Chapter 4: The Hostage Exchange

I’ve been here seven years, and this city’s public safety isn’t half bad. Most calls are noise complaints or some drunk dude brawling outside a pizza joint on 8th Street. Real emergencies are rare.

Never thought I’d run into one on my last shift. But fate’s got a mean sense of humor.

A brutal kidnapping. The kind that makes the evening news and haunts you in your sleep.

The kidnapper wanted three million in ransom and a getaway van. The precinct was chaos—phones ringing off the hook, radios crackling, everyone moving with that special kind of adrenaline only a ticking clock brings.

When I got to the scene, a cold drizzle fell, turning the air into a curtain of rain and diesel. My colleague Melissa sat on the steps, eyes red-rimmed.

"Rachel, the negotiator’s already inside. The kidnapper wants to swap hostages."

"Swap hostages?"

"Yeah... because the current hostage is pregnant."

The tension was thick, like the moment before lightning hits. If the kidnapper agreed to a swap, one of us would have to take her place.

"So... anyone picked?"

Melissa bit her lip. "He wants a woman."

There were only two female officers on shift: Melissa and me. Melissa’s husband is a detective, but he’s laid up in the hospital after getting hurt on the job.

I took off my gun and handed it to Melissa. "I get it. I’ll go."

My stomach twisted, but I squared my shoulders. Melissa’s eyes begged me not to go, but I couldn’t let her take this risk. Seven years, and Melissa had my back more times than Jason ever did. We were partners, ride-or-die. She’d saved me, I’d saved her.

Melissa sobbed, grabbing me in a desperate hug. "Rachel, I’m sorry. I know you’re about to get married, I’m sorry, but Mike’s still in the hospital..."

"I know."

I patted her shoulder, then turned and walked into the rain. The drizzle turned to a cold sheet, plastering my hair to my forehead. The city felt miles away, swallowed by gray and sirens.

The factory on the outskirts looked straight out of a horror movie—shattered windows, graffiti, rusty metal. Through the haze, I saw the woman in the kidnapper’s arms. Even pale and terrified, she was beautiful. Her long dark hair was soaked, clinging to her face, her hands cradling her belly.

"Please, save me. I’m pregnant—I’m carrying Jason Carter’s baby..."

My heart stuttered. The system reminded me: [It’s Emily.]

I stared at her through the rain, a cocktail of dread, anger, and something that tasted like defeat churning in my gut.

The kidnapper pressed a knife to her skin, drawing blood. "Get over here, or she’s toast."

Emily’s eyes were wide with terror. "Rachel, please, I can’t die. Jason would lose it. If he finds out you didn’t save me, he’ll hate you forever..."

So she knew exactly who I was. I glanced at Melissa, sighed, and stepped forward. My badge felt heavier than ever as I handed it over. Was this really how I’d go out?

The blade pressed against my neck, and Emily stumbled into the waiting arms of the police. Now it was just me and the kidnapper.

"I want the car."

Before I got in, the captain gave me a look. The plan was simple: they’d track the route. I just had to cooperate and wait for a window to take him down. I nodded, bracing myself.

I was tied up and shoved into the passenger seat. At the last second, I saw Jason break through the crowd, cradling the unconscious Emily. His face was a blur of panic and rage—a look he’d never worn for me.