Last Seen Alive

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Song: Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day

From the sheer number of squad cars and uniformed officers surrounding Michael, it looked like the entire Pinehive police force was in front of City Hall.

The building was old but sturdy without a single crack in sight even though it was one of the first buildings set up in the city many years ago.

Now, in the darkness with police cars surrounding it and lighting up the place with blue and red lights, it looked like a disco ball and not a place filled with hostages.

When Michael arrived, he was ushered forward in a hurry and to his surprise and dismay, his father was waiting for him.

"What are you doing here?" he asked the commissioner as he strapped on a bullet-proof vest labeled "negotiator" in bold, white letters.

"I was told the hostiles asked for you by name," Victor answered solemnly.

"So you came to offer emotional support?" Michael scoffed.

"I came to protect you."

"The entire Pinehive PD is here," he replied pointedly, waving towards the crowd behind him.

"They're here to protect you from the hostiles in any way they can. I'm here to protect you from yourself because I know if it comes down to you or the hostages, you'll sacrifice yourself without even stopping to think of alternative solutions. And I can't-" his voice broke. "I can't lose you too."

Michael was so stunned, he couldn't even think of a snarky return. It was the first time his father had shown that what was happening to his mother was affecting him too. He awkwardly nodded in response, then turned to another negotiator to get more details on the hostage situation.

"We've identified one of the hostiles as Bill Anderson. Is that someone you know?"

Michael nodded. "I busted him a couple of days ago over a shooting in the streets and he gave us some information on a major drug shipment. Did he make any other demands other than me being here?"

"No. He just said he'd only speak to you."

Michael was led to a van and his father followed along in silence. The officer dialled a number and gave him the phone.

"I heard you were asking for me, Billy. How about you let the hostages go and you and I can talk man to man?"

"It's not a one-on-one conversation I was fishing for, Chief. I need you to do something for me then I'll let the hostages go."

"What's that?"

"There's a prisoner named Jimmy Wilson, I need you to cut him loose and clear his records."

Michael signalled to a cop nearby to look Jimmy up while he continued the conversation. "Why do you need him free?"

"Because if he's not, I'm going to start killing people."

"No need to get dramatic. Give me a few minutes to look him up, alright?"

Once Michael was off the call, he turned to his dad.

"Something's not right here," he said.

"What is it?"

"When I spoke to witnesses after busting Bill, they told me he acted in self-defence when he shot two men, who both survived the shooting. Besides the self-defence thing, he gave us information about a major drug bust so he had a lighter sentence, which was further negotiated to community service. Why would he mess that up and risk a heavier sentence for some two-bit criminal?"