CHAPTER FIVE

Grissom paced anxiously behind the hostage negotiator as Brass was getting the latest update on the hostage scene. He hated feeling useless and helpless at the same time. He was used to being in charge and having or getting the answers he needed. He had been in touch with the rest of the team and they were on standby for the duration. Brass stepped away from the negotiator who returned to the phone conversation with the captors.

"Jim, what's the latest…are they okay?" asked Grissom. He went on to say, "Iris lost her husband several years ago in a convenience store robbery…she's got to be going through hell right now." 'And Sara, my Sara', he thought, his heart aching again.

Brass let out a low whistle and sighed. "Gil, it's pretty tense right now…these guys are on a short fuse. They want to call all the shots and knowing they have three female hostages gives them false security".

"Could the negotiator insist on speaking to one of the women? We need to know they're okay by their own spoken word," stated Grissom.

"I'll see what I can do," Brass said. He motioned to the negotiator who put the first robber back on hold.

"Hey, we need to make sure Elena's okay," Sara called out to the second robber. "It'd make you look good to the cops out there if they see you being charitable."

"Fine by me, make it quick," he replied.

"Iris, can you check out Elena while I'm scoping out our situation?" asked Sara, keeping her voice pitched low for Iris to hear only.

"Covered", whispered Iris. She turned and faced the second robber. "Can I please see to Elena, I'm a nurse and can tell if she or her baby's been hurt?" she stated, trying her best to be matter of fact.

'Way to go, Iris', thought Sara. 'You're using her name to keep identity and personality toward our captors'. Sara kept her eyes lowered to maintain a downcast appearance as she scanned the store shelves where she was standing. These were hardened men, and their rough treatment of the women reinforced their lack of concern. Should the robbers succeed in getting their hostages away from the store, Sara believed their chance of survival was nil.

Iris knelt beside Elena. The young woman's eyes were closed and her forehead glistened with perspiration. She was clutching at her abdomen and continuing to moan at times. She was speaking softly in Spanish to herself. Iris knew enough Spanish to recognize Elena's prayer and added to it silently.

"Elena, tell me how you are feeling? Is the baby moving?" Iris asked anxiously. She gently turned the young woman onto her back from side and saw what looked like a water spill beneath Elena.

"Dios mio," gasped Elena, "my water's broken!"

"Heavens above," breathed Iris, "Sara, we got contractions".

"What!" cried Sara, "not now, I don't know nothin' about birthing no babies."

"If we can keep Elena calm and at rest, perhaps her labor won't advance and just stay mild," Iris replied. She stood up to face the first robber. "I need to check behind the store counter to see if there's a something to pillow her head under," Iris said firmly.

The first robber only grunted and pointed his finger toward the counter, resuming his conversation with the negotiator outside.

Iris located Elena's sweater and a small pillow beneath the counter. Returning to Elena's side, Iris with Sara's help positioned the expectant mother to a more comfortable position.

The second robber said nothing and just stood by with his shotgun held ready.

The first robber upon hanging up with the phone with the negotiator turned toward the women. "You," he said, pointing at Sara. "Get over here. Cops need to know you are still standin' and talkin'." He walked over, grabbed Sara, and shoved her roughly to the door. "You walk outside the door and talk to that negotiatin' dude in the parking lot, but don't get any ideas of running to them; you'll be dead the moment you try as well as the other chicks in here. BAM BAM. You got it?" he growled.

"Yes, I got it, loud and clear," Sara replied. She took a deep breath and stepped out the door to face the negotiator.