“At least you have some leverage there,” Nick replied.
“Yeah, I just hate the idea of those kids being hungry.” And Annalise—he couldn’t imagine what she was going through. He also couldn’t allow his thoughts to dwell on her. He had to keep all his emotions in check to do the best job possible. Thoughts of Annalise and his relationship with her would only be distracting.
As Nick moved away, Evan raised the bullhorn once again. “People in the school, I’m sure you all must be getting hungry. If you want some food brought to you, then all you need to do is release the hostages.”
There was a long silence, and then Jacob’s gun came out the window. “I’m not releasing any of the hostages, and we’re doing just fine in here. All you need to do is move back your men and get me an armored van.”
“I told you I’m not working on that for you until the hostages are released,” Evan replied.
“You’ve got this all backward. I’m the one in charge here,” Jacob yelled. “Do what I ask, and I’ll let the hostages go.”
“Maybe some of your men would like some egg sandwiches,” Evan replied. “I’m sure that teacher and the four little girls you have in there are getting hungry. Maybe your wife would like a hot breakfast sandwich, too.”
This time there was a longer pause. Evan imagined Jacob was wondering just how much information the authorities knew about what was happening inside the school. He probably figured Belinda would have given Evan information about who was inside and that Jacob’s wife was one of the hostage takers.
“Jacob, I’d like to understand what your goal is. Could you tell me why you went into the school? How were you looking to advance your goal by forcefully entering the school? If I understand your position better, then maybe we can agree on some things.”
“You don’t need to understand anything,” Jacob replied.
“The offer for food still stands,” Evan yelled. “Release the hostages, and a hot breakfast will be delivered to the doorstep.”
Suddenly Jacob fired out the window. “Shut up about the food. I’m not interested in anything but you getting me an armored van and promising me and my people safe passage out of here, and that’s all I got to say to you.”
“We’re talking in circles, Jacob. The only way I can even think about doing that is when the hostages have all been released,” Evan replied. “Maybe you could release a couple of hostages to show your good faith. After that happens we can talk about how you and your men can get out of the school.”
Silence.
The silence wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. What he hoped was happening was that some of the men were trying to talk some sense into Jacob. Annalise had suspected some in-fighting, and Evan definitely wanted to exploit that. He was hoping that hunger was what would ultimately drive a wedge between Jacob and his followers.
His phone rang. Annalise was on a video call. He answered it. He’d only had a quick glimpse of her before, but now he was rendered speechless as he drank in the sight of her.
Her blond hair was longer than it had been the last time he’d seen her, but her eyes were just as green. His chest tightened as he saw her red, swollen lower lip.
She wore a pink blouse that looked rumpled, but he couldn’t dwell on how she looked. Instead, he focused on her surroundings.
Behind her was a plain white wall that gave no clue as to exactly where she and the children were in the room. Thankfully she’d already told him they were seated against the south wall in the classroom. The school faced north.
“Evan...” she said softly, and her eyes filled with tears.
“What happened to your lip?” he asked as a small knot of anger tightened his chest.
She shook her head. “It was the price I paid for getting Belinda help. It’s no big deal.”
It was a very big deal to him. It let him know that Jacob not only had the ability to kill when he thought necessary, but he’d also rough up the hostages as he saw fit. “Are you sure you’re safe to talk?”
She nodded. “For now it’s okay. They’re all in another room, and I can hear them arguing. Some of the men want to give up. They’re hungry and afraid.”
“That’s a good thing,” he replied. “How are you and the girls doing?”
“We’re all hungry and tired of being here, but we’re hanging in.”
He could see the deep exhaustion in her eyes, and he ached for her and the children he knew she was comforting to the best of her ability. “I’m doing everything possible on my end.”
She smiled. “I know. It gives me great comfort to know that the best hostage negotiator in the world is on the case.”
He’d believed he’d moved on from her, from what had been them, but that smile of hers shot a rivulet of unexpected heat through him. God, he wanted her, he wanted all of them out of there.
“I just want you to stay safe until I get you out of there,” he said. “Whatever you do, don’t get caught with the phone, Annalise. Jacob will get more and more desperate and angry as he continues to lose control of everything.”
“We’re being smart,” she replied. “Sadie has been helping me by acting as a lookout so I can get the phone off and on the charger. Right now I can still hear the men yelling and arguing with each other. I just... I just needed to see your face.”
“It’s good to see you, too.” He swallowed against a rise of emotions and reminded himself that emotions had no place in this environment.
“I like the beard. It looks good on you,” she commented.
“Thanks.”
Her smile was so soft, he wanted to reach right through the phone
