Page 36 of Deadly Sins: Envy

CHAPTER 18

Murphy flashed Coop a look of displeasure when we approached.

“I told you not to come here,” Murphy said.

“If it was your niece, what would you do?” Coop asked.

Murphy muttered something under his breath and then said, “Stay with me and keep quiet.”

“Where are they?” I asked.

“In room to the far right of the house. Neighbor told us it was his mother’s bedroom.”

“How’s the negotiation going?”

Murphy bent his head toward a man standing a few feet away wearing a flak jacket with the words “Police Negotiator” on the back.

“Brandon Hughes has been briefed,” Murphy said. “We’re about to find out how it goes.”

Hughes held up a megaphone and spoke into it. “Hi Alex, my name is Brandon. I’m here to help. Will you let me know if you can hear me?”

“Yep,” Alex shouted through a cracked window. “I can.”

“That’s great, Alex. Is there anything I can do for you right now? Is there anything you need?”

Alex laughed. “Two muffulettas from Vic’s, a bottle of chardonnay, and some beignets from Bourbon Street Bakery.”

“Sure, I can get those for you. Anything else?”

“Peace and quiet. Leave everything by the side door next to the bedroom, and don’t do anything stupid.”

A female officer was sent to get the items he’d requested.

“What now?” I asked.

“Now we wait,” Murphy said.

“For how long?” I asked.

“As long as it takes.”

While we waited, I noticed what appeared to be a pair of binoculars pressed against Rita’s bedroom window. Alex was scanning the scene, scanningus.

Forty-five minutes later, the female officer returned with a box in hand. She passed it off to Hughes. He walked the box to the side door and set it down. He let Alex know his request had been filled, and then he backed away. The door opened, and a woman’s hand reached out, pulling the box inside.

I knew it wasn’t much—just a hand—but seeing it gave me hope.

Hughes waited several minutes and then started up again.

“How are the sandwiches?” Hughes asked.

“Fine,” Alex said.

“How’s Willow doing? She all right?”

“She’s fine.”

“There’s no reason for anyone to get hurt here,” Hughes said.