Page 62 of Nowhere to Hide
Kreiger continued walking, and she returned to the vehicle. “I’m calling Ryan,” she told everyone, taking her seat and putting on her headset.
The others got ready, and she made the call.
Ryan answered. “I didn’t mean to do that. It just happened.”
Sandra had heard that line before, and it hadn’t boded well in the past. “What happened, Ryan?”
“I fired the gun, but I promise no one was hurt. I swear.”
“I hear you. I even believe you, but my boss… well, he’ll want proof before we move ahead with the reporter. Could I talk to every one of the Hansons?”
“Okay.”
There was a rustling on that end.
“Get… me… out… of… here.” Edward’s speech was fragmented, and Sandra took little encouragement that he was still alive. He sounded rough.
“Trust me, I’m working on that.”
“Next,” Ryan said.
Soon after, “Hello?” It was the voice of a young girl.
“Is this Sophie?”
“Yes.”
“It’s Sandra Vos. I’m with the FBI. Is everyone in there okay?”
“Not really. My dad… He’s not looking so good.” She started crying.
“I get it, Sophie. Just hang in there, okay? Hopefully, this will all be over soon.”
“Please.”
At the girl’s earnest appeal, Sandra pinched her St. Michael pendant. Her brother didn’t need to die. And the last thing she wanted to do was fail Edward and the Hansons. “I’m doing all I can. Can you put me on with your mother?”
“Yes.”
“This is Ashley.”
“How are you, ma’am? Have you been hurt?”
“No, only my husband was earlier.”
“And the shot that was just fired?”
“That bullet went into the?—”
“Enough,” Ryan cut in.
There was some more rustling, then a boy spoke.
“Hello? It’s Brayden.”
“How are you doing, Brayden?”
“I couldn’t breathe, but now I… can.”
