Robbery In Progress

*Kelsey*

"We found them," Matty announced as I walked into the conference room. We've been combing through Jason's financials for a few hours now. I took a break to go get coffee about twenty minutes ago. I mostly just did it to get away from Emma for a second. It was so infuriating that she didn't want to be with me but also couldn't seem to leave me alone. Why couldn't she stay at the hospital with her sister or something? Okay, not upset. Back to business. Drew joined us in our search after he got off the phone with organized crime. They were, of course, not very forthcoming about anything. But they did suggest that they may have started monitoring the property for that case three years ago. That would have given Jason plenty of time to prepare a backup plan. They also mentioned that if they had any informants assisting in the investigation, it's possible their agreement could have been breached. "It happens sometimes," they said. This is why I didn't like the feds, they created this. If they had just followed through on *something*, we wouldn't be here right now.

Shaking my head, I plopped down in the seat across from Matty. "We did?"

"Well, maybe. We found a payment Jason made to a security company in New York shortly after his deal with the FBI...uh...fell through," Drew jumped in to explain. I could see the struggle he was facing about that last part. I could sit over on my high horse and complain about the feds, but he couldn't. Even though he wanted to. "That company owns a warehouse just outside the city. If I was Jason, that's where I would go. But I wouldn't stay there long, most likely he's going to flee the country. He knows going back to prison could mean death. All his ex-con buddies have to know by now that he betrayed them."

"Okay, so we better get over there. The longer we sit here the more likely it is that he's already gone." I stood up and started putting my coat back on.

"I've already called to arrange a SWAT team. They are going to meet us there," Emma said from the doorway. She must have gone back in to talk to Joe and Sarah. I kind of felt bad that we were keeping them locked in that interview room all day, I'm glad someone was keeping them updated. Even if it was Emma, who I was currently mad at.

When we arrived at the site there were only a few lights on in and around the property. The wide open space meant this was a tactical nightmare, but it didn't seem like there was many people here. Either this is a small company, or Jason has already left.

Option two would suck, but having access to this facility and some of the men who worked here would be great.

"We got the warrant, right?" Emma asked as we all slipped out of the SUVs to congregate outside by the hoods.

"We did. I've got it here," Drew gestured to the folded paperwork in his hand. "SWAT is doing a perimeter check, when they give the go-ahead we can approach. Harrison, you take lead. If there is anyone to talk down in there, this is still your case to negotiate."

Emma nodded in agreement just as the SWAT lead let us know we were in the clear.

"Thanks, Dave." Emma murmured before heading towards the front door of the building. Everyone fell in line behind her. The buzz of anticipation was infecting all of us as she knocked and we waited for a reply. I didn't recognize the man who opened the door, that didn't mean anything quite yet but it was a bit discouraging.

"Can I help you?" The man asked, masking his defensive behavior with confusion.

"We have a warrant for this property. And for Jason Roberts and his accomplices. Is Mr. Roberts here?" Emma's voice was calm, hard, almost cold. It was a side of her I hadn't seen yet. She was usually soft and forgiving, but this was hardass Emma. I kind of liked it. Is that weird? Probably, but I didn't care.

The man started to shut the door but the SWAT leader, Dave apparently, stuck out his arm to block it. Then they moved in and started sweeping the place. Our gang of four entered the building but hung back until they were done. Dave came back into the lobby.

"We've got all the employees collected. No sign of Jason Roberts. But, you might want to see this." He beckoned us forward as he headed into the space. The place was sleek, very high tech. It shocked me that it looked so professional considering they were criminals. If the police force was privatized, this is probably how I would imagine a station to look. Money, money, money, was all I could say.

Dave motioned us into a room off to our left. In it was a bed, single size, on one side, then a table and chair on the other. There was a woman in the bed. The fact that the noise of this didn't wake her astounded me.

"Is that Sarah's mom?" I asked, keeping my voice down as if that would do anything at this point.

Dave nodded. "She's alive, but if I were to guess, she's sedated. I've already radioed for the ambulance. We had one on stand-by so it shouldn't take them long to get here."

"I'd like to get the employees processed and interviewed as soon as possible. If Jason is already gone that means we've got a ticking clock on our hands for his escape. I'll go with your guys to coordinate if you'd all like to stay here with Samantha while we wait for the paramedics."

We all nodded in agreement.

"I'll let them know," Dave supplied. Drew shook his hand and patted him on the back before leaving the room.

I looked around at the blank walls, "this room is depressing. I can't imagine the state she is in. Being locked in here for months with zero stimulation."

"That is, if they ignored her. Four months is a long time to hold a woman hostage. People get bored."

I turned towards Emma, my mouth agape. "Okay, I'm not sure which is more depressing. The room or that thought."

We all fell silent, unsure of what to say or do while we waited.

"The paramedics have arrived," Dave supplied. Relief flooded through me. I needed to get out.

"I'll go get them." Escaping the room I swore I heard Matty say "let her go", before I got out of ear shot.