Into the Devil's Underground Read Online Free PDF Page A

by the arm. She seized his forearm, her fingernails digging into his skin, her grip so tight he felt her pulse pounding in her wrist. He finally saw her eyes—they were a deep green, a pretty contrast to her fair, freckled skin and auburn hair. They shined with panic. He squeezed her arm, hoping she could stay calm. The partner yanked her out of Nathan’s grasp so hard Emilie teetered on her heels and then slammed into the teller counter. Mollie cried out and moved toward her, but Emilie waved her off.
    “I’m okay.”
    “Jesus Christ.” Sweat dribbled off Joe’s chin as he looked at his partner in disgust. “You tend to your little redhead. Madigan, make the call.”
    Damn right he’d make the call. He just hoped Johnson got the message.
    His boss answered immediately. “This is Sergeant Johnson.”
    “It’s me.”
    “You stupid, arrogant ass, Madigan. What the hell kind of hero complex you got going on?”
    “He was going to kill the hostage,” Nathan said. “I couldn’t let that happen.”
    “So you put yourself in his place? I expected better from you. Supposed to be the superstar negotiator, loaded with awards and honors and a bunch of accommodations, and then you go and stick your head up your ass.”
    “I did what I had to do.”
    Joe shoved a dirty fist into Nathan’s chest. “You girls can catch up later. Repeat this to him: I want a car at the back door in thirty minutes. You will escort me and my associate over there to a safe place. Long as no cops bother us, I’ll let you go.” Joe’s steely eyes dared him to argue.
    Nathan should have been scared. Or at least humbled. Instead, his adrenaline spiked to dizzying heights. His sister always said he was addicted to the chase. Nathan repeated the words to Johnson.
    “Aw, Goddamn you. Now look what you caused.”
    “Listen, boss,” Nathan said. “You need to do what he says, or this is going to go the way of the Ellison case last winter.”
    Johnson sucked in a breath, probably one loaded with nicotine. “What? The Ellison case is nothing like this.”
    “Sure it is.”
    “Madigan, you get hit on the head?”
    “Nope. I’m telling you, this has Carl Ellison written all over it.”
    Johnson had to get the message. The Ellison brothers had broken into a wealthy, young widow’s home, thinking she was out. They’d only planned to rob the place, but when Carl caught the homeowner trying to get out the back door, he lost his head and refused to leave her alone. His brother tried to stop him, but Carl shot his brother and then raped the woman, leaving her for dead. She’d survived to identify him. Nathan hoped his boss would read between the lines.
    “Let me give him some incentive,” Joe said. “Tell him if that car isn’t here in thirty minutes, I’m shooting all three hostages.”
    “Boss—”
    “I heard.” The anger had left Johnson’s voice. “Ellison, huh?”
    “Yes.”
    Another heavy exhale. “You tell Mr. Joe we’ll get it done. And Madigan?”
    “Yeah, boss?”
    “Alpha 10.”
    “Understood, sir. I won’t take any more risks.” Nathan checked his watch as hung up the phone. “He says the car will be here.”
    Joe jerked his head and then swaggered back to his seat. Nathan glanced at Emilie. She’d sat down, and the partner resumed his watchdog position.
    He’d better enjoy his strange game. Nine minutes and fifteen seconds until SWAT entered the bank.
    *   *   *   *
    S OMETHING WAS ABOUT to happen. Emilie saw it in Nathan’s face, the quick tic of his mouth as he said goodbye to his boss. She prayed it didn’t involve him actually leaving with Joe and the partner because she didn’t think the hostage negotiator would survive the night.
    Creepy inched toward her, his hand barely brushing her right knee.
    She might not survive the night either. Before she could suppress it, a raw moan slipped from her sore throat.
    “What’s the matter, Miss Emilie?” Creepy whispered through the mask, his hand