Midnight Hero - By Diana Duncan Page 0,55
and answers that had made her decision so much easier than she ever imagined. Her knight lived in a violent world of blood and death. But he also possessed a tender heart, brimming with life and love. Steeped in loyalty and bone-deep integrity. He wouldn’t let her down. How could she do anything less for him?
Their relationship, their love was special. Beautiful and rare as a flawless diamond. She refused to let her fears stop her. She’d find a way to be the woman he needed. To make their dreams come true a lot sooner than he expected. Once they escaped, she was going to leap on him and never let him go. They might not even make it out of the parking lot.
Being hunted down like an animal had given her a crash course in prioritizing. Being forced to face her own mortality had taught her not to put off important things. She’d never again worry about planning for every eventuality. If they made it out of here in one piece, she would forever live in the moment.
Don’t worry, be happy.
She yawned and stretched. “The plan?”
“Find out how negotiations are faring. Check on Syrone.”
“I’m coming with you.” She glared at the Kevlar vest in the corner. “And I’m not wearing that. It’s too heavy—I won’t be able to run. You should wear it. You’re the one always jumping in front of bullets.”
He gave her a considering look. “Makes sense.”
“Where do you want to contact the team?”
“From the sky bridge. I can use hand signals, they can send light signals back.” He slipped on the vest, rapidly fastened the buckles. “It’s on the opposite side from the bank, so the robbers shouldn’t figure out what’s happening.”
She hated to leave their cozy nest. Wished they could simply curl up and hide until they were rescued. But that would be cowardly. And counterproductive. Unless they did their part, there might not be a rescue. For them or their friends downstairs.
They conducted a wary jog to the sky bridge. The night was growing colder, and her breath puffed out white in the chilly air. Beyond the glass, ominous darkness squeezed in on every side. Freezing rain sleeted the windowpanes, making her feel more sealed in. Creepy. Like they were entombed in a big, cold, glass coffin. Foreboding shivered over her.
Lights flashed, ripping holes in the heavy black blanket surrounding them. “Damn.” Con turned from the window. “The suspects have refused to open the door and retrieve the throw phone. Not a good sign for the hostages if they won’t negotiate. The robbers could be planning SBC.”
“SBC?”
“Suicide by cop. Go out in a blaze of glory. It’s more common than people realize.”
Bile rose in her throat and she swallowed. “What now?”
“Same as we have been. Improvise, modify, adapt, overcome. We need to head downstairs and scope out the situation.”
The PA system crackled and she jumped. “Yoo-hoo to the busy little mice running loose in the mall.” The deep, graveled male voice was almost cordial. If you discounted the underlying hum of menace.
Bailey gasped. “That’s the head bank robber! The one the other guy called Tony when we were crouched outside the bank.”
Con’s expression grew murderous. “The one wearing Dad’s watch.”
“FYI,” Tony continued. “We’ve wired all the outside doors. If you attempt to open them, or blast through them…kaboom.” He cleared his throat. “Obviously, you are able to communicate with the cops. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here, and attempting to discuss details they shouldn’t know on the megaphone. So, here’s the deal. You come and see me. Talk to me. Otherwise, these hostages…” He paused. “Have very short life expectancies.”
Con swore viciously.
“You have twenty minutes. And so do they.” The PA system went dead.
Her stomach dropped to her boots and her mouth went dry. “You’re not…going down there and confront him?”
“No way. That’s TV stuff again. Never lay down your weapon and never turn yourself into bait in an attempt to save hostages. It just makes more hostages. And/or dead cops.” He slammed his fist into his palm. “I need a way to communicate with the suspects and still keep my distance. I wonder if the camping store carries walkie-talkies? That might fly.”
“They do! I saw them when I got the lantern. Cell phones don’t get reception in the mall, so would walkie-talkies work?”
“I don’t know. Worth a shot. Different schematics, different operational modes, different frequencies. If we’re lucky, I might even be able to contact SWAT. I can signal them with the frequency and