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of the perimeter. Once at a safe distance, the team put him in a car for transport to the ambulance down the road.
    John Samuals remained quiet.
    Watson pressed his ear piece tighter and nodded.
    “Is your deputy okay?” Nathan asked.
    Ryan smirked, amused at the radio transmission as well. “Yeah. Poor guy wanted to be Superman. He didn’t want to leave the scene. The sheriff had to give him a direct order.”
    “Well, I’m sure he’ll get a nice medal for that. Do we have our building sketch done yet?” Watson asked.
    “Yes, sir. It’s posted on the backside of our vehicle.”
    “Good job. We’ll need to plan to go in heavy with shields and masks. Figure out where Joey needs to set up with his gas gun in order to get that whole house with CS.” Watson turned, surveying the crew. “Sheriff! Got a second?”
    “Just wrappin’ up the food. What’s up?”
    “Sheriff, as you know, our subject has already used deadly force against one of your deputies, and we don’t have any reason to believe that he won’t react the same if we attempt to make entry. Can I give my shooters permission to take this guy out if the opportunity presents itself?”
    “Nathan? What’s your assessment?”
    He was relieved Benson was willing to listen to more than one point of view considering his own man had been shot. Tactical decisions were best made by a group of seasoned officers rather than one stressed out sheriff who wanted to ensure his injured deputy got justice.
    “Sheriff, I agree with Watson. I think this guy will shoot right now if we attempt to make entry. But the negotiations have just begun, and he’s expecting a call from me. As long as I feel like Samuals is actively participating in the process, I have a hard time agreeing with flipping this guy’s switch at the first chance. I want to keep him talking, use the SWAT team to observe his movements, and maybe come up with a solid plan to catch him off guard and take him down without killing him. However, at the first moment I perceive he is giving up on the negotiations and becoming unpredictable, I will let Lee know, and he can give the order to shoot on sight.”
    “What do you think, Watson?” Benson asked.
    “We can work within those parameters. Ryan?”
    “I’m clear.”
    “Okay then.” Benson grabbed a blue-and-white handkerchief from his back pocket and mopped the sweat from his brow. “Those are the rules of engagement right now. Watson, unless your shooters think someone’s life is in imminent jeopardy, they will not shoot. Let’s give our FBI negotiator some time to get inside this guy’s head.”
    “We should try to get the bank manager on the phone. Have him talk directly to Samuals and let him know he can keep his home,” Watson offered.
    Nathan folded his arms across his chest. “No. Absolutely not. What do we do when John finds out he’s lying and goes ballistic? Besides, I don’t want him talking to someone he’s contentious with. One of my guys will get in touch with a bank representative and try to work up a real relief plan on John’s behalf. Maybe if he can get him a couple of months’ worth of deferred payments, he’ll put his gun down. Then we just take him into custody on the attempted murder charge for shooting the sheriff’s deputy, and he goes away forever.”
    A sheriff’s deputy came to a quick stop in his marked unit near the command post. He leapt out of the driver’s seat and then scrambled to retrieve something from his trunk. The cumbersome box made it difficult for him to see the ground and he stumbled as he ran.
    “There was a mini-mart close by. Had everything you asked for,” the man said, placing the box on top of the hood of the car.
    “Looks like it’s time to talk to Mr. Samuals,” Nathan prompted.
    Benson inhaled and held his breath.
    “Ryan, get your team into position.” The young man trotted off. “Stand by.” Watson spoke in even soft tones into his tactical mike confirming that his team