Chapter 3

The downtown area, outside the First National Bank, was in chaos. Police officers were trying to direct traffic away from a three-block radius. Others were trying to contain the spectators, and reporters that always seemed to come when there was trouble. David couldn't believe this was happening. As he looked around he saw police cars had blocked the street with their lights still flashing. This, added to the noise, was making it hard for him to concentrate on what Assistant Director Merrick was saying. As he talked with the director a feeling of helplessness came over him. The young agent knew he wouldn't have been any help inside but it didn't make him stop wishing he was in there.

"The FBI is offering any help you need," David said, as he joined Captain Harris by the SWAT truck. "We have an assault team at your disposal."

"We can use some snipers."

"I can get those for you."

"I need them to cover the back of the bank."

David nodded and flipped open his phone. He talked for a few minutes then hung up.

"Any word from inside?" David asked.

"So far they haven't answered the phone," Captain Harris said gesturing towards the bank. "The blinds have all been lowered so we have no visuals."

"So we have no idea how many hostages or criminals are inside."

"The sound techs have picked up at least two voices."

"How?" David asked surprised.

"Come on I'll show you."

David followed the captain to the surveillance van. Inside was a tech with earphones on listening to a tape machine. The two men climbed into the van.

"Earlier one of my men got close enough to one of the windows to attach a listening device," Captain Harris explained.

"It's hard to tell how many there are," the tech said. "But I've been able to distinguish four or five voices. Two are bank robbers and the others might be hostages."

"Can I listen?" David asked. "If Don's in there I'm sure he's been trying to talk to them."

The tech nodded and handed David the headphones. The tape was rewound and played. All the voices were distorted, but David heard Don talking. Then there was a grunt and he could hear Charlie yell. Two other voices he didn't recognize could be heard, then Terry's voice telling Don to take care of Charlie. David pulled off the headphones and handed them to the tech.

"I recognized my partners," David said. "Sounds like something went down and Charlie was hurt."

"Charlie's the consultant?" Captain Harris asked.

"Right," David confirmed. "Don's pretty protective of his brother."

"Will he lose his head if something happens to his brother?"

"Oh he'll be pissed, but he won't jeopardize anyone's life. Don has a level head on his shoulders."

"That's good to hear."

While they were taking the tech went back to listening. Everything seemed to be quiet. He heard muffled voices further back in the bank. The tech adjusted some knobs as he leaned in closer, to the machine, hoping it would reveal more. Angry voices could be heard, when suddenly a shot was fired. The tech jumped back as screams of terror blasted through the headphones.

"Shot fired!" the tech yelled.

Captain Harris quickly moved to the tech's side. "Single shot?"

"Yes," the tech said. "I hear screaming but nothing else."

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"Shut up!"

Don watched as the blond robber rushed over to the hostages and pointed his gun at them. The situation was starting to get out of hand and Don knew the robber was going to do something stupid. As Don was watching the blond he failed to notice the leader raise his gun and point it at his partner.

"Fritz, don't do something you'll regret."

"But they won't shut up!" Fritz said turning. He was surprised when he saw the gun aimed at him. "God damn it, Sergie! You'd shoot me too?"

"If you jeopardize my plans, yes."

"I think you already jeopardized the plan," the african-american robber said. "Mikey was the one who knew the computers."

"When I want your input, Calvin, I'll ask for it," Sergie said, turning. "Now go do the job I hired you for."

Don watched as Calvin disappeared into another room. With the hostages now quiet, Don turned to look at Terry. He could see she had been following the exchange to try to analyze it. Terry's expertise as a profiler would help them determine how the robbers would react. She was calm and hadn't been disturbed by what had just happened. Charlie, on the other hand, wasn't as detached. When the shot had been fired Charlie sat up, and would have run for cover, if Don hadn't stopped him. Don knew Charlie wasn't a coward, but his fight or flight instinct leaned more towards the flight end. Once Don saw that Sergie had Fritz back under control he turned to his brother. Charlie was leaning against the desk with his head back and his eyes closed. Don could see that his younger brother was pale and breathing fast.

"You okay, Charlie?"

"Fine," Charlie answered but didn't open his eyes.

"Charlie, I think you better lay back down," Terry suggested when she saw how pale he was.

"I'd rather be able to see what they're up to," Charlie said as he opened his eyes. "Felt kinda vulnerable lying there on the floor."

"What do you think they'll do now?" Don asked, looking at Terry.

"My profile of Sergie hasn't changed," Terry said. "He's still confident he can pull this off. Fritz's hasn't changed either. I still can't tell you about Calvin."

"The question is, what will Sergie do now that he no longer has his computer expert?" Charlie asked looking at his brother.

"Good question," Don said. "Not sure if I want to find out."

"Damn it, Sergie, why'd you have to kill Mikey?" Fritz asked as he moved over to the leader. "Now how are we supposed to get what we need?"

"You worry too much, Fritz," Sergie said.

Fritz scrubbed his fingers through his hair in frustration. He knew Sergie would think of something but all this waiting was making him crazy. The hostages were starting to bug him, the women were crying and the men were wimps. Fritz started pacing as he watched Sergie go through the wallets of the hostages.

"What the hell are you doing now?"

"Looking for a replacement for Mikey."

"You think one of them can help?"

"Won't know until I look."

"You're nuts," Fritz said, pacing faster. "There's cops out they're just waiting to blow our brains out and you're rifling through people's wallets."

"The cops won't do anything as long as we have the hostages," Sergie explained.

Sergie ignored his partner and continued what he was doing. None of the wallets, so far, revealed anything of use. The FBI wallets contained their badges and ID. Their personal wallets showed a little more. Terry Lake was fond of old movies, as Sergie found out pulling theatre stubs out of her wallet. She also shopped in trendy stores. Don Eppes was as boring as Sergie guessed. All that was in his wallet was a few credit cards and some cash. He picked up the last wallet and opened it. A couple of papers fell out and he picked them up. As Sergie opened the papers he smiled. Putting them to the side he continued to go through the wallet. He found an ID for CalSci and turned to his partner.

"Fritz, I think we've found our replacement."