did no good anyway. She leaned on the steering wheel and watched Ken do a three-point turn in someone's driveway so he could pull in front, where they d first parked. He got out of the cruiser, did a double take at seeing them, then gave them a stern stay-put signal.

  Ken looked up the street and waited until a second cruiser took a position behind Baileys car. That officer—Ted Cody—got out and slipped between houses, heading toward the back door. After he was in place, Ken headed to the front door.

  But at that moment, a blue truck pulled up, the driver looking from one police cruiser to the other. He pulled ahead of Kens vehicle, nearly blocking the driveway. Ken quickly backtracked. The man rolled down his window and they talked.

  “I wish we could hear,” she told Bailey.

  Ken finished talking to the guy in the truck, got in the cruiser, and pulled out, even with Merry's van.

  “What's going on?” she asked out the window.

  “I'm going to let Scott Wheeler go up to the door and see who answers. He said Cal called him up this morning, saying he'd purchased some special coins for him at an auction. Wanted him to come over. This might be what the men inside are after, because the coins fill out a collection. Cal asked Scott to bring it along because he wanted to see it—which Scott thought was strange. I told him to leave it in his truck so he'll have to go back for it. Hopefully, he'll see something—or someone—and be able to tell us what's up.”

  “Isn't this dangerous?”

  “Mr. Wheeler's the one who suggested it, gave me his whole resume about how he's ex-Army and could handle it. I told him not to go inside. He's supposed to ask Cal to come out to his truck to see the collection.” Ken glanced back, toward the house. “We want to see if Cal's okay. Annie and Avi, too, hopefully.”

  The man was waiting on the front walk, looking at Ken, then back toward the house nervously. If anyone was looking out the windows, he'd know something was up. They had to act. Now.

  Ken pointed toward the McFay's door. It was a go.

  The doorbell rang.

  It was only a few minutes after two. Annie was thrilled Scott was prompt. She couldn't stand the waiting anymore. Especially not since she'd devised a plan.

  She'd positioned herself upstairs—saying she needed to use the bathroom—in the hopes that once Scott got here, Jinko and Jered would be occupied…

  She heard Jinko's voice coming from the kitchen. “Open the door, Cal. And no funny stuff. Just bring him back here.”

  With Jinko and Jered in the kitchen, she had a chance. On his way to the door, Cal glanced to the upper hall and their eyes met. She put a finger to her lips and ran toward Avis room.

  Annie heard Cal push the small buffet aside and open the door. The men greeted each other. That was of no concern to her now. She looked out the front of the house and was shocked to see the edge of two police cruisers. And was that Merry's van down the street? And Bailey's car, directly across?

  She nearly laughed with relief. Her window message had worked! She pulled Avi's curtains aside, all pretense at subtlety gone. With the purple marker she wrote in huge letters: HELP! 2 MEN. 1 GUN. WE OK. Since she had time, she decided to add: JINKO DALY & JERED MANSON.

  She spotted Ken behind a tree, reading what she wrote. She waved at him. He waved back, nodding. He ran to the police cruiser, opened the door, and called someone.

  The cavalry was on its way!

  Annie's attention was drawn back into the house as she heard Cal's voice rise. “I need you to bring it in, Scott. Why won't you bring it in?”

  “I…”

  Scott's voice sounded funny, and Annie guessed he was trying to follow Ken's orders—which were probably strict instructions not to go inside. Wise advice. On the other hand, if Scott didn't bring the collection inside, then Jinko and Jered would never leave. If only she could do something, say something…

  Lord, what should I do?

  Jinko did the doing. She suddenly heard him. “That's enough of this! Get in here! Now! And shut that door!”

  Annie ran to the hallway in time to see Jinko burst out of the kitchen and yank Scott inside. But before he could get Cal and Scott out of the way enough to close the door, Scott shouted outside, “Help!”

  That's when Jinko hit him on the side of the head with his gun.

  Scott fell to the floor.

  Avi jumped, knocking her lamp over.

  Someone had yelled, “Help!”

  But it wasn't her dad. Who was it?

  She righted the lamp and heard loud voices and a big thump!

  Her mother yelled, “Stop it! Why did you do that?”

  Avi bit her fingers. Her parents were in big trouble. She couldn't stay hidden any longer. She couldn't.

  She opened the door to her cubby.

  Ninteen

  Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.

  Anyone who does what is good is from God.

  Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

  3 JOHN 1:11

  BAILEY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. Everything happened so fast. Annie at the window, the man from the truck being jerked inside while yelling for help. The two police officers reacting by pulling out their guns, then Ken retreating to his cruiser to call for more backup.

  Yet all Bailey could focus on was one name that Ken had repeated during his call, a name written on the window: JERED MANSON. Jered. His Jered. His son was inside! Everything they'd said on the news and in the paper was true.

  Jered was a criminal.

  How had this happened? How had his little boy…?

  Bailey was out of the van, though he couldn't remember opening the door. So was Merry. They both stared at the house.

  “Get back!” Ken yelled. “They're armed.”

  They moved to the far side of the van and hunkered down. Behind them neighbors opened their front doors, checking out the ruckus.

  “Back!” Ken yelled. Doors closed and heads appeared in windows.

  Merry bowed her head. “Lord, protect them! Make this turn out all right.”

  All right? How could this ever be all right?

  He must have snickered.

  “You find my prayers funny?”
<
br />   Bitter laughter spilled out, and he fell back on the curb, sitting.

  “I find this whole thing funny. Ridiculous. To think that my son, who had trouble following directions to make his bed, could have grown up enough to organize burglaries or have guts enough to take people hostage…” He rested his elbows on his upraised knees and ripped his hands through his hair. “This whole thing is absurd.”

  He felt Merry's hand on his shoulder. “Maybe he's not really involved. Maybe he's a victim, too.”

  He could only hope. “Jered's never been a bad kid.”

  “Of course he hasn't. He probably just got in with the wrong people.”

  Yes, that was it. It was someone else's fault. It was certainly not… “It's not my fault.”

  “No ones saying it is.”

  He looked at her. “But people will think badly of me. They'll talk about me.” He shook his head and looked to the ground. “I'll never live this down.” Merry removed her hand, and he felt her eyes. He looked up. “What?”

  “You'll never live this down? What about Jered living through it? What about Annie and Avi and Cal and that poor man who just screamed for help living through it?”

  “Well—”

  “You're worried about your pride? You're worried about being embarrassed when people's lives are at stake?”

  “No, of course—” It had just slipped out. He didn't mean it.

  “Believe it or not, you are not the victim here, Bailey Manson.”

  “I know that. I—”

  Her eyes glared. “If I could stand up and walk away from you right now, I would. As it is, I'll ask you to leave me alone and keep your thoughts to yourself so I can pray. Pray for the victims. Pray for God's help. You might try it, Bailey. I'm sure God would be thrilled to hear from you.”

  She scooted over a few feet and bowed her head.

  Merry's prayers rattled the space between earth and heaven with their ferocity and interweaving themes. I'm so sorry! Why did I just do that? wove with Keep them safe! Protect them all! Give us wisdom!

  She wanted to open her eyes and look at Bailey to see how he was doing, but she couldn't. She was afraid she'd find him squashed like a bug on the pavement. For that's what she'd just done—verbally squashed him.

  Forgive me, Lord. Forgive me. Help him.

  She'd known Bailey was an egotistical snob. She'd known that the first time she'd met him strutting around Bon Vivant as if he was allowing her the privilege of eating there. If the food wasn't so delicious… And she'd witnessed the whole scenario when Jered ran away after Bailey had his heart attack. Father and son, disagreeing on priorities. A battle of wills and dreams. But for Bailey to sit outside a house that held people in danger and think about how the situation affected him…

  “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

  Merry let a breath in, then out. Jesus' directive was clear. Bailey was an annoying man with a wrong attitude. But more than anything right now, he needed mercy. Kindness. Love.

  Why me, Lord? Let someone else do it.

  At the moment, there was nobody else. She nodded her agreement along with her amen and opened her eyes. Bailey sat on the curb where she had left him, staring at her van just a few inches in front of him. His chin was set, no sign of shame or remorse in his body.

  But Merry knew that didn't matter. God had called people to love the unlovable.

  Even Bailey Manson. Hard as it was.

  She scooted close. He did not look in her direction. She put an arm around his shoulders and gave him a little squeeze. She felt his muscles relax.

  'Nuff said.

  They'd gotten Scott Wheeler to the couch. He had a gash on the side of his head from the butt of Jinko's gun. Cal was getting some ice and a towel. Annie knelt at Scott's side, stroking his face. “It'll be okay. We'll take care of you.”

  He moaned and occasionally opened his eyes, but they rolled more than focused. Annie looked at Jinko, who was peeking out the front window. “Why did you hit him?”

  Jinko shrugged. “He yelled.”

  “Because you yanked him inside.”

  “He wouldn't bring the Barber set in.” He gestured toward the front. “He brought police with him. He deserves what he got.”

  Jered ran to his side. “There's police outside?”

  “Looks to be two cruisers, but I'd bet more are on the way.” He smiled. “Actually, it appears we're getting quite an audience. Faces in every window. We'll be on the news again, kid.”

  Jered backed away. “I don't want to be on the news! I'm tired of this whole thing. I want to go home.”

  The gun pointed at his face. “There's no going home. I thought you knew that.”

  Jered looked as if he was going to cry, and Annie wanted to comfort him. He was in so far over his head.

  Jered stepped back, next to the Christmas tree, pulling his eyes away from the gun. He fingered a gold star ornament. “We can stop this thing now, Jinko. I'll give back everything I've ever taken. I'll tell them I'm sorry and—”

  Jinko laughed. “And you expect them to say, ‘Well, okay. Everything's all better now’?” His voice hardened. “It ain't going to happen, kid. Even I know about consequences. I just happen to like to play to the edge of those consequences. Test them.”

  The star fell to the carpet. “But I don't!”

  “But you did. By teaming up with me you did.”

  Jered retrieved the star and put it back on a branch. Then, oddly, he froze. A moment later he pointed up the stairs. “There's a little girl upstairs!”

  Cal heard Jered's words and came running, ice in hand. It was chaos, with Jered pointing from the entryway, Avi calling out, and Jinko running up the stairs, with Annie trying to push her way past him.

  “Get away!” Annie was like a madwoman, pushing, shoving, pulling at Jinko, heedless of the gun. She reached the landing first and scooped Avi into her arms. “You leave her alone!”

  Jinko stood, halfway up the stairs, the gun pointed. He had a bleeding scratch on his face. “Get down here! Now!”

  Annie shook her head, cradling Avi's head with her hand. “Not until you get away.”

  Cal tossed the ice onto the floor, pushed past Jered, and ran up the stairs to his family. Jinko put a hand on his arm, but he shoved it away. He had to get to them. Touch them. Be a unit with them.

  He reached the top of the stairs, and he and Annie hugged Avi between them. Cal whispered into the mix, “Why didn't you stay hidden, darlin?”

  “I heard someone scream. I needed to help.”

  “Aaaw,” Jinko said. “Isn't that sweet?” He descended the stairs and pointed to the living room with his gun. His voice changed from condescending to harsh. “Enough family time! In the living room. All of you.”

  Annie carried Avi downstairs, steadied by Cal's hand. As they moved past Jinko, Cal felt Annie shiver. She moved to the far corner, to her rocker. Cal stood beside them. Everything had changed. It was a new ball game. Much more was at stake.

  Annie kissed Avis forehead. “So what now?”

  Jinko moved to the edge between entryway and living room. He made a fist with his free hand and brought both hands to his forehead, letting out an awful roar. “You lied to me!”

  The intensity of his words was a sock to Cal's stomach. Up until now Jinko had been fairly controlled. But now, it was as if something had popped. They had to get Jinko calmed down or—

  Jinko whipped his head toward Jered. “Did you know about this?”

  “No. No! How would I know?”

  “You were the one who searched the place. You looked upstairs! Why didn't you see her?”

  “It wasn't his fault,” Annie said. “There's a little storage area off our closet Avi likes to play in. She was inside when you first came in. She stayed inside.”

  Jinko was silent a few moments, breathing in and out. Cal had no idea what to say to make it better. If only Avi had stayed where he'd told her to stay…

  The momen
t was broken by Scott moaning.

  “Cal, get that ice on his head,” Annie said.

  He took a step toward the fallen ice, but Jinko stopped him. He aimed the gun right at Annie. “You are not in charge! Do you understand that, lady? You are not in charge.”

  She held Avi closer, rocked forward, then back. “And neither are you.”

  Cal's knees nearly buckled. Annie! What are you doing? Be quiet! Don't provoke…

  All eyes were on Jinko. He stared at Annie. Cal didn't dare look at his wife, but he assumed she was staring right back. Where did she get her strength? Or was it stupidity? All that could be heard was the swish-creak, swish-creak of the rocker against the carpet.

  Finally, Jinko spoke. “You know what, little lady?”

  “What?”

  His eyes gave her a full body scan. “I like you. You've got guts. Fire. After this is over, I'm going to remember where you live and come visit you, and we can get to know—”

  Cal lunged at him, but Jinko shoved him into Jered's arms. Cal shook the kid's hands away.

  “Don't ever do that again!” Jinko said.

  Annie's voice was plaintive. “Cal…”

  He forced himself to calm down, forced his hands to relax.

  They heard another car drive up, and Jinko moved to the window. “More police. Looks like the sheriff. Oh, this is great. Just great.” He tossed the drapery aside, causing it to catch on an angel figurine sitting on the television. It fell to the floor.

  “The angel!” Avi said.

  Jinko flashed her a look. “Keep that kid quiet!”

  Annie pulled her close and shushed her.

  Jinko began to pace in a tight there-and-back pattern. “We're running out of time. We need to grab the coins Cal bought at the auction and whatever else, then get out of here.”

  “Out, how?” Jered asked.

  “Let me handle that.” He handed Jered the gun. “Take this.”

  “I don't—” Jered nearly dropped it.

  Jinko roughly wrapped his hands over Jered s, pressing the gun into his fingers. “Hold this on them. Don't let them move—or the whole lot of you will never move again. Comprende?”