The Hostage

Chapter three

Deaq spun around and looked back at the TV screen. They watched as Van wrapped his arms around his stomach and pulled his knees up toward his chest. They could tell he was in severe pain. The pool of blood under his body was slowly growing.

"Oh thank God, he's alive." Deaq breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Van move. "We gotta get him out of there Billie before he bleeds to death."

"Is there any possible way of getting in there?" Billie asked Hadley.

"Not without risking the hostage's lives."

Billie looked over at Officer Reed, still trying to call the bank. He shook his head, indicating that no one had picked up yet.

"Damn it! Why don't they answer? It isn't like they don't know we're out here!" Billie said as she looked at the screen.

"Billie, we got to do something! I'm not going to stand around here watching my partner bleed to death!" Deaq started pacing back and forth. He was ready to explode, he needed to be with his partner.

"I know Deaq, I know." She tried to keep her own voice calm in order to try and calm him down a little. She knew Deaq was ready to lose it and so was she.

Billie tried to think of something, anything to get into the bank. Just then her prayers were answered. Officer Reed put up his hand to signal that someone had picked up the phone. They all looked at the screen and watched as Gibson stood with his back to the camera holding the phone.

"This is the police, we need to talk." Reed said calmly into the phone as he switched on the speakerphone.

"We want all cops out of the area or we'll start killing the hostages!" Gibson shouted into the phone.

"We'll talk about it, but first we need to get someone in there to make sure no one has been hurt."

"Everyone is fine."

They knew he was lying. Van, the security guard, and one of their own men had been shot. They had watched it happen.

"We need to make sure of that before we can negotiate."

"I told you, no ones been hurt, but they will be if you don't give in to our demands."

"We all want this to end peaceably. We don't want anyone to be hurt, including you. You give us a little, we'll give you a little."

There was silence for a moment before Gibson came back on.

"Okay, but no cops."

"We just need to get a paramedic in there to check on the hostages. Just to make sure they're okay and that none of them have any medical problems that need to be taken care of."

"Okay, but if they try anything, I promise you we won't hesitate to kill the hostages."

"All you have to do is stay calm and take it easy. I'll get back to you when we can get a paramedic."

"No tricks or I swear I'll start killing these people."

They could hear Gibson hang up the phone. Deaq immediately turned to Billie.

"Get me in there Billie."

"Deaq, we need to get a trained paramedic in there."

"Get one, but I'm going in too."

"Deaq……………..you're too emotionally involved in this. If Van ………..well, if he doesn't make it ………….."

"Billie, he's my partner. I need to be with him." He interrupted her, he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Deaq …………you know it doesn't look good for Van, he's lost a lot of blood and if he dies, I know how you'll react. I don't want to lose both of you."

"Billie I won't lose it, but I need to be there for my partner……… especially if he doesn't make it. I don't want him to die alone." Deaq's voice cracked with emotion as he said the last few words.

Billie still didn't like it. She was worried about how Deaq would react if Van didn't make it. He'd end up getting himself killed trying to seek revenge. She also knew he needed to be with his partner. If Van died alone and Deaq could have been there for him he'd never forgive her. Against her better judgment she gave in.

"Okay Deaq. But you be careful, you hold it together in there."

Hadley walked over to Billie.

"I'm in charge here and I don't think it's a good idea for him to go in. Your man in there doesn't look too good. And if he dies, I don't need his friend to go flipping out and get one of the hostages hurt or killed."

"You're right my man in there doesn't look too good, he needs his partner with him. And if you try to stop Deaq from going to him I'm not going to be responsible for what he may do to you."

"Okay." Hadley looked at Deaq. "But you better stay cool. The hostage's lives depend on it."

"I won't lose it. Just get me in."

Hadley looked over at Reed.

"Get me a paramedic and make sure they know what they're getting into. And tell them to bring an extra uniform and bag."

TBC