Mary's Day Off

I shoved my way through the crowd, my heart pounding. The bright sunlight and cheery weather felt out of place in this situation. The police line came into view. The officers struggled to keep the gathering crowds away from the ornate bank.  

My heart constricted. My husband was in that bank. I pushed past the last guy and crossed the police line.  

One of the officers, a young man, grabbed my arm. "Ma'am, you can't be here—"   

I shrugged him off easily, and fixed a stern dark-eyed stare on the man. "Where is the officer in charge?" I demanded. 

"Ma'am, I really must ask you to stand back," he licked his lips nervously.   

I loomed over him, using my height to my advantage. "I asked you a question," I snapped. "Where is the officer in charge?"   

"Mary!" A familiar voice called.   

I spun on my heel.   

Nelson Black waved at me. "Stop antagonizing my officers. I need them to focus on the problem here." He scolded as he drew closer.  

Of course he was on the case, he excelled in unpredictable situations and making decisions quickly. I had to admit, a part of me relaxed at the knowledge that he was leading it. If all else failed, he'd charge in himself to rescue the hostages. 

I scowled anyway. "What the situation in there?"   

Nelson crossed his arms. "One man with a gun holding ten hostages in the bank lobby. Apparently, they've foreclosed his house, and he's got a grudge. The negotiator is on his way, and we've got a sniper trained on the guy. Unfortunately, the bank's got too many blind spots to get a good shot. We are preparing to storm in if the negotiator fails."   

I pursed my lips, vaguely registering the other officer going back to the line. I tap my foot, energy pulsing through me.  

"What's caught your interest here? I heard from Em it was your day off." Nelson asked as he took a clipboard from a passing officer.  

"Edward's in there," I replied shortly.   

Nelson glanced at me, his eyebrows shooting up. "Oof, okay. Come on," he gestured for me to follow him. "You can tag along. I'm not one to turn away invested help of your caliber anyway. Just don't do anything stupid or get anyone killed."   

I snorted. I never planned to do anything stupid, but if Edward's life was at risk, I was going in. And Nelson knew it. It made him easier to work with. 

I stood behind Nelson as he coordinated, distracting myself by listening in to his work. The swat team prepared to storm the building. A surveillance team argued loudly as they tried to get a line into the lobby. It was an old design that made their job difficult. Everything about this bank seemed to make this situation worse. Snipers moved into position.  

Tapping my foot wasn't cutting it anymore. I needed to move. I drummed my fingers against my arm and scowled. If something didn't happen soon I was going punch something.  

Today was one of the only days I was home. We had a plan. Edward was going to run to the bank with his friend, Landen, and then we were going to spend the rest of the day together. Maybe we would listen to an audiobook while gardening, cook something together, or take a walk. Maybe we'd visit the paster and his family or the orphanage Edward had grown up in. But now he was trapped in a hostage situation and I was stuck outside.  

I should have gone with him instead of sleeping in. I pushed the guilt away, it wasn't helpful here. 

"The negotiator got stuck in traffic," An officer reported.   

I gritted my teeth. "We don't have time for this!" I snap.   

Nelson turned. "Mary, wait— the hostages—"   

But it was too late, I was already sprinting towards the door.   

I slowed as I approached it and peeked inside. I could just catch a glimpse of the hostages in one corner. The gunman was out of view.   

That's fine. I surveyed the building. There. One of those fancy tiny windows near the ceiling. I gripped the tiny fingerholds in the brick building and hauled myself up, one handhold at a time. Then I wedged myself against the roof and windowsill while I jimmied the thing open. I slipped through without a sound.   

From there, I could see the gunman. He was standing just out of view of the main doors, waving a gun around emphatically while he ranted about how corrupt the bank officials are. In front of him, sitting on the floor with his knees under him was my husband. The rest of the hostages huddled behind him. 

Edward nodded his head along with the gunman's speech. "That is a very difficult situation," he agreed, voice soft and calming. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."   

I repressed a sigh. He was doing his counselling thing on the criminal literally holding him at gunpoint. I sincerely hoped the man wouldn't end up at teatime, it was bad enough Steve came.   

Thankfully, the bank didn't have plan drywall decor. It made scaling the walls much easier. Carefully, I edged along the decorative plates planted into the wall, bracing myself against the ceiling as I went. When I got to the corner, I slid down to the floor.   

One of the hostages spotted me and gasped loudly, eyes wide. The gun man spun wildly.   

I tensed and shoved myself forward as fast as I could. The floor broke under my foot with a crack as I tackled the man. His gun went off. I felt something hit my chest. Someone screamed. One strike on his neck knocked the gun man out.   

The door burst open, and a swat team poured in, guns up.   

"She's dead! She's dead!" A woman sobbed.  

I rolled off the man, snagging his gun as I went. "Is everyone okay?" I asked.   

Edward perked up. "Mary?"   

"She's alive?" Another person muttered incredulously.  

"Hello, Edward," I sighed fondly. "You really can't stay out of trouble, can you?"   

He grinned sheepishly, stood, and brushed his pants off. Officers and agents ushered us out of the building. I caught a glimpse of Nelson cuffing the gunman. He glanced at me as he walked the gun man to a police car. I gave him a nod of acknowledgement before I pushed through the crowd to reach my husband. I grabbed his hand. He startled, then relaxed as he recognized my hand.   

Landen found us as the paramedics were checking Edward for injuries. His face was pale, but his expression collapsed in relief when he saw us. "Mary," he gasped. "I'm so glad you're alright. I thought you'd been shot!"   

I grinned. "Nah, I'm too fast for that."   

Edward chuckled.   

"Sir, please watch my pen," the paramedic said, holding up a black ink pen. 

"I can't," Edward told her, not unkindly. "I'm blind."   

The paramedic softened at that information. "Oh, sorry. Old condition?"   

"Yeah," he smiled ruefully. "Born blind."   

"That's rough," she patted his knee. "Well, besides that, I'd say you're good to go."   

"Thank you, ma'am," Edward stood and held out his hand.   

I grabbed it again right away.   

"Would you care to come over for tea, Landen?" Edward asked.   

Landen shook his head. "No offense, Edward, but not everyone's wives are as chill as yours. If I don't get home soon, my wife might murder me."   

I laughed at that. "Well best get moving!" I teased.   

We split ways, Landen racing to get home before his wife detonated in worry, and my husband and I strolling languidly towards home, just like we'd planned. And only a bit late.   

As we walked away from the bank and all the excitement, I pocketed the flattened bullet I'd hidden in my hand.   

Finally, we could enjoy my day off, and the kids would enjoy the souvenir.