Free Cries in the Night by Kathy Clark Page B

responded, then shrugged. “I heard the fishing’s good and a little bit of cash will go a really long way.”
    “I wouldn’t miss the snow either,” Rusty agreed. “Hot beaches and beautiful women … or was it the other way around?”
    Joe’s expression darkened as he studied his captives critically. He resumed his agitated pacing.
    “It sucks that you lost your job, but sooner or later the economy is going to get better, and you’ll find something.”
    “No, it’ll never be the same. Shit, I’m forty-eight years old. Nobody will hire me. It’s too late to start over.”
    Rusty couldn’t argue against what was obviously true, but he tried to minimize it to make Joe feel better. “I know how much people are struggling. I see it every day.”
    “Then today’s your lucky day because you’re seeing it up close and personal.” Joe glanced at his watch and shook his head. “I don’t think they’re going to save you.”
    Rusty exhaled slowly. As Joe had pointed out over and over, the economy was rotten. The City of Denver couldn’t afford the money even if they were inclined to pay it. Of course, the city wouldn’t pay the ransom or provide an escape to Mexico for Joe. It was their policy not to make that sort of deal with extortionists. And there was no way Rusty’s parents could dig up that kind of cash. Nor would he want them to.
    Rusty knew it wouldn’t be in his best interests to pass any of that information on to Joe. He decided to try another track. “You don’t strike me as a guy who really wants to die. There’s still an easy option to get you out of this.”
    Joe snorted. “Yeah, being someone’s bitch in prison.”
    “But you’d have free room and board … and health care,” Jason pointed out.
    Both Rusty and Joe turned to glare at the younger man who realized, a moment too late, that his comment wasn’t exactly helpful. In fact, it only served to irritate Joe even more. His finger shook as it hovered over the buttons.
     
     
     
    Julie eased closer to the command vehicle. The waiting was driving her crazy. She couldn’t imagine what hell the Wilsons were going through.
    Sam was leaning against the large truck. He looked exhausted … and beaten. She paused. She didn’t want to bother him, but he would have the most up-to-date information.
    “Sam,” she said softly. If he didn’t respond, she would respect his privacy and walk away. But he looked up, his blue eyes, almost exactly the same shade as his older brother’s. She knew that he was as much a victim in this as the two firefighters trapped in the house. Maybe it would help him to talk it out. “How are the negotiations going?”
    “They’re not. He says he wants cash and a way out of the U.S., but I think there’s something else going on. I just can’t put my finger on what.” Same leaned his head against the cool metal of the vehicle.
    “What have you found out about him so far?” Julie asked.
    “Just another poor schmuck who lost his job and his house is in foreclosure. Used to be a chemist out at the Suncor plant. Now he’s a terrorist.”
    A familiar CNN reporter approached Sam, and he quickly ducked around the back of the command center. Julie, too, turned away, but since she didn’t appear to be somebody , the reporter walked right past her. Which was just fine with her. The last thing she wanted to do was be on camera.
    The aggressive reporter managed to corner the fire chief, and she spoke into her microphone. “I’m standing here with Fire Chief Bill Taylor on the scene of the hostage situation in Denver. Chief Taylor, who is the man holding your firefighters and what is he asking for in exchange?” She shoved the microphone in front of the chief.
    “Obviously, we can’t tell you anything that might compromise our negotiations. We’re not clear about his motivations or why he chose to kidnap firefighters, but I can say that we think the suspect’s name is Joe O’Neil. We’re still