Chapter Five
Mike, Lee, Bill and Dan had found the area the vehicle entered. It was a warehouse area with at least three abandoned buildings; the O'Toole warehouse that was nearest the Golden Gate Bridge, the Jeffries warehouse in a southward direction of the O'Toole warehouse and last the Malcolm warehouse in an eastward direction. As both vehicles made a drive past each building they found the transmitter signal was strongest from the Jeffries warehouse. Just as they had pinpointed the destination, the dispatcher raised Mike on the radio in the van. She had a call patched through to him from Gerry O'Brien.
"Mike, Steve called with the demands. We have until dawn to release the Tannengers or he will be sent back to you and Jeannie in pieces. We all heard a horrifying scream then a female's voice came on the phone. She told us he had just been cut with his own knife and that we better hurry, his blood was pouring fast."
Mike's pallor had changed to almost greyish white at Gerry's words; it was like all the blood was drained from his body. The man that meant as much to him as a son, and was the husband of his beloved daughter and father of his grandson, was in a life threatening situation. He knew there would be no time to lose now. Mike got on the radio to contact all units that were to be involved as direct contact with each one was arranged rather than going through dispatch.
"All units signal coming from Jeffries warehouse. Prepare to go in fifteen minutes."
Mike knew the S.W.A.T. team would be in position in no time and should be the first ones in. He and the S.W.A.T. leader kept in constant contact so Mike would know how they would proceed.
Inside the warehouse, Steve felt indescribable pain, his arm was tremoring slightly. He knew he needed to stay conscious but could feel the blood pouring. He felt afraid they had cut his ulnar artery. He heard the woman laughing and her icy voice sounded with glee.
"So sorry, my friend, cut you a little too deep, a little too deep on purpose that is. Now maybe your friends will start to take us more seriously."
"They won't give in to your demands."
Steve felt the blade of the knife as she placed it against his carotid artery. He knew she had to be psychologically imbalanced. Steve started to fear that he just might never see Jeannie or Mike or Petey again. He prayed Mike would be on time.
"You better pray they do! That little boy will have to grow up without a father if they don't."
Unknown to them most of the S.W.A.T. team were right outside the doors of the warehouse. Two were already inside having come in a back window away from the area where Steve was being held. As Steve lost consciousness the last thought in his mind was of Jeannie.
