Till The Sun Was Gone

My husband, Rodger Hayes, was a renowned chief negotiator, famous for his integrity and firmness within the circle.

When my son and I were kidnapped, with three hostages at the scene, the kidnappers agreed to release only one.

Among the women and the boy, Rodger should have chosen to save the boy first.

Yet, I heard him saying in Spanish fluently, "Release the woman in white."

His first love, Jolene Chapman, was freed, while my son, Jacob Hayes, died from a gunfire.

Later, Rodger explained the situation flatly. "The kidnappers chose to release Jolene."

I cradled Jacob's ashes and smiled sadly.

Rodger didn't know that I was fluent in Spanish, as I had been a special forces member.

His lies crumbled before me.

My phone vibrated, and I confirmed the encrypted message. "Falcon returns to base."

...

The air in the abandoned factory was mixed with the scent of rust and blood.

A cold gun barrel pressed against my temple.

I was drugged and was almost immobile.

Jacob was terrified. He buried his face in my chest and sobbed softly. "Mom, I'm scared..."

Soon, outside the factory, the sound of police sirens grew closer.

A man's voice came through a loudspeaker, steady and emotionless. "Everyone, listen up. I'm the negotiator, Rodger. You're surrounded."

It was my husband.

Jacob's eyes lit up. He looked up at me, and his sobs were filled with hope. "It's Dad. He's here to save us."

I was relieved a bit. "You are right. Dad's here to save us."

The ringleader of the kidnappers dragged another hostage to the window, pointed a gun at her head, and shouted in Spanish to the outside, "I have three hostages. Release my brother from jail, or I'll kill them!"

The woman held hostage with us was Jolene.

She was Rodger's first love, who vanished abroad, leaving him with a deep-seated hatred.

I had only seen her in photos.

Fate cruelly and coincidentally brought us face-to-face that way.

At this moment, Jolene, wearing a white dress, screamed hoarsely, "Rodger, help me!"

Rodger's voice came through the loudspeaker again. "Your brother is a major criminal in an international terrorist organization, involved with many people. The police require you to release one hostage first as a gesture of your sincerity."

The ringleader sneered, "Fine. Choose one to release first: the boy, the mother, or this woman."

I gritted my teeth.

Rodger chose to save one. I believed he would surely choose Jacob.

As long as Jacob was safe, nothing else mattered to me.

I expected Rodger to answer immediately.