Hostage Negotiator

"Thank God you're here, miss. We've been expecting you for a while now."

The rugged officer in charge of the operation shook your hand and handed you a paper cup of coffee. You were hunkering down behind a cruiser parked outside the entrance to the National Bank, one of many such vehicles forming a perimeter around the building.

"The alarm went off about 30 minutes ago, we had people here within minutes and we guess that's when the robbers decided to take hostages instead of running. We haven't had any contact with the perps yet but we are getting ready to make a call."

His eyes can't help but wander down to your cleavage, your slim waist and your inviting hips as he speaks. He must be a leg man because he lingers on your shapely thighs for longer than usual. You give him a friendly smile as he finally looks back up into your beautiful face.

"I would like to do the talking, if that's okay with you", you propose.

"Yes, of course. That's fine. You're the expert after all."

Soon you are standing with a phone at your ear, listening to the dial tone. It seems to ring fifteen or twenty times before someone picks up.

"Hello, who is this?", you ask.

"Who are you? Some chick? Where's the cop?", a rough male voice rasps.

"I am the negotiator. Who are you?"

"My name is not important. Negotiator, huh? So that must mean you're willing to listen to our demands!"

"Certainly. However we would be much more willing to listen if you showed us a sign of good faith. Release a hostage, and then we'll talk."

"What kind of idiot do you think I am? I should kill one of these sluts right now just because you made such a stupid suggestion. They're still useful though, so they'll live. For now."

"If you don't want to release a hostage, how about an exchange? You get me if you release a hostage."

The voice is quiet for a while, thinking about your offer. The officer next to you is looking at you as if you're insane.

"What are you doing? You're going in there? Are you nuts?" he whispers angrily. You shut him up with a raised finger.

"They have already threatened to kill hostages. If I can save just one of them I will." you say as you cover up the phone. The voice on the other side of the line returns.

"Fine, you can come in... and then we'll release one of the hostages. You can even choose who it will be yourself."

"Very well. Be prepared to let me in."

You hand the phone back to the technician and the officer in charge squints at you.

"You are one crazy lady, miss, that's for sure. I don't think any of my men would be willing to do what you're doing."

"I doubt that they would."

"Okay, do you need anything else before you go in?"