Fatal Exchange (9 page)

Which is what whoever was behind this was counting on. She felt a chill race up her spine. The moment Rafael had stepped
into this room and grabbed Tess, he’d sealed his fate, but he didn’t care. This wasn’t about the money or his escaping. It was about getting Eduardo’s captors what they were demanding so he and his mother could be set free.

Her fingers fumbled on the keypad.

Find them.

She wanted him to promise he would, but knew he couldn’t. How many unsolved cases still sat on her sister’s desk, including their brother’s? They might never discover who had orchestrated this.

She refused to give in to the fears lurking in the back of her mind, but nothing seemed certain anymore. She looked at the gun Rafael held. If this was bigger than Rafael, if someone really was somehow manipulating him, and they knew what was going on in this classroom, then this situation was no longer in the control of an inexperienced eighteen-year-old, but of drug dealers. Who would have no qualms in ending Rafael’s life—or anyone else’s.

Mason’s text interrupted her turbulent thoughts.

Need to inform captain.

Tess’s quiet sobbing in the desk beside her jerked Emily back to reality. Her niece had been held at gunpoint, watched a fellow student shot . . . Even with all of Mason’s promises, for the moment, there was no escape. Nowhere to run to.

Tess needed her. Emily slipped the phone into her pocket, then went and knelt down beside Tess. They had to find a way out of this, because time was running out.

As soon as Mason sent the last text, he hurried back into the school. Key players from negotiation had taken over the office with its rows of file cabinets, trophies, and a familiar blue-and-white bobcat mascot hanging on the wall, transforming
the room into their command station. Computers, surveillance equipment, live video footage of the hallway outside the classroom. The captain and Charlie sat in the middle of it, poring over a set of blueprints.

The captain rubbed the back of his head. “We need eyes in that classroom—”

“Maybe we have them.” Mason addressed the captain, but he had the attention of the entire room. “I just received a text message from Emily.”

“From Emily?” Charlie took a step forward. “How?”

“She’s using her phone. She believes Rafael’s being manipulated.”

While he knew Emily believed this to be true, he knew they also couldn’t dismiss the possibility that Rafael could be, for whatever reason, manipulating
her
.

Lieutenant Green took a step forward. “So this whole ransom scenario being played out right now wasn’t the brainchild of Rafael. He was set up?”

Mason wished he could be certain. “Emily can’t communicate directly with Rafael, but apparently he found a way to give her some clues and he’s letting her text. She believes someone else has eyes and ears in the room.”

Charlie shook his head. “How is that possible?”

Mason shrugged a shoulder. They needed answers, not more questions. “I don’t know, but clearly the technology is readily available. We use earbuds and cameras in surveillance all the time.”

“Maybe, but just like Mason’s theory that Mrs. Cerda is being used as leverage, this doesn’t follow the cartel’s typical pattern.” The captain dropped the blueprints onto the table. “Why take school kids hostage? This story is being played on every mainstream and internet media outlet. The local drug lords don’t usually play that way.”

“They might for two million dollars.” Mason tried to work through his own train of thought. “I know Rafael. I’ve never felt that he could do something like this on his own. I think Emily could be right—this was someone else’s idea, and that someone is telling him what to do and say.”

“And what if Emily is wrong?” the captain asked.

The same question plagued him. Emily wanted Rafael to be innocent as much as he did, but if he was nothing more than a pawn, then they had to find out exactly who was calling the shots.

Mason rubbed the back of his neck, trying to help alleviate the headache that was starting to spread. “Like some of you, I’ve known Emily and her family for years. And while Emily might not have the experience we do, she’s smart. She wouldn’t have taken the risk to contact us if she wasn’t certain she was right about this.”

The captain nodded. “For the moment, I think we have to move forward, believing Emily is right.”

“So at some point,” Charlie said, “something happened to change the game.”

“Then maybe we need to change it again,” Mason said.

Once again, he had the captain’s full attention.

“How?”

“Let me go in there.”

“In the classroom?” The captain shook his head. “Not an option.”

“I have to agree,” Charlie said. “The risk is far too great. We still have no idea what Rafael is capable of doing.”

“If Rafael is being manipulated, he’s not going to shoot me. And even if he isn’t, I still don’t believe he would hurt me.”

“You can’t know that,” the captain said.

“The bottom line is that I can only make so much progress talking on the phone with him,” Mason said. “I need to be in that room with him. Face-to-face.”

“You got a plan?”

Mason hesitated. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. There was just a gut feeling that going in there was the right thing to do.

“They’ve got to be hungry,” he said. “We order pizza.”

“And you go in as the delivery boy?”

“Yeah.”

The captain’s eyes narrowed. “It might just work.”

“I disagree.” Charlie shook his head. “This is a mistake, Captain. Going in there could get those kids killed.”

Mason could tell from the captain’s expression he’d already made his decision. “Is it a risk? Yes. But a face-to-face conversation just might work. Mason, grab your bulletproof vest. You’re going in there.”

“I still say this is a mistake, Captain,” Charlie repeated.

“Noted.” The captain dismissed Charlie and started barking out orders to the tech team. “If Rafael is wearing an earbud to communicate, the range will be limited. Set up a frequency scan. We’re going to find who’s out there trying to play God.”

M
ason took a sip of the coffee someone handed him earlier and frowned. It was lukewarm and bitter, but he could use the caffeine. The rain had finally stopped, but according to the weatherman, snow was predicted for later this afternoon. Which meant they’d probably end up with an inch or two of powder that by morning would melt into a nasty slush, making a dreary week even more dreary.

It was cold outside, but he needed a couple of minutes to clear his head while they waited for the pizza to be delivered. He hadn’t expected the captain to grant him permission to go in. If they’d made the wrong decision . . . if he ended up doing or saying something that got someone killed, he’d never forgive himself.

“Now isn’t the time to question your abilities.”

Mason turned around to face his former captain. “Captain Hunt.”

“I’m not a captain anymore.”

“You always will be to me, sir.”

And more. Thomas Hunt had become the father he’d never had over the past few years. Mentor, spiritual advisor, and counselor . . . He’d helped him in his new relationship with Christ
that in turn had brought a peace into his life he’d never experienced before.

“So I managed to read your mind?”

“Yeah.”

Mason took another sip of his coffee, then looked away. He’d always felt confident in his abilities as a cop, as an undercover agent, investigative detective, wherever the cases took him. Gut instincts, that had saved him more than once, helped him face the adrenaline rush and brain games he was forced to play in order to stay alive.

But today, he was afraid he’d make the wrong move and, like a row of falling dominoes, everything around him would come crashing down.

“I find myself questioning everything. Every word, every decision. So much hangs in the balance. We need to find Eduardo and his mother. We need to know who is manipulating Rafael. We need the parents to come up with the ransom money if all else fails.”

“And you’re asking yourself, what if everything in this house of cards collapses.”

“Exactly.” Mason tossed the empty coffee cup in the trash can beside him, then tugged on the bottom of his bulletproof vest. “Despite the stress of what I do, when I’m undercover, all I have to do is remind myself that when I walk out on those streets, I’m a part of helping make this world a better place. But this . . . this is different. It’s not just taking down some drug lord who deserves what he gets in the end. It’s a kid who I know doesn’t deserve any of this. A kid who more than likely is being manipulated to do the crazy thing he’s doing.”

“Things are never straightforward in this business, are they?”

Mason looked up at the captain. “No, but somehow I thought I could jump into this situation, take the lead, and convince Rafael to stand down, but I’ve not made any progress. And
I’m not sure that talking face-to-face is going to make a difference, unless he really is being manipulated as Emily believes. Unless he really is trying to find a way to ask for help. If we’re wrong about this, time is quickly running out and Rafael has threatened to kill everyone in that room if he doesn’t get what he’s demanding.”

Mason looked to him, knowing he needed the older man’s advice. “Do you think I should go in there?”

“Normally, no, but this case is different. I think this is the right decision, and a face-to-face talk might be the only way to find out the truth. Rafael knows you, so his initial response to seeing you shouldn’t be violent, especially if he is being manipulated.”

“That’s what I’m counting on. I appreciate your input, sir.”

Captain Hunt took off his police cap and grasped it between his fingers. “I was twenty-nine when I negotiated my first hostage case. I was thrown into a situation with a young mother, her nine-month-old son, and the elderly grandfather, all barricaded in a house with her ex, who was holding them captive with a gun.”

“What happened?” Mason asked.

“The mother and baby made it fine, but the grandfather was shot and killed. I blamed myself for weeks for his death. Couldn’t stop going over what I could have done to save all of them. Maybe if I’d been a better negotiator, or insisted the tactical assault be delayed.”

“I guess it’s impossible not to feel that way.”

“Yes, but my point is that this job’s never easy. Walking into this, you knew this wasn’t going to be easy.”

“You’re right.” Mason felt as if he were trying to fix something that couldn’t be fixed. Change something he had no control over.

“If Rafael is being manipulated, as Emily believes,” Captain Hunt said, “that adds another layer of risk to the situation that isn’t going to be easy to manage.”

Hearing Emily’s name reminded Mason that he wasn’t the only one with an eye on the stakes. “As for you, sir. I’m sorry about your family. Emily . . . Tess. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now.”

The older man’s brow narrowed. “I’ve always tried not to make my cases personal, but here there’s no way around it.”

“I’ve always thought of Rafael like a little brother.”

“None of us are completely immune.”

It was those personal cases that were always the hardest.

“There is something I wanted to ask you before you go in,” Captain Hunt continued.

“Anything.”

“They gave me an update and told me you’ve been in contact with Emily. How does she sound?”

“Scared, but strong. She seems to be making levelheaded choices. For one, it had to have taken a lot of courage to grab that phone and text me.”

“She never thought she had what it took to become a cop, but if you ask me, dealing with a classroom of high school students five days a week takes an enormous amount of courage.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” Mason laughed. “I’ve always admired her for her passion for kids.”

“If I remember correctly, you asked her out one summer she was home from college.”

Mason shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. How had they stumbled onto such an awkward subject? “Yeah, she turned me down.”

“I also seem to remember her mother telling me she had a crush on you back then.”

“Really?” The statement surprised him. There’d always been something about Emily that stood out. Something that told him she was the kind of woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

“What about Tess?” Captain Hunt’s question interrupted his thoughts. “Do you know how she is?”

He pushed his own straying feelings aside. “All I know is that no one else has been hurt.”

Mason glanced at his watch. The captain was going to call him any minute now. “I’d appreciate any further advice before I go in there, sir. I might be a cop through and through, but you’ve been in my place before. I’ve got to do this right.”

“No one is ever completely ready, and textbook procedures don’t cover everything. This is real life, where people don’t follow a script. That being said, you know Rafael better than any of us, which gives you an advantage. I have every confidence in the world you can find a way to bring Emily, Tess, and the other students safely out of there.”

“What if something goes wrong and this blows up?”

“Then you deal with that when—and if—it happens. You’ve done a good job so far. Don’t let them pressure you into trying to pull off a tactical incursion unless absolutely necessary. The chances of someone getting hurt will greatly increase.”

“Yes sir.”

“One last thing.” Captain Hunt caught his gaze. “I thought you were supposed to fly to Colorado today.”

Mason felt the familiar surge of frustration. “I was getting ready to leave until Rafael called me.”

“And your father?”

“He’s dying.”

“Can I give you a piece of advice on that situation?”

“Yeah.”

“Forgive him. And as soon as all of this is over, go see him. The pulls of this job never end, and family has to come first. No matter what has gone on between the two of you in the past, don’t live with the regret of not telling him you forgive him. Once he’s gone, you’ll never be able to change that.”

The pizza delivery car pulled up in the circular drive in front of the school. It was time to go.

Captain Peterson called out to him from the entrance of the school. “You’re on, Taylor.”

Emily’s father nodded at Mason. “I’m praying for you, son. I know you’ve got a lot of pressure coming at you from all sides to make sure we get those kids out of there alive, but you
can
do this.”

“I have no intention of failing, sir.”

Three minutes later, Mason stepped slowly into the classroom, pizza boxes in hand, as he assessed the situation. Students huddled in the back of the classroom, sitting on chairs or leaning against the back wall, fear clearly written across their faces.

Emily sat in a chair in front of Rafael, gun pressed against her temple, her expression tense, but still in control. Rafael wasn’t taking any chances.

“Rafael, I’ve got six large pizzas. Just like I promised. Can I come in now?”

“Mr. Taylor, I . . .” Rafael fumbled with his words, clearly taken by surprise.

Mason kept his voice even. “I am the negotiator. I thought it would be better if we talked face-to-face rather than over the phone.”

“No. This . . . this isn’t what I agreed to. I didn’t mean you could come in here. I was expecting a delivery boy.”

“They didn’t want a civilian involved.”

Rafael looked confused. Scared.

What have you gotten yourself into, Rafael?

“Talking face-to-face isn’t going to change anything,” he said.

“Maybe, maybe not.” Mason set the pizzas on Emily’s desk at the front of the room.

Rafael held the gun steady, avoiding eye contact with Mason. “I will shoot her if you try to pull anything.”

“I’m not trying to pull anything on you, Rafael.” Mason held up his hands. “I just want to ensure that you and the students and Miss Hunt are safe.”

“You can see that they’re all fine. And you need to leave. Now.”

Mason took a step forward. “You used to trust me, Rafael. I can still help you, but I need you to trust me again.”

“No.”

“Why not?” Mason chose his words carefully, knowing he needed to find a balance of authority and understanding. “I’m here because I can help, Rafael. I’m going to stay.”

Rafael hesitated before speaking again. “Fine. Close the door behind you and lock it.”

“Okay.” Mason moved toward the door and locked it before turning back to Rafael. “The door’s locked. Why don’t you let Emily go?”

“In a minute.” Rafael nodded at one of the boys in the back. “Search him. Make sure he doesn’t have a weapon, a cell phone, or a wire.”

“I’m clean, Rafael. I just want to talk.” Mason held up his hands and let the boy search him. He’d come in clean, counting on Emily’s phone to communicate. “Why don’t you let Emily help pass out the pizza to the kids. I got your favorite.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Pepperoni, olives, and
jalapeños
.”

“I said I’m not hungry.”

“Okay. That’s fine.”

Rafael stepped back from Emily and nodded at her to hand out the pizza. He stood at the front of the room, seemingly more remote than he’d been this morning when they’d talked. If someone were manipulating him, they’d found a way to completely control him.

Mason handed Emily a couple of the boxes. “You hanging in there?”

She looked up and shot him a half smile. “Yeah.”

She looked tired, but determined. Which was good. If they were going to get out of this, he was going to need her. No doubt she felt as if she were responsible for the kids in this room. Seeing Philip shot had to have been terrifying. And it was proof that Rafael—or whoever was behind this— wasn’t here to play games.

“What about the students?”

“I’m still worried about Amie.” Emily set the pizza boxes on a couple of the desks near the back and opened them. She nodded toward one of the students. The girl’s eyes were red from crying, breathing clearly labored. They needed to get her out of there.

“Why don’t you let Amie go, Rafael? I brought food so I could do something to help. This would help.”

“I already let Philip leave. She’ll be fine.”

“I appreciate what you did for Philip, but Amie needs to see a doctor.”

“No.” Rafael stuck out his gun and shook his head. “I’m not letting anyone else leave this room.”

“I’ve been working to get you the money you asked for. This would be a sign of good faith to the parents that you aren’t going to harm their children. It will go a long way.”

Rafael’s face reddened. “I’m still in charge, and I said no.”

“Okay.” Mason held up his hands and took a step backward. “No one is disputing that you’re in charge. What I want to do is get this over with as quickly as possible without anyone getting hurt.”

“It’s clearly too late for that. I want my money, and then it will be over. Not before.”

Mason studied Rafael’s expression and caught the fatigue in his eyes. His emotions were draining him. As soon as this was over he was going to crash.

Mason needed a new approach. “Have you thought about
what happens when you get the cash? We need to talk about that.”

Rafael shook his head. “What happens to me really doesn’t matter. They’ll kill my brother if I don’t get the money.”

The tension in Mason’s gut tightened at the obvious implications. Rafael didn’t expect to leave this room alive a free man. Apparently, the cartel—if they were the ones behind this—had come up with the perfect plan. They’d gain access to the money while Rafael took the fall.

Or a bullet if it came to that.

“You’re wrong, Rafael. What happens to you does matter.”

“You know what . . . I’ve had enough of your talk. You never should have come in here.”

“Rafael—”

“No.” Rafael held up the gun and pointed it at Mason, shaking his head. “I don’t want you as my negotiator. Go sit down in the back of the room. I’m finished talking to you.”