The Negotiator Read online

  “So he gets everything but the girl.”

  Kate smiled. “He could be seeing Nathan’s wife, Emily, on the side for all I know.”

  She looked at the board, then back at him. “Do you see any holes? Because I don’t.”

  “The phone calls.”

  “We still need to track down the voice on the tape, but I now think it’s going to prove to be Ashcroft’s. And the location the bomb threat call originated from—I’ll lay money when they did the tests, they didn’t check the power levels from inside a plane parked at the gate. They’ll match the footprint we have.”

  “And the calls to your apartment? The black rose?”

  “Both were Ashcroft. If Ashcroft was smart, and I’m willing to bet he was, the calls would have been made from a pay phone somewhere. We might find a florist who remembers him buying the rose.”

  “How do we prove this?”

  Kate began to pace. “Devlon strikes me as arrogant. What do you want to bet he’s already moving some of Ashcroft’s secret accounts to his own?”

  “We go after Devlon’s financial records?”

  “I would. And what do you want to bet he’s already tried to get his hands on the evidence Ashcroft was using to blackmail Tony with? He’s going to have problems if Tony starts to talk.”

  Dave leaned forward and slowly set down the coffee mug. “Kate, if you’re right, Devlon is vulnerable to Tony talking—214 deaths vulnerable. He’s not going to hesitate to make it 215.”

  He watched her literally pale in a heartbeat.

  “Call Jim. We’ve got to find Tony.”

  Dave shook his head, dialing Marcus instead. “We’ve got to pick up Devlon first.”

  “Call Marla, too. If she knows what’s going on, she may be able to convince Tony to turn himself in if he calls her.”

  He nodded, agreeing, even as he gently pushed her back into a chair.

  He had always admired Marcus’s ability to absorb information. His questions were brief, pointed, and he went to the bottom line much faster than Dave. Marcus would take care of getting Devlon brought in for questioning.

  Closing the cellular phone, Dave called Jim next. The cops were already looking hard for Tony, but at least they would know now he was as much at risk of being a victim as he was a possible bomb suspect. The calls made, Dave closed the cellular phone, set it back on the table, and took a hard look at Kate. He crouched down to get at eye level with her. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll find Tony.”

  “I’m scared to death something will happen to him before we find him.” Their gazes met. “He’s innocent. I’ve got a brother, and he didn’t do any of this.”

  He wrapped his arms firmly around her. “Sometimes there is something wonderful besides mercy and justice.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The truth.”

  Her smile wobbled a bit. She hugged him, hard. “Could we go to church?”

  “Really?”

  She nodded against his shirt.

  “Why?” He didn’t want to push too hard, but it desperately mattered.

  Her hand settled over his. “Call it curiosity.” Her hand tightened at the look of disappointment he quickly tried to mask. “I’m cautious, Dave, despite all that you see in my job. I’m not going to risk my heart without understanding much better who I am giving it to. That direction in Luke of ‘follow me’ requires a lot of blind faith in who you follow. Give me some credit for wanting to go forward with my eyes open and not half closed.”

  “I keep hoping faith will be easy.”

  She smiled. “Give me time. I make it hard because I have a hard time trusting.”

  “He’s trustworthy.”

  “Yes, I am beginning to think so.” She released his hands and got up. “Let me go check on Jennifer.”

  Kate was glad she had Dave on one side and Jennifer on the other as they walked through the lobby of the church toward the sanctuary. Ben was trailing them half a step back. Dave diverted them to the balcony where fewer people could approach and start a conversation. Kate wondered if it was to make it easier on her or for security reasons. When Ben took up a position at the stairway exit, she figured it was probably some of both. Dave had been edgy this morning as they left the house. As he had quietly reminded her, the only time Devlon had met her, she had been with him.

  The music started, and Kate set aside the problem to focus on the service. She had been truthful with Dave; it was curiosity that made her ask to come. Jesus had heard her first prayer and helped her figure out a way for there to be both mercy and justice. She was curious why He had done that. She owed Him something in return, and if it couldn’t as yet be an agreement to follow, she could at least say thank you.

  Dave settled his hand comfortably around her waist, sharing his bulletin with the words for the songs. Kate knew how important this was to him, how proud he was to at least have her with him. It was Independence Day weekend, and the choruses were about freedom. Freedom in Christ. Was that what Dave and Jennifer had found? Freedom?

  She was beginning to understand the distinction between “follow me” and “follow these rules.” Jesus was the person who made it all fit together. Mercy, justice, loving others. Jesus had shown her love when He answered that first prayer. There was no reason to do that on His part. Except maybe the desire for her to notice and say thanks.

  One of the stories from Luke came back to mind; it had been on the lower left-hand side of a page, toward the back of the book. A story of ten lepers. They had all asked for mercy, and Jesus had healed them all. Only one had returned to say thanks.

  Thank You, Jesus.

  You’re welcome. The soft reassurance was gentle; it felt warm inside like a smile. She let out a soft sigh of relief; at least one instinctive step toward Jesus had mirrored that of another fellow searcher long ago.

  The songs ended, and they took their seats again.

  Was she ready to take the step she knew was next? She had reached the point it no longer felt like stepping over a cliff to trust God with her future. But was she really ready to answer “follow me” no matter where it might lead? She had been wrestling with it since reading Luke. Some of the pages were now worn with her notes. Knowledge was no longer the issue. Trust was.

  Dave had shown her in his life a peace that came from inside, and she knew after weeks of observation that the peace came because of his faith. She wanted to enjoy that peace, but it was a very big step.

  She had never been one to step back out of timidity. Her life, certainly her job, would be easier with that resurrection promise to cling to, a guarantee of eternal life. Even a possible future with Dave rested on this decision.

  Kate shut out all the pluses and minuses, closed her eyes, and took a slow breath, retreating as she did when in a crisis to the quiet place inside where she could listen to her own heart. Trust. It was there.

  Jesus, I’ll follow. It’s a choice I make, knowing what that means. I will follow where You lead, and do what You teach. I do believe Your love explains Your mercy. I choose to believe it will never waver or burn low, that Your love will be there for me for an eternity. Forgive me for a lifetime of saying not now. Forgive my doubts, my sins, and my stubborn heart. And please, make me a better cop when You place me at the crossroads of another person’s life.

  If there had been a sparkle of warmth before, now the joy was so intense it felt almost hard to breathe.

  “…for there is joy before the angels of heaven when one sinner repents.…”

  She wanted to laugh as she realized the Scriptures had already recorded her journey. She had heard the Bible referred to as a living book, and now she understood. Her journey was one others had taken, yet also uniquely hers, and uniquely understood. The book had been written in preparation not only for others, but also for her.

  She felt Dave’s arm tighten around her waist, realized there were tears on her cheeks, and reached blindly into her pocket for a tissue.

  Lord, I need to find
Tony. He’s my brother. I would like to say hello. Will You help me?

  “Kate, what’s wrong?” Jennifer asked softly.

  She shook her head, not wanting to disturb the service with a whisper that might travel given they were seated in the balcony.

  Dave’s arm slid around her and turned her gently into his shoulder. His strength felt so good. She rested her head into that hollow he offered and let the last few moments of emotions be absorbed into the comfort of his embrace.

  Was this, too, what it meant to be in love? An embrace that didn’t need words to explain the commitment? She knew, in the same way she knew with the O’Malleys, that she could ask Dave for anything she needed, and if it was in his power to do it, he would.

  She could do the same with Jesus. He wasn’t going to let her down. She took a deep breath, for the realization touched deep.

  Thank You, Jesus. I’m going to enjoy meeting my brother. She felt the humor come back as the stress dropped away, and she smiled slightly. But, Jesus, please, we’re going to have to do something about that name. Tony brings back too many memories, and going with simply J r. is not much better.

  As the sermon drew to an end, she began to pull back from Dave, mop up her eyes. She hoped her face had the same peace she had seen on Jennifer’s but was afraid her eyes only looked red. There was more to do. She wanted to talk to Jennifer to be sure she understood what baptism meant. The reason for the urgency Jennifer felt to share what she had discovered was plain. The rest of the O’Malleys had to believe; they couldn’t afford the delay.

  She turned to Dave as the service concluded and saw the worry on his face. She squeezed his hand. She didn’t want to explain until she had a few moments to regain her composure. The crowd in the balcony began to disperse.

  Ben stepped aside to let a couple coming toward them through. Kate hurriedly wiped her eyes one last time. Dave’s sister Sara trailed closely by her husband; Kate knew them instantly from the pictures around Dave’s home. This was so embarrassing.

  “Sara.” Dave stepped forward and enveloped his sister in a hug. “Come meet Kate,” he said turning to make the introductions.

  Kate liked the lady at first sight. Beautiful, the pictures had not done her justice; petite, and with an open inquisitive gaze that made Kate aware of just how closed her own expression must be. She had instinctively retreated to the impassive mode of observing as soon as she saw them. She could feel the nerves taking over as she said hello and shook hands.

  Jennifer stepped forward, and the awkward moment passed. Jennifer could charm anyone with her smile and her calm manner. It let Kate take a half step back and simply follow the conversation as Jennifer and Sara talked about New York.

  Dave touched her arm. “I’m going to bring the car around. Come down the back stairs; Ben knows the way. Sara and Adam are going to follow us.”

  She nodded.

  Two minutes later she was following Ben through the relative quiet of the back stairways, Adam beside her. Kate found Sara’s husband to be a confident man, charming, and from his attention to his wife a couple steps ahead of them, very much focused on those he loved. They reached the lower landing.

  “Let Ben check for reporters before we go out,” Adam suggested when she would have opened the door to the step outside.

  “I’m never going to get used to this,” she remarked, dropping her hand.

  “With time it will become second nature. It’s part of the reality of being news.”

  “Outside of a church?”

  “If they had a lead on your location, absolutely.” He glanced over at his wife who was still in a discussion with Jennifer, then turned back to Kate. He rested his shoulder against the wall, relaxed, watchful, sharing a smile. “Dave managed to forget to mention you were from the South.”

  “He’s been talking about me.” She didn’t know whether to be secretly thrilled or embarrassed.

  “Not enough to satisfy Sara.”

  Kate glanced over at her. “Your wife is lovely.”

  Adam chuckled. “You should see the disaster that is our bedroom. She had absolutely nothing to wear suitable for this occasion. You make her nervous, Kate. Hence the fact she’s hiding behind your sister at the moment.”

  Kate blinked, just once. “I do?”

  “You do; so relax. The nerves are mutual.” He was making a well-educated guess; there was no way she appeared nervous. She knew how hard the disciplined control had clamped down on her expression. If anything, she appeared distant and aloof.

  “I don’t have to see them to know they are there. Was that you Saturday afternoon? The early evening news reported the standoff in progress.”

  She rested her back against the wall, unconsciously positioning herself as a cop would to keep the world in front of her. She decided she liked Adam. “Yes.”

  “I’m glad you were able to settle it peacefully.”

  “Almost all situations have peaceful conclusions if there is enough time.” She glanced again at Dave’s sister and decided it was easier to ask Adam than to try to broach the subject with Sara later. “Is Sara okay with what happened at the bank? I know it had to have been a hard day for her, waiting so long for news. And with her past—”

  “A few nightmares, a few old memories, she’s dealt with it.”

  “I wish it hadn’t happened.” She grimaced. “I never did send a thank-you for the flowers. I honestly meant to.”

  He flashed her a grin that made her blink for its warmth. “You’re forgiven.”

  Ben came back inside, held open the door, and gave the all clear. Adam moved to rejoin his wife. “We’ll see you at the house in about twenty minutes.”

  Kate nodded and went with Jennifer to Dave’s car.

  Dave had stepped out to hold the car doors for them. “Thanks, Dave.” She slid into the front seat and reached automatically for the seat belt.

  Traffic was beginning to build as they drove back to his home. They had just reached the Lake Forest town boundaries when he looked down, startled, his hand going to his waist. His pager set on vibrate mode had gone off, Kate realized.

  He pulled it from his belt and looked at the number, immediately reaching for the phone. He punched in the number as he drove.

  “This is Richman.”

  He listened and his expression became grim. “We’re on the way.”

  “They’ve found Tony. He’s holding Devlon at the bank corporate headquarters.”

  Her throat closed. Tony had taken the situation into his own hands. She had found her brother only to lose him. Her face cleared of the churning emotions. She couldn’t afford to give in to them. Tony had managed to get himself cornered with the one person who would want to make sure he didn’t come out alive. “Is the situation contained?”

  “Sealed off to the top floor. Jim wants you there.”

  “Marcus?”

  “On his way.”

  He started dialing again, glancing back in the rearview mirror to her sister. “Jennifer, I can have Adam and Sara take you back to the house.”

  “No, I’m coming along. It might be useful to have a doctor on-site.”

  Kate knew if a doctor were needed it would be one accustomed to digging bullets out of people rather than a pediatrician, but she would never say as much. She wanted Jennifer there simply because she was an O’Malley.

  Dave reluctantly nodded. His attention turned to the phone call he had placed. “Adam? We’ve got a change of plans.” He explained what was happening.

  Kate tried to suppress the impact of what was happening, found it difficult to do.

  Dave hung up the phone.

  Kate asked the question that was bothering her the most. “How did Tony get into the corporate bank offices on a weekend?”

  “At a guess, Devlon let him in, thinking to resolve the problem. He’s arrogant enough he probably thought he could kill Tony and then claim self-defense.”

  She cringed having Dave confirm her worst fear. “Yes. It’s been all
over the news that we have been looking for him. Devlon would have seen that as a way to excuse his actions.”

  She rapidly dug out a pen from her bag and flipped open the pad of paper she had left in the car the day before, forcing herself to action, to the work that she could do. “Do you remember the bank? The layout of that executive level?”

  “Two elevators opening onto a wide east-west corridor. Two secretary stations, the one guarding the east wing was Nathan’s secretary. Three doors behind her. A conference room, Nathan’s office at the end, Devlon’s office.”

  “Who worked in the west wing?”

  “I didn’t see the nameplates. But it was the same layout. Two offices and a conference room.”

  “I’m guessing the corridor was about fourteen feet wide?”

  “Yes.”

  “Were the emergency stairs to the left or the right when we stepped off the elevators?”

  “Right. There was a large fern, restroom, and then the emergency stairs.”

  “The offices are on the top floor, so we may be able to get good use of the roof of the building. It’s ten floors, and there are taller buildings on all sides, so line of sight will favor us. Which room is the most likely for them to be in?”

  “If it’s just Tony and Devlon, Tony would likely have pushed the confrontation into Devlon’s office.”

  “Even though the room has full windows?”

  “He’d pull the blinds but not realize he’s still vulnerable. Safer would be to move to the interior conference room.”

  “Okay. He’ll have line of sight down the corridors, but that’s also a problem for him. He can’t really eliminate a threat to his back, even if he moves into one of the end offices. There are still the windows.” Kate could see the situation and knew how good the SWAT team was. They would be able to breach the floor if it was required. “Did you notice the ceilings?”

  “Plaster.”

  “The rooms are large, not much furniture. An assault team would be able to come in with clear lines of fire.”