Ashley met Trina’s terrified gaze and gave a clipped nod. She’d never forgive herself if Blackwood killed Trina.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Nelson murmured. He gestured at another cop to take his place beside Ashley.
“Five minutes,” Blackwood called. “And just to show you I mean business…” He adjusted his hold of Trina, grasped her long hair and hacked it off with his knife. “If you’re not back in five minutes, I’ll cut off something that won’t grow back.”
“Trina,” Ashley whispered, tears stinging her eyes. This was her fault, and she still had no clue why Blackwood hated her so much.
Nelson hustled from the ballroom, and the door closed behind him with a defining click. Tension spread through her shoulders and slid up her neck. Her head started to ache, and she wondered what the heck she thought she was doing. How could she run the country?
A strident bang rang out. Adrenaline pumped through her, and Josh, Gerry, and the replacement cop surrounded her.
Blackwood’s bark of laughter and Trina’s strangled scream created confusion in Ashley until she realized a balloon had popped.
“Clock is ticking,” Blackwood called out, taunting. “The girl won’t look so pretty minus one ear.”
Ashley swallowed hard.
The huge television screen flickered. The election coverage disappeared, and another picture came on screen. It was the female reporter the cop had ushered from the ballroom.
“Turn up the sound,” Blackwood ordered.
“Now. While we’ve split his attention,” Josh murmured.
“He’ll kill the girl,” Gerry objected.
“He’s gonna kill her, anyway. There’s nothing left for him to lose.”
Ashley croaked an objection.
“Shush,” Josh snapped in a whisper.
Ashley trembled and pressed her lips together to barricade her objections. She studied the screen, which showed the reporter still talking, then her gaze darted to Blackwood. He was staring at her.
“Turn up the sound!” he shouted again.
A picture of a dog came on the screen, and Ashley blinked, not understanding.
“He’ll kill the girl if we don’t act,” Josh said. “He would’ve known this was his last stand.”
“Tell him I’ll let him take me if he releases Trina.” Ashley wished she could get her hands on the man. That poor girl. “Then shoot his arse.”
“No, I can’t lose you,” Josh said, his reaction instantaneous, his voice hoarse with emotion.
“She’s right. We need to shove him off balance,” Gerry agreed. “But Ashley, not with you. He means business. He’s got nothing to lose.”
“Where is the damn sound?” Blackwood shouted.
“He’s rattled.” Gerry remained calm and watchful, ready to act given an opportunity. “We won’t have a better chance.”
“Let’s stop mucking around. Stephen!” Ashley shouted. “Trina needs medical attention. Let her go, and you can have me in exchange.” She pushed between Josh and Gerry, tension stiffening her limbs, but determination squaring her shoulders. She could do this. Shewoulddo this.
“If shooting starts, drop and roll to the side,” Josh whispered to her. “Don’t take risks.”
Her legs trembled as she took a step away from her man. Her knees buckled a fraction before she strengthened them and took another shaky step toward Stephen Blackwood. Trina turned pleading eyes in her direction, her oval face so pale Ashley wondered if the girl might faint.
“Why is there no sound?”
Things weren’t going the way Blackwood wanted, and it rattled him.
