Day Four: Taken Hostage
If anything, John's eyes widened while Scott's shoulders slumped slightly. Apart from that, Scott stayed still.
'I always keep my promises.'
The shot echoed in the ballroom.
Scott fell forward as the bullet tore into his shoulder, John trying his hardest to catch him with bound hands. Virgil began to shuffle around, intent on checking Scott over, when there was a shout.
'What the hell, man? There wasn't supposed to be any shooting unless they didn't come forward! This wasn't the plan at all!'
Austin Jones was seething. He'd missed the interaction between the newcomer and Scott Tracy, dealing with the two army men to get what they had come for. Davis and Miller had been very cooperative in the light of so many hostages, and he needed Scott to get the last part of the puzzle.
But the newcomer was also someone quite important to the mission, and the boss had made it quite clear that they were expected to listen to him. Jones couldn't remember what the man's name was, they hadn't really spoken much during the planning stages.
'I assure you, Mr Jones, that this was a very important personal matter, and I will not be shooting any of the other hostages, so you can all calm down.'
Hostages. The word rippled around the room, as if the gathered throng hadn't realised just what was going on. It caused some unease, the murmuring increasing in volume until some of the braver people began to move.
Jones wasn't surprised. In fact, he's been more surprised that they had been so compliant. He looked to the two men who weren't holding Gordon and Penny and they fired into the wall. Again. This time, though, it had the opposite effect.
People tried to bolt.
Virgil took the opportunity to move next to John and Scott, thankful that his brother hadn't reached him and his hands were free. He pulled Scott off John and was rewarded with a groan. They shared a look of relief as Virgil stripped the jacket off Scott to check the wound.
The man knew where to shoot, the bullet may have missed the subclavian artery but the damage was still going to be extensive, but the small calibre of the gun worked in their favour with a small exit wound. Virgil tore his shirt off and applied pressure to the wound while John got himself out of the ties.
They glanced around, looking for an exit, and Virgil caught Kayo's eye. She gave him a feral grin and a nod. They got to their feet and took Scott between them, trying to blend into the surge of people. Kayo prowled ahead of them, keeping her eye on the man who had shot their brother.
He had made his way up to the platform and was talking to Jones, if the violent gestures were anything to go by, while the not-staff began to grab people and force them back into the centre in front of the stage.
Kayo had hoped to get her brothers out via the staff entrance, but the not-staff were succeeding in getting guests under control and she wasn't surprised that they didn't make it. However, they were not manhandled by the not-guests. No, they were halted by the click of a gun and a grin. Two not-staff and John.
They moved them to the front of the crowd and forced them all to sit with Gordon and Penny. Everyone was sitting, waiting. They watched the two men and their animated argument until a decision was evidently reached.
'Mr Tracy. We require something from your father. Once we have that we will allow the hostages to go.'
Scott got unsteadily to his feet with Virgil's help. He was pale and sweating, the shock hitting him hard, but this wasn't the first time he had been shot, and Scott knew he could only keep going for so long. He needed to keep everyone, including his brothers, safe. If talking to his father would do that then he would talk to him.
'Austin, give me your word that everyone will be freed and I'll gladly talk to my Father.' Jones nodded, unsurprised. The man that had shot Scott stayed quiet, his expression inscrutable and his eyes never leaving Scott's face.
One of the not-staff took Scott's good arm and pulled him towards the platform, and some of the others clicked the safety off their guns as John, Virgil, Gordon and Kayo all jumped to their feet.
Scott was sat down at a table and a phone was placed in front of him. Jeff appeared immediately, telling Scott that they were already aware of what was going on. He smiled and his dad grinned back, then frowned.
'Son. What happened?' He gestured at Scott's shoulder.
'Ran into an old friend.' He didn't elaborate and Jeff didn't ask.
'So, what can I do for you?'
'Austin wants to talk to you.'
'Austin? Austin Jones?'
'Yeah.'
'Put him on, Scott.'
Scott grinned. His father had switched to commander mode and he always enjoyed seeing that. He sat back and Jones came into the frame. Jones turned away, looking to the other man on the platform, and Scott was dragged away from the call. He wasn't returned to the others, though. One of the not-staff placed a chair on the far end of the platform and he was forced to sit down.
The conversation between Jeff and Austin didn't last long. Less than ten minutes and Jones was getting up, grinning widely. He had obviously got the information he sought, and he stepped up to the mic.
'Ladies and gentlemen, you will all be relieved to know that Colonel Tracy was as concerned about your health as Major General Davis and Lieutenant General Miller were. Now, would you please follow my friend on the right here,' he pointed to one of the not-staff, who made his way over to the main doors. 'Slowly and in single file and you may all go.'
Austin left the stage and disappeared into the staff kitchen as the not-staff got the guests moving. John and Virgil made to go help Scott down, but the man who shot him moved between them. They paused, and he was joined by a couple of the not-staff. Guns were aimed at them, and Gordon objected. Loudly.
'You promised the hostages would be released.'
'I think you will find I didn't promise anything.'
'Wait, are you not working together?'
The man sneered.
'We had a shared goal, but different outcomes. As it is, Captain Tracy and I have unfinished business.'
And they were herded out of the room, leaving Scott behind.