Chapter 10 - Two Hostages
"It's a trap," Claire said.
"Obviously," Ethan answered.
They were in a hospital conference room with Deputy Shaw, Ruth, and two state detectives.
The video had been sent from a masked number, but the background was enough. Rusted pipe. Concrete wall. Yellow safety rail.
The turbine station.
Vanessa and Emma were both there.
"Why tie Vanessa up?" Shaw asked.
Ruth gave a humorless laugh.
"Because partners become witnesses when things go bad."
Ethan paced.
"Mercer wants the documents."
Claire shook her head.
"No. He wants us to believe that's all he wants. Originals don't matter if copies exist."
"Then what?"
"He wants Emma in one place and everyone who knows the truth in another."
Shaw looked at her.
"You're thinking cleanup."
"I'm thinking fire at Blackwood wasn't random."
Ethan stopped pacing.
"Then I go alone. You stay with police."
Claire laughed once.
"You really don't learn."
"Claire."
"I heard Vanessa's call. I saw Emma first. Mercer knows I'm a witness. Hiding me in a hospital doesn't remove me from the board."
Ruth nodded.
"She's right."
Ethan looked annoyed.
"Nobody asked you."
"Mara used to say the same thing when you got bossy."
For one painful second, Ethan almost smiled.
Then Shaw laid out a plan.
Ethan would drive to the turbine station with copies in a visible envelope. Police would approach through the lower access road. Claire would remain in a command vehicle.
Claire agreed.
Mostly.
Twenty minutes later, Ethan entered the station alone.
Mercer stood on the central catwalk holding a pistol.
Emma sat tied to a chair near the old control panel.
Vanessa was across the room, wrists bound.
Her face was bruised.
"You came," Emma whispered.
Ethan's breath caught.
"Yeah," he said softly. "I came."
Mercer held out his hand.
"Documents."
Ethan raised the envelope.
"Let the girl go first."
Mercer smiled.
"Still negotiating like your father."
Vanessa suddenly shouted, "Ethan, don't give him anything!"
Mercer struck her across the face with the back of his hand.
Emma screamed.
Outside, Claire heard the scream through Ethan's hidden microphone.
Then the audio cut.
The command vehicle lights went black.
Every police radio died at once.
Claire turned toward Shaw.
He was staring at his dead screen.
"Jammer," he said.
Then the rear doors of the command van opened.
A masked man pointed a gun inside.
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"Claire Bennett. You're coming with me."
