“You really think this big fella standing behind me won’t do his job and takeyouout?”
She glanced at Balko.
“He’s a good guy,” I said, “one of the best, and a damn good shot.”
“How can he be a good guy if he’s going to shoot a woman?”
“A woman wearing an explosive vest about to commit mass murder, come on, you can see how he’d get in shit with his boss if he didn’t.”
“I bet his boss is a bastard. A man who thinks he can do what he wants.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’mhis boss, and I’m afraid I’d have to give him permission to shoot.” I paused, took a slow step forward. I was getting close now, and switching my attention between the detonator and her face. “Julie, let’s end this. No one needs to die today.”
“But I—”
“There’s no buts. There’ll be a bit of drama. What the hell were you thinking, but you haven’t hurt anyone and if you give it up, let us help you then you can carry on working at the refuge. Those women need you, right?”
That all seemed to make her think.
“Be fucking careful,” the chief said through my earpiece. “She’s a head case.”
I bit on my bottom lip. Talk about stating the obvious. “Let me hold the detonator while I call in the bomb squad.”
She didn’t say no, which I took as a good sign, but I was worried about the amount of tremor in her hand.
I reached for it. “Can I?”
A thick sob bubbled up from her throat.
“All you’ve got to do is…” I was right beside her now. It was within reach, but fuck, I was so in the blast zone it was unreal.
“I’m going to take it now,” I said. “And this can be over. Your father and brothers won’t see any harm come to you and you will still have made your point.” I held my breath and reached for the detonator.
As soon as our skin connected she released it.
My heart leapt and my stomach lurched. Luckily my fingers seemed to work on their own and hold it up, steady, the small red button on the top clear of being pressed.
“Send them in,” the chief yelled.
In my peripheral vision Balko sprang into action. He was at my side in an instant.
“Keep still, Julie,” I said, maintaining eye contact. “Keep real still while we get you fixed up.”
“What the hell is this?” Balko stared at the vest.
Julie sobbed again.
“It’s okay.” Balko reached for her free hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’ve got guys who will have this off in the shake of an ear.”
“Leg,” I said. “Shake of a leg.”
He shrugged. “Same thing.”
And then we were surrounded by officers from the bomb squad, dressed in protective gear from head to toe.
“I’ll take that, ma’am,” one of them said, reaching for the detonator.
“Thanks.”