but the only person who made sense was Mason. Especially if she only had a few minutesto communicate. He was the negotiator. He knew Rafael and Rafael trusted him.
But she still wasn’t sure what to tell him. The medics who had taken Philip out would have already been debriefed by Mason’s team. Her mind had walked through the probable timeline over and over. Somehow, between the moment Mason had first talked with Rafael this morning and the time he showed up with a gun at the school, someone had gotten to him. But who? And what had they said to convince him to take a classroom of students hostage?
Someone is communicating with him.
Emily waited for Mason’s response while old memories surfaced. She remembered him so clearly in his smart blue uniform before he’d become a detective. For her, he’d been—like her father, brother, and sister—a symbol of protection in a world far too prone to injustice. She’d daydreamed of him coming to her rescue and saving the day. Funny. She’d never expected that day to really come.
Who?
She squeezed her eyes closed, wondering what her sister would do in this situation. Tess sat in the desk beside her, her head resting in her arms, eyes closed. Besides the clicking of the clock and the occasional fidgeting of the students, the room was quiet.
But she had no idea who was behind this and didn’t know how to get an answer out of Rafael. She mulled over his words, wondering if he’d given her some sort of clue. He’d said that someone was watching. Listening. Whoever had kidnapped Eduardo was the obvious answer, but a useless one. Their original monetary demands had seemed crazy. Taking a class hostage for two million even crazier. As far as she knew at this point, Mason and his team knew a lot more than she did.
Don’t know. Can’t talk to Rafael. They’re listening. Watching.
She waited for his response, needing some kind of assurance that she wasn’t the crazy one. That none of this was simply because she couldn’t believe Rafael capable of this.
What else?
She hesitated before typing in her response.
No money, all will die.
Not going to happen, Emily.
She wanted to believe him, but how much control did he have?
Another message.
How many weapons?
Emily took in a deep breath. He was wanting to verify the information the medics had given. She needed to stay clear-minded and focused.
1 semi-auto handgun
She might not be an officer, but her father had taught her about weapons. Had taken her shooting dozens of times as a child. Her stomach clenched. She knew why Mason was asking these questions. If things couldn’t be resolved peacefully, they needed to know what kind of firepower they were up against. Whether or not someone was behind this, they needed to know the best way to take Rafael down.
Where are you & the students?
She forced her mind back on the question.
Back NE corner of room
Rafael?
Front
How is he emotionally?
Emily looked back up at Rafael. Jaw clenched. Deep frown. Constant pacing. He’d made it clear he was determined to save his brother. Even if it cost him everything. And with the way things were going, his actions were going to cost him everything.
Scared. Intense. Determined.
Tears burned her eyes. She trusted Mason. She had to. But she sure wished they were chatting over a cup of coffee right now. Listening to something mellow in the background. Laughing over something that didn’t really matter. Anything but this.
Mrs. Cerda missing. Possible motivation.
Emily sucked in a lungful of air as she read the text, then glanced up at Rafael. That was it. Motivation for him to walk into this room this morning. He had to know they’d taken her.
A second message from Mason came through.
We find Eduardo & Mrs. Cerda & this will be over.
She reread the last phrase. This will be over. But would it really? While she wanted this hostage situation to be over, she knew the moment Rafael walked out the door, his trouble would just be
But she still wasn’t sure what to tell him. The medics who had taken Philip out would have already been debriefed by Mason’s team. Her mind had walked through the probable timeline over and over. Somehow, between the moment Mason had first talked with Rafael this morning and the time he showed up with a gun at the school, someone had gotten to him. But who? And what had they said to convince him to take a classroom of students hostage?
Someone is communicating with him.
Emily waited for Mason’s response while old memories surfaced. She remembered him so clearly in his smart blue uniform before he’d become a detective. For her, he’d been—like her father, brother, and sister—a symbol of protection in a world far too prone to injustice. She’d daydreamed of him coming to her rescue and saving the day. Funny. She’d never expected that day to really come.
Who?
She squeezed her eyes closed, wondering what her sister would do in this situation. Tess sat in the desk beside her, her head resting in her arms, eyes closed. Besides the clicking of the clock and the occasional fidgeting of the students, the room was quiet.
But she had no idea who was behind this and didn’t know how to get an answer out of Rafael. She mulled over his words, wondering if he’d given her some sort of clue. He’d said that someone was watching. Listening. Whoever had kidnapped Eduardo was the obvious answer, but a useless one. Their original monetary demands had seemed crazy. Taking a class hostage for two million even crazier. As far as she knew at this point, Mason and his team knew a lot more than she did.
Don’t know. Can’t talk to Rafael. They’re listening. Watching.
She waited for his response, needing some kind of assurance that she wasn’t the crazy one. That none of this was simply because she couldn’t believe Rafael capable of this.
What else?
She hesitated before typing in her response.
No money, all will die.
Not going to happen, Emily.
She wanted to believe him, but how much control did he have?
Another message.
How many weapons?
Emily took in a deep breath. He was wanting to verify the information the medics had given. She needed to stay clear-minded and focused.
1 semi-auto handgun
She might not be an officer, but her father had taught her about weapons. Had taken her shooting dozens of times as a child. Her stomach clenched. She knew why Mason was asking these questions. If things couldn’t be resolved peacefully, they needed to know what kind of firepower they were up against. Whether or not someone was behind this, they needed to know the best way to take Rafael down.
Where are you & the students?
She forced her mind back on the question.
Back NE corner of room
Rafael?
Front
How is he emotionally?
Emily looked back up at Rafael. Jaw clenched. Deep frown. Constant pacing. He’d made it clear he was determined to save his brother. Even if it cost him everything. And with the way things were going, his actions were going to cost him everything.
Scared. Intense. Determined.
Tears burned her eyes. She trusted Mason. She had to. But she sure wished they were chatting over a cup of coffee right now. Listening to something mellow in the background. Laughing over something that didn’t really matter. Anything but this.
Mrs. Cerda missing. Possible motivation.
Emily sucked in a lungful of air as she read the text, then glanced up at Rafael. That was it. Motivation for him to walk into this room this morning. He had to know they’d taken her.
A second message from Mason came through.
We find Eduardo & Mrs. Cerda & this will be over.
She reread the last phrase. This will be over. But would it really? While she wanted this hostage situation to be over, she knew the moment Rafael walked out the door, his trouble would just be
Similar Books
