I just want to thank everyone again for their kind reviews of my other stories. This is just a short little chapter story.
The Hostage
Chapter 1
Van and Deaq had been arguing most of the day and the end of the day was no different. Both men were tired and were getting on each other's nerves. Deaq was driving them both to the bank to cash their paychecks, glad that the day was almost over. Their case was closed and Billie had given them both a few days off.
"You know partner, you act like a two year old. You don't get your own way, you throw a temper tantrum." Deaq said glancing at his partner.
"Well you, you act like some big macho man. Macho, macho, man. I want to be a macho man……." Van began singing the Village People song.
"That does it!" Deaq screeched to a stop in front of the bank. "Out!"
"What?"
"Get out!"
"How am I going to get home?...And what about your check?"
"Walk, and I'll cash it tomorrow. Out!"
Van got out and was about to lean in the window when Deaq sped off. He looked in his rear view mirror and watched as Van got smaller and smaller. He felt a little guilty leaving his partner stranded, but boy did it feel good to get the last laugh. Besides Van could walk home, it would do him good. He looked in the mirror one last time and watched as Van walked into the bank. Deaq turned the corner and headed for home. He was only a short distance from his house when his cell phone rang.
"Yeah."
"Oh thank God you answered." It was Billie
"Billie, what's up?"
"Is Van with you?"
"No, I just dropped him off. Why?"
"That's good." Deaq could hear the relief in her voice.
"Billie what's going on?"
"It just came over the radio. The bank you guys deal with was just robbed. They said shots were fired and they have hostages. I was worried that…………"
"Billie." Deaq interrupted her as he spun his car around and headed back toward the bank. "I didn't drop him off at home; I dropped him off at the bank."
There was silence at Billie's end for a few seconds before she spoke.
"Get back there. I'll meet you. And Deaq………..don't try to be a hero. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"I'm already on my way." Deaq hung up then dialed Van's cell phone. There was no answer. He swore and threw the phone down on the passenger's seat. Then he took the next corner on two wheels, mentally kicking himself in the heard for abandoning his partner.
Command CenterBy the time Deaq got back to the bank a portable command center was being set up in the building next to the bank. Billie was waiting for him and together they headed for the Command Center.
"Did you hear anything from Van?" She asked as they walked side by side.
"No Billie………" He looked at her and she could see the worry in his eyes. "He doesn't answer his cell."
She reached over and grabbed his hand.
"Deaq, we don't know anything yet. We got to hold it together till we know something definite."
"Damn it Billie I shouldn't have left him there. Damn stupid argument………."
She wasn't sure what argument he was talking about but right now that wasn't important. What was important was to find out what was happening inside the bank and whether one of her officers might be still be in the bank being held hostage. The command center was busy with officers and technicians running back and forth. One of the technicians sat in front of TV monitors fiddling around with equipment. Another officer sat at a table calling the bank trying to make contact with anyone inside.
"What do we know?" Billie flashed her badge to Sergeant Hadley, the officer in charge.
The officer didn't say anything but looked over at Deaq.
"It's okay, he's with me." She added.
"We don't know too much right now. We got a call from a couple that had just left the bank. They said they heard gun shots and that there were about twelve people in the bank at the time, four tellers, the manager and about seven customers."
"Do you know if anyone was hurt?" Deaq asked anxiously, praying the answer was no.
"We don't know that either. Harry here is trying to establish a video feedback from the cameras in the bank." He gestured toward the man sitting at the monitors. "The robbers have knocked out the old cameras, but we're in luck. The bank was in the process of installing a new security system in the ceiling lights, which we're hoping the robbers have no idea about. The bad news is only the video is in place, the audio portion hasn't been installed yet. We should be able to see everything but we won't be able to hear what's being said. But we might be able to hear a little something from the old video cameras before they were destroyed. Our technician is redirecting the video over here." He pointed to two monitors. "We're hoping to be able to rewind the video from the old cameras and also get live feed from the new system."
"Has there been any contact with the bank" Billie asked.
"Officer Reed is trying to make contact but as of yet no one has picked up the phone."
"How long is it going to take to get the video feed?" Deaq asked as he walked to the door, his eyes searching the streets and crowds outside hoping to see Van, but knowing it was unlikely.
"Can't say, but we're working on it."
Later
The wait was agonizing.
"You know Billie, Van might have cashed his check and was already on his way home before it went down."
She prayed he was right. Billie pulled out her phone and dialed Van's cell phone. No answer.
"Battery could be dead." She said.
"Yeah, he's always forgetting to charge it." Deaq gave her a small smile, hoping that was the answer and not that Van had been taken down and was unable to answer.
"Lieutenant, the tape is ready."
They all gathered around the two TV monitors that had been set up. One to show the tape from the old cameras, and the other the live feed. The live feed came on first. They watched as three gunmen, Gibson, Clark, and Winston walked around the bank filling their bags with money, stocking masks covered their faces. Occasionally one of them would walk over and look out through the shades, which had been pulled down. It was frustrating not being able to hear them but at least they could see what was going on in the bank. Over against a wall a group of hostages sat on the floor. The technician zoomed in on them. Van wasn't among them. Hopefully that was good news. Maybe he had gotten out before the robbery went down. The tech left the live feed on then turned on the tape from the old cameras. He set it for about three minutes before the gunmen had entered. Billie and Deaq watched as Van walked into the bank and stood in line. People came and went and nothing much happened for the first two minutes. Finally Van was at the head of the line with one minute to go. Billie reached out and took Deaq's hand. Hopefully they would see Van turn and leave. But it was then that all hell broke loose. Three men enter the bank. Clark heads right over to the front of the line next to Van. The other two take positions at the back of the lobby. Gibson holds what looks like an automatic weapon, Winston a handgun. Deaq kept his eyes on Van Don't do anything partner, just stay calm. Don't try to be a hero He didn't think Van would try anything unless one of the bank's customers was actually threatened. Suddenly, without warning, a security guard standing next to Van goes for his gun. They watch as Clark shoots the guard, who grabs his arm and spins around falling to his knees. Screams of terror from the customers can be heard clearly over the video. Clark then starts to walk over to the security guardand points his gun at him as if to finish him off. Van can be seen pushing a man standing behind him in line down as he pulls out his own gun and steps protectively in front of the security guard. Both Deaq and Billie watch in horror as two shots are heard and Van grabs his stomach and falls to the floor, shot by one of the gunmen standing in the distance. He lies on the floor rolling back and forth writhing in pain. Clark leans over and looks down at Van, it looks like he's been shot also but only in the arm.
"Who the hell is he and why does he have a gun! Do you think he's some kind of cop?"
Gibson then walks over.
"Oh that's just great, you just shot yourself a cop." He said looking back at Winston.
"Hey, what the hell was I suppose to do?" Winston says as he walks over and pulls Van's head up to look at his face.
"Hey, I know this guy!" He then puts his gun at Van's head. "I'm going to put you out of your misery buddy."
"Hold it!" Gibson yells looking down at Van. "We may need him later." He then looks up at Winston. "Knock out those security cameras."
Before walking away Winston spits on Van then kicks him hard in the head. Van's head jerks back and he lies motionless on the floor. Winston then casually walks arounds smashing the camera lenses.
The video then goes black.
"Oh God Billie……………" Deaq said softly, tears stinging his eyes. He might have just seen his partner killed.
TBC