Hostage

“I’m sure he’s in there.”  

Officer Ralston stepped into the rain.  “Is he armed?” 

Amos shrugged.  “He’s got my silver candlesticks.” 

Ralston paced.  If Amos Fulton was right, the perp had been in Edith Milner’s house for thirty minutes; too long for petty theft.  Something had gone wrong.   

Officer Ted Kramer returned his radio to its holder.  “Perp’s probably Jake Taylor, seventeen.  Amateur.  Pregnant girlfriend.  They rent a flat on Main.  He’s a delivery driver.  Borrowed money from a loan-shark to buy the car.  Loan shark wants it back – with interest.  Kid can’t pay, so he’s playing Jesse James.”  

And taken eighty-year-old Edith hostage.  Ralston smelt a Sergeant’s badge.  She strode to the patrol car and pulled out the bullhorn.  “Jake let Edith go. Come out with your hands up.” 

Shadows moved behind the drawn curtains.  The door opened.  Edith Milner appeared.  “Go away,” she said, then, turning inside, added, “Adams defence.  Make your move.”  

*****

 At 3am Scott Milner knew this was the call he dreaded; the call to tell him his mother had had a stroke or fallen down the stairs.  He grabbed the phone with one hand and pulled at his trousers with the other.  Dear God, he begged, please let there be time.   

“Scott stay calm,” the voice said.  “Your mother’s being held hostage.  She’s given us a coded message.  ‘Adam’s defence.  Make your move.’  Before we make our move, as she suggests, we must decode the message.  Scott, who is Adam?  What’s his defence?”   

*****

Officer Ralston paced the sodden street.  “Adam’s defence.  What does that mean?” 

A distraught Scott equalled her steps, forcing his mind to focus.  “Mum’s younger brother Adam died when he was five.  They said it was a peanut allergy.  When Mom heard about adrenalin injections stopping anaphylactic shock, she shook her head and said, ‘imagine that, just one shot’.” Ralston stopped, spun round.  “That’s it,” she said.  “Perp’s only got one shot left.”   

*****

Ralston moved her team into position as Jake prepared his final move.  His eyes gleamed.  His fingers twitched.  “Check mate, Edith,” he said, grinning.   

*****

“Come out with your hands raised.” 

Edith did so - alone.  Officer Kramer pushed past then returned.  “No perp.” 

“I let him out the back,” Edith said. 

Ralston groaned.  She’d forgotten to cover the back. 

“I hope he’s okay.  I head butted him. He had his arm round my neck and was dripping on my thousand dollar rug.  I only meant to push him onto the tiles.  But he fell, knocked his head.  Shivering with the cold, he was.  I put his clothes in the dryer; made muffins; less than five minutes in the microwave.  We had cocoa.  Played chess; Adams defence, some think it’s weak, but it’s what I know.   He’s quick.  Beat me after the fifth game.”   

“But Mum he’s a thief and it’s 3am,” said Scott. 

Edith shrugged.  “I don’t get many visitors.  Dates.  Times.  Appearances.  They’re irrelevant when all you want is to hear the sound of someone else’s voice.” 

--ENDS--