Page 60 of All He Takes
In that split-second, Ken saw Maggie's eyes flash with terror, but she was free. She swept down and grabbed the baby, then ran out of the garage, to Ken's relief--but then Harold lunged at Ken with the knife.
"Don't shoot!" Ken shouted at the other officers, who were standing by, ready to fire. He dodged Harold's attack, and thankfully, the officers listened to his order.
They could do this without bloodshed. Ken didn't want to kill Harold. The man clearly needed help, and he thought about Nicky, and how compassionate she'd been with Mr. Dumond earlier. Ken knew that, sometimes, he could use some of that compassion himself.
So, he wouldn't kill Harold Smith. He just had to get the upper hand on him and cuff him.
Ken dodged Harold's attack and grabbed him from behind, trying to subdue him. Harold's knife-hand came up, and Ken saw a flash of yellow and black, and suddenly he felt a sharp, searing pain in his forearm. The knife slashed into him.
"Agent Walker!" Chief Schmitt cried out. "Get out of the way, we're gonna shoot!"
"Don't shoot!" Ken shouted. He grunted out in pain, but he didn't let go. He just tightened his grip and struggled with Harold to bring him down. He managed to get Harold to drop the knife, then shoved him back. Harold stumbled back against the wall, and Ken pressed his advantage. He lunged at Harold and grabbed the knife before Harold could react. Then he wrestled Harold to the floor, and pinned him, whipping out his handcuffs. Harold writhed beneath him, but couldn't get away.
"It's over, Harold," Ken said. "It's all over."
As Ken slapped the cuffs on Harold, he just hoped Nicky was having the same luck with the killer.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Harrison Smith had his knife pressed to the victim's throat, and Nicky could see it: She was seconds away from total failure. In a quick slash, Harrison could end this woman's life.
She could not let that happen.
Facing off against him in the alleyway, the moonlight shone down and glimmered against Harrison's blade. Nicky held her gun firm, but her palms were sweaty.
"Drop the knife, Harrison," Nicky said. "It doesn't have to end this way."
In his eyes, Nicky saw no soul. He didn't show a hint of emotion as he gripped the woman tighter. She was sure the only thing holding him back from killing her was the knowledge that he would be shot dead on sight if he tried.
"You don't understand anything," Harrison said. "I won't let you ruin my greatest creation before it's even complete."
"It's over, Harrison," Nicky said. "Drop the knife and I can take you in peacefully. No one has to die here, Harrison."
She slowly inched closer as she spoke. The FBI had trained her to deal with tense situations, life or death situations, but being in one of them never felt easier when the stakes were so high, so real.
Nicky grasped her gun tighter still. She had no idea what would happen if she shot Harrison, but she knew that she had to try.
"I think it's you who doesn't understand the situation you're in," Harrison said. "I'm not going to prison for the rest of my life. I'm not going to be locked up! No! I'm not done yet!"
His voice was getting louder, more unstable. Fear filled Nicky's chest as she saw the woman in Harrison's grip move her arm. She was trying to protect herself from Harrison's insane plans. But Nicky shot her a look--a piercing look that said don't move. The girl whimpered but obliged. The worst thing she could do was try to get herself out.
But if Nicky couldn't save her, she would never be able to live with the guilt.
She stepped closer into the light. When Harrison saw Nicky, a different look flashed across his face--a more deranged, crazed look.
"My, my, you're quite the beauty yourself," he said, grinning. "A little bit older than what I usually go for, but yes, I could make you work. Perhaps I should take your picture instead."
"Drop the knife, Harrison," Nicky said.
No. No, no, no. This was not how it was supposed to happen. Nicky was going to take Harrison down. She was going to save the woman. Everything was going to be okay.
He was not supposed to be the one making her feel the fear.
"Drop the knife," Nicky said. "You're surrounded, Harrison. Drop it and you'll be taken in peacefully."
Harrison let out a short, shrill laugh. "You think I'm afraid of you?" he said. "You think it's that easy? You're not going to do anything to stop me."
Shit. Nicky needed to switch her tactic fast. She needed to get into his head. What did she know about Harrison Smith? He was a delusional narcissist, living in the shadow of his father's forgotten legacy. All he wanted was to be known for his photography--by any means necessary.
