The Negotiator (The O'Malley Series #1)

The Negotiator (The O'Malley Series #1)

FBI agent Dave Richman from Danger in the Shadows is back. He's about to meet Kate O'Malley, and his life will never be the same. She's a hostage negotiator. He protects people. He's about to find out that falling in love with a hostage negotiator is one thing, but keeping her safe is another! Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become a loyal and committed family. They have chosen their own surname, O'Malley, and have stood by each other through moments of joy and heartache. Their stories are told in CBA best-selling, inspirational romantic suspense novels that rock your heart and restore strength and hope to your spirit. The Negotiator By Dee Henderson Tyndale House Publishers Copyright © 2005 Dee Henderson All right reserved. ISBN: 9781414310565 Chapter One Kate O'Malley had been in the dungeon since dawn.The members of the emergency response group comprising theSWAT and hostage-rescue teams had been relegated to the basementof the county building during the last department reorganization.The metal desks were crammed together; the concrete walls neededrepainting; the old case files made the room smell musty; and the hot andcold water pipes coming from the boiler room rumbled overhead. The team was proud of its little hovel even if the plants did die withindays. The location allowed for relaxed rules. The only evidence of bureaucracywas a time clock by the steel door so those not on salary could getpaid for all their overtime. Despite the dirt on her tennis shoes, Kate had her feet propped up onthe corner of her desk, her fingers steepled, her eyes half closed, as shelistened to the sound of her own voice over the headphones, careful notto let the turmoil of her thoughts reflect in her expression. She wasreviewing the last of four negotiation tapes. Case 2214 from last weekhaunted her. A domestic violence call with shots fired. It had taken sixhours to negotiate a peaceful conclusion. Six agonizing hours for themother and two children held in the house. Had there been any way toend it earlier? As Kate listened to the husband's drunken threats and her own calmreplies, she automatically slowed her breathing to suppress her rising emotions.She hated domestic violence cases. They revived unwanted memories ...memories Kate had buried away from the light of day. The cassette tape reversed sides. She sipped her hot coffee and grimaced.Graham must have made this pot. She didn't mind strong coffee,but this was Navy coffee. Kate tugged open her middle desk drawer andpushed aside chocolate bars and two heavy silver medals for bravery tofind sugar packets. She found it odd to be considered something of a legend on the forceat the age of thirty-six, but she understood it. She was a negotiator knownfor one thing-being willing to walk into any situation. Domestic violence,botched robberies, kidnappings, even airline hijackings-she had workedthem all. Kate let people see what she wanted them to see. She could sit in themiddle of a crisis for hours or days if that's what it took to negotiate apeace. She could do it with a relaxed demeanor. Detached. Most often,apparently bored. It worked. Her apparent boredom in a crisis kept people alive. Shedealt with the emotions later, after the situation was over-and far awayfrom work. She played a lot of basketball, using the game to cultivate herfocus, let go of the tension. This was her fourth review of the tapes. Her case notes appeared complete.Kate didn't hear anything she could have done differently. Shestopped the tape playback, relieved to have the review done. She pushedback the headphones and ran her hand through her ruffled hair. "O'Malley." She turned to see Graham holding up his phone. "Line three. Your brother." "Which one?" "The paramedic." She punched the blinking light. "Hi, Stephen." "Let me guess; you're screening your calls." She was, but it was an amusing first observation. "I'm ducking themedia for a few days. Are you off duty?" "Just wrapping up. Had breakfast yet?" Kate picked up the tension in his voice. "I could go for some good coffeeand a stack of pancakes." "I'll meet you across the street at Quinn's." "Deal." Kate glanced at her pager, confirming she was on group call. She slidher cellular phone into her shirt pocket as she stood. "I'm heading tobreakfast. Anyone want a Danish brought back?" Quinn's was a popularstopping point for all of them. Requests came in from all over the room. Her tally ended with threeraspberry, four cherry, and two apple Danishes. "Page me if you need me." The stairs out of the dungeon were concrete and hand railed so theycould be traversed with speed. Security doors were located at both ends.The stairway opened into the secure access portion of the parking garage.The team's specially equipped communications vans gleamed. They'd justbeen polished yesterday. Kate slid on her sunglasses. June h