Page 83 of Rescued Dreams

He started to turn away, but Macon snagged his arm. “One sec.”

“Chief?” He faced Macon, who had black slacks and his white uniform shirt on, over which he’d pulled a waist-length rain jacket.

“Surveillance has the hostages in the center of the room.”

“Anyone injured?” Ridge didn’t like the idea this might turn into a tragedy.

Macon shook his head. “So far it’s been peaceful. One of the tellers managed to hit the emergency button under the counter in time, so the call went out. We know there have been shots fired inside, but no one has been hurt as of yet.”

It sounded like he was giving a press conference.

Ridge frowned. “Why are you?—”

“Amelia is in there. With her brother. He’s the one holding all those people hostage.” Macon waved a hand at the building.

“Elam Hilden is the hostage taker?” Ridge looked at Chief Barnes.

He confirmed with a nod. “His sister is cooperating. From what we can see, she’s part of this. An accomplice, even.”

Heat built in Ridge’s abdomen. “She isn’t working with him. She doesn’t even like him.”

“Let us do our jobs.” Chief Barnes turned away.

Macon said, “Your team is here to be on hand in case you need to assist the police. Make sure that’s what you’re doing. Prove to me right here and right now that having her in the middle of a call doesn’t stop you from doing your job because you’re more concerned about her than the entire situation.”

“Yes, Chief.”

Ridge turned away and headed back to his crew, all coming to meet him with axes in hand. Their expressions curious about what was going on. Until they spotted the look on his face.

Izan said, “What’s going on?”

Kaminsky stopped between Izan and Della. “Yeah, Lieutenant. What’s going on?”

Della saw something in the scene behind Ridge that she recognized as not good.

“We’re on the sidelines for now. Until we either get sent back to the house or we breach the doors.” He took a breath. “Amelia is inside with her brother.”

“She’s a hostage?” Izan flinched.

Ridge kept his voice low so no one overheard the conversation. These guys needed to know though. With the exception of Kaminsky, they considered Amelia family. The floater would as well, but only in the FD brother-sisterhood.

He said, “The police aren’t sure, but she isn’t with the hostages. She’s with Elam. They think she might be an accomplice.”

“That’s loco.” Izan shook his head and turned to pace away a few steps. “Isn’t that Kane?”

Ridge looked where Izan pointed and saw the crowd that the police had blocked behind a barrier, a couple of uniform officers holding the spectators back. In the center, Kane was barely visible between people.

His cousin motioned him over.

“I’ll be back in a second.” Ridge jogged over to the cop, who turned out to be Anthony Thomas. “Hey, can you let him in?” He indicated Kane.

“He’s with you?”

“Yes.”

“Then he’s your responsibility. I’m not getting in trouble for it.” Anthony smoothed back his perfect brown hair.

Ridge’s was smashed under his helmet.