The Drummer's Keeper [Completed]

Brand of Crazy

KONGPOB

Stepping out the office door, I quietly make my way down the short hallway to the living room as I overhear the stalker Sanoh making plans to leave with Bright. I had already seen from the camera feed that she had a hand on his arm, so by the time I make the short distance into the room, she's trying to pull him to the door but he's planted his feet.

I'm positioned off to the side of Sanoh and the band so none of them immediately notice me since they have eyes focused on each other. I scan the room to see that Knot and Prem have been zip tied together so I can't expect help from their corner as they will be too slow to react. Arthit only has his hands tied but Sanoh is too focused on him to be of any assistance. Wad was missing on the camera and I'm hoping it's because he's currently laying tased in his bedroom as so far this woman doesn't seem inclined to want to actually hurt anyone.

Raising my gun and setting her in my sights, I slowly walk into the room so as to not startle Sanoh into accidentally shooting someone. Knot notices me first and I see him subtly poking at Prem whom turns in my direction at the other's urging, eyes widening when he sees the gun in my hand.

"Hey! What are you two looking at?"

The woman glances over and jerks, startled upon seeing my gun directed at her. Yeah, surprise bitch! You aren't the only one here armed and I actually am trained on how to use it so you can bet your ass I'll put three center-mass if you keep pointing your gun at my boyfriend.

"You!"

"Sanoh, is it?"

She ignores my question to glare at Arthit, "You lied to me. You said he wasn't here."

I need to get her attention off of him and back onto me because I am not liking the expression on her face right now. As if he was the cause of all her problems and she's debating how to punish him.

I try to remember everything I learned about negotiating with a hostage taker. Active listening, empathy, rapport, influence, and behavioral change. Those were the main points so okay, I need to listen to her and not make judgements. Let's start with that first.

"Sanoh? Sanoh. Look at me, talk to me. He didn't lie ok? I just came back."

The woman tilts her head to look at me slightly disbelieving but at least her focus is back on me, "You just came back?"

"Yes. Now, why don't you tell me why you came to visit? Did you come to see Bright?" I need to throw her off balance and keep her distracted to allow time for the police to arrive.

Hearing the lyricist's name causes Sanoh to smile but it's frightening due to the manic possessive glint in her eyes as she looks over to the man in question, whom gulps nervously at her attention.

"I wanted to see him and they wouldn't let me anymore."

"Who wouldn't?"

"The music label. They fired me because we are dating and they wanted to keep us apart. But I won't let them!" she turns back to me with determined eyes. "You can't keep him from me. He's mine!"

"You clearly love him a great deal. Tell me, how did you meet?"

I can tell that my behavior is confusing the band as I'm not refuting her claims on Bright but my goal is to keep them safe and alive until help comes, not try to reason with a delusional whackjob. All I can hope is that they keep their mouths shut and let me do my job as I figure it's been at least two minutes so the police should be here in five to six minutes if their ETA was accurate.