“I’m positive.”
“I guess I’ll call this my Wednesday sit-ups then.”
“Who in the world needs to name their exercises.”
“Makes them easier to do.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we saw Mike Moore, the FBI agent, organize a SWAT team to surround the house where Cortez lives. The tricky part is there are four hostages inside, and Mike doesn’t want to start a shooting war that could get them killed. He has decided to allow Cortez to surrender the hostages and give himself up. Let’s join up with Mike, Andrew, and Larry as they meet with the SWAT team.
“The names’ Moore and this is Dunfee and Cummings.”
“Agent Withers, agent Moore. What’s the situation?”
“We believe we have four hostages and probably four perps inside the house. We have a warrant for their arrest on federal kidnapping charges. The problem is we need to serve the warrant without getting the hostages killed.”
“Yeah, roger that. So you want to try some talk?”
“Yes. I need your men to surround the house, so no one gets away. I don’t want to be chasing these guys all over the state.”
“I get that. Okay, what if they don’t give up?”
“you have a standard protocol for that situation, right?”
“Yes, we do. We will keep them in place for as long as it takes. We have ways to escalate the situation but would only do that on your order.”
“I think we should wait to see what happens.”
“I agree. Okay, we will deploy around the house. Our comms are set at 360 Mh. You want to test that?”
“Okay. Can you read?”
“You are loud and clear. Keep me informed. I’m going to move out with the team.”
“Thanks, Winters.”
“Yeah. Do that when this is over.”
“Roger that. Hey Larry?”
“Yes, Mike.”
“You ever been in this kind of situation?”
“Can’t say I have.”
“Well. Let’s hope it won’t turn into something ugly. There are readers out there who want this thing to end peacefully.”
“I understand. There is also a writer out there who tends to make our lives difficult.”
“Hey, Winters?”
“Go ahead.”
“You guys in place?”
“Give us three more minutes. I’ll give you a shout when we are ready.”
“Roger. Okay, Larry, once those guys are in place, we will move closer to the house. I think we’ll take the car for cover.”
“I think that’s a good idea. You want me to drive.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll just pull up in front of the house, and we will talk from the opposite side of the car.”
“Winters to Moore.”
“Go ahead, Winters.”
“We have the place surrounded. There is a back door and a sliding door off the patio. We have a clear view of the entire back. We don’t see any movement in the house.”
“Thank you, Winters. We are pulling up in front. I’m going to block the drive.”
“My guys are directly across the street. The drive will be perfect. We can keep tabs on you in case a firefight starts.”
“Somehow, that is not as comforting as you probably wanted it to be. We have pulled up in front. We are getting out of the car. Moore out.”
“So, do you have a megaphone?”
“Just so happens I do. It’s in the trunk.”
“Be careful.”
“Be right back.”
“Crap Andrew. What was that?”
“A shot, Larry. Looks like Moore got hit.”
“Stay here. I’m going after him. Mike, you okay?”
“Damnit, Larry. Some stupid son-of-a-bitch shot me. Winters, Moore here. I’ve been shot. Hold your fire and position. I’m giving the comm to Dunfee.”
“You okay, Mike.”
“I am for the moment. What a stupid thing to do. These guys must be really stupid. Here take this megaphone and tell them they are surrounded. Tell ‘em the agent they shot is okay and to lay down their weapons and come out. If they do, no one will get hurt.”
“Andrew. Get over here and take care of Mike. I’m not sure how badly he’s hurt. His Mouth is working okay for now. Okay, Mike, you are going to be okay. Andrew is a doctor.”
“There is a first aid kit in the trunk as well.”
“Okay, we got this. You take it easy. ATTENTION YOU IN THE HOUSE. WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED. THIS IS THE FBI. THE AGEN YOU SHOT IS OKAY. SURRENDER NOW, AND NO ONE GET’S HURT.”
