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Disclaimer- see Part 1 "That's Karma For You" - Part 23 The pizza arrived shortly after Grant hung up the phone. After taking their share, the captors passed the pizza to the hostages. Actually Tyler and the black haired man did, Grant couldn't be bothered. The black haired man came over to Caitlin and offered the box to her. She just shook her head. She didn't think she could force the food down. "You should eat something." The man said almost sympathetically. Caitlin looked up at him. "What's your name?" "What? Why?" he asked shakily. "Well it'd be helpful so that I didn't have to keep saying 'Hey you over there with the gun.' " Caitlin replied trying to put on her brightest smile. Despite the situation, he smiled back at her. "Michael" "Michael. Well Michael, I'm not particularly hungry." Caitlin said a little harshly, her emotions brimming at the surface. He got up to move away but she quickly added softly, "Thanks though." And gave him a small smile. He smiled back and moved to the next people with the pizza carton. "You do realize that he is holding us prisoner. Now might not be the best time to flirt." Rachel said sarcastically. "Michael and Tyler don't want to be doing this. It's Grant. And it can't hurt to try and stay on their good side. Maybe they can convince Grant to stop all this." Caitlin replied watching Grant again. "WHAT THE HELL IS TAKING SO LONG?!?!" Grant shouted across the room. He turned to Caitlin. "Doesn't your father care about you? Why haven't I heard anything?" "It hasn't been that long." she replied. "Three million dollars is a lot of money...and this is the Federal Government, red tape and all that." she finished quietly. "Shut up!" Grant shouted, dangerously waving the gun. Caitlin heard a small whimper and turned. It came from one of the three children in the bank. A young boy, holding on to his mother and older brother. She again looked around and found Jeff and his daughter Ashley. Caitlin closed her eyes then stood and walked over to Grant, Tyler, and Michael. "What?" Grant demanded. "The U.S. has this standing policy of not negotiating with terrorists." She began. "We're not terrorists." Tyler said urgently, afraid. "I know but the same principle could apply. And there are people who will tell my father that just because his daughter is in there, he cannot forget his role as President." "Why are you telling us this?" Michael asked. "Because I want to see a good ending to this....for everyone." "And I suppose you have an idea of how that will happen?" Grant asked snidely. "Like my releasing the hostages?" "I know you won't do that. But there is no reason for you to keep the children in here. Let them go with their parents." Grant looked ready to object so Caitlin rushed on. "It's only five people, you will still have 18. Seventeen of which you don't need as long as you have me." She finished quietly. Grant still looked skeptical. "Give my father the extra push he needs, give him a measure of good faith. It will give him ammunition against the people telling him not to cooperate." "I think we should listen to her Grant." Michael said. Tyler looked towards the children, "It's only 5 people. And they're only children." Grant looked at his companions, then turned and walked towards the phone. TBC
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