Page 56 of Say Nothing
If he was still in there.
And there was the small problem of the hostage inside.
"This is it," Derek told her."This is as far as we go for now."
They stopped behind a cluster of three trees.Alison looked to her left and right to see agents twenty feet or so away.Everyone was armed, including Alison, who had her gun strapped to her in the holster her father had given her.It was tucked just inside her jacket within easy reach.
Derek took out his radio and messaged the other agents surrounding the house."Are you all in position?"
"I’m in position," the reply came.
"In position."
"Ten seconds from position."
"In position.Eyes on the house."
"No movement within.The house might be evacuated."
"Everyone hold your positions," Derek said into the radio."I speak to him in ten."
Derek pulled on the strap that was slung over his torso and pulled the loudspeaker from his back to his front, taking the device in hand.He held it up to his mouth, waited five more seconds, and then spoke into it.
"Keith Malone!"he stated."We know you are in there.My name is Special Agent Sullivan.We have the house surrounded.Throw out any weapons and come out with your hands up.If you have any hostages in the building, let them walk out the front door.If you do not comply with these commands, we will use force."
Derek fell silent, the only sound the wind rustling through the leaves of the tree beside them.
No sound from the house.No sign of anyone inside.The seconds ticked by agonizingly—it became more and more likely they had escaped before they got there.
Then a shadow inside, and Keith appeared at the large windows, holding a gun to Vanessa's head.They were forty yards from the house, but it was obvious how terrified Vanessa was.Keith stood there, not saying a word, but the intent was clear.
Derek spoke into his radio."Does anyone have a shot?"
"Negative," the reply came."The shot can be taken, but we risk collateral damage."
"We can't risk her," Alison said to Derek.
"Don't shoot unless you have a direct shot and the hostage is clear," Derek said.
"Understood."
"This is your last chance," Derek said into the loudspeaker."Drop the weapon, let the hostage go, and come out with your hands up."
Keith didn't move an inch.The gun was still pressed to Vanessa’s head, one arm wrapped around her body to hold her.It was obvious he wouldn’t comply with any of the orders.
Alison couldn’t risk the hostage, so there was only one thing to do, even if it was the stupidest thing she’d ever done.She took the phone from her pocket and stepped out of the tree line.
"What are you doing?"Derek hissed.
Alison unlocked the phone and dialed Vanessa’s number.She held up the phone for Keith to see, then placed it to her ear.
There was movement from the window, and Vanessa took out her phone and answered it.She put it on speakerphone and held it out so Keith could hear and talk.
"It’s me you want," Alison said to Keith.I’m proposing a deal.My life for hers."
"Do you really think you can trick me into that?"he asked.
"We both know that the only way out of this for you is to surrender and give up the hostage, or kill her and then be shot.I know you’re not surrendering, and I can't be responsible for another death.If you let her go, I’ll step inside with you.You can kill me and then die.That’s all you’ve been thinking about in the last few hours, isn’t it?It’s why you came to my home.You want me dead, and this is your last shot at it."
