Chapter Three: Are You There?

Chapter Three: Are You There?

Alice’s POV

I seriously wish I had listened to Bella when she had said she was too tired to go shopping, then we wouldn’t be in this mess. Rosalie and I were only trying to get her to buy something decent to wear, not possibly get her killed.

When the gunshots went off I was absolutely terrified and did the first thing I could think of, dove to the floor. I didn’t know where the shots were being fired or who was firing them. All I did know was that I had to try and protect myself as best as possible. My emotions just exploded when I hit the ground, and I struggled to see from the tears.

Rose and Bella both were on the ground also and I couldn’t help but grab onto the closest part of Rose to me, her leg. I had never been around guns growing up and knew nothing much of them, except that they killed people, obviously. I didn’t expect myself to get into a situation much like the one I was in now so I had no idea what to do next.

Unfortunately the men with the guns had plans on what they wanted us to do. With the sight and sounds of someone being dragged across the floor and then dumped out of a window I felt like I was going to be sick.

Then, of course, they gathered us up and led us away. Bella was hidden and managed to stay behind, I was just praying she would get us some help. Rose and I followed the large burly American through the mall, where other shoppers were being escorted out of shops, and we all went down the stairwell then across to the food court.

All the tables and chairs that usually covered the area had been pushed and thrown to the side so all that remained was one large empty space. I thought we were all going to sit there but instead they split us up. Rose was taken off with a bunch of other shoppers and into another store while I was told to sit down with everyone else.

More and more people kept coming in and gradually so did more armed men to watch us all. I tried to remain calm and hold my emotions in check but was finding it difficult, as were many others. What surprised me most was the fact that one of the hostage takers came around and put a box of tissues down for anyone who needed it.

That kind act of generosity shocked me somewhat as I really wasn’t expecting it. The other hostage takers there didn’t even bother either, like that was meant to happen. Whatever was going on was beyond me. It was as though they had no problem killing us but in the meantime would make sure we were cared for.

With nothing to do but sit there I started taking in the movements of the men throughout the food court. There were about seven men all up on the balcony above us as well so the idea of any escape plans went out the window quickly. It would be foolish to try and get away when there was nowhere to go. In order to get out of the building alive we would need to rely on the cops outside to do that for us.

Everyone seemed to be just as anxious as each other but gradually as time wore on we all calmed down. We weren’t in complete silence as the hostage takers clearly didn’t want us listening in on their conversations so one of them put on a radio nearby. It was playing very softly but just enough so that we could hear it.

I was actually glad they put it on, despite not being able to eavesdrop, as it gave me something to focus on. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop the need to go to the bathroom. I had been desperate to go to the toilet since the gunfire went off. Though I was just happy I managed to hold it in and not piss myself in fear. That would have been really embarrassing.

Very slowly I raised my hand, with my eyes cast to the ground. One of the men came over and knelt before me. He was not armed and didn’t seem scary at all, yet I knew not to underestimate him. Without a second thought I’m sure he could kill me.

“What is it?” he asked in a southern accent which he was attempting to hide.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” I said softly.

The blond looked around and sighed. He stood up and walked over to the other guy standing there. They talked in hushed whispers for a few seconds before the man I had spoken to was handed a gun. I immediately thought he was going to hurt me for talking and cringed when he walked back over.

“Get up slowly,” he said, sounding bored. I did as he asked and flinched when his hand took hold of my arm. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he whispered. “I just need to escort you to the bathroom and back.” I nodded my head and walked with him in silence.

We entered the woman’s toilets and my arm was released. He nodded for me to go to the toilet while he leaned against the wall, hand on the gun the entire time. I never liked peeing in front of folk but knew in a time like this there was going to be no other option.

When I shut the door of the cubicle I couldn’t help but cry in fear again. I wasn’t cut out for situations like this. Rose and Bella could handle themselves, I, on the other hand, couldn’t stand this. With the fear of not knowing what was going on, the possibility of not making it out of here alive, and worrying about Bella getting caught I was a nervous wreck.

I didn’t want to get in trouble for taking too long so I got down to business and flushed the toilet before grabbing some tissues to take with me. The man watched me constantly as I washed my hands thoroughly using the soap provided and dried them on the paper towels.

“Okay,” I said softly, waiting to be taken back.

“Don’t be scared. If you follow orders nothing is going to happen to you.” I nodded and kept my eyes cast down. “What’s your name?” he asked.

“Alice,” I whispered, worried about why he wanted to know.

“Well Alice, I’m Jasper. It’s nice to meet you, though I wish it could have been in under better circumstances.” I didn’t know what to say to that so I just nodded. “I need to do something, so you’re just going to have to wait there for a few minutes, okay?” I nodded again, hoping to appease him.

Jasper, with one hand still on his weapon, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small electronic device. I couldn’t work out what it was really and didn’t want to be seen snooping so kept my eyes on the floor.

“Alice?” I looked up into his piercing blue eyes, waiting to hear what he was going to say. “I’m going to be using my two hands so won’t be in reaching distance of my gun quickly. If you try and run from me they will kill you, understood?” Once more I nodded. “Just stay standing there and we’ll have no problems.”

With that Jasper turned his back to me and started fiddling with whatever he had in his hands over the sink. He was muttering softly to himself the whole time and seemed to be getting quite aggravated. However, he wasn’t’ making any sudden movements, so I wasn’t that worried.
Suddenly we heard the gradual nearing of footsteps. Jasper looked startled for a second before shoving the device in his pocket and grabbing my wrist. He looked at the door and then at me, shaking his head once before sighing.

“I need you to get against the wall, now,” he said, moving me around and towards said wall he was speaking of. I really didn’t have a chance to argue with him. But the next thing that came out of his mouth made me want to scream in defiance. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”

I shook my head violently only to be hoisted up so that I had to put my legs around him in order not to fall. Jasper’s hand came down over my mouth to stop me making any noise. “Look like you’re in pain, unhappy or whatever just don’t look relaxed or happy.”

I was already horrified about what was about to happen that I didn’t need to put on a face. This man was clearly going to rape me and there was nothing I could do. They would have free reign to do what they wanted. No one could or would stop them.

“Whitlock, what the fuck are you doing?” Someone called from the door, the man with the heavy footsteps. I spun my head to look and saw it was another hostage taker, one Jasper had been talking to earlier. “We’re not meant to touch them,” he ground out, clearly annoyed.

“Marcus said I could do what I want, so I’m doing what I want. But don’t you get any fucking ideas. Now, can you piss off? I’m busy here.” The man at the door chuckled and shook his head before leaving.

Jasper watched the door for a bit longer then turned to look at me. His intense blue eyes were staring straight at me, watching carefully.

“I had to do that. I’m sorry. If I take my hand off will you please not scream or make any noise?” I nodded a little and his grip let up.

My body slid down his as I untangled myself and Jasper helped keep me steady for a minute. His kindness was surprising me and I was getting confused. I didn’t understand why he was trying to hide what he was doing from the other hostage takers and I didn’t understand why he was being somewhat friendly to me.

“You’re not going…?” I let the sentence hang and glanced up at him.

“God no, I don’t do that. It’s not right,” he answered, shaking his head.

“Then why the-“

“There was no other way to explain why we would be in here so long. I’m not meant to talk to the hostages.”

“Why are you doing this?”I asked, sounding very exasperated.

“Because I have to. You wouldn’t understand,” he muttered shaking his head again. Jasper stepped back from me and glanced at the watch he was wearing. “I need to finish what I was doing. Just go stand back over there please.”

I did as I was told and waited patiently, looking down at the floor the entire time. As I had nothing to focus on my mind was going crazy with thoughts and questions. I was contemplating the fact that these could have been the last hours of my life and that I would never get to say goodbye to my family or friends.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed but Jasper shoved whatever he was doing into his pocket and turned back around to me. He gave me a soft, worried, smile and walked over.

“You have to look like I’ve roughed you up a bit. I’m sorry.” His hands reached out and he started pulling at and altering my clothes.

He ripped my skirt at the side and crumpled it up in his hands, leaving crease marks to suggest it had been around my waist. I was far too scared to say anything so I just stood there as still as possible and waited for him to finish.

Jasper got down onto his knees and my heart rate picked up dramatically. His hands slowly touched my ankles and worked their way up my legs. By this point I was shaking and sobbing quietly. Jasper grabbed my tights around my knee and ripped them, then he dug his nails into my skin and scratched me. Red lines were left in his wake.

“I’m so sorry, “ he whispered before leaning in and kissing the red skin. I didn’t know what to do with his actions so tried to block them out. I wrapped my arms around myself and waited for what was next to come.

Standing up, Jasper ran his fingers through my hair, messing it up. I shut my eyes so I didn’t have to look at him and what he was about to do. I jumped when I felt his lips on my neck. The whole situation was horrible. He wasn’t kissing me, but gently sucking, no doubt to leave a mark.
When Jasper pulled back away from me I opened my eyes and looked around him to see my neck. There was a dark purple mark. Silent tears ran down my cheeks, knowing he had claimed me as his and that was going to be my fate while I was in here.

All the other hostages would think he had raped me in here and they would all be too scared to do anything. My look would strike the fear of God in them, especially the women.

Focusing on Jasper I saw the sadness in his eyes. Why he was sad though, was beyond me. Surely he knew what he was signing up for when he took this job or got involved in crime. If he didn’t then he was an idiot and deserved everything that was coming to him. Though, a small part of me, and I mean a miniscule part, felt sorry for him. He had been rather kind to me and for that I was grateful.

Without a second thought Jasper gently took hold of my arm and reached for his gun again. He led me back through the mall and back to where I was sitting. There he sat me down carefully before walking off.

Just like I suspected, I was receiving mixed glances and looks from everyone around me. They were all giving me some kind of pity look but I wasn’t having any of that. I didn’t’ need their pity. Nothing had really happened. But, Jasper’s plan to strike fear in the other hostages certainly worked. Now I’m sure none of them would want to go to the bathroom until they were freed. God only knows how long that could be.

I spent the passing time looking around and monitoring the movements of our hostage takers. They all seemed to move around much like clockwork. I knew this information wasn’t really going to help but it did ease my mind that there was a chance to escape, if I was crazy.

Suddenly, breaking me from my watching, a store alarm went off up on the second floor. Everyone looked up and the men loitering over the balcony quickly went into action, cocking their guns and running towards the sound, and out of sight. The hostage taker standing at the side of the food hall barked at us all to keep our eyes on the floor. His hand was on his gun and his eyes were trailing over to the stairwells in sight.

The elevator doors dinged open and out walked three men. One of them looked pretty calm while the other two were looking around for the location of the sound. Then things got really bad. All the shop security systems started going off, blaring loudly from all directions. That made the men in charge particularly pissed.

“Get me the phone,” the tall, calm man demanded. It was brought over to him quickly, shoved in his hands where he instantly picked up the receiver.

“Edward, stop playing silly games, turn the alarm system off. You do not want to test me, boy. So do as I’m asking,” he said, sounding serious yet relaxed. Whatever Edward said on the other end did not appease him. “Maybe you don’t realise how serious I am about this.”

The man walked over to the side of the food court and reached for a gun. He took the safety off and fired three shots at the closest hostages. Blood splattered out from their skulls, spraying across my face and top along with others around me. I started sobbing, horrified by what I just witnessed.

“You’ll get their bodies shortly.” The man hung up and threw the phone to a lower ranked hostage taker. “Clean this up and put the bodies outside, by the window again please.”

Jasper came into sight, looking around at the scene before him. I watched as he looked straight at me. Quickly he grabbed one of the men who walked out the elevator by the arm and whispered something to him. The man nodded and smirked, patting Jasper on the back.

Smiling, Jasper made his way towards me. I had no idea what he was going to do again and felt uneasy. These men were murderers and for some strange and unusual reason this one had taken a particular liking for me. All for what, so I could die at the end of this sick game they’re playing?

Sobbing, I accepted my fate. It seemed very unlikely I would be getting out of here alive. This was going to be my end.

Edward’s POV

“Yeah, bye Edward.” With that Bella hung up the phone and my stomach sank. I was terrified for her. God only knows what they would do if she was caught.

About a minute later an alarm started sounding from across the street. Everybody’s eyes were on the building in question, wondering what the hell was going on, and then it clicked together.

“Shit!” I cried, flying out of my chair.

“What is it? What’s that noise?” Maxwell asked, worried.
“The security tag on the dress, it’s set the alarms off. They’re going to find her!” I put both of my hands on the back of my head and entwined my fingers, terrified for her safety.

She was in serious trouble now, and there wasn’t anything I could do. Then for the first time in a long time, I prayed, begging God to keep her safe. I don’t know why or how, but there was just something about Bella, and I felt the need to protect her more than I’ve felt the need to protect anyone besides my family ever before.

“Set the alarms off!” I yelled, moving quickly through the mass of desks and officers. “Arkin, randomly set store alarms off.”

“Why?” he asked, confused.

“Because if you don’t they will kill her, if they haven’t already. So do it, now!” Arkin looked over to Maxwell who nodded. With that he did as I asked, more going off that could be heard from where we all were.

We all waited with bated breath and then the phone rang. I picked it up instantly, desperate to know what was going on but knowing this couldn’t be good news.

“Edward, stop playing silly games, turn the alarm system off. You do not want to test me, boy. So do as I’m asking.” I took a breath and sighed, nodding at Arkin.

“They will be off shortly.”

“Maybe you don’t realise how serious I am about this,” Aro began, and then it was followed by three gunshots. “You’ll get their bodies shortly.” With that he hung up.

“Mother fucker! Shit!” I grabbed my jacket and stormed out the room, the Commander yelling after me.

“Whoa! Whoa Edward!” Roddy called, running behind to catch up. “Slow down a bit mate.” I followed his request and stopped in the stairwell, the door closing behind me.

Roddy opened it a few seconds later, looking at me pitifully. I shook my head when he opened his mouth to talk. I didn’t want to hear him right now. Checking my coat pockets I came up short and Roddy reached into his, handing me a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

“I thought you quit?”

“I have.”

“Sure looks like it,” he said chuckling as we made our way out and into the back alley behind the office building. “Maxwell’s pissed,” he started.

“I’m pissed. This is just like four years ago.” I shook my head and lit up my cigarette. It was a dirty habit I picked up when I became stressed.

“Come on Edward, stop blaming yourself for that,” Roddy pleaded. He should have known it would be a lost cause though. “Four years ago, you weren’t to blame. Tonight, right now, you’re not to blame. You might have saved her life for all you know.”

“Yes I might have saved hers, but what about the other three I just killed? Where is their justice? Who was meant to be fighting in their corner? Me, I was.”

“Don’t beat yourself up over this, if you are going to though then do it another time. What about everyone else in that building? Edward you are aware you just walked away, right? Cause seriously mate, if you’re not you need your head checked.”

I finished up my cigarette, threw the lighter and pack back at Roddy and headed on up the stairs again. He followed behind once more and patted me on the back when we came back in. Some of the guys stopped to look and then over at Maxwell. He was fuming.

“Cullen, in my office, now.” His voice was not loud, not aggressive and not demanding but you could tell those were the exact emotions he wanted to get out.

I thanked Roddy before heading back into that bloody office that always seemed to be the bearer of bad news. Without him asking I took a seat and waited patiently for what was about to happen.

“I should fire your ass for what you just did. Fortunately for you Howler’s stuck in Maine, can’t get a flight out until morning. So until then, you’ll be the main hostage negotiator on this case but once he gets here you’re out. You’ll be escorted out of the police cordon and are then free to take your holiday time. Once you return disciplinary procedures will be taken against you in light of your actions tonight. Do not think you got away with that stunt you just pulled. Now, go and try not kill anyone else before Howler arrives.”

I stood up after my verbal smacking and walked away, back out to my desk. Swivelling my chair round I turned to face the shopping mall. The neck pain from earlier had returned with full force along with pain in my shoulders and back. This time the pain was due to stress rather than overexertion. The only thing that would calm me down would be the sound of Bella’s voice on the other end of the telephone.

Looking at all the windows, I saw one of them open ever so slightly. Much like they did earlier, three bodies were dropped from the window and landing on the ground, blood splattering from their open wounds onto the pavement.

There was an explosion of activity after that. The window closed and teams moved in to retrieve the bodies. Using riot shields for protection, the agents successfully removed the bodies from in front of the mall. They would be searched for wallets and purses then the families would be contacted.

“Roddy?” I called, knowing he was nearby.

“Yeah?”

“When you find out who they are and the families are brought down, come get me. I’ll break the news.”

“Edward I don’t think that’s a good idea, I mean-“ I looked up at him and he stopped short.

“Alright, I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you.”

He left me after that, going off to finish what he was doing. Within ten minutes he was back with all the files they could pull on our three victims. From the wounds we could conclude that the three of them died from gunshots to the back of the head. Execution style from the looks of it. And it was all my fault.

I read through everything Roddy provided me with, needing to know more and more of the lives that had been taken before their time. Immersing myself in their details kept me occupied until their families all arrived. The three of them were local Seattle citizens and had all contacted their local police office when they knew their daughter, husband and mother had gone to that mall and were no longer answering their phones.

Roddy came back and got me when they arrived in the building and I was led down a few floors to where a seating area had been set up in the back office. The three families were all in there and looked worried, anxious and pale. Upon seeing us they all stood up and moved towards the door to maybe get the information out of me quicker.

The news was then broke to them all at once. It was delivered by my monotone voice, telling them of the hostage takers that could not be reasoned with. When asked how they died Roddy told them briefly that it was a gunshot wound, keeping details to a minimum. Then when one of them asked how it happened I knew what I had to do.

I was all set to say it was my fault, that if I hadn’t fucked about with the alarms then their loved ones wouldn’t be died and lying in the morgue but rather alive and in that bloody building across the street. None of us would even be having that conversation if it wasn’t for me. However, Roddy stepped in. He lied to them by saying the hostage takers grew impatient and this was a warning, therefore blaming their deaths on the whole team, not just me.

It was my fault though, and I was pissed he didn’t let me explain that. Giving them time to take in the news we departed and made our way back up the stairs. Family liaison officers were already descending anyway.

“What the fuck was that?” I asked, running a hand through my hair and glaring at Roddy.

“We’re a team, we stick together,” he replied, shaking his head as we took the stairs two at a time.

“No, that was my error in judgement that got them killed, not the teams.” Roddy continued to shake his head at me.

“Look Edward, did you see that guy in there? He looked like he could kill us with his bare hands. There was no way I was going to let you take the blame and then have you in the hospital all night cause he clocked you one and broke your jaw. We stick together no matter what. One person’s problem is everyone’s problem, you know that.”

“It’s not right,” I replied, not having anything else to really say.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s done. Now, let’s get back on task. As much as I feel sorry for those families and I wish their loved ones hadn’t died I also want to get the bastards that did this.”

Nodding, and sighing, I wandered back over to my desk. I asked the techies about Bella but they shook their heads. It was all a lost cause it seemed. She was gone, she had to be. There was nothing short of a miracle that could have saved her life.

Leaning back in my chair I surveyed the mall building again. It was hard to believe everything was taking place right across the street, yet I was completely helpless. There wasn’t anything I could really do. My hands were tied.

Suddenly my phone rang, without thinking twice I picked it up frantically.

“Are you there?” I asked in a rush, begging to God to hear Bella’s voice down the other end of the phone. Instead the line went dead. “Arkin, what the hell just happened?” I asked, getting angrier by the minute.

“Someone picked it up to dial, they began entering a few digits. I suspect they either changed their mind or heard you.”

“Shit,” I muttered, hoping that I hadn’t just made Bella’s situation worse. If they found her and then found the one way phone line things would be hellish for her.

Watching the phone like a hawk I stayed in my chair. It briefly registered with me that Bella’s father had arrived but before I had a chance to go over to him he was led out the room by Roddy and a few other officers. He seemed to be covering all bases tonight, really helping me out. No doubt someone was telling Mr Swan the situation his daughter was in and that we hadn’t heard from her in a long time. Well, at least it felt like a long time.

Waking me from my thoughts, my pager went off, vibrating against my belt. Looking down I unclipped it and read the message. It was simple a series of digits: 4870366388. They were completely random by the looks of things and they meant nothing to me. Frowning I called Roddy over. He took a look at the number and jotted it down on a piece of paper. I was to continue working the case while he was going to work out what that meant.

I still felt devastated. Due to my actions three people had died. Their lives were taken from them by a man who couldn’t get prosecuted. And what did they die for? So I could try and save the life of a hostage who may or may not be dead. There was no way on me knowing until I heard her voice again.

“It’s a case file,” Roddy said, walking back over and loading up what he was referring to on my screen. “The number sent to you is a case file, it has code clearance and we don’t qualify.”

“Why would someone send me the code of a case file?”

“The question you really should be asking yourself is: what’s in this file?” Roddy hit a few buttons and the access denied screen came up.

“What are you two doing?” Maxwell asked, coming over immediately. He was keeping an even closer eye on me than before and it was very off-putting.

“Can we talk in your office?” I asked, not wanting this detail to get out just yet. Whoever sent me this only sent it for me to see; they didn’t want the rest of the team knowing.

“Right this way.” Even though I didn’t want to go back into Maxwell’s office as it had been a very unlucky place for me so far I knew that this was the best way to keep this information contained. “So, tell me what’s going on?” Maxwell asked, taking a seat.

“I was sent these numbers, Roddy ran them and it turns out to be the code for a restricted case file,” I said, handing him the piece of paper with the digits on it.

He entered the numbers into his screen and rather than being stopped when he tried to access the file he was let in, but only so far. Maxwell got the basics on screen but when trying to read the details it blocked him, wanting a specific password and code, one we were not privy to.

“Well?” I asked, waiting for him to tell me what was going on.

“Whatever I say doesn’t leave this room gentlemen, now take a seat.” Roddy and I sat down across from him and waited patiently for him to begin. “Two years ago the Volturi crime organisation was at its peak, you both know this. Well, they were taking on recruits to expand. We got an agent in the organisation. He’s been undercover for two years now, feeding us little bits and pieces. Some agents believe he’s flipped sides due to an ambush that took place six months ago.”

“Remember there were seven cops who died when they were trying to take a warehouse? Well, our guy inside told us they were all going to be there unarmed. So surprise surprise when we show up and they’ve got AK47s and M16s firing at us. His tip got those men killed and since then he’s been in doubt. Don’t get me wrong, without him we would never have got these men to trial. But, in the past, things haven’t added up and we’ve been left with our pants down by our ankles.”

“You’re restricted when looking at this case, why is that?” I asked. He seemed to know so much so why were they not letting him in? What could be in that file they didn’t even want Maxwell knowing?

“They’ve restricted his identity. Only three agents know who he is. Apparently the guy was plucked right from the academy and thrown in with the sharks.”

“What are they trying to tell us with this message?” Roddy asked.

“Oh they’re not trying to tell you anything. If they, the guys in there, wanted to send a message they would have broadcasted it for the world to see. This was the work of one man.”

“The undercover officer?” I supplied.

“I think so, yeah,” Maxwell said, nodding.

“What do we do?”

“Go on like normal. Do not assume we have an officer in there because if we do, why weren’t we told about this beforehand so it could be prevented. Unless you hear anything, ignore it. I have to go through certain channels with this, let those directly involved know. When I know more on it you’ll know more on it.”

Nodding, Roddy and I got up and headed for the door.

“Oh wait, Edward, is this a personal pager or work pager?” Maxwell asked.

“Personal, only my immediate family have it,” I replied, frowning deeply now. If my family were in any type of danger I would fly off the handle. They mean everything to me. I couldn’t let them be harmed because of my job. But why was I targeted? Usually it’s Howler who gets the high profile hostage situations. Would things still be the same if Howler was in charge of this case?

“Call your family, immediately.” Taking Maxwell’s advice I grabbed my cell phone and nipped out of the office.

The house phone rang out and went to the answering machine, scaring the hell out of me. I tried again, thinking they may just have not got to it in time. Sadly I was put through to the answering machine again. I left a hazy message telling them to call me as soon as they got this, no matter what time it was, and then hung up.

Next on the list was to call their cell phones. Carlisle, my father always had his on him due to him being on call for the hospital. When I heard his voice down the other end of the line I practically cheered.

“Edward, is that you? What’s going on?” Carlisle asked. He sounded happy to hear from me but knew there was bound to be something wrong if I was calling this close to when I was meant to be flying out to see them.

“Dad I’m tied up in a case right now but just need to know, is everyone alright?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t they be?” he asked, sounding a bit confused.

“I’m just checking. Can you put mum on?”

“She’s at home with Kate.”

“I called the house a moment ago and didn’t get anything.” The hair on the back of my neck and arms was beginning to stand on end.

“Well they’ve probably gone out for drinks or something. Don’t let it bother you. Now look, I have to go into surgery, bad car crash, I’ll speak to you soon.”

“Yeah, love you, bye.” My father hung up and I scanned through my contact list before dialling my sister’s number.

Her husband picked up the phone, saying my mum and her were out for dinner, leaving their phones at home so they wouldn’t be interrupted. They were going to eat at home but wanted a night out, just the two of them. I thanked him and asked if he could get my sister to call me immediately once she returned home.

I felt slightly better, knowing they were out together and safe. However, I wouldn’t be completely satisfied until I heard their voices, much like the same with Bella. With her on my mind I went back through and asked Arkin if he’d heard anything again, he hadn’t. As each second ticked on I knew the likelihood of her being alive was slim. If she had been she would have contacted me.

“Lieutenant Cullen, we have the security feed you’ve been wanting,” Ben said, calling me over to where he was stationed.

I strode over and took in the screens, looking for one person in particular. She wasn’t visible but there were a lot of camera’s blacked out. Ben seemed to know what I was going to ask so jumped in to answer.

“They’ve disconnected these cameras and if you look at this shot here-“ he said, pointing at another camera angle, “you can see their own camera that has been set up.”

“Why would they put in their own cameras?”

“Most likely because they knew we were going to do this. If we could get access to it they could get access to it.”

“Is there any way in which they can see what we’re seeing?” I asked

“How do you mean?”

“We’re routing the feed here, can they find out we’re doing that?”

“Well yeah, I mean it’s a possibility. Why?”

I watched the camera for a moment and was irritated to see they flipped view points. It meant that for a small space of time we couldn’t see one part of the mall.

“If they know what we’re looking at they can manipulate what we see. These camera’s here, they flip view for fifteen seconds and then flip back. In those fifteen seconds we could be missing a lot of important details,” I pointed out.

“There isn’t anything I can do about that unless we get their camera feeds, which we can’t do,” Ben said, shaking his head

“Why?”

“They’re all wired up. The feed is direct to them; it doesn’t go somewhere else, bounce off something or broadcast itself. It’s direct. The only way we could get that is by being inside that building and having a device where all these cables are connected that broadcasts the feed. Unless you’re capable of that then don’t get too excited.”

Nodding I knew it was a lost cause. There would be no way to do that so I wasn’t going to even consider it. I would just make do with what I had for now.

“Alright, thanks Ben. Keep me posted.” Turning round I walked over to Roddy who was briefing a few agents on God only knows what. It wasn’t relevant to me so I tuned it out.

“Can I help you with something?” Roddy asked, finally sending the others away.

“I want cameras in that building as soon as possible. Where are our teams?” He floundered for a moment before pulling me over to a table with more floor plans on it. The room was littered with them.

“Well the building is surrounded and we’re getting teams in place to go on the roof. Maxwell has utterly refused the use of helicopters so we’re going to get them up using ladders, not exactly stealthy but it’ll do the job. Once they’re there guys are being sent into the vent system and possibly into the elevator shafts. For that to happen though power needs to go out. That’s your call.”

“Shut it off. Aro has had far too many privileges. He’s just abusing my good nature now.” I was pissed about those hostages dying, all for putting on alarms.

“You sure?” Roddy asked, looking me over to see if I had any doubts.

“Yes, send them in.” He nodded and jotted a note down on the side of the floor plan.

“Okay well then, our guys will be in the vents, and the elevator shafts. They both should be able to get cameras in so we can see more of the building rather than that crappy footage over there.”
“Hey, it’s better than no footage. Our eyes and ears are going to end this thing. It’s vital.”

“Of course,” Roddy returned to the floor plans and walked me through things a bit more so I would know what was going on in case Aro mentioned something about it.

With that done I returned to my desk and without even having to ask the techies told me Bella hadn’t called back. The whole situation was frustrating the hell out of me but I was just trying to get by. It wouldn’t be long until Howler got in anyway. He would take over and be the knight in shining armour while I would be the chump who fucked up.

I didn’t do the job for the glory of saving lives and normally couldn’t care how I was perceived by others but what with my reaction earlier I knew my job was going to be hanging on the line. I had to do something good to reign it back in and convince my superiors that I shouldn’t be laid off and that disciplinary actions would be justified.

Just when I thought my night couldn’t have gotten worse in walked the bitch from hell, Jane Regal. That crazy woman was the prosecution attorney. Maxwell probably called her in, what a tool. With her here I was going to have to follow strict rules in regards to not killing the fuckers across the street. She would want them prosecuted no matter what, and probably would get them prosecuted. A silly hostage negotiator like myself wouldn’t be able to stand in her way.

“Ah fuck,” Roddy said, shaking his head. “Does she have to be here?” he asked me.

“Probably, otherwise I don’t see why she would be here.”

“She’s going to kick my ass.” I raised my eyebrows at him and he shrugged, giving me a sheepish smile. “So I forgot to call her back, is it really that big a deal?” Rolling my eyes I turned to see Jane disappear into Maxwell’s office.

“Things are just about to get complicated.”

“You can say that again,” Roddy muttered.

Jane’s arrival could only mean that things were not as good as originally thought, which did not help ease my worries. What with my mother and sister not calling me back yet, the death of 3 hostages due to my error, and having not heard from Bella in so long I couldn’t see how things could get any worse.

But of course, I spoke too soon.