19
SIMONE
The armored SUV feels like a cage. Derek's positioned in the driver's seat, weapon resting on his thigh, eyes scanning the perimeter. I'm in the back with the doors locked, listening to tactical chatter through Luc's open comms channel on Derek's radio.
"Breach team in position. Target barricaded, upper floor, northwest corner."
That's Remy's voice, calm and tactical.
"Sniper teams have visual. No shot. Too much cover."
"Negotiator standing by."
I press my palms against my thighs, force myself to breathe. Luc's in there, moving toward a man who killed Julien, who just tried to kill me, who's cornered and dangerous.
The radio crackles. "Fontaine, this is NOPD. The building is surrounded. There's no way out. Come out with your hands up and we can talk."
Silence stretches. I count the seconds. They drag. Then they drag longer.
Then a voice comes through, rough and tired. "Nothing to talk about. I know how this ends."
"It doesn't have to end badly. Put down your weapon, come out, and nobody gets hurt."
"Too late for that."
The silence stretches again. I imagine Luc positioned with the breach team, weapon ready, waiting for the order to move. My chest tightens.
Derek glances back at me. "He'll be fine. Luc's done this before."
I nod but don't trust my voice to answer.
The negotiator tries again. "Marcel, we have evidence. Communications between you and Armand LaCroix. Payment records. We know he hired you. We know what happened. But you're not the one giving orders. Help us, and we can work something out."
"Work something out?" A bitter laugh crackles through the radio. "You think I'm stupid? Armand's going down. I'm a loose end. Only question is whether I go to a cell or a grave."
"Then choose the cell. Come out. Live."
Another long pause. Then he speaks: "No."
Gunfire erupts through the radio—Fontaine shooting at the breach team.
"Suspect firing! Suspect firing!"
"Breach! Breach! Breach!"
"Return fire authorized!"
Gunfire crackles through the radio. I flinch. Derek's eyes flick to me, but he stays silent, letting me listen.
More gunfire crackles through the radio. Shouting follows. Tactical commands overlap. My throat closes. My thoughts spiral. I just listen to the chaos and wait.
"Suspect down! Suspect down! Cease fire!"
"Medic to the scene!"
"Building secure. All units, building secure."
The radio goes quiet. I wait for Luc's voice, for some confirmation he's okay.
