“At least if one man walks out maybe he’d be able to give us some information, like how many men are really in there and what in the hell they were after when they forced their way into the school,” Nick replied.
Davis appeared at Evan’s side. “Just wanted to let you know Regina Sandhurst is back on scene. Right now she’s over by the food truck.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll go check in with her.” Evan headed toward the food truck in the distance.
“Agent Duran,” Regina greeted him with a grim smile. “Any progress being made?”
“Unfortunately not much. I was wondering if any of the hostage takers have contacted you yet to pay a ransom? We were wondering if that’s a possible motive.”
“Nobody has contacted me,” she replied. “I almost wish somebody had so we’d know that was what they’re after.”
“It was just a long shot,” Evan replied in frustration.
“You know I’ll do anything I can to help bring this all to an end,” she said. “I just feel so helpless, and I fear this bad publicity is going to affect the donations that keep the school running.”
“Hopefully that won’t happen,” Evan replied. She obviously didn’t realize that she sounded a little cold worrying about donations while there were lives on the line.
“You’ll keep me updated on any information you get? I want to know absolutely everything that’s going on,” she replied. “I don’t want to get my information from that pompous ass we call a police chief.”
“I’ll be sure and keep you informed,” he replied, although he didn’t remark about her assessment of Chief Cummings.
The two spoke for a few more minutes and then Evan returned to his position. The breeze had picked up a bit and tossed around the leaves on the nearby trees.
Under different circumstances the scene before them would have been quite pretty and peaceful. The two blond brick buildings sat on manicured, lush green grass with the tall, mature trees and bushes adding to the attractive landscape.
But there was nothing pretty about the scene as far as Evan was concerned. He saw each tree trunk as a potential place for a shooter from the school to hide behind. The colorful blowing leaves were nothing more than a distraction.
In all his years of hostage negotiation, he’d never had a hostage taker who didn’t want to talk about themselves and what they wanted. Most hostage takers couldn’t wait to tell the world what was going on in their life and what had brought them to the situation they were in.
Jacob was definitely an anomaly in that he had no apparent desire to talk about himself or what he and his followers were doing. His unwillingness to do so made Evan’s training pretty much go out the window in this situation.
He now groaned at the sight of Chief Cummings approaching with Rowan hurrying just behind him. “Agent Duran, a word,” the chief said.
“About what?” Evan asked.
“My men are tired, and I’m running out of funds for all the extra personnel we’re using. It’s past time to end all this.”
“We’re all tired,” Evan replied curtly. “I’m sure you can work something out with the local council concerning the funding for the extra personnel.”
“We need to coordinate going in with force and bringing this to an end right now,” Chief Cummings continued. “My men are all ready to go.”
“We’re not going in with force at this point,” Evan replied firmly. “I have information that the men inside are now arguing. I don’t think it will be long before some of the men walk out of there. We just need to sit tight and wait for that to happen.”
“I disagree with you. My men and I are tired of sitting tight.” The man took a step closer to Evan. “This should have already been over. We have enough men to take the building by storm, and that’s what we need to do. Besides, having all these men here is leaving the streets of my city unsafe.”
“You have the right to reassign some of your men to wherever you need them. We’ve got this situation covered.” Evan drew in a deep breath as he felt his patience slipping and his anger with the man rising.
“The community is pressing me to act!” Chief Cummings exclaimed.
“I don’t give a damn what anyone says. I don’t take advice from a mob.”
Chief Cummings’s nose flared in obvious frustration. “You don’t care about the local attention because once this is all done and over, you all will just pack your bags and leave. My men and I have to still live and work here.”
“I’ll take the next presser on your behalf,” Rowan said, and stepped between the two men. “Chief Cummings, I’ll make sure they know how much we appreciate your support and how helpful you and your officers have been.”
The chief grunted, but he didn’t step back from Evan. “I still think you’re making a big mistake not ending this right now.”
“Why in the hell would I risk the hostages’ lives by going in with force? Have you forgotten that there are four children inside the building? Right now they’re alive, and I want to make sure I keep them that way.” Evan’s anger rose higher as he glared at the man before him. “Eventually fatigue and hunger will drive them out, and we won’t need to use force.”
Rowan placed her hand on the chief’s shoulder. “Come on, Chief, let’s go over the progress so far. I’m sure reporters are eager to hear from you again.”
God bless Rowan, for if Evan had to continue to face off with the man, he might have wound up punching him in his pugnacious face. Thankfully, as it was, the potential of getting in front of the cameras again and his reputation lifted by Rowan’s words of praise appealed to him more than standing his ground with Evan.
“That man
