Page 54 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“Put through the conference call,” she said to Dorsey.

When he hesitated, she gave him a withering look. “Do it!”

He made the call to Dani’s phone.

She answered on the first ring.

“Ezra,” Sam said, “Gigi is on the line.”

“Ezra,” Gigi said, her voice soft.

“Gigi,” he said, “I’m so sorry I hurt you.” He was almost inaudible over the sound of his sobs. “I love you so much. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

“You need to get some help.”

“I need you.”

“I can’t do this anymore, Ezra.”

“No, don’t say that. You don’t mean that.”

Captain Bruce, back from checking on the former hostages, leaned across Dorsey to speak to Sam. “How long is this going to go on?”

Sam held up a finger to hopefully shut him up. Gigi knew what needed to be done, and Sam wanted to give her the chance to talk him out before SWAT went in after him.

“Ezra, I want you to do something for me,” Gigi said.

“Anything. I’ll do anything for you.”

“I want you to surrender to the police and let them help you. Will you do that for me?”

“I can’t do that. They’ll lock me up, and I’ll never see you again.”

“You’ll see me again, but only if you do the right thing. Put down your weapon, raise your hands over your head and walk out of there. No one will hurt you if you do the right thing. Will you do that for me, Ezra? Please?”

“I’ll really see you again if I do that?”

“You will. I promise.”

“Gigi…”

“It’ll be okay. You just have to do what I said.”

Gigi’s voice had become softer as she got tired. Sam hoped Ezra would surrender sooner rather than later.

“I have to go now,” Gigi said. “The doctor is here, and he wants to talk to me.”

“Gigi, don’t go.”

“I have to, and you do too. You need to surrender, Ezra. Please do that for me.”

“Gigi…” Ezra broke down into sobs that Gigi didn’t hear because she’d ended the call. She’d done what she could.

“Ezra,” Sam said. “You got to talk to Gigi like you wanted. Now you need to leave your weapon in the house and come out with your hands above your head, like Gigi said. No one wants to hurt you. Come out, and we’ll make sure you get the help you need.”

“You’ll throw me in jail.”

“We’ll get you help and figure out what you need.”