Paul hurried from the room with his phone to his ear. The others exchanged knowing glances. Hopefully, it was good news. The waiting was excruciating. “I want to run after Paul and listen in, five seconds seems too long to wait,” Christina admitted.
“I’m with you,” Eilea agreed with a smile. “We could dog pile him.” That brought the laughter she’d hoped for.
“You first!” Andrew smirked. “We’ll backtrack out of the room.”
“What’s the fun in that?” Eilea asked. “He did say all for one and one for all. We could prove how true that is.”
Andrew grinned, “I’m game, I’d love to see the expression on his face when he saw us racing toward him.”
Paul entered the room and the hopeful look in his eyes spoke volumes. “Ok, good news at last. They’re closing in on him. He was spotted a few minutes ago making his way through some underbrush. He ditched a stolen vehicle which was printed and it’s definitely his get-a-way vehicle. He obviously saw the other cops surrounding his vehicle and he set out on foot. He won’t get far. It’s nearly over!”
The jubilation he’d expected didn’t come. “What?”
“We’ve been here before, just this close and we missed by a country mile. For once, I’ll wait until I know he’s in custody before I get carried away. I want to look him in the eye and tell him what a f@#$ up he is!” Eilea’s voice held conviction and vehemence.
“I’ll make sure you get the chance.” Paul rubbed her arms.
“So what do we do now, sit and wait or go out and have some fun?”
“I suggest fun! What’s everyone into doing?” Paul’s glance swept all three.
“I’m for lazing on the beach and sunbathing.”
“Sounds good to me,” Christina agreed.
“Sold! Let’s get ready.”
Upon reaching the beach they lazed, drank iced tea and relaxed for the first time in days. It felt so good.
Paul’s phone rang and immediately everyone stopped and looked toward him.
“They got him! He’s in the precinct now.” As if on cue they whooped and hollered drowning out what the Sarg. was saying. Paul laughed. “Yep, they heard.”
“I heard too, tell ’em to keep it down, will ya?” his Sarg growled half heartedly knowing only too well the relief they were feeling.
Covert Novelist 