Ambush

Chapter 87

Alex had a good grip on the girl as they slipped through the next door in the corridor and let it slam shut. At least she had something solid between her and Bennett. She could feel the girl trembling.

Alex’s face throbbed where the girl had elbowed her. But she was unharmed, had the right position, and was prepared to act. That gave her the confidence to think she’d be able to escape. She’d worry about Bennett another day.

She considered her options. Take the girl with her as a hostage, forget the girl and run, or kill the girl and leave her body to distract her father.

Almost immediately she ruled out the third option. She didn’t kill for enjoyment or to be vindictive. She killed for money.

Just as Alex was about to turn around so she could move faster, the door they had just come through burst open, and Michael Bennett stood there with the gun still in his hand. This guy never gave up.

Alex yelled, “Stop.”

She liked that the cop froze in place.

Then she said, “Put your gun on the floor.” He didn’t move. Even his eyes didn’t give away his intentions.

Alex sweetened the pot. “Put your gun on the floor and I swear to God I’ll release your daughter.”

Bennett said, “Then you shoot me and it’ll be over?”

“The only promise I make is that I’ll release Juliana.”

She waited, knowing a man like this might decide to give up his own life for his daughter. She saw a flicker of doubt, or maybe it was confusion, cross his face. Then he held up his left hand to show it was empty as he slowly bent with the gun in his right hand, as though he was going to place it on the dusty hardwood floor.

She tightened her grip on Juliana just in case the feisty girl tried to escape at the last moment. She had proved to be as bold as her father.

From the awkward, stooped position, Bennett said, “Please release her now.”

From way down the hallway Alex heard someone call out, “Michael, where are you?”

Bennett shouted back, “Don’t come down here, Seamus. Everything will be all right. Just stay away.”

Alex wondered if another police officer was in the building. She said, “Who was that?”

“My grandfather. I brought him down here to see the set and visit Juliana. He’s no threat to you or anyone else.”

It was a reasonable story, and the detective certainly didn’t sound like he was lying.

Now it was time to fire the pistol once and be on her way.