Ultimate Cowboy by Rita Herron Read Free Book Online Page B

police cars raced up, lights flashing, the cops jumping out, taking cover behind the car where Fenton and his partner had gathered.
    “We need a hostage negotiator,” Officer Lewis said.
    Officer Fenton nodded. “And the SWAT team. Get the captain on it ASAP.”
    “Wait a minute,” Julie said. “Let me see if I can talkto the kid and diffuse the situation.”
    Brody’s chest was about to explode with fear. “No, Julie, let me. If this is Will, maybe he’ll recognize my voice.”
    Julie’s hand brushed over the weapon strapped in her holster. “And if it’s not?”
    Brody gave her a pleading look. “I know what I’m doing, Julie. I work with scared kids, teenagers that have been in trouble with the law, on theBBL everyday. Let me give it a shot.”
    Julie slanted him a warning look. “Don’t take any chances, Brody. Just talk.” She poked him in the chest, her voice edged with worry. “Even if he is Will, we don’t know his state of mind or what drove him to this point. What we do know is that he’s desperate, scared and armed.”
    Brody drew a deep breath. He knew all that, but he didn’t care.
    Besides, if he didn’t do something, these cops might get cocky or spooked and open fire or swarm the place.
    Then his little brother might get killed.
    And he would take a bullet himself before he allowed that to happen.

Chapter Five
    Brody watched the police and agents huddle, with a sickening knot in his stomach. They had cordoned off the area, and stationed cars to keep anyone else from pulling into the parking lot. Another team had gone in search of the second boy who’d run from the scene.
    It also looked as if the TBI agent, Hurt, was having a heated discussion with the officer in chargeabout how to handle the situation and who should take the lead.
    Chief Hurt must have won because he grabbed the bullhorn. “Order all your men to stand down,” he said. “No one fires unless I give the word.”
    “Yes, sir,” the officer growled.
    “You’re surrounded by the police,” Chief Hurt said into a bullhorn. “We know your name is Kyle and that you’re in a bad spot. You just wantedsome money tonight, not to hurt anyone.”
    Brody strained to see inside the convenience store. There were two figures near the door, the boy and the girl.
    “Get out of here,” Kyle yelled. “Let me go and the girl won’t get hurt.”
    Brody saw the girl’s terrified expression and heard the desperation in Kyle’s voice. He tried to remember the sound of Will’s voice to compare it to the youngman, but Will hadn’t even reached adolescence when he’d disappeared. His voice would have changed, grown deeper, more manly.
    “You’re not leaving here,” Chief Hurt said. “That’s a given. So release the girl, and we can make some kind of deal.”
    “I can’t go to jail,” Kyle shouted. “I can’t.”
    The two officers on the end looked restless. “It’s time for SWAT,” one of them muttered.
    “I can try to go in the back door,” the other officer suggested.
    Chief Hurt glared at them. “No. We can’t risk a hostage being injured.”
    Brody sensed the situation spiraling out of control. A news van rolled up, a cameraman and reporter climbing out.
    “This is Wanda Thorn coming to you live. We’re at the scene of a hostage situation.”
    “Make that camera disappear,” Kyle yelled.
    Julie motioned toward Chief Hurt. “I’ll handle it.” She headed over to talk to the reporter, then Brody strode toward the agent. If he left it up to them, they’d storm in and kill his brother. Rather, Kyle.
    He had to do something.
    “Let me talk to him.”
    Chief Hurt glanced at him with narrowed eyes then gave a clipped nod, and Brody grabbed the bullhorn.
    “Will, I know youhaven’t seen me in a long time, but it’s me, Brody, your brother.”
    He hesitated, hoping for a response. Someone moved inside, then the two figures appeared at the front door. The glass was foggy though, and he could only make out part