Page 19 of Save Her Life

“I’m not telling you that, and I’m not ready to come out.”

One step forward, one back. If he wasn’t willing to surrender yet, the hostages became her top priority. “I can tell you’re a good guy who has just found himself in a tough spot, but you’re not in this alone, Gavin. And those people in there with you all have families who will be worried about them too. And Megan?—”

“She stays.”

His quick rebuttal confirmed his attachment to the pregnant woman. He’d instantly recognized her name and thankfully hadn’t reduced her to a label. But he’d also seen where she was headed with a request and nipped it. “Okay, but all those other people in there… if we could find out who they are, we could let their families know they are all right. This would go a long way with my superiors, and they’d be very willing to help you and your daughter.” She had to be careful how she put this and how she said it. The phrasing needed to be genuine and not manipulative. She intentionally didn’t sayfamilybecause she didn’t know his home situation. A fractured relationship couldhave him feeling more like a failure and trigger him into taking further destructive action.

There was a stretch of silence.

Sandra moved ahead. “Is there someone we can contact for you? To let them know you’re okay.”

“No. It’s fine.”

So he either had an unstable home life or still feared disclosing his full identity for some reason. “All right, that’s fine. I just thought I’d offer. If you won’t let me talk to the hostages, will you please just get their names and a number for their closest family member?” This exercise would go a long way to humanizing the hostages.

Gavin didn’t say anything for a few beats. His breathing became deeper and traveled the line. “Okay. Fine, but I will need some time.” He ended the call.

Sandra sat back. She was making headway, but it wasn’t time to celebrate just yet. There was a lot she still had to find out. In the meantime, the knowledge she lacked could be detrimental.

NINE

Another hour scooted by, taking them to eleven PM, and Sandra and the team were still in a holding pattern. Bowen remained eager for SWAT to move in and bring the situation to an end. But she had enough experience to know thatendwouldn’t be a pretty one if they rushed things. Thankfully it didn’t sound like the police chief had changed his mind despite Vern Wilcox being hurt. She had no doubt Bowen had passed that news along.

The line for the throw phone rang, and Sandra answered.

“I have all their names,” Gavin told her.

“Great. Let me get a pen and paper.” She looked at Richie, who was ready to note everything down.

“Not so fast. I thought of something I want.”

“It’s not good faith to change what’s at stake partway through, Gavin, but I’m listening.” She wanted to denote a cooperative spirit while maintaining control.

“I want my daughter to get her meds, but I want to take them to her.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” She knew there was no way that would fly.

“And I want a hundred thousand dollars and the freedom to walk away from this free and clear.”

“I’m sorry, Gavin, but I’m not sure how I’m supposed to make that happen.” It was a passive-aggressive approach, but the apology paired with the use of his name added warmth. This response also flipped things back to Gavin for him to solve the problem.

“Fine. I don’t need the money. It’s for my girl. Get it for her. Isn’t there someone you could talk to about this?”

He’d just elaborated and revealed his primary emotional driver was his daughter’s welfare. “Sure, Gavin, I can talk to my boss about this and explain your side. I can tell you’re a good dad, just trying to do right by your daughter.”

“That’s right. This is all for her.”

“Your daughter also needs to learn there are consequences for her actions. It’s a valuable life lesson that could save her a lot of grief. If you surrender peacefully right now, the charges against you will be light, Gavin. I’ll speak on your behalf.”

“Just get the money and the meds for her. You have an hour to decide.” He hung up, and Sandra set a timer on her phone for sixty minutes.

“Well, he seems to havethatmove down,” Bowen griped.

Of course Bowen had to be in the command vehicle for that interaction…“At least he’s given thought to what he wants.”

“Whatever delusions he has, there’s no way this guy is getting away scot-free,” Bowen seethed. “And a hundred K? Not a chance.”

She wasn’t going to discuss the money with Bowen. “You and I know he will pay for what he’s done, but he needs to be convinced that the charges against him will be light. If we succeed in reassuring him in this regard, we get everyone else out safe and sound too. I believe zero casualties is the ultimate goal we all share.”

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