It is Wednesday Story Day, and last week, we heard Cortez say he would throw out a body an hour until his safe passage to the airport demand is met. He gave our team an hour before the first body. That at least gave Larry and company some time to figure out a move. I think they are planning something so let’s get over there and see what is going on.

“Okay, Andrew, I think I’ve got it.”

“Let’s hope so cause this situation is getting direr by the moment.”

“Hear me out. How about we say to Cortez that it will take some time to get a vehicle that can accommodate all the hostages. Maybe we make a suggestion that if he let most go, we could get a car here faster.”

“I think that is worth a try. I would also ask for more time.”

“Good idea, Mike. How about you, Andrew. Any suggestions?”

“That sounds okay. Do we know how many he has in there?”

“Not really.”

“I think he is just going to say he’ll take the Escalade.”

“We know there were only five in the Escalade when they left the Highway Patrol headquarters.  So, if Cortez is extra, then there is Carolyn as well. So that makes seven. Pretty tight for that model.”

“Why don’t you ask Cortez if he needs another car.”

“Brilliant, Andrew. Then if he says, yes, we can stall a little.”

“He could also agree to release some of the hostages and then take the Escalade. What is the next step assuming he releases some of the hostages.?”

“I guess we follow him to the airport and have a sniper in position to take him out.”

“I don’t know. I don’t see Cortez showing himself at the airport. He probably has a jet there and will go directly into the hanger. I don’t think the airport is the place.”

“Where is the place?”

“If we encourage him to take the Escalade, he will have to show himself when he goes to get in since It is sitting in the drive.”

“I don’t see a spot for a sniper around here, though.”

“Why don’t you call the SWAT team and find out if there is a sniper here and if he can spot a good place.”

“Let me do that.”

“Ok, Mike, you make the call. So, Andrew, it sounds like the excuse about the car won’t work.”

“I would just tell him you will arrange safe passage if he lets most of the hostages go. You can ask him if he needs a car. That might sound like you are actually making a plan.”

“You always keep things simple, Andrew.”

“Hey, Larry.”

“Yes, mike.”

“We do, in fact, have a sniper. He thinks he can access the roof on the house across the street for a clear shot of the Escalade. He’s heading there now. It’s going to take a few minutes since he will have to check to make sure he doesn’t spook the homeowner.”

“A man in black with a big gun? Why would a homeowner get spooked? We still have 15 minutes, so while he’s getting in a position, I’m going to call Cortez.”

“Yeah, Great.”

“It’s ringing. Hey, Joachim how’s it going? Okay, okay. I’m trying to arrange a passage for you. I have a question. Are you going to need a second car? Oh, I see. Okay, well, how about you release most of the hostages. That way you won’t need a second car. It’s just an idea, Joachim. No need to get upset. It is going to take a while to get a car here. Okay, I’ll check back.”

“That didn’t sound good.”

“He’s a little jumpy. He gave us another hour to get a car here. It looks like he intends to take the whole crew with him.”

“That is going to make the rescue even more difficult given he has those other two thugs as well.”

“Yeah, I know. We need to figure this out. This is why we make the big bucks.

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we all showed up at the house where we think the Cortez crowd and the hostages are holed up. As Mike was trying to get a megaphone from his car trunk, he was shot. Good thing Andrew is a doctor. Larry picked up the megaphone and announced to the house to the effect that they should give themselves up. I think we better get over there, so we don’t miss anything.

“I don’t see or hear anything, Mike.”

“Give them the announcement again.”

“Okay. ATTENTION YOU IN THE HOUSE. WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED. THIS IS THE FBI. THE AGENT YOU SHOT IS OKAY. SURRENDER NOW, AND NO ONE GET’S HURT.”

“Who’s phone is ringing?”

“It’s yours, Larry.”

“So it is, Andrew. This is one hell of a time for a robocall. Hello, this is Larry. Cortez? How did you get my number? Oh yeah. I remember now. I gave you my card in your office. What can I do for you? Uh-huh. Sure. I get it. Maybe we can work something out. No, I don’t think that’s going to work. I know there are a lot of innocent lives at stake. You need to put down your weapons and come out. Look, you are only facing a harboring kidnapper charge. We could probably mark that down to criminal mischief. You have nothing to gain by making this more than it is. There is a whole SWAT team out here dying to try out their new automatic weapons. Come on. Think it over. Sure, I’ll be here. No, we won’t rush the house for sure. Nice talk.”

“What the hell was all that about?”

“It was Cortez. He wants a safe passage to the airport. I told him that is not going to happen.”

“What was that markdown bit?”

“I just want him to think there are alternatives. How you feeling?”

“Like I got hit with a bolder.”

“How’s he doing, Andrew?”

“Lost a little blood, but he’ll be okay.”

“Good.”

“I don’t think the ADA is going to be interested in reducing the kidnap charge. The way it looks, he is not an accessory but a kidnapper.”

“I know, Mike. I just wanted to give him something to think about.”

“I had to laugh at you bellowing on that bull horn, and he calmly calls your cell phone.”

“When this is over, we will have a ton of laughs over a beer, but right now, I’m worried about those hostages. Oops, there goes my phone. Yeah, Larry here. Oh, hi Joachim. I’m listening. Um…Uh Huh. I really would advise against that, Joachim. You are escalating this matter for no reason. Hello. Hello Joachim. Shit.”

“What happened?”

“He says he’s going to toss a body out every hour until we guarantee safe passage to the airport. Then, he says he’s going to start with ADA Thomas.”

“We better move on the house.”

“Hold on, we have an hour to figure something out.”