The Escape (US Marshals #1) - Lisa Harris Page 0,61
like this. It was too easy to let emotions lead, but the bottom line was he was never going to convince Barrick to simply walk away. They were way past that. Their goal for the moment had to be saving the hostage’s life.
“Get us a perimeter set up,” Madison said to the police chief. “But give the guy some space.”
The officer nodded. “I’ll get my best man on it.”
“What about a sniper?” Jonas asked.
He glanced at Madison and knew they were thinking the same thing. They always wanted to take felons alive, but this time they might not have a choice.
“Taking him out will be our last resort,” Jonas reminded the police chief. “But I want to be ready.”
“Yes, sir,” the police chief said before being pulled away by another officer.
“And, Madison, signal me when the sniper’s ready, in case it comes to that. I’ll keep him talking in the meantime.”
She brushed her hand down his arm. “Just be careful. He has nothing to lose. If he has to take down a hostage or any law enforcement standing in his way, he won’t hesitate to do whatever it takes.”
“I know. I will.”
With his hands up, Jonas started across the bridge to where Barrick stood with his back to the rail and his hostage standing in front of him.
“That’s close enough.” Barrick pressed the gun against the woman’s head.
“Okay. I’m stopping now. We need to talk, Barrick. I know you want this to be over as much as we do.” He took a half step forward.
“Just let me go,” Karen said. “Please . . . let me go.”
“Shut up!”
“Karen, I’m US Marshal Jonas Quinn. I know you’re scared, but we’re doing everything we can to keep both of you safe and put an end to this as soon as possible.” Jonas took another step forward and kept his hands up in the air. “I know you’ve had a rough few days, Barrick, but we need to find a solution to this without anyone else getting hurt.”
“This is far from over,” Barrick said.
“Then tell me what you’re thinking. How can we compromise?”
“What am I thinking? I’ll tell you what I’m thinking. For starters, I’m not going back to prison. I don’t belong in prison.”
Jonas tried to put himself in the other man’s shoes. Tried to imagine what it was like for him. He’d been facing life in prison and the plane crash had suddenly become his winning lottery ticket. A chance to run and disappear. But even if he shot his hostage, Barrick had to know he’d be taken down. But the desperation in the man’s eyes had him worried.
“I know this has to be overwhelming, but I’m here to help,” Jonas said.
“Don’t act like you care about what happens. Besides, what do you know about my case beyond maybe what you read in some file?”
“You’re right. I read your file, and that’s all I know.” Jonas paused for a moment. “Why don’t you tell me your side? What brought you here?”
Barrick let out a low laugh. “Like you care. Your job is to track down people like me.”
“Yes, but I’m listening.”
“You really want to know what happened? What wasn’t in that report of yours? I was framed, and I’m not going back to prison.”
“I might not be able to guarantee what a judge will say, but I can help you today. And if there are issues in your case, it’s possible to file an appeal. But hurting Karen won’t look good for you. If you surrender now, it will make things so much easier. All you have to do is put the gun down.”
“I know how this works. You’ll say anything, do anything to get what you want. You’ll promise me things will be okay. That if I’m innocent, justice will always win, and I’ll go free. Except you know that isn’t true. You know what will happen. It doesn’t matter if I’m innocent. All I’m trying to do is get my life back, which at this point might never be possible again.”
“What will it take to end this?”
“You don’t get it. I have nothing to lose. That plane crash was a second chance at freedom. My way out.”
“I understand that, but running is never the way. It will put you in a situation where there is no out. You need to understand that. You’re surrounded by people ready to ensure Karen isn’t hurt and you’re arrested. That is their one goal right now. To do that without anyone getting hurt.