The Hostage: BookShots (Hotel Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

four-course lunch accompanied by some of Europe’s finest wines found themselves imprisoned inside the hotel, and the rising discontent became an audible aggression when a blanket ban on the use of all mobile phones was issued. How were they to report live on the developing story to the outside world, especially one they now found themselves at the centre of? Roscoe watched tempers becoming increasingly frayed as Savage made threats of arrest in an attempt to gain control of the situation.
    Roscoe was standing next to Anna Conquest as the phone on her lobby desk started to ring. She stepped across and picked up the handset. A hollow voice came on the line, and Roscoe heard it demand to speak to whoever was in charge. As she was trained to do, Anna politely asked who was calling but she and Roscoe already knew.
    It was the killer.
    She quickly beckoned to Roscoe, who moved across towards her but as he did so Savage jumped forward and attempted to snatch the phone from Anna’s hand. Too quick for him, she moved the phone from one hand to the other and spoke to both men.
    ‘He says he wants to speak to whoever is in charge.’
    ‘Then that would be me, wouldn’t it, Ms Conquest?’ said Savage.
    Roscoe nodded in the direction of Savage, indicating to Anna she should give him the phone.
    ‘This is Inspector Savage of the Metropolitan Police. I’m the person in charge here.’
    ‘I think you’ll find, Inspector,
I’m
the person in charge now,’ said the voice on the phone.
    ‘Who is this?’ asked Savage, anger rising in his voice.
    ‘I’m the new hotel manager. I wanted to call you personally to remind you how much we pride ourselves in the special individual treatment each one of our very honoured guests receives here at Tribeca Luxury Hotels. Please rest assured today will be no exception.’
    ‘I don’t know who you are, but you should give yourself up while you have the chance. I have armed men entering the building as we speak. Walk down the stairs and enter the lobby with your hands placed behind your head.’
    ‘Inspector, please. Raised voices are not part of the Tribeca ethos. We are so very happy you were able to join us here today. As with all Tribeca guests, you should want for nothing during your stay. If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to contact me personally.’
    Unable to control his growing anger, Savage’s voice continued to rise. ‘I want you to know the hotel is being placed into lockdown. There will be no way in and no way out,’ he shouted. ‘We will search the building floor by floor until we have you cornered. You should take the opportunity to give yourself up while you can.’
    But the voice on the phone remained calm. ‘As hotel manager, I have to say how sorry I am Jackson Harlington had to cut short his stay. The last thing we ever want is a dissatisfied guest. Hopefully we went some way towards making his stay a memorable one.’
    There was a pause.
    ‘And Inspector, please do be assured you’ll be hearing from me again once you’ve had a chance to fully settle in and acquaint yourself with our luxurious surroundings. I like to ensure as many of our guests as possible receive my own very special attention.’

CHAPTER 9
    ROSCOE WATCHED AS Savage slammed down the phone before turning to face him.
    ‘We’re dealing with a madman. He’s completely insane.’
    ‘Any specific demands?’
    ‘Nothing. We’re not going to be able to negotiate. He thinks he’s running the hotel. Said he hoped I would enjoy my stay. Total nut job. We’ve got to close this place down, no one in, no one out. In the end he’ll be left with nowhere to hide.’
    But Roscoe was concerned at the thought of keeping over a hundred people trapped in the hotel.
    ‘I think you’re wrong. We need to start getting these people out of here. They’re not safe. Any one of them could be the next target.’ He softened his tone, remembering the best way to get Savage on side was to flatter