The connection was reestablished, and this time it was clearer. Bill heard sobbing in the room, and cries for help.
And then there was a gunshot.
“Shots fired,” Cox reported to her team via radio. “Prepare to move in.”
“You can’t be serious,” Bill said, pulling off his headset only seconds after he’d put it on. He rushed to the back of the van and stood in the way of the only exit. “That’s Mason in there. Your colleague. Your friend. You promised him a chance.”
“And he’s had that chance. Now, get the hell out of my way, or I’ll have you suspended.”
Bill climbed out of the van and stayed by her side, hassling her. He was hoping she’d hold out for just a little longer, but in truth he was as wary as she was. Anyone in there could have been shot, or it may have just been a scare tactic to keep the police away. But who knew for sure? “I’m begging you, Captain. Give it a few more minutes.”
Captain Cox kept walking, not giving him so much as a brief glance. “Beg away. Someone’s been hurt down there, and I will not just sit here and do nothing.”
Bill grabbed her arm.
“I’m going to tell you only once before I arrest you.” Cox stopped walking but didn’t struggle. “Remove your hand from my arm.”
Reluctant, Bill did as commanded. He cupped his hands over his mouth, blowing out a ragged breath. “You heard what Wendell said. If anyone tries to go in, she’ll shoot them all. Not only that, but we won’t even get a confession for her previous murders.”
“But she’ll still go away for a long time.”
“That’s not the point! Look, I want to go in there and help those people as much as you do, but that’s not why we’re here. We need to hold out for that confession. I trust Mason to get the job done, and you should, too.”
“Get the job done? Like he did with this bitch’s brother?”
Bill wanted to shake her, to scream “We murdered Marvin Wendell! The son of a bitch is dead!” and put her in her place. But he cared for his family, his freedom, and his reputation. “That was a one-off. He’d never failed before then, and you know it.”
Cox studied him, hard in thought. She looked over at her team, impatiently awaiting command. Finally, she turned toward the van. “A few more minutes, Detective. But I’m not waiting forever.”
Bill let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” He followed her into the van, where they each picked up a headset and listened in on Alison Wendell’s sick game.