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“Not yet. We’re working on it. There’s video of him entering the school, looks to be a teenager, carrying an AK-15 and a backpack with who knows how many rounds. We’re evacuating the rest of the school. Don’t want him getting at the other kids.”
“He’s a lone shooter then, right?”
“As far as we know. We’re making plans to go in and take him down as soon as possible. Can’t wait much longer. Can’t let him kill more than he already has.”
Walker nodded. “Do you have a sniper set up?”
“We’re getting two into position now.”
As they continued to converse, they made their way to the school entrance and followed Dutton inside a protected area.
One of the geared-up cops rushed forward, a phone receiver in his outstretched hand. “It’s the shooter, boss. He wants to talk.”
“Shit!” Dutton looked peeved. “Christ! We don’t have a hostage negotiator with us right now, and I’m so pissed at this asshole, I might set him off again.”
Beau’s face hardened with resolve. “I probably forgot to mention that Agent Page is the best profiler we have at the Bureau. She’s working with the last school shooter, Jessica Boland, right now.”
Lori stepped forward, her hand reaching, “I can talk with him if you like. He won’t be expecting a woman and that might give us an edge and enough time for your sniper to get eyes on him.”
“Good. Yes. I like that. Just keep him calm.”
Lori lifted the receiver and closed her eyes. “Hi. I’m Agent Page. Do you need something?”
A voice started to speak and then stopped. It sounded to Lori as if the person at the other end of the line had forgotten what they meant to say. “I’m here. We can talk. Just take your time.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m Lori. What’s your name?”
The younger man’s voice sounded harsh with anger and yet uncertain as to what his next steps would be. “There’s a lot of blood. I didn’t know it would be so bloody. I-I don’t like the smell.”
Lori heard the distaste and the underlying fear in a voice that didn’t sound sane. “I understand. Too bad you can’t open a window.” Lori knew if he went anywhere near one, they’d have him in their sights.
“I can do whatever the fuck I want, lady.”
“Okay.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you’re in charge. What can we do to help you?”
“As if I don’t know you’re just saying that. Fuck off. I’m not stupid. Ray knows I’m not stupid.”
Ray?She’d heard that name before… right, Tyler.“Is Ray going to protect you today? Because I can. Protect you, I mean. Get you out of there alive. Whenever you’re ready.”
“That’s not the plan. Maybe I should shoot more. Ray would like that. He’dloveme.”
“Hey, I love you too. I love everybody. Is Ray your boss? What say we call him?”
“Who are you, lady?”
Lori knew she’d already given him her name, but he hadn’t remembered. In such a crisis, she didn’t doubt that nothing stayed in his memory for very long. “My name is Dr. Lori Page. I work with folks who get mixed up a lot… or when they feel alone.” She added a title she hoped would soothe and not threaten him.
“I’m not alone anymore. I told you. I got Ray.”
“But he’s not here now, or is he?”
“No.” Sadness connected. She knew the voice at the other end of the line had begun to fear the consequences of his actions.
