The Cost of Commitment - KJ2

by Lynn Ames

  “What do you want?”

  “We want what all decent human beings want: to be treated with dignity, to get paid fairly for our work, to be taught useful trades, to be well fed. This is not too much to ask.”

  “And in exchange you will let your hostages go?”

  “As you no doubt know, we have already agreed to let three of the hostages go in exchange for this opportunity to explain our position.”

  “Where are they?”

  Kumar motioned to the D block passageway. Loudly, he called,

  “Show them.”

  Three faces appeared in the narrow window in the door leading to D

  block.

  “They will be released as soon as we are done here.”

  “When will you release Ms. Kyle?”

  The Cost of Commitment

  “That depends on the prison leadership. As soon as they meet our demands, we can begin to negotiate her freedom. Until then, she will remain our guest.” He began to turn around.

  “Wait!” Wendy cried. “I want to talk to her.”

  “No. It is enough that you can see she is alive.”

  “She hasn’t said anything.”

  “Say something.” Kumar pulled Kate next to him.

  “Hello, Wendy.”

  “Are you all right?”

  “Never better.”

  “That is enough.” Kumar yanked on Kate’s handcuffs.

  She stumbled, falling against Wendy, knocking both of them over. In the reporter’s ear Kate whispered desperately, “Take this and give it to Jay. Tell her I love her and always will.”

  Wendy felt her hand close around something metal. She quickly put it in her pocket.

  As the two large inmates roughly pulled Kate to her feet, a folded piece of paper dropped to the floor. Wendy rolled over to stand up, sliding the paper under her shoe in the process.

  “Take her back,” Kumar instructed Antoine and Zack. “When we have cleared the door without incident, we will allow the others to go free.”

  The inmates, with Kate between them, disappeared through the door to D block as the three captive officers were shoved unceremoniously into Times Square.

  In the confusion, Wendy bent down and spirited the folded paper into her pocket.

  The governor’s car pulled up to the front gate, where he disembarked and strode purposefully into the administration building. Peter waited a beat and followed inconspicuously with the plainclothes state troopers assigned to guard New York’s chief executive.

  The group was greeted by a surprised correction officer who barely looked old enough to shave. “Sir.” The officer snapped to attention as the governor approached. “I wasn’t told you were coming.”

  “Sometimes life surprises you, son.”

  “I’ll get Commissioner Redfield for you right away. If you’ll just come with me.”

  The officer led the governor and Peter to the empty prison superintendent’s office. Peter’s eyes were immediately drawn to the television set on the wall.

  “What the...?”

  Lynn Ames

  The governor, who had been looking out the window at the media gathering across the street, quickly turned his attention to the source of Peter’s agitation. On the screen was a shot of Times Square, where an inmate in a black ski mask was being interviewed live on television. The two men watched as Kate was thrust forward, stumbled, fell, and was hauled back up onto her feet.

  Peter was out the door and down the A block corridor leading to Times Square before the governor could say a word.

  “Sir.” An older officer attempted to stop him halfway down the hallway. “Mr. Enright, you can’t go down—”

  “Get out of my way,” Peter ground out.

  “I’m sorry, sir. There’s a hostage exchange in progress. You can’t go in there.”

  “Come again?”

  “Three of the hostages and a news camera will be coming this way any second.”

  “Explain.”

  “Commissioner Redfield agreed to let the inmates appear on TV in exchange for their freedom.”

  Peter tried to clamp down on his anger. This was insanity. “What three?”

  “The three officers from D block, ten company, sir.”

  “What about the PIO?”

  “The deal was that we would get to see that she was alive.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Where are the CERT teams?”

  “Standing by, sir.”

  “No rescue attempt has been made?”

  “No, sir. I talked to one of the CERT guys from Collins and he said their plan to retrieve the packages was vetoed by Commissioner Redfield.” The officer paused. “It’s okay to tell you that, right, sir? You still have clearance, right?”

  “It’s a little late for that, but yes, I still have top-level authorization.”

  There was a tremendous commotion at the end of the corridor, and Peter looked up to see the three ex-hostages being led into a side office, dazed expressions on their dirt-streaked faces, their hands still constrained by the flexicuffs.

  Following close behind was a cameraman and the female reporter Peter had seen on the screen moments earlier. They were being led directly toward him.

  “Wait.” Peter put his hand out to stop them.

  “Mr. Enright, sir?”

  The Cost of Commitment

  “I need to talk to the reporter. Alone—in here.” He pointed to a cramped, empty office to his right.

  “But, sir—”

  “Now.” Peter’s authoritative tone brooked no argument.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll just wait outside, sir.”

  Peter steered Wendy into the office, closing the door behind them.

  “Do I know you?” she asked.

  “All you need to know is that I’m a friend of Kate’s. She gave you something in there. What was it?”

  The reporter narrowed her eyes, but refused to respond.

  “Look. You’re Ashton, right?”

  “I like to know who I’m talking to.”

  “My name is Peter Enright. I’m a friend of Kate and Jay’s.”

  “She’s never mentioned you.”

  “To you? You’re a reporter.”

  “Very observant.”

  “I’m shy.”

  “I have trouble believing that.”

  “Look, I don’t have time to argue with you. I know Kate gave you something. I need to know what it was. I’m here to help her. Obviously she trusts you, or she wouldn’t have given whatever it was to you.”

  “I’ll only give it to Jay.”

  Peter’s patience was running thin. “If this is something that tells us how to help Kate, I need to see it now.”

  Wendy stared at him defiantly. “I’ll deliver it to Jay and Jay alone. I assure you it is nothing that has any impact on Kate’s physical well-being.”

  “You’re after an exclusive with Jay.”

  Wendy actually laughed. “Listen, you may not think much of reporters, and I suppose I should be insulted just on principle, but the fact of the matter is that I have no professional interest at the moment in seeing Jay. I give you my word.”

  Peter considered the woman in front of him and everything Kate had told him about her, and he made a decision. “All right. I will have a driver take you to Jay on two conditions.”

  Wendy folded her arms and raised her eyebrows.

  “One—you tell no one that Jay is here or that you saw her.”

  “Done.”

  “Two—you show me what it is first.”

  “I told you—”

  “I know what you told me. You either want to see Jay and give her whatever you’ve got—or not.”

  Wendy blew out a breath in exasperation. “Okay.”

  Lynn Ames

  “Thank you.”

  She reached into her pants pocket and found the object. Placing it in the palm of her hand she said, “Here.”

  Peter gazed do
wn at the diamond-and-sapphire ring Jay had given Kate to symbolize their love. It brought a lump to his throat.

  Seeing his emotion, Wendy offered, “She told me to give this to Jay.”

  “Thank you,” he said quietly.

  Wendy bit her lip. “There’s something else.”

  “Yes?”

  “She dropped this on the ground. I think it was intentional.” She held out two pieces of folded paper. “I didn’t finish reading them, because they were personal. They’re letters to Jay.”

  “You’re a good person, Ashton. I’ll get your ride ready.”

  Jay was on the phone with her editor. “No, I don’t know anything more yet, Trish. I just got here a little while ago.”

  “I can tell you what’s on the wire.”

  “I’ve got CNN on.” It was like déjà vu for Jay, watching live coverage of a crisis in which Kate featured prominently. Seven months earlier it had been her reporting of the capitol bombing that had brought them together. On this day—no, she didn’t want to think about it.

  “If there’s anything I can do, Jay—”

  “Oh my God,” Jay gasped.

  “What is it?”

  “I’ve got to go.” Jay hung up the phone as Trish was still talking in her ear and turned up the volume on the television. She watched in horror as the camera zoomed in on Kate’s battered form. Haltingly, she walked toward the television set, her fingers reaching out to caress her lover’s misshapen face. “Oh, Kate. What have they done to you?”

  “Jay?” There was a knock on the partially open door. “Jay, can I come in?”

  When there was no answer, Brian Sampson poked his head inside.

  The poignancy of the scene in front of him made him want to weep. He approached this woman he barely knew and put an arm around her shoulders. Softly, he said, “She’s alive, Jay. That’s a good sign.”

  Hollowly, she asked, “What do you think they’ve done to her?”

  No further elaboration was required. Sampson knew what she was really asking. “I don’t know, Jay, but I don’t get the sense that she’s in any worse shape than she was when they captured her. The injuries you see are consistent with the struggle she put up when they first took her.”

  “Okay.” Jay tried to get control over her legs, which felt like they had turned to Jell-o. Kate had just fallen on top of Wendy. Her heart flipped The Cost of Commitment

  in her chest when the inmates yanked her roughly to her feet and took her away, Jay’s fingers following her lover’s retreating image. She sat down heavily on the bed.

  “Jay, Peter will do everything in his power to bring Kate out. You know him—he won’t let you down.”

  “What if he can’t get to her in time? What if...” she choked, unable to finish the sentence, tears streaming down her face.

  “Have faith, Jay. That’s all you can do. Peter’s the best. He’ll get the job done.”

  Some minutes later the phone rang. When Jay made no move to answer it, Sampson did.

  “Hello?”

  Without preamble Peter said, “The reporter you saw on screen is on her way in an unmarked car. Let her see Jay.”

  “Wh—”

  “It’s okay. Trust me. It’s not about a story. Still, you might want to make yourself scarce until she’s gone. Your presence might raise unnecessary questions.”

  “Thanks for the warning. Peter, I’ve got the Breathwaite-Redfield conversation about the TV interview on tape. I just found it. My guess is the conversation took place while we were outside with Jay. The interview was a ploy to get the three officers freed without raising suspicion. Showing Kate was supposed to lend an air of legitimacy to the deal. The officer who accompanied the reporter is Breathwaite’s plant.

  You might want to shut him down. Also, he’s got an ex-con communicating the instructions to the inmates. Breathwaite had his inside guy smuggle the scum in disguised as a current inmate.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “Randy and the CERT guys had a plan to go in—Redfield vetoed it.”

  “I know, a helpful officer was nice enough to tell me that just a few minutes ago. I’m going to track down the CERT commanders right now.

  I want to hear what Tech Services found, then I’m going in there to get her.”

  “What do you need from me?”

  “What the reporter’s going to give Jay is going to be tough for her.

  Can you make sure she’s okay?”

  “Of course. She saw the dog-and-pony show. She’s pretty shook up.”

  “Wouldn’t you be?”

  “You bet. She’s worried about whether or not Kate’s been raped.”

  “An understandable concern. I don’t think so, if it’s any consolation.”

  “I agree with you, and that’s what I told her.”

  “Good. Listen, I’ve got to go, and you should get out of sight. That reporter should be there any second.”

  Lynn Ames

  “I’ll let Jay know.”

  Jay was standing outside when the car pulled up in the motel parking lot. She waited impatiently as Wendy Ashton slid out of the back seat.

  “Hello, Wendy.”

  “Hi, Jay. I wish we didn’t have to meet like this. One of these days, we’re just going to get together socially—you, me, and Kate.” She smiled wanly.

  Jay squeezed her hand. “Come inside.”

  “Did you see the interview?”

  “Yes.” Jay’s face was tense and drawn, her eyes deeply shadowed.

  “I’m sorry, Jay. I took no pleasure in doing that.”

  “It’s okay, Wendy. It’s not your fault. I’m glad you were the one who got to see her. I’m glad she got to see...” Jay’s voice faltered as a renewed wave of tears threatened. She swallowed hard. “I’m glad she got to see a friendly face.”

  “She gave me some things for you, and a message to pass along.”

  “She did?”

  “Yep, sure did.”

  “How on earth could she have done that? Her hands were cuffed and she wasn’t allowed to speak to you except for the one or two words.”

  “Did you see her lose her balance and fall on me?”

  “Yeah. They shoved her.”

  Wendy smiled at the protective tone in Jay’s voice. “Yes, but that’s not why she fell.”

  “No?”

  Wendy shook her head. “I think she did that intentionally so she could give me this.” She held out her hand.

  “Oh.” Jay’s hand flew to her mouth as a sound somewhere between a gasp and a moan escaped her lips. With trembling fingers she took Kate’s ring, turning it so that she could read the inscription. Eternity.

  “She said to tell you she loves you so very much, and that she always will.”

  Jay could not speak. The tears flowed freely from her eyes, cascading down her face in rivulets. Unaware that she was saying the words out loud, she whispered, “I love you, too, sweetheart. So, so very much.

  Come home to me.”

  Wendy cleared her throat. “She also dropped these at my feet. I’m pretty sure she meant for me to bring them to you.”

  Jay took the pieces of folded paper, opening them lovingly. She began to read.

  The Cost of Commitment

  Dear Jay,

  I know it’s silly to be writing this down, since I’ll probably talk to you before this could reach you, but it will make me feel better, so here goes...

  “Um, as soon as I realized they were addressed to you and that they were personal, I stopped reading.”

  Jay looked up. “Thank you, Wendy. Thank you for these gifts, and thank you for being there for Kate. I can’t tell you what these mean to me.” She tucked the notes away protectively—she needed to be alone when she read them.

  Embarrassed by the strong emotion in the room, Wendy mumbled, “I can just guess.”

  Jay pulled the hard-boiled reporter into a hug.

  “She’s going to be all right, Jay. She’s tough and resilient.
You’ll see—this is going to have a happy ending.”

  “I hope you’re right, Wendy.”

  “I know I am. Well,” she continued after an awkward moment of silence, “I’ve got to be getting back. There’s a rumor that the governor’s in the jail.”

  “Good luck, Wendy.”

  “Godspeed, Jay.”

  Lynn Ames

  The Cost of Commitment

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  eter returned to the superintendent’s office, where the governor Pwas still waiting to be briefed.

  “Governor, do you trust me?”

  “I wouldn’t have put you in charge of this operation if I didn’t, Peter.

  Why the question?”

  “I’m going to ask you to do something extraordinary, and I won’t be able to show you supporting evidence until we get out of here.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Commissioner Redfield and David Breathwaite are involved in a plot to have Katherine Kyle killed. The uprising is just a sideshow to divert attention and give them an opportunity to make it look like an inmate-driven event.”

  The governor sat down heavily. “That’s a pretty serious accusation.”

  “Yes, sir, it is. And I wouldn’t make it unless I was positive of the facts. I have the two of them on tape discussing the details.

  Commissioner Sampson is still recording even as we speak. I got a Supreme Court judge in Albany to grant me a warrant to wiretap them based on probable cause before I left.”

  “How did you manage that?”

  “Let’s just say I had enough facts and evidence to support the warrant and the judge was willing to listen.” Peter had taken the materials Kate had given him just prior to her departure, pored over them for more than an hour after she had left for Attica, then made an appointment with a judge as soon as he’d heard about Breathwaite leaving for the prison.

  He’d chosen a New York State Supreme Court judge because they had jurisdiction over the entire state. Then it was just a matter of pleading his case and being granted his wiretap on the way to the airport.

  “And Brian is aware of what’s going on?”

  Lynn Ames

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What is it you want me to do?”