“No guns,” Charlie shouted.“No shoes or shirt.”
Wade felt compelled to act, regardless of the sheriff’s wishes.His mother might be inside.Wade handed his service weapon to Jackson, along with his phone.Then he removed his uniform shirt and tossed it aside.He wasn’t wearing a bulletproof vest or utility belt.He kicked off his shoes, ready to go.
“Send out a hostage,” Nava said, “and I’ll send in Hendricks.”
“Done,” Charlie said.“But he’s got to come closer.”
Wade came from behind the squad car with his arms raised.He stood in the middle of the street in his khaki uniform pants and police-issue army-green socks.At the edge of the perimeter, a crowd had gathered.
“Stop!”Charlie shouted.“Roll up your pant legs and turn around.”
Wade followed his instructions.He turned around slowly, showing he didn’t have a pistol in his waistband or attached to his ankle.When Charlie was satisfied, Wade stepped closer, his heart racing.He could see two figures in the shadows by the broken window.Charlie appeared to be holding Elvira by the hair, with the barrel of a revolver pressed to her side.Rivulets of mascara bisected her cheeks.
“Your mother’s in here, Hendricks,” Charlie said.
Wade froze in place.“Send her out.”
“I’m not going,” Wynona called out from the bar.“It’s not a fair trade.”
Wade tried to squash his fear and summon calm.Sweat trickled down his back.His mother was a hostage.A drunk, uncooperative hostage.He spotted Nava’s reflection in the mirror behind the bar, waving at Wade to retreat.Wade didn’t retreat.
“Get your ass out there, Wynona,” Charlie said.
“I’m not going,” she repeated.“Send Elvira instead.”
Wade lost his battle with patience.“Goddamn it, Mom!Do what he says or I’ll shoot you myself!”
“You don’t have a gun,” Charlie said.
“Can I borrow yours?”Wade asked.
His attempt at levity didn’t work.Elvira whimpered, and Charlie growled at Wynona.“You’re on thin ice, Wynona.You’ve got five seconds.”
Wade kept his focus on Charlie, but he was aware of his mother in the periphery.She was wearing high heels that clicked on the floor tiles.Moving gingerly, she stepped over the broken window frame and onto the sidewalk.Glass crunched under her stylish shoes.
“Be careful,” she murmured as she passed by him.
Wade didn’t take a breath until she was clear of danger.Then he moved forward with grim determination.He had to convince Charlie to release Elvira.Shards of glass clung to his socks as he entered the scene.It was a mess.Tables were overturned and chairs were askew.Broken bottles littered the floor.
“Closer,” Charlie said, drawing him into the shadows.
Wade approached them with caution, his hands raised high.Elvira was trembling uncontrollably, but she appeared unharmed.“Why don’t you let her leave, and we’ll talk this out?”
“Shut up and listen,” Charlie said.
Wade shut up.
“She says you’re sleeping together.”
He glanced at Elvira, stunned by the accusation.“We’re not.”
“Are you calling my wife a liar?”
“I’ve never touched her,” Wade said.“That’s the truth.”
Elvira stared at him with wide eyes, too scared to speak.
Charlie bared his teeth in menace.“Maybe I’ll shoot you both and let God decide.”
