“Go on speaker,” Stan instructed as Carol reached for the phone with shaking fingers.
Despite her not wanting to risk involving the police, Stan was there and experienced and could provide, at the very least, insight. She was blind with desperation and fear, her voice unsteady as she answered. “He-llo.”
“You called the police,” the mechanical voice said into the eerily quiet room.
“No, no. It was a misunderstanding. They’re leaving now.”
“I think you did,” the voice said. “There’s a report downtown about the ransom. Police have already dispatched a negotiator.”
Stan took a step closer, recognizing his cue. And, for the first time in the sixteen years of his career, froze with shock when a loud smack sounded, followed by the wail of a child in pain.
“Don’t hurt him,” Carol choked. “Pl
