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His face was grim, with lines around his eyes showing his deep thought and concentration. How had she never noticed how dedicated he was? Then again, just a short time ago, his dedication would’ve put him solidly on her ‘never in a million years’ list. Now, it was one of the things that made him so appealing.
“She’s not in there,” Allen said, looking at her. “And you aren’t getting her.”
He was quiet again, letting whoever was talking to him say their piece.
“No, I don’t think you understand. This is over. We’ve got you surrounded. You are not getting the land you want. You are not getting the people you want. Unless your aim is to go out in a blaze of bullets, I suggest you come out with your hands up.”
Allen pulled the phone from his ear and stared at it for a second before shoving it back in his pocket. “They never listen. Always the hard way.” He sighed. He made a hand signal, and all the officers took aim at the hospital doors as they had when she’d come out.
If she had waited by that door, she’d have been used as a shield for both men to get away. That had never occurred to her as she’d looked for a way out. Her knees buckled, and she lowered herself to the ground. This had to end. She was tired of looking at every decision through the microscope of hindsight.
“Men, keep your eyes trained on that door. I’m going in.”
Allen’s words tore something in her chest.
* * *
Allen didn’t wantto go in there, but this was his case and negotiating with Eric wasn’t getting anywhere. Even though Eric hadn’t mentioned Aaron or Micha since Heather had escaped, he knew exactly how many men he’d have to face inside. He’d gone hand-to-hand with all of them except Aaron and he hadn’t seemed like much of a threat at the town meeting.
He approached Heather where she sat on the ground, worry furrowing her brow. He wanted to tell her he would be back, but there was a chance he wouldn’t. That was part of police work. He could leave and not return. The best way to handle that fact was to always be honest and to treat every moment as if it might be his last.
“I think I promised you a kiss once you were standing.”
She slowly stood with his help and pressed herself to his side, then held on tight. “I don’t want you to go in there, but I know you have to.”
That alone told him Heather had the right attitude to be the wife of an officer, even if she didn’t think she did. “I think I’m falling for you, Heather.”
She shook her head. “Don’t tell me that before you go racing in there to save everyone. What if I never see you again?”
“What if you don’t and you never knew how I felt?” He traced her jaw and felt it trembling. He didn’t want to see her cry, but it told him everything he wanted to know.
“I think I love you, too.” She raised on her tiptoes and kissed him, holding his scruffy cheeks in her hands. He’d never been cherished like that. He wanted nothing more than to finish this job so he could tell her how he hoped their lives would be in the future and learn about her hopes and dreams.
He ended the kiss and laid one tenderly on her forehead. “Stay here in my car. You know I’ll do everything in my power to come back to you.”
“I know.” She looked him in the eyes, giving him the strength he needed to face the battle before him.
“Knowing you’re safe out here gives me focus. I’m so thankful you aren’t in there. I was worried about you.”
She nodded, pulling back from him to allow him to do what he needed to without worrying about anyone but himself. He took a breath and turned back to Danny.
“Get Grady over here. I want someone to cover Heather. You’re with me.” He wasn’t foolish enough to go into the situation alone.
Danny silently gestured for Grady to move into position, then followed Allen to the left side of the door. It pulled open, so he calculated what they’d have to do to enter. Heather had told him Eric and Aaron were behind a locked door on this side. He could go around to the front and then he would have access to them without the locked door, but that would also leave them open to getting shot. Those doors were supposed to be bulletproof.
He and Danny made their way inside and then up to the floor where Heather had encountered the security officer. He was still there, patrolling the corridor. Allen gave his name and rank, as did Danny.
“I’m Stevens. I can get you into the first floor, but I don’t have any protective gear.”
“I’m not asking you to get shot. I just need access.” Allen followed him to a hidden staircase that led down to the x-ray department.
“Unless they’ve worked for the hospital, they won’t know this is here. It’ll give you the element of surprise,” Stevens whispered.
Allen and Danny prepared themselves in the radiation department, making sure all their equipment was ready. Danny held his flashlight and his handgun. Allen led with his gun, sweeping the area before going forward.
Low talking down the hall alerted them to where Eric was. Allen held up his hand to stop so he could listen. He waited to hear who was there, but only two voices spoke. Danny pointed to his ear and raised two fingers, confirming he only heard two voices as well.
Allen gave a nod to move forward, and they continued. The amber flashing light continued in the hall, and he prayed for those in their rooms, terrified at how long they’d been waiting to know what was happening. The faster they could get patients calm and safe, the better.