“Sir, it’s me. When you come in, the two bank robbers who surrendered will be lying down, unarmed, with their hands on their heads. The people standing will be the hostages. The other robber who has been shot is also unarmed and will be the one bleeding on the floor. There’s no need to come in… you know, very agitated. Nice and easy and everything should be fine.”

“Nice and easy, that’s how we’ll come in. I’ll see you in about ten seconds. And agent… hell of a job.”

“Thank you, sir. I’m just glad no one was hurt.”

“Fuck you!” Dexter screamed from the floor.

“I mean, no one else was hurt. Ten seconds, sir.” She hung up the phone and turned to the two standing robbers. “Okay, I need you to put your weapons down and lie flat. Otherwise…”

Both robbers put their weapons down and lied flat before she had enough time to give them the consequences if they disobeyed.

“Hostages!” Danni said, “I need you to stand up and be ready to calmly walk out. No sudden movements. The bank robbery and hostage taking is now over.”

The hostages stood up. One person started clapping and soon, they were all applauding.

At first, Danni didn’t know what they were all clapping about. She noticed every one of them was looking at her, some with tears in their eyes, she realized, they were thanking her for saving their lives.

Even though both his negotiator and the sniper spotter had told him the situation was in hand, Putnam still had his weapon up as he led his men through the front door. When he came through, the first thing he saw was a bunch of people clapping, and his negotiator wiping a tear from her eye.