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God had slipped away while Aaron was on that job and even though he got what he needed in order to help put a drug operation out of business, the humanity, or lack thereof, in that place rubbed off onto him, and he didn’t know if it was possible to find his way back out. He came home knowing with a revelatory clarity that he wasn’t important to God.
He kicked at stones in his path, then marched outside the perimeter to keep a better eye on the house.
The night was quiet despite the crowd of law enforcement, and Aaron heard the Rolling Stones’sBrown Sugarplay. Apparently, Bobby had his phone on him.
He rested his arms on top of a police car and leaned his chin on his hands.
It wasn’t that he didn’t agree with the crisis negotiation unit’s motto of resolving a crisis through conversation, but he knew evil in a way these guys didn’t. Some people couldn’t be negotiated with, and he was certain that Bobby was one of those. He was a man more interested in attention than reconciliation. That was the purpose behind the library attack. If he killed a lot of innocent people, including children, everyone would know his name.
If pushed into a corner with no way out, he’d settle for leveling a neighborhood and taking a large group of law enforcement with him. That, too, would make a name for him. Even if he wasn’t alive to enjoy it.
Aaron looked up the road, mottled with pools of light from the streetlights.
He could walk away. With a chance they’d all be blown up before the end of the night, he could leave and save himself. But then he’d have to live knowing that he’d left the team to die, and he was already having enough trouble with the choices he had made.
He waited until Clement had hung up the phone before walking back to find out what lies Bobby had offered to give them false hope.
He ambled up next to Thomson as Clement headed off on a mission. “So?”
“I didn’t think you were interested.”
“I’m interested in finding out when you will all realize how pointless this exercise is. We’re wasting time and we don’t know the size of his arsenal.”
Thomson put a hand up. “I get it, Pritchard. You’re worried about explosives. So why don’t you head home on this one? We’ve got it covered.”
Aaron ignored his offer. “What did he say he wanted?”
“A six-pack and a bottle of tequila.”
“And Clement is going to give it to him?”
“Clement offered the six-pack and said he’d give him the tequila if Bobby let the girl go.”
“Let me guess, Bobby said he’s ready to lay down his arms and surrender in order to get his drink?”
“Pritchard, you know how these things go. It’s slow, but it saves lives.”
“Sometimes it saves lives.”
“You do realize we’re not amateurs here, right?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. You’ve been in this job longer than I have. You know that talking isn’t always the best option.”
“I’m doing this by the book. Whether you like it or not. My offer for you to leave still stands and I’ll be honest, I’m getting close to making it an order.”
Aaron let his arms fall to his side, and he drummed his fingers on his legs. “At least tell Clement he has to give him both the beers and the liquor.”
“That’s not how this works.”
“Come on, Thomson. Those books we read in class aren’t for guys like Bobby. He’s different. If you want to go the negotiator route, fine, but give me a little credit. I’ve been living with guys like Bobby for the past six months. You need to give him both drinks and put a sedative in them both. If Clement only gives him the beer, it will set him off.”
“Thanks for your input. Now, why don’t you stand aside and let Clement do his job? I’ll call you if I need you.”
Aaron reached past Thomson to grab a pair of binoculars. “This is a mistake,” he said before storming off to a position where he would be able to see through the small opening in the curtain.
Aaron lifted the binoculars and focused in on the snippets of Bobby that he could see. Bobby pointed his gun at the girl at random moments as he paced. His arms jerked as he went, making his agitation obvious. He was probably high on something. It could make him sloppy and offer a chance for the sniper. But while Clement was there, they’d wait.
Chapter2
