His wrists were likewise secured behind his back. His head was bowed low over his chest, but every now and then he tried to l
ift it, and when he did, he moaned.
"We've got him tied up," Ronnie was telling Galloway over the telephone. "We fired our guns almost at the same time, but the only one hit was Doc. No, he's okay." Ronnie glanced at Doc, who nodded in agreement. "Who's Ms.
McCoy?"
"Me," Tiel said, stepping forward.
"How come?" Ronnie gave Tiel a quizzical once-over.
"Well, I guess it's okay. How'd you know her name? Okay, hold on." As he extended the receiver to Tiel, he asked,
"Are you famous or something?"
"Not so you'd notice." She took the receiver. "Hello?"
The voice was government-issue-crisp and concise.
"Ms. McCoy, FBI Special Agent Bill Galloway."
"Hello."
"Are you in a position to speak freely?"
"Yes."
"You're under no duress?"
"No."
"What's the situation there?"
"Exactly as Ronnie described to you. Agent Cain caused a near disaster, but we were able to quell it,"
Taken aback, the senior agent was slow to respond. "I beg your pardon?"
"Sending him in here was a bad call. Miss Dendy needed an obstetric specialist, not the cavalry."
"We didn't know-"
"Well now you do. This isn't Mount Carmel or Ruby Ridge. I'm not trying to tell you how to do your job-"
"Really?" he said dryly.
"But I urge you to cooperate with Mr. Davison from now on."
"It's the Bureau's policy not to negotiate with hostage-takers."
"These aren't terrorists," she exclaimed. "They're a couple of kids who are confused and scared and feel that they have exhausted all other options."
Raised voices could be heard in the background. Galloway covered the mouthpiece to speak to someone else.
Agent Cain raised his head and looked up at Tiel through bleary eyes. Did he recognize her as the one who had knocked his lights out with a can of chili?
"Mr. Dendy is very concerned about his daughter's welfare,"
Galloway said when he came back on the line. "The cashier-Donna?-told me that Sabra has delivered."