State of Siege

FIFTY

“They’re out!” a young man yelled into the waiting room. “The kids are out, and they’re safe!”

The parents responded with laughter and tears, all of them rising and hugging one another before making their way to the door. Official word came as they were filing into the hallway. A uniformed State Department security official met them. A middle-aged woman with short brown hair, big brown eyes, and a name tag that said Baroni told them that the children appeared to be well but were being taken to the NYU Medical Center as a precaution, and that a bus would be along to bring the parents downtown. The parents were all grateful and thanked the woman as though she had personally been responsible for the rescue.

The DOS official made her way inside as she directed the parents toward an elevator at the end of the hall. She appeared to be looking for someone. When she saw Sharon Hood, she touched her forearm.

“Mrs. Hood, my name is Lisa Baroni,” she said. “Can I have a few words with you?”

The request brought an instant welling of nausea.

“What’s wrong?” Sharon asked.

Lisa gently maneuvered Sharon away from the last of the parents. The two women stood just inside the door, beside one of the couches.

“What is it?” Sharon demanded.

“Mrs. Hood,” she said, “I’m afraid your daughter is still inside.”

The words sounded ridiculous. A moment ago, everyone was safe. She was happy. “What do you mean?” Sharon asked.

“Your daughter is still inside the Security Council.”

“No, they’re out!” Sharon said, growing angry. “That man just said they’re out!”

“Most of the children were evacuated through a broken window,” the woman said. “But your daughter was not with the group.”

“Why not?”

“Mrs. Hood, why don’t you sit down?” Lisa said. She urged her back toward the seat. “I’m going to stay with you.”

“Why wasn’t my daughter with them?” Sharon demanded. “What’s happening in there? Is my husband with them?”

“We don’t know everything about the situation,” Lisa said softly. “What we do know is that there are now three SWAT officers inside the Security Council chamber. Apparently, they were able to get all but one of the terrorists—”

“And he has Harleigh!” Sharon screamed. She clawed at her temples. “Oh my God, he has my baby!”

The woman grabbed Sharon’s wrists and held them gently but firmly. She moved her fingers into Sharon’s tightly curled fingers and squeezed them.

“Where’s my husband!” Sharon cried.

“Mrs. Hood, you’ve got to listen to me,” Lisa said.

“You know they’re going to do everything they can to protect your daughter, but it may take a little time. You’re going to have to be strong.”

“I want my husband!” Sharon sobbed.

“Where did he go?” the woman asked.

“I don’t know,” Sharon said. “He — he said he had to do something about this. He has a cell phone. I have to call him!”

“Why don’t you give me the number; I’ll do it,” the woman said.

Sharon gave the woman Paul’s cell phone number.

“Okay,” Lisa said. She released Sharon’s hands and pointed to one of the tables. “I’m just going over there to make the call. You sit here, and I’ll be right back.”

Sharon nodded. Then she started to cry again.

She sat there sobbing as Lisa Baroni walked over to the table with the telephones. She tried the number. Hood had shut off his phone.

Sharon couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt such anger and despair. She didn’t need a State Department official holding her hand right now. She needed her husband. She needed to talk to him, not to feel so utterly alone. Whatever he was doing, wherever he was, at least he could have given her that. Just that.

However this ended, Sharon knew one thing for certain.

She could never forgive Paul for this.

Never.