Page 81 of Every Last One

“It’s possible, but there are no promises in this. Your wife’s responses in the next while will determine where we end up.” She kept her tone firm, level, and confident while exuding genuine empathy.

“I guess that’s the most I can ask. Are you sure you don’t want me talking to her? I might be able to help.”

Sandra shook her head. “We all appreciate your willingness to do that, but if you were to talk to her, it could have detrimental effects on how things play out.”

“I don’t understand. Clearly, she’s doing this for me. She’s given up hope, right? She doesn’t want me saddled with enormous debt. She’s trying to get the people in there to write it all off and treat her again. I can help her see that we’ll both be fine.”

“But your wife is a smart woman?”

“Yeah.”

“Then she’ll see through that. Despite best intentions and plans, tomorrow is never guaranteed. Your desire to help things could easily backfire and escalate things.” She watched as shadows passed over his face. “For that reason, I need to ask that you don’t try contacting her on your own. If you do, it could be considered as interfering in an active crisis incident.” She let therest go unsaid, trusting that her full message got across. He’d be in trouble with the law. “Actually, I’d like to borrow your phone,” she added.

“You’re going to use it to call her.”

“I am.”

Dylan handed his phone over to her.

“Thank you.”

“Come on, Mr. Ashmore. I’m going to have an officer take you home.” Neal left the alcove and escorted Dylan from the vehicle. “We’ll get your phone back to you later.”

When Neal returned, Sandra was going to share her thinking with him. She would be using everything she learned about Mindy Ashmore and convince her to surrender peacefully. What she’d just discovered gave her an edge.

FORTY-FIVE

6:20 PM

Sandra had her strategy mapped out in her head but didn’t attach herself to how it would pan out in its minutiae. It was certainly unorthodox from one standpoint, but negotiation always had to take into consideration what was important to the hostage taker. “I’m going to call Mindy using her husband’s cell phone, and I’ll do it on speaker.” She’d given that part some thought. At least others could weigh in afterward if they picked up on something she might miss.

“So hush, everyone,” Neal told the group.

She nudged her head toward Brice and called Mindy’s cell phone number. Mindy answered on the second ring.

“Dylan?”

“It’s actually Sandra Vos.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Alaya is such a beautiful name,” Sandra said, the intent at this point to throw her off again.

“Ah, thank you.”

It worked…“It almost sounds ethereal and magical.”

“What does that matter? That’s not who I am.”

“Not who you are?”

“No, I’m dying, which you must know if you have Dylan’s phone. You spoke with him.”

“We did.”

“Then you know I’m dying.”

“There are treatment options.”