Hostage

Howell tried to stay calm.

'Who's in the fuckin' house?'

'I don't know.'

'Is Jones still in the goddamned house?'

'I don't know.'

'Where's Talley?'

'I don't know.'

'You're paid to know, goddamnit. That's why you're there.'

Howell broke the connection, then punched in Jones's number. The phone rang once, then a computer voice came on telling him that the user had left the service area or turned off his phone. Howell called Martin. He let her phone ring fifteen times, and finally hung up.

'Fuck!'

He dialed Talley's number and listened to the Nokia ring. He let it ring twenty times, and then he snapped his phone shut so hard he thought he might have broken it.

TALLEY

Talley rolled code three all the way to the hospital. He beat Cooper, arriving a few minutes after three A.M. The parking lot was almost deserted; the remaining press camped by the emergency room entrance. Talley parked at the side of the hospital to avoid them, but got out of the car because sitting was difficult. He leaned against the door with his arms crossed, watching the street, then realized he was still wearing the bullet-resistant vest and the radio. He took them off and tossed them into the backseat. He found the Nokia, and dropped it onto the front seat.

The Nokia rang.

Talley hesitated in the door of the car, thinking the Watchman had finally heard about the house. He stared at the ringing phone as if he was hiding from it, as if any movement might draw the Watchman's eye and the Watchman would somehow know that Talley was there. Talley should have turned the goddamned thing off. He wanted the Watchman to wonder.

Talley felt his chest tighten, and realized that he had stopped breathing. The phone stopped ringing as Cooper turned into the parking lot. Talley took a breath, then raised his hand, but Cooper was already turning toward him.

Talley watched carefully as Thomas and Jennifer got out of Cooper's car. They looked pale and tired, and their eyes were anxious with apprehension. Talley knew that they might seem fine now in the initial elation of being released, but later there could be nightmares, flashbacks, and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Jennifer reminded him of Amanda all over again. Talley felt himself lifted by such a swell of feeling that he wanted to both cry and hug them, but he only let himself smile.

Jennifer said, 'Are we going to see our father?'

'That's right. Did Officer Cooper tell you about your mother? We spoke with her in Florida. She's flying back now.'

They beamed. Jennifer actually said, 'Yay.'

Talley put out his hand.

'We didn't really meet before. My name is Jeff Talley.'

'I'm Jennifer Smith. Thank you for what you did.'

She shook his hand firmly, her smile blinding. Thomas shook his hand as if it were serious business. They stood so close together that their arms touched, and both children stood very close to him. He knew that this was normal. He was the man who had saved them.

'It's good to finally meet you, Thomas. You were a big help. You were very brave. You both were.'

'Thank you, Chief. You're really dirty.'

Jennifer rolled her eyes, and Cooper laughed.

Talley glanced at his hands. They were streaked with soot and sweat, as was his face.

'I guess I am. I haven't had time to clean up.'

Jennifer said, 'He can be so rude. You should look at yourself, Thomas. You've got ash on your nose.'

Thomas rubbed at his nose, but his eyes never left Talley.

'Is our daddy okay?'

'He's doing better. Let's go see him.'

Talley brought them through the side entrance. He held their hands, letting go only to badge an orderly who led them through the hospital to the emergency room. Everyone they passed stared at them. Talley knew that it was only a matter of time before word spread to the press that the chief of police had brought the hostage children to their father. When the press knew, the Watchman would know.

Talley refused to bring the children through the ER admitting area. The orderly led them past the hospital laboratory along a hall that the ER personnel used to bring samples to the lab. Klaus and Reese were no longer present, but a nurse that Talley recognized from before stopped them.

'You're the Chief, aren't you? May I help you?'

'I'm bringing the Smith children to see their father.'

'I'd better get Dr. Reese.'

'Fine, you go get her. We'll be in the room.'

Talley found Smith's room without waiting. He thought that Smith would be sleeping, but Smith was staring at the ceiling, his eyes blinking. He was still wired to the monitors.

Jennifer said, 'Daddy?'

Smith lifted his head enough to see, and then his face registered surprise and elation.

The kids ran to him, both to the side of the bed without wires, and hugged their father. Talley waited in the door, giving them a moment, then entered and stood at the end of the bed. Jennifer cried, her face buried in her father's chest. The little boy wiped at his eyes and asked if it hurt.