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"Mr. Auda, this is President Palmer."Palmer began as he leaned forward in his chair.

"What can I do to end this situation peacefully?"

Yusuf moved away from the post and walked toward the patio doors and looked out

at the dark ocean. A flicker of sun could be seen trying to color the horizon.

"My country is innocent."Yusuf replied quietly.

"I believe that."Palmer stated reassuredly. He glanced at his chief of staff Mike Novac

who shook his head. No proof of the recording's credibility yet.

"Then why do you insist on punishing my country?"Auda asked a hint of anger in his

voice.

"We're not placing blame on your country."Palmer replied as he stood and leaned his

hands on the surface of the desk. "We're trying to find those who are responsible for

the bomb."

"We will be happy to pass along any intelligence information that we have."Yusuf

offered.

"And we're more than willing to work with your people."

*******

In the back of the beach house the SWAT officer's radio crackled to life. He adjusted

his ear piece as he listened to his superior's voice.

"Do you have a clear shot?"

The officer shook his head."Negative. The windows are covered and the back doors

are partially covered."

"As soon as you have a shot take it. CTU wants this over with now."

The officer frowned. "What about Almedia?"

"Almedia's not as in charge of this as he thinks. I'll handle him. Just take the shot if you

have it."

"Roger."The SWAT officer replied as he leveled the rifle.

********

As Yusuf talked with Palmer, Michelle glanced at the front door. She wondered if she

would make it to the doorway before Yusuf realized she was trying to escape.

Michelle wondered how far she'd get before the bullet struck her.

She looked back to Yusuf talking on the phone. He was clearly distracted. Gun

hanging loosely in his left hand. Gaze focused on the far wall.

Michelle began to inch her way toward the front door. Despite the risk this might be

her one chance at escape. However just as she started Yusuf turned his gaze away

from the wall and looked in her direction. Michelle was forced to remain where she

was.

***********

The suspect finally came into view.

"I have a shot."The SWAT officer reported into his microphone to his commanding

officer. "Taking it now."

The SWAT officer tightened his grip on the gun and squeezed the trigger.

The bullet shattered the glass of the right side of the patio door. The police officer

lowered his rifle.

*********

Tony froze as he heard the gunshot. He looked back at the house and spoke into the

phone.

"Auda, what the hell was that?"

Yusuf didn't reply.

"Mr. Almedia, what's going on?"President Palmer demanded.

"Somebody fired a shot."Tony replied grimly. "Excuse me, Sir, I'm going to find out

what happened."

Tony handed the cell phone to Jack and headed over to where the LAPD officers

were gathered.

Jack spoke into his phone. "Mr. President, can you give us a few minutes to sort this

out?"

"Of course."Palmer replied. "Keep me posted, Jack."

"I will, Sir."Jack promised as he pocketed both phones and hurried to catch up with

Tony.

*********

Michelle screamed as the glass shattered. She looked over at Yusuf to find him

clutching his right shoulder.

The cell phone and gun were both on the floor.

"They have broken their word."Auda stated through clenched teeth as he reached

down to pick up the gun. He turned and aimed it at Michelle. "I now have no reason to

keep you alive."

Michelle paled and backed up against the wall. "If you kill me you won't get out of

here alive."

Yusuf smirked as he walked toward her. "My life means nothing."

Michelle shook her head. "No, you still have a chance to protect your country. If you

shoot me President Palmer will have no reason to negotiate."

"He won't have to know you're dead now will he?"Yusuf asked as he closed the space

between them and leveled the gun against Michelle's forehead.

Michelle closed her eyes and fought against the tears that threatened to flow. They say

your life flashes before your eyes when you're close to death. All Michelle could think

of were her family and Tony. She'd never see them again.

After several long moments Michelle felt the gun barrel being lowered from her head.

She opened her eyes and looked at Auda in surprise.

"I may require your assistance to clean the wound."Yusuf replied quietly.

Michelle could see that the blood was flowing freely down his shoulder. "Why should I

help you?"

Yusuf waved the gun motioning for Michelle to move toward the nearby first aide kit.

"Because you have no choice."

Michelle glared at Auda before she turned and walked over to the first aide kit. She

picked it up and opened the lid taking out the remaining bandages and gauze.