Page 40 of Every Last One

He leaned over the desk and grabbed the receiver. “Didn’t I tell you I would kill him if you called me again? I’ll put a bullet in him, I swear.”

More threats, but there was no sign of Maddox, and no accounting for the victim of the earlier gunfire. “Mickey, the guys out here found out a gun was fired. I’m doing my best to keep everyone at bay, but I need to know that everyone is all right.”

Brief hesitation, then, “Everyone is fine.”

“Could I speak to Jordon Maddox, just to see for myself that he’s okay?”

“No.”

Sandra bristled, but if she pushed to speak with Jordon, she’d put Mickey on the defensive. “But he is okay?”

“For now.”

He didn’t want her to forget he was the one in charge between them. “Is anyone else with you, Mickey?”

“Two nurses.”

“Do you know their names, Mickey? I could tell their families they’re okay.” She wanted to humanize his hostages.

“Nah, I’m not going there.”

“You and your friends want something, and I can help with that. Just let me know their names, and I’ll fight for you.”

The man scoffed. “No one fights for me. And friends? That’s a joke.”

“Then, please, tell me who they are, Mickey.”

Silence.

“We know there are others. Let me help you out of there. Maybe none of this was even your idea.”

“What do you know? You don’t even know my real name. Also, I’m a grown-ass man, and I make my own decisions.”

“Then tell me whatyouwould like. I can guarantee your safety if you will surrender peacefully.”

“I’m not giving up.”

The terminology was noteworthy. “No one said anything about giving up. You would be making a choice to stand up for yourself and your future. Nothing’s happened that you can’twalk away from.” A lie regardless of whether there were no injuries or a death at this man’s hands. He’d know that in the back of his mind, but her assurance might help him forget that long enough to surrender.

“That’s bull crap, and we both know it. I came into this hospital armed with a gun and fired it.Ifired it!”

“It doesn’t sound like that’s what you wanted to do.”

“None of this is playing out like I thought it would.”

That ad lib was his first sign of weakness. “And how did you see it playing out?”

Mickey didn’t respond to her, but he was rubbing his chin in thought. His face was downcast. The weight of what he had done and was doing seemed to set in.

“The longer this goes on, there’s a better chance people will get hurt, Mickey. Some patients in there are dying or will without their medication.”A little girl will die without her new heart…But she wasn’t putting the pressure of a child’s life on his shoulders. That could make him feel more powerless and have him acting out. “You can put an end to this,” she added after allowing him time to speak.

“No. She wouldn’t want that. Same with the others.”

Up until now, he spoke as an individual. Now it was like he was remembering some bond or allegiance he had with the others. “Who is she, Mickey?” She tiptoed around because coming out and saying she heard the woman bark at him that morning would hurt the trust she was trying to establish. She had hijacked their radio frequency, so he could have even put it together. But if he did, he didn’t let on.

“Nah, I’m not telling you that. You don’t know who any of us are, do you?”

She couldn’t lie or he’d see through her. This was an opportunity to learn more and build trust. “We know of four of you. Are there more?”