"Resolute, Mr. Davison." Before continuing, she looked at each of the men independently. 'Those young people mean what they say. They took an oath, which they intend to uphold.
Now that they know Katherine is safe and receiving medical attention, there's nothing to stop them from carrying out their suicide pact." She used the words deliberately to emphasize the seriousness and urgency of the situation.
Galloway maintained his professional detachment and was the first to speak. "Sheriff Montez says this Doc is a large, brawny man. Couldn't he simply overpower Ronnie and get control of the gun?"
"And risk another casualty?" she asked rhetorically.
"Two men tried force a little while ago. It ended in bloodshed.
I think I can safely nix that idea on Doc's behalf.
He's been trying to persuade Ronnie to end this peaceably.
He'd lose any advantage he's gained with the boy if he suddenly tried to jump him."
Galloway ran a hand through his thinning hair and watched the chopper with Dr. Garrett and the newborn lift off. "The hostages aren't at risk?" he asked.
"I don't believe so. Although there's no love lost between Ronnie and Agent Cain or the Mexican men."
They exchanged an uneasy look all around, but before Tiel could ask what it portended, Galloway said, "To summarize, Ronnie and Sabra are bartering with their own lives."
"Exactly, Mr. Galloway. I was sent to tell you that you have half an hour to get back to them."
"With what?"
"Clemency, and freedom to go on their way."
"That's impossible."
"Then you'll have two dead kids on your hands."
"You're a reasonable person, Ms. McCoy. You know I can't make that kind of blanket deal with an alleged felon."
Despair and defeat settled on her heavily. "I know, and, honestly, I appreciate the position you're in, Mr. Galloway.
I'm only the messenger. I'm telling you what Ronnie told me. My gut feeling is that he means to do what he has said he will. Even if he's buffing, Sabra is not."
She looked pointedly at Dendy. "If she can't have Ronnie, live with him freely, she's willing to take her own life. If she doesn't bleed to death first." Back to Galloway, she said,
"Unfortunately for you, it's not my gut feeling that counts.
The decision doesn't rest with me. It's yours to make."
"Not entirely, it isn't," Dendy declared. "I have a say in this. Galloway, for godsake, promise the boy anything. Just get my daughter out of there."
Galloway checked his wristwatch. "Half an hour," he said briskly. "Not much time, and I've got some calls to make." They turned in unison toward the van parked on the apron of the parking lot.
Gully was the first to notice that Tiel didn't fall into step with the rest of them. He turned and regarded her curiously.
"Tiel?"
She was walking backward. "I'm going back."
"You aren't serious?" Gully's exclamation spoke for all of them, who were looking at her with unmitigated dismay.
"I can't abandon Sabra."
"But-"