The end to a nervewracking and weird weekend

[guidehimback]

The truck was full of gear, Blair was bleary eyed and barely awake and they were racing into Cascade as fast as that old truck could go. Guzzling coffee, Blair stole glances at Jim. He was tight jawed though his hands were relaxed on the wheel. He lived for this. No wonder he took everything at the cabin in stride when Blair was still a wreck from

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[walkstheborders]

With the infamous words, "Stay in the truck, he's talking about shooting outside," Jim slipped from the truck, sighed when Blair inevitably followed him and got the low down.

"I don't see what you want me to do about him, Simon. I'm not a negotiator. I can go in, but I don't know if that will help." He looked to Blair. "And no, you're not coming in if I go in."

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Simon looked back at the house and then to Jim. "Because if we can't settle this peacefully, you're the best."

Blair looked away when he realized what Simon meant. If the man had to be taken out, Jim was going to have to do it.

"Who is he holding?"

"His wife, the woman's sister and..." He shook his head. "And their fifteen year old daughter. He says he won't let his family go."

"Jim, maybe I can help. I know I'm not a professional negotiator but there's a kid in there."

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He bit back the automatic desire to snap at Blair to get back into the truck where it was safe. Blair was go with people. "He's already killed two people, Chief. I don't want anyone getting near him, let alone you." He looked to the vehicle. "But... if you think you can reason with him... Are we likely to see was state negotiator sent in time to stop him doing anything?"

Simon shook his head.

"You don't go near that house though, you got me, Sandburg?"

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Blair nodded, eager to show Jim that he could be useful to every situation the sentinel, his sentinel, needed him.

"If nothing else it might distract him,' he pointed out.

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Jim looked to Simon. Simon rolled his eyes and chomped his cigar.

That was as close to permission as they were likely to get. "Come on, then." He went over to the loud speaker and handed it to Blair. "His name's David Allan. The wife is Rose, the sister is Denise and the daughter is Alessa. The first priority is the girl."

He grabbed one of the armoured vests and started strapping it on. In case he had to go in.

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Blair took the mike, looking at Jim for a long time as he considered what to say.

"Jim, tell me what you hear inside?"

[walkstheborders]

He closed his eyes, filtering past the sound of the cops and into the house. Racing hearts, four of them... "A woman crying. A man telling her to shut up, she never could her nose out of their business, well now it's her business too. Another woman, the mother, talking to her daughter, very softly, telling her it's going to be okay, Dad would never hurt her. The girl is silent, but I can hear her breathing."

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Four of them and all still alive. It was a start.

"Mister Allen?" Blair called out, polite and calm through the system. "Sir, I want to speak to you. My name's Blair and I'm a consultant with the police department."

[walkstheborders]

"He just went silent," Jim murmured softly. "The mother is still reassuring the daughter, the sister in law is... relieved. Frightened still. You have his attention though."

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Nodding, Blair thought about what he was going to say.

"Mister Allen? David? I can't help you if you won't talk to me. Please. Nothing is going to be solved if we're quiet about this. You don't want to hurt them. If you didn't love them, you wouldn't be doing this."

[walkstheborders]

"So far so good. No ranting or raving or temper. He's talking to himself. Tell him you're going to call him so he doesn't have to shout out across the street."

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"I'm going to call the house now,' he called, setting that down and reaching for the cellphone.

Simon held the number out to him and Blair dialed.

He wasn't even thinking about it when he shifted closer to Jim.

[walkstheborders]

"He's going for the phone. Telling them all to be quiet."

It was in stereo to Jim when the man answered, saying nothing more than, "What?"

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Blair wasn't sure what to say, he really wasn't. He looked up at Jim and then felt he knew.

"David, what's your daughter's name?" He knew but he wanted to hear how the man talked about his daughter, his wife.

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There was silence, even to Jim.

"Alessa. Her name's Alessa. She's fine."

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"I know she is, David. I know you wouldn't hurt her." Keep using his name, make this personal. He tried to remember everything he'd seen on cop shows.

"I know you love her and want her safe. I'm worried that someone could get overzealous out here and... David, this isn't fair to her. This is between you and your wife. Why don't you send her out here with me. I don't think you want her seeing you like this."