The police quickly setup a perimeter. Detective Paul Sanders, a seasoned if not somewhat unconventional hostage negotiator took in everything.

The S.W.A.T. team was on the way, so he only had so much time to initiate contact with the perps inside the church building.

Fortune smiled upon him. “Detective Sanders, the perps have made contact,” a subordinate informed him, handing him a phone. “He calls himself Tim.”

“Hello, Tim. Detective Paul Sanders, Montgomery PD. How can I help you today?”

“You can start by wiping that stupid grin off your face,” Tim responded, viewing Detective Sanders through binoculars.

“You want me to know you’re watching me. You have eyes in the sky. Can we cut to the chase, Tim? Time is of the essence.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Tim said. “If even one officer enters the building, you’ll be responsible for ten lives. Clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Now, would you like to hear our demands?”

“Please, Tim. The suspense is killing me,” Detective Sanders said. “I can hardly contain myself.”