Page 111 of Love Undecided
She appears to be Kendall Martin.
"What's going on? Why don't they pull him from the car?" I ask.
"We don't know if he has any weapons. We have to make sure the girl is safe. And if he hurts himself, we can't question him."
Bauer's phone rings, he answers it. Whatever he's told does not make him happy.
"Let's go," he says.
"Where?" I ask.
"The perp will only get out of the car if you are there."
"Whoa. Ok."
We approach the car slowly. I'm apprehensive even though there are armed police officers everywhere.
My pinkie finger starts to spasm.
Thanks pinkie finger, way to prophesize. I wouldn't have known something bad was going to happen otherwise.
We get within a few feet of the car, and Bauer puts his arm out to stop me from going any closer. The man in the car is looking straight ahead. He’s taken off the baseball cap, but the sunglasses remain.
I hear sirens and see the rescue truck from Brad’s station pull into the lot. A shiver runs through me at the thought of seeing him in action. His rig pauses at the gathering of cars with the blue Corolla and Brad gets out with a medical kit. The guys say something to Ethan and he speeds over to where the Corolla had been parked prior.
People from inside the school have heard the sirens and are gathering around the perimeter of the action.
“Get this area cordoned off now!” Bauer yells at whoever is listening. A second, larger firetruck pulls into the lot, blocking the view for the bulk of the bystanders.
"I want her to get in the car.” I hear from inside the blue Corolla.
I don't want to get in the car.
"I want her to get in the car." He's louder now. All activity around us seems to stop.
“You,” he says pointing at me. I look around hoping there is someone else close by. No luck.
I really don't want to get in the car.
"No." Brad is standing behind me, his voice resonating.
This is why I love this man.
“Get in the fucking car!” The guy screams.
I need to do something.
”What about if I'm next to the car?" I ask in the general direction of the blue Corolla.
“Kat, no!” Brad says. “It’s not safe.”
Ignoring Brad, I inch closer to the driver's side.
The guy looks over at me. Behind those sunglasses, he could be anyone. That's how ordinary his facial features are. Even if I committed his image to memory now, I doubt I could pick him from a line-up tomorrow.
“If I get in the car, will you let the little girl out?” I ask him.
He nods once. “You get in the car, then he gets her out,” he says motioning to Brad.
