Chapter 10

"What do mean she's not coming back? I thought she went to get tea," Spike said.

Parker knew that Spike would take it the hardest. He genuinely liked Braelyn and they seemed to click almost instantaneously. Spike looked a little sad, like he just lost his best friend.

"It just wasn't going to work out. Braelyn and I discussed her working here and reached a mutual agreement. She said she would stop by now and then to run some new programs by you Spike." Parker paused. Braelyn had been with them only 1 day, but it seemed that everyone, including Jules, was going to miss her. "Suit up guys and lady; we have drills to run today, short of any incoming calls."

An hour into drills and the voice came over the loud speakers. "Team 1, we have a call."

Parker's head snapped up. He had been the first one to finish drills, so he'd been looking over Braelyn's file again. He would have to talk with Holleran later, but right now he had to work. "Time to saddle up, team 1. Looks like we got a call. Let's suit up as quickly as possible."

When team 1 was on route, Parker relayed to the team what he knew of the situation. "Our guy took over a grocery store. There are 13 hostages, 4 of which are children. Our guy has already shot 1 hostage female and is threatening to shoot the others."

"13 hostages sir, that's heavy on civilians," Sam's voice sounded concerned.

"That's right Sam. We need to tread carefully here guys. Spike you getting the information yet?"

"Yeah, these new programs are really useful. I've got an uplink and am viewing the store now. The cameras give only picture and no audio. I'll see what I can do but I'm not promising anything."

"Copy that Spike."

When they got out of the SUV's and were putting their vests on, Parker's cell phone rang. "Parker here, go."

Parker heard muffled voices.

"…there's mad cops out there Major…what do you mean you can see them...you're where? Hello? Hello?"

Parker glanced quickly at the phone number that came up. He didn't recognize it. "Spike, I need a trace on this phone number. I think we have ears into the store." If his suspicion was right, then 'third time would be a charm'.

Spike typed in the phone number and his mouth hung open. "We have more than ears in there boss. Braelyn's in there. She's one of the hostages."

"Listen up. Braelyn is one of the hostages. She's using her phone to give us ears. Spike, I want you as my secondary. Gather whatever information you can off of Braelyn's cell."

"On it boss," Spike was already running toward the truck.

"She must be scared," Sam commented.

"I doubt it. This is the 3rd time she's been taken hostage."

"Third time, boss? Talk about unlucky boss."

"Third time Wordy. Let's hope her luck holds."

"Will she remain calm?" Jules asked.

"We have 12 other hostages to worry about as well Jules. Braelyn's read the manual. What she does with it, I'm not sure. She knows what we are trying to do, so let's go keep the peace, guys."

With Sierra 1 and 2 in position, Parker attempted to make contact with the subject.

"This is Sergeant Greg Parker. I'm with the Police Strategic Response Unit. Who am I talking to?"

"Braelyn Grayson."

In the truck with Parker glanced quickly at Spike and Sam.

"Okay Braelyn we can hear you through your cell. I need a name. Is everyone alright?"

"No. A mother has been shot. He says he'll shoot another one of us if a cop gets within 50 feet of the store."

"Hang up the phone and get that kid to stop crying!" the subject yelled at Braelyn and the baby that was on the floor crying. Braelyn did as she was told.

"I've hung up. Okay Honey," Braelyn said as she picked up the crying baby, "you've got to stop crying. You sound like a distorted recording, Honey."

Spike could hear Braelyn over the baby's crying, but barely. Then Braelyn started to sing – in Italian.

"Record what she's saying Spike!" Parker's authoritative voice rang out. "I want a translator now!"

Exactly 3 minutes later, the translator read what Braelyn was singing. "Someone watching you. Your guy talking to someone outside. Name Major Lee. Guy carrying 1 gun. Gang initiation." The translator stopped. "She repeats it 3 times. That's it."

"Thanks buddy." Greg dismisses the translator. "This is an initiation gone wrong. Spike, tell dispatch to sweep the area for known gang members."

"They'd be long gone by now boss," Lou said.

"I know, but it's worth a shot. Sam, what do we know so far?"

"The subject is armed with one weapon. Hand held, easy to conceal. Still working on figuring out what he's carrying. Subject is…" Sam broke off, at a loss. He was still learning.

Parker picked up for him. "Whatever he thought he was going to do today, didn't happen. His simple initiation turned out wrong and he is rapidly deteriorating. He's made his first request, but not directly with the cops. He doesn't trust us and is likely in tunnel vision. Lou – how's that name coming? And when is Luria getting here?"

"Sally's running the image now. Luria's on her way boss. No ETA yet."

"We need to get the lines moved back another 20 or so feet. Wordy, Lou, make that happen. Sierra 1?

"Sierra 1, go ahead" Ed's voice came in clear.

"How's the view Eddie?"

"No solution, boss. I'm blind to our guy. I do see 5 hostages, kneeling with their hands on their head. Over.

"Copy that sierra 1. Sierra 2, how's the view?"

"No solution boss, but I do see Braelyn."

"Change of plans guys. Ed I want you on a determined action plan. You can have Jules and Sam."

Parker was just about to call the grocery store again, when Braelyn started to talk again.

"You know what Honey? To think I left my favourite laptop in my trunk out in the parking lot today. I hope it doesn't get stolen. You'd have to be a dumbass to steal my laptop. That's right, baby girl, I said dumbass. Want me to say it again?"

"Spike –"

"Lou knows what her car looks like and he's already out there."

"Wordy cover Lou. Lou, get her laptop."

"On it boss".