The Silence (Columbia River #2)(78)

Ava nodded and lifted the bullhorn to her mouth. “What can we do to end things safely for Jayne and your sister?”

“Move the fuck back!”

“We can do that for you, Reuben, but I’d like you to do something for me. Jayne needs medical attention. It will look good for you if you release her so we can get her to a hospital.”

“You say that as if a judge will hear about it,” he yelled. “I have no intention of ever being brought before a fucking judge.”

“Shit,” muttered the sergeant. “He’s got a death wish.”

“Can you move everyone back a hundred feet or so?” Ava asked. “It’ll make him feel he has some control over what is happening. Also, it will be better if he decides to shoot.”

The sergeant studied the scene. “Yeah. We’ll still have the house in sight.”

“Reuben, we’re going to move back,” Ava told him. “I’d appreciate it if you let Jayne go after we do that for you.”

Silence.

“Back it up,” ordered the sergeant. The sheriff department’s vehicles slowly moved away. Ava went with them, hating to put more distance between herself and Jayne.

A deputy approached the sergeant. “The Lloyd daughters are just fine. Shaken up, but okay. The neighbor is keeping them distracted.”

“Do they know what’s going on?” Ava asked.

“They do,” said the deputy. “Their mother ordered them to lock themselves in a playroom and not come out. Said they could hear a man yelling and someone crying. But then a policeman in cowboy boots got them out the back door.”

Mason.

“That’s Detective Callahan,” said Ava, tension and relief battling for control of her limbs. She checked her phone. He hadn’t responded to her text. “Where’d he go?”

“The neighbor said he ran back to the house. This was before any squad cars arrived.”

“I suspect he’s unwilling to leave his location,” Ava said. “Either he can’t, or he’s got good eyes on the situation. Get his description to everyone. Let them know there’s a plainclothes officer on the scene. Tall, salt-and-pepper hair, jeans, cowboy boots.”

“No white hat?” asked the sergeant in a joking manner.

“Not in a situation like this,” Ava replied in all seriousness. She lifted the bullhorn again. “Okay, Reuben, we’ve given you some space. Let Jayne go so we can help her.”

Her eyes continually scanned the home, looking for any movement.

“Stay back,” yelled Reuben. “I don’t want to see anyone walking toward the house!”

Will he let her go?

“There!” said the sergeant a long moment later. “The door in the carport.”

Ava stared, willing Jayne to appear.

A dark-haired woman stepped out. Her shorts and hands were bloody.

Ava’s knees weakened.

Not Jayne.

“That’s the sister,” she told the sergeant.

Veronica Lloyd was barefoot. She walked a few steps, looked at the house over her shoulder, and stopped. She turned her back to the police and appeared to be talking to someone.

Come on. Don’t stop.

Veronica took a few backward steps and then spun around and ran toward the police-car blockade. Her eyes were wide, her face wet.

“My kids,” she cried as the sergeant stepped out to her. “My girls are still in the house.”

“We got them out,” the sergeant told her. “They’re at a neighbor’s.”

Veronica quaked and nearly collapsed, but the sergeant grabbed her. “Are you sure? I need to see them. Right now.” Her legs continued to shake. A deputy brought a thin silver blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Not my blood.”

“I’m going to let this deputy get you cleaned up,” the sergeant told her. “And then he’ll take you to your girls.”

“Wait,” said Ava, grabbing Veronica’s arm. “Is Jayne okay? Why didn’t he send her out?”

Veronica studied her for a split second. “You’re the twin.”

“What’s she talking about?” asked the sergeant. He looked from Veronica to Ava, suspicion dawning in his eyes.

“Jayne is my twin.” She calmly held his gaze.

“He’s holding your twin hostage? Why didn’t you mention that?” He turned to a deputy. “Get an ETA on our hostage negotiator.”

“I’ve formed a connection with Reuben,” said Ava. “I got him to let Veronica out. Even your own negotiator will tell you to stick with me.”

Indecision flashed on his face.

“I know what I’m doing,” she told him.

“Let’s hope so. Anything else you need to tell me in addition to knowing both people inside?”

“Detective Callahan is my fiancé.”

The sergeant was shocked. “And has disappeared,” he said.

Ava refused to worry about Mason. He’s a good cop. He can handle himself.

“Reuben only mentioned two women,” replied Ava. “If he’s unaware of Detective Callahan, he must be somewhere safe.” She turned to Veronica. “Why didn’t he send out Jayne too?”