Jackson looked at Eli. Eli turned to the other men and motioned for them to hang back. They fanned out to the edges of the left side of the room, leaving the center open.
“Tell them to drop their weapons.”
After a momentary hesitation, Eli nodded. The three men bent down and placed their weapons on the ground.
“We’re not going to stop you from leaving. Just let Ridley go. You walk away and so does she. Everyone’s happy.” Jackson said.
Moreno walked forward, Ridley stumbling to keep up. He maneuvered them until they were close to the door. “You all think you’re so smart. Let me guess, you’ve got more guys downstairs waiting to bust me when I leave.”
“There’s no one downstairs,” Eli said.
Moreno shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. There’s only one way I’m getting out of this alive and that’s if she comes with me. So, this is what we’re going to do. Ridley, you go get the necklace. Keep it high in the air where I can see it. You try to run, you die. You say anything to lover boy over there, you die. Got it?”
She nodded and bit her lip. He let her go slowly and she walked toward Jackson. He gave her the necklace and as instructed, she held it over her head as she walked back.
Eli kept his weapon pointed at Moreno. His brow furrowed as he watched Ridley take each slow step. His brother looked frustrated and Jackson didn’t need security training to know why. If Moreno got her out of this room, the chances of him seeing Ridley alive again were slim. The police were on their way and once Moreno realized he was surrounded it was unlikely he’d just surrender.
It was much more likely that he’d panic and start shooting.
“It was an honor meeting you, Ridley.” Eli said. “I really enjoyed getting to know you on Sunday. I’ve never had such a connection with a woman. I feel like I really taught you a lot.”
Jackson looked at his brother in confusion. What the hell was Eli doing? Was he saying goodbye? Was he giving up?
“Me too!” Jackson turned at Ridley’s voice. She was staring at Eli. “I remember everything you told me.”
He nodded at her.
“Sorry to interrupt your touching reunion but we have to go.” Moreno prodded Ridley in the head with the gun and she flinched. “Now!”
“Okay. I just wanted to say goodbye,” Ridley stammered.
“Well, say it and then move!”
Ridley’s eyes met Jackson’s. For a moment, it could have been just the two of them in the room. There were so many things he wanted to say.
It’s going to be okay.
I’m sorry I didn’t believe in you.
I love you.
But he couldn’t say anything. All he could do was watch helplessly as she inched backward until Moreno put his arm around her neck again. As he tugged her backward toward the door, she looked at him and said, “Goodbye.”
Then she dropped to the ground.
* * * * *
FOR THE FIRST harrowing moment after the shot rang out, Jackson wasn’t sure what had happened. One moment he was looking at Ridley and the next, she was on the ground. Time seemed to compress before Moreno’s eyes widened. He looked down at his chest, then back up at Eli. A red bloom appeared on the front of his shirt. Then time sped up as Elliott rushed toward them. Just before he got there, Moreno raised his arm.
Another loud sound rent the air.
“Oh, shit!” Elliott tackled him, sending his gun skittering across the floor. The team of guards who’d been waiting behind them surged forward. Jackson could only see one thing.
Ridley was still on the floor. Unmoving.
He raced forward and cradled her in his arms. “Ridley? Baby, wake up. It’s over.” The skin on her neck was red and inflamed but otherwise she looked okay. He held her tighter, overcome with emotion. Her eyes were closed and she looked almost as if she were asleep.
“Jackson? You have to give her to me.”
Jackson looked up wildly at his brother. The room was suddenly filled with people. People he didn’t know. A few men stood behind his brother. They had a gurney with them. Paramedics, he thought dimly. He startled as someone tried to pull Ridley from his arms. He looked up into Elliot’s concerned face. His brother. His brother was trying to take her away.
“No, she’s mine. Don’t take her away from me.”
Elliott grasped his face between his hands. “Jackson, she’s been shot. You have to give her to me. Now.” His brother’s voice was calm but firm.
Jackson gripped her tighter, noticing for the first time the sticky wetness on her side. “She was shot? Oh god…”
“It’s okay. Just let me help her.”
He watched numbly as Elliott lay her back on the floor and pulled him out of the way. Emergency personnel immediately started working on her. The next thing he knew, she was on a stretcher and being rolled out.
“Where are they taking her?”
Elliott grasped his shoulders. “New Haven General. Go ahead and follow her. I’ll give a statement to the police.”
“I’ll drive him.” Nick appeared at his left side.
“I didn’t keep her safe. She was scared and I didn’t keep her safe.” All he could see was her face as she’d said goodbye. She’d been terrified but she’d still been smart enough to do what was necessary. His brave, beautiful girl had been strong enough to do what he hadn’t.
“Jackson. Listen to me. “ Elliott grabbed his face so hard it hurt. “We figured it out in time and Ridley was very smart to do what she did. She gave me a shot and I took it. Moreno is in custody. She’s going to be fine. She has to be.”