I understand, but in situations like this, people often accuse reporters of making things up. They dont believe we actually talk to real people, like you.
The man looked at the woman. I dont suppose giving our names could be any worse than whats going on?
Thats true. I dont care, its all so horrible. The woman turned to Kate. Im Violet Selway and this is my husband, Ward.
After Kate got her to spell their names, she asked: Do you know the people next door?
Dan and Lori Fulton, Ward said. They have a son, Billy.
Any chance youd know their ages?
Well, Billys nine, Ward said.
Dan just turned thirty-six, Violet said. We went to a backyard party for him, and Loris thirty-four.
Thanks. What do you think happened?
Violet shook her head.
Police asked us the same thing, Ward said. We dont know anything. Whatever happened mustve happened in the night. We didnt see or hear anything. I woke up this morning, and Sam, here, Billys dog, was in our backyard. I thought it was strange, that he mustve got out in the night. I took him with me and went to ring their bell this morning. No one was home. Well keep Sam with us until we know whats going on.
How well do you know the Fultons?
Theyre dear friends. Violets voice quivered. I drew the inside of their house for police.
Where do the Fultons work?
Dans the manager of the SkyNational Trust branch, and Loris a claims adjuster at Dixon Donlevy Mutual Life Insurance.
What kind of people are they, how would you characterize them?
The salt of the earth, Ward said.
Dans a family man, Violet said. Loris a devoted mom, and young Billys just a joy.
Any idea of trouble, stress? Or if anyone would want to harm them?
Absolutely not, Ward said.
What do you think happened?
We wish we knew, so we could help, Violet said. All we know is what police told us.
Kates radar locked on that as Ward shot his wife a cautionary glance. But Kate remained casual. She was skilled at extracting information.
That Dan robbed his own bank this morning, Kate said, and that there was supposedly a hostage situation at his home, she added, inviting the Selways to elaborate. Its so troubling, isnt it?
It is, Violet said. Especially since they all had bombs strapped to them.
Kate shot a look to Violet then Ward.
Really?
According to police, Ward said.
Did they give any indication of whos behind it?
No. And now they cant find Dan, or Lori, or Billy! Violet sobbed into her hands and Ward put his arms around her. I pray theyre okay!
Im sorry, Ward said. This is too upsetting. Well have to end it there.
After thanking them, Kate and Gabe returned to the street. Kate exhaled, stopped to check her notes and her recording.
Gabe, whod stepped back during Kates interview, angled his camera to her, displaying the pictures hed taken, favoring one of Violet Selway, anguished face buried in her hands, Wards arm around her, Sam at their feet looking up at them with big eyes.
Distraught neighbors and the Fultons dog, Gabe said.
Its good, Kate said, noticing that down the block the situation had changed with the cat lady. Lets talk to her.
The woman was now out of the patrol car, leaning against it, holding her cat. The officers with her had moved off to consult other cops at a van nearby.
Kate approached, smiling once the woman noticed her.
Thats a pretty cat, she said. Whats her name?
Lacey Lou.
Very cute. Kate, bearing in mind the officers were near, kept her voice soft. Im Kate Page, and this is Gabe Atwater. Were with Newslead. Some neighbors of the Fultons have been sharing their thoughts with us. Can we talk to you briefly?
The woman looked around as if seeking permission.
Itll only take a second. Kate opened her notebook and shrugged. You could summarize what you told police, like the other neighbors did.
Itll only take a second. Kate opened her notebook and shrugged. You could summarize what you told police, like the other neighbors did.
Well, I guess it would be all right.
Whats your name?
Charlene Biddle.
Kate took down the spelling.
Charlene, do you know the Fultons?
No, I dont. I live around the block.
What did you tell police?
Well, last night Lacey didnt come home at her usual time. I waited and waited until I got worried. So I got up and looked for her around the block because I thought thats where shed gone.
What time was this?
Oh, about two or two-thirty, Im not sure.
You went alone?
This is a good neighborhood. I wasnt afraid.
Gabe nudged Kate. Two men in suits had left the Selway house and were heading up the street, staring directly at Kate and Charlene Biddle.
What happened when you went looking for Lacey? Kate asked.
When we got near the house there, Lacey was in the yard beside it. I called her, and she wouldnt come-this stubborn cat has a mind of her own. I tiptoed into the yard to get her. When I did, I saw a van parked in the driveway. Charlene nodded to the Fultons house. And people were getting into it. It looked like two men were sort ofpushing a woman and smaller person into the van. It was all quiet and quick and then they drove off.
Do you recall- Kate glanced at the approaching men -do you recall any details, like a license plate?
I didnt see anything clearly. It was dark. I know it was odd, but I thought it was people going home from a party, and a few of them were drunk, kidding around. I got Lacey and went home. Then this morning police came knocking on everyones door to move us out because of something happening, and so I told them what I saw. They wanted me to wait right here so I could talk to the detectives.
Okay, thanks, Charlene. Kate closed her notebook, turned to leave.
Hold up there! A big-chested man, the older of the two, stepped into Kates space. Whore you?
Kate Page, Newslead. She held up her ID. This is Gabe Atwater, Newslead. Kate tried to read the badge hanging from the older mans chain. Whore you guys?
Detective Tilden, NYPD.
Kate glanced at the younger man, who had a Brad Pitt thing going.
Nick Varner, FBI. Over here, please.
The two men took Kate and Gabe aside to talk privately.
Whatve you got? Kate opened her notebook, pen poised.
Weve got a problem, Tilden said.
What problem?
Well, for one, we dont want you talking to our witnesses before we do, Tilden said.
Whatd you mean? Im exercising my right, freedom of the press.
Exercise it carefully, Tilden said.
Excuse me?
Weve got a very dangerous situation here, Ms. Page, Varner said.
I kinda figured that, what with the SWAT team and the street sealed.
The grim-faced men said nothing.
Can you elaborate on dangerous? Kate asked.
Well put out a release later, Varner said.
Can you confirm that bombs were strapped to the Fultons?
I told you, well put out a press release.
But youre not denying that bombs were strapped to the family?
I didnt say that.
Agent Varner, can we stop this cant confirm or deny game?
Is this a game to you?
No, of course not.
Maybe before you go ahead and print anything, you should run it by us, Tilden said.
Youre kidding, right?
The two men said nothing.
Look. Kate stared at both of them. Why dont you guys do your job, and Ill do mine, she said, closing her notebook.
15
Somewhere in New York
Lori Fulton opened her eyes.
Her ears were pounding in time with her heart.
The van had stopped hours ago and since then sleep had come in tortured snatches. Each time Lori woke, she realized that she was a prisoner in a nightmare.
Billy was asleep, his head on her lap.
They were sitting on the floor of the windowless van, backs against the reinforced wall that divided the cab from the rear. She could feel him trembling. They were still wearing the bomb vests. The tiny red light on each of their battery packs continued to blink.
How much time do we have?
Ever since theyd stopped, she hadnt seen their captors. She had no idea where they were-she heard no sounds of the city. No traffic, no construction, no noise other than a few chirping birds.
Did they abandon us?
She didnt know what time it was. Daylight seeped in through the vans door frame, so she knew it was no longer night. Tape still sealed their mouths and their hands. Suddenly Lori chided herself-shouldve thought of this sooner-and raised her hands, working her fingers to pull the tape from her mouth. She drank in the cool air, welcomed it on her skin as she stretched her jaw.
Her movements had awakened Billy and he sat up, blinking.
Shh.
She kissed his forehead, then slowly pulled the tape from his mouth. He took a deep breath.
Better? she whispered.
He nodded.
Lori pulled off the tape around his wrists. His hands were still restrained with plastic handcuffs. Lori held out her wrists so Billy could pull off her tape. Plastic cuffs were locked on her, as well.
She began gnawing on the cuffs, but it was futile, the plastic was too thick. She searched the vans metal frame for a sharp edge to cut the plastic, but found none. She was afraid to try anything more-there was no telling what might set off the bomb vest-but she couldnt give up.
She cocked her ears, listening for anyone outside the van, and then very carefully moved to the vans side door, took hold of the handle and pulled. It refused to move. She turned to the cab. The dividing wall was solid, floor to ceiling. Taking great care, Lori crawled to the vans rear and tried that door, pulling on the handle with every ounce of strength she had.
No use.
They were locked inside.
She tried to think of a way to take off the vest. She could slide it over her head. Or over her shoulder, shimmy it down and step out of it. The problem was she couldnt open the front. It was zippered, Velcroed and had wires running across the opening.
It was definitely too risky to start pulling and twisting at it. Besides, shed overlooked the fact her wrists were locked together.
Then, for a brief moment, she wondered if the vests were real. It was obviously dangerous to drive around in a van with someone wearing a bomb, but maybe they were confident that the vests wouldnt detonate unless they dialed the programmed cell phone. Stillconvincing someone youd strapped a suicide vest on them was a good way to get them to do whatever you wanted-even if the bombs werent real.