Page 2 of Race to Save Her

liquor store owner is alive and stable,

video of suspect and car coming and going

search warrant in place for house and car, looking for all weapons, drugs, money from robbery

“Brandon, the liquor store owner is alive.”

“He’s dead. You weren’t there… I saw him⁠—”

“No, Brandon, he’s alive and in a stable condition.”

There was a pause.

“We can work this out.”

“It’s too late for me.”

“It’s not. I’ll help you.”

“No, it’s too late.”

“You have people who care about you. Your daughters. Think about how this will affect the rest of their lives.”

“I…”

“Brandon, can you put the gun down?” Devlin listened for anything else in the background that could indicate Brandon was readying himself to shoot. The SWAT team’s safety was Devlin’s primary concern. No one was going to die today. “Brandon, take the first step. Put down the gun.”

A pause. “Okay…”

“Good,” said Devlin, breathing a silent sigh of relief. “That’s a good start.”

“They need to back away from my property. They’re too close.”

“We can’t do that, Brandon. You know that.”

“That’s the only way I’m coming out alive.”

“Give us something first. Open your door with your hands up.”

Agonizing seconds passed.

“Nah… I… I… can’t do that.”

“You can. And then this will be over.”

The connection went click.

Devlin tried to retrieve the number several times and it went straight to voicemail.

“Dammit!”

The police radio rattled with commands from the SWAT sergeant to breach.

Devlin flung open the door to the van and jumped out. He looked toward Brandon’s house. After the front windows smashed, Devlin heard the flash-bangs detonate. Smoke filled the air. He kept moving toward the residence.

The front door flew open and a man in a white T-shirt and black jeans emerged. His hands were in the air as he coughed with intensity.

The SWAT operators kept a tight formation, yelling, “Keep your hands up! Get down on the ground! Now! Get down on the ground!” A strong wall of armed enforcement descended upon the man.