Sandra shrugged. “What secrets, Ryan? Will you tell me?”
“Where are the news networks? I don’t see any out there.”
His question took her somewhat off guard, but before she could respond, he spoke again.
“I’m ready to go to the world. Do it myself. It’s the only way things get done anyway.”
He was losing the thread. How could he just dismiss what happened in there and circle back to his game plan? All while a man’s life hung in the balance? “I’ve done everything you’ve asked, Ryan.”
“Keep looking. That’s your job out there. Do what wasn’t done all those years ago, but I also want a press conference right here inside the house.”
“How am I supposed to make that happen?” Flipping the problem back to him to solve might help him realize the absurdity of his request.
“You get news reporters here, and I’m going to make my statement to the world.”
“I’m familiar with what a press conference is, Ryan, but?—”
“No buts. You’re going to make it happen.”
Sandra glanced at those in the vehicle. There was no way they could send people inside to become additional hostages. “I just don’t see how I?—”
“All you need to do is call the networks, mention thebelovedHanson name, and they’ll come running.”
Sandra admitted it would be a strong lure. It was a miracle the uniformed officers were keeping them at bay, as it was. “Ryan, I can go to my boss about this, but I already know what he’s going to say.”
“What?”
It was encouraging that he’d asked and hadn’t made another threat of violence. “You’ll need to do something for us first.”
“I’m not letting Edward go.”
“I hear you, Ryan, I do. But there are people out here making arguments for moving in and bringing this to an end with force. I’ve stood up for you, fought for you. Trust me, I’m on your side.” She had learned to talk convincingly over the years while sinking into the HT’s shoes as if she were them. “I’m even willing to go to my boss about organizing the press conference.”
“Good, good.”
With Ryan assured and calmer again, it felt like a suitable time to revisit her ask. “Would you just do one thing for me?” She paced her response, endeavored to make what she was going to request seem like it would be of small consequence.
“What?” he asked eventually.
Ideally, Edward would be released for medical attention, but Ryan had made it clear that wasn’t going to happen. To bring that up again would not only offend him, he wouldn’t feel heard. That was even worse. All the effort she had put into building up trust between them would be wiped out in an instant. She’d also risk shutting down communication altogether. “There’s no way around this, Ryan. You need to release a hostage. That’s the only way my boss will go for it. The only way,” she emphasized. “Will you release the boy, Ryan? Brayden is only nine years old.” She used his name and age to humanize him. And surely, Ryan didn’t hold the kid accountable for what happened to his mother. He was the youngest life at risk. If she could get Ryan to agree, that would be a huge step forward.
“No way is any Hanson leaving my sight.”
Sandra didn’t respond, deciding to play the power of silence to gain the upper hand in this exchange.
“I will let the security guy go.”
Donny nodded beside her. She understood it was a victory, just not the one she’d have relished the most. “Ryan, I’m pleasedto hear that. You let Abram go, then I’ll talk to my boss about bringing in the press for your story.”
“Okay, but it needs to be televised and broadcast live, so I know my message is getting out there.”
Sandra feared he had lost his touch with reality. Something had shifted his mentality. Had it been shooting Edward? For another reason? He just didn’t sound like the man she spoke to earlier in the day. “I understand. Your message needs to get out. Just send Abram through the front gate.”
“He’s coming out.” With that, Ryan hung up.
As she set her headset on the hook, she noticed Kreiger was back in the vehicle. She’d been so focused on Ryan she hadn’t noticed he’d returned. Even the smell of cigarettes on his clothing hadn’t announced him.
Gibson got up and wrote on the markerboard.
