‘Look you need to ring him or the girl will die’ Says Shaw as he holds out a mobile phone.

‘I…Don’t know his number’ Stutters Eddie.

‘The number is already in this Phone. I put Franks SIM card into this department phone just in case Shaw rings back. Just hit redial and you’ll get through.’

Eddie looks on in terror as Chase’s eyes fill the room through the ominous TV screen.

‘I…I…I’ Stutters Eddie

‘Ring him!’ Shouts Shaw as he hands the phone over to Eddie.

Eddie’s fingers stumble as he attempts to press the green button. Shaw interrupts as he mashes the button down and holds the phone close to Eddie’s head. The dial tone hits as a ringing sound echoes from the TV. Chase smiles as he looks down at the ringing phone on the stool next to him. The girl starts to cry as Chase picks the phone up.

‘I’m glad you did not fold Eddie’ Says Chase in his trademark chilling tone.

Eddie remains silent as he watches the TV in shock and horror. His blood feels ice cold, coursing through his veins as his pulse rises in anticipation of the next hand.

‘Speak up Eddie, I could swear that you’re not talking. That wouldn’t bode well for this foxy lady to my right.’ Says Chase as he grabs the girls arm. She lets out a terrifying scream.

‘Crystal?’ Shouts Eddie

Chase laughs as he grabs her tighter. The red raw marks on her arm are shining in the dim light as Connor squeezes harder.

‘The bitch can’t here you Mr DA. I’d play your hand if I was you or all bets are off. Did I kill the girl on the train or is your daughter standing next to me?’

Eddie stutters into the Phone as he collects his thoughts.

‘I don’t believe you even had her’ He finally says.

Chase laughs as he lets the girls arm go. He takes out his Desert Eagle and scratches his face with the shiny metallic barrel.

‘I had a feeling you would play your cards like that. You have a terrible poker face. Well I’m feeling generous so I’ll see you to that bet. Roll the footage.’ Says Connor

The TV screen flickers from the live image to a handheld home recording style picture as Crystal stands in the middle of the train’s cabin holding a newspaper. The camera zooms into her face and then down to the newspaper. It reads the exact date of the morning’s issue. Eddie’s face drops as the sketchy footage cuts back to the live stream.

‘As you can see I prepared a little video of your daughter on board the train holding a newspaper with today’s date on it. Now what I want to know is, was she placed at the front of the train with all those unlucky souls or did she get a second chance at life while she stands next to me here? It’s your choice. Make it snappy DA Smith.’

Eddie freezes as he looks into the TV at the girl on the screen.

‘You killed her didn’t you, you son of a bitch?’ Screams Eddie as he clenches his fist in anger

Ninety Two

Sandra’s ears are ringing as she lays flat on her back looking up at the sky. She see’s white clouds disappear as black smoke bellows into the crisp air. She turns her head slightly to see Mike lying on the floor unconscious. She heaves herself up, the ringing in her ear still gnawing at her. She finally manages to balance on her feet as she looks around at the devastation around her. Debris is floating around the air like pollen in a field. The train in front of her is torn in half as fire chars the sides of the platform and engulfs the tracks.  Smoke fogs the air as she struggles to breath. She starts to cough violently as she moves away from the searing inferno. She hears people screaming in pain as she spots someone trapped between the train and platform. She rushes over and sees a dark women in distress. She bends down to try and help the lady. The woman looks up at Sandra with pleading eyes.

‘Please help me’ she sobs.

‘Don’t worry everything is going to be alright’

‘Hurry I’m pregnant.’

Sandra stops dead as she looks down at the tracks and spots some decapitated legs. She looks down at the women in sorrow as she realises who they belong to. The woman continues to plead for help as Sandra grabs her hand.

‘Don’t worry I’m here.’ She says.

The woman chokes as blood escapes her mouth. Her eyes roll back into her head as she gasps for breath. Sandra grips her hand harder as she shakes the women.

‘Stay with me’ Screams Sandra

The woman’s grip loosens from Sandra’s hand as her palms drop to her side. The woman’s frantic breathing ceases as Sandra lets go.

‘Shit’ Screams Sandra as she mourns the lost soul.

Ninety Three

‘I guess we will never know’ Laughs Chase as places the gun to the terrified girls head and pulls the trigger. The sound of the shot echoes as Eddie and Shaw watch in shock. The girls head snaps to the right as the muzzle flash explodes on screen. The temporary blinding light clears and reveals Connor smiling in self-satisfaction. He holsters his weapon.

‘You play a shoddy game Mr DA. I’m sure we will meet again at some point. Maybe then you can play your cards right, till then, I bid you farewell.’

Connor hangs the phone up leaving Shaw and Smith in shock as Eddie shakes uncontrollably. Chief Shaw pulls a chair up for Eddie to sit down. Shaw gently pushes Eddie into the seat. He grabs a flask from his jacket pocket and hands it over to Eddie who remains wide eyed.

Connor continues to pace on screen as he addresses the camera.

‘Now we have that out of the way I look forward to some phone calls from the people in charge of this show. I will continue to do things my way until I get what I want. The authorities know where I am and how to contact me. I expect them to get in touch me in the next hour or I will kill every single person in this building. Then I’ll be out of here and the government will have to explain why over three hundred people had to die at the hands of Connor Chase, looks like the whole “Not negotiating with terrorists” thing hasn’t panned out so far. What makes you think it’s going to get any better? You’ll be hearing from me soon’

The TV goes black as the broadcast ends. The room remains in shock as officers look on as Eddie stares at the screen. Shaw pats Eddie on the shoulder snapping him out of his daze. He looks at Shaw with dead eyes as he gets up from his chair and swigs the flask dry. He tosses the empty tin flask on the desk. It clangs as it swivels on the wooden surface. Eddie slowly walks out towards the door of the incident room as a sea of officer’s part way for him. He stops at the door and turns around. He gives Shaw an apologetic look. He turns back to face the door and disappears through it. The room goes sour with silence as the officers look on in dismay.

Ninety Four

Officer Mullins hears another knock on the passenger window as he taps his fingers nervously on the steering wheel. He turns his head slowly, expecting to see his partner on his right standing woefully at the window. To his shock he sees Frank McKenzie waiting patiently. Mullins quickly unlocks the door allowing Frank in.

‘What are you doing here?’ Asks Mullins as he eye balls Frank’s serious domineer.

‘I was going to ask you the same thing’

‘Well don’t bother; I’m just sitting here doing nothing while the world goes to shit’

Frank laughs as he lights up a cigarette.

‘I feel your pain Officer Mullins.’

Frank clicks the ashtray open on the dashboard. He taps the cigarette’s end, shedding ash into the receptacle.

‘Truth is I don’t like sitting on my ass doing nothing.’ Says Mullins

‘We don’t have to’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I’m sure you have noticed how I may sway from given orders in some situations.’

Mullins smiles while checking his rear view mirror.

‘I can’t say I have noticed Frank’