Standoff

Their eyes co

Then she slipped through the door and heard the bolt snap into place behind her.

From out of the darkness paramedics rushed forward.

Obviously, pairs of them had been pre-assigned to each hostage. Vern, Gladys, and Do

A man and woman wearing identical scrubs and lab coats materialized in front of Tiel. The woman reached for Katherine, but Tiel didn't relinquish her just yet.

"Who are you?"

"Dr. Emily Garrett." She introduced herself as chief of the neonatal unit at a Midland hospital. "This is Dr.

Landry Giles, chief of obstetrics."

Tiel acknowledged the introductions, then said, "Regardless of anything you've heard to the contrary, the parents do not wish to put the child up for adoption."

Dr. Garrett's expression was as steadfast and guileless as Tiel could have hoped for. "I understand completely.

We'll be waiting for the mother's arrival."

Tiel kissed the top of Katherine's head. She had a bond with this baby that she probably would never have with another human being-she had witnessed her birth, her first breath, had heard her first cry. Even so, the depth of her emotion surprised her. "Take good care of her."

"You have my word."

Dr. Garrett took the baby and ran with her toward the waiting chopper, the blades of which were already whirling and kicking up a fierce wind. Dr. Giles had to shout to make himself heard above the racket.

"How's the mother?"

"Not good." Tiel gave him a condensed version of the labor and birth, then described Sabra's present condition.

"Doc's most worried about loss of blood and infection.

Sabra's becoming increasingly weak. Her blood pressure is dropping, he said. Based on what I've told you, is there anything you can advise him to do?"

"Get her to the hospital."

"We're working on it," she said grimly.

The man approaching with a long and purposeful stride could only be Galloway. He was tall and slender, but even in shirtsleeves he exuded an air of authority. "Bill Galloway," he said, confirming his identity as soon as he joined her and Dr. Giles. They shook hands.

Gully hobbled up to her in his bandy-legged run.

'Jesus, kid, if I don't die of a heart attack after tonight, I'll live forever."

She hugged him. "You'll outlive us all."

On the fringes of the growing group she noticed a stout man dressed in a white cowboy shirt with pearl buttons.

He held a cowboy hat similar to Doc's in his hands. Before she could introduce herself to him, he was rudely elbowed aside.

"Ms. McCoy, I want to talk to you."

She recognized Russell Dendy immediately.

"How's my daughter?"

"She's dying." While the statement seemed u

Besides, if she were to make a dent in this stalemate, she must hit them hard.

Kip was standing in the background, capturing this suspenseful conference on videotape. The camera-mounted spotlight was blinding. For the first time in her career, Tiel felt an aversion for that light and the invasion of privacy it represented.

Her blunt response to Dendy's question took him aback momentarily, which enabled Galloway to draw the other man forward for an introduction. "Cole Davison, Tiel McCoy." The resemblance between Ro

"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 Ro

"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 Ro

He'd lose any advantage he's gained with the boy if he suddenly tried to jump him."

Galloway ran a hand through his thi

"I don't believe so. Although there's no love lost between Ro

They exchanged an uneasy look all around, but before Tiel could ask what it portended, Galloway said, "To summarize, Ro

"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 Ro

She looked pointedly at Dendy. "If she can't have Ro

"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-"

She shook her head firmly, checking Gully's protest before it was out. Continuing to backtrack and widen the distance between them, she said, "We'll be waiting for your decision, Mr. Galloway."