The Wrong Son Died Chapter 1

The call came from a frantic teacher on the bus, her voice cracking over the phone. "There's a man... he has a gun." As the director of the Bright Beginnings Preschool, I did the only thing I could: I called 911.

My husband, Mark, a lead negotiator for the city police, arrived on the scene. But instead of taking charge, he gestured to the young intern at his side.

The intern, Chloe, pouted, her lower lip trembling just so.

“Mark, honey, I’ve never done a real one before. I don’t know what to say.”

A fond, indulgent smile spread across my husband’s face.

“Hey, don’t worry,” he said, his voice a low murmur meant only for her. “Just talk to him. Follow your instincts. I’m right here.”

Three sentences in, the hijacker’s furious shouting had Chloe’s face burning red. Panicked, she screamed into the receiver.

“You’re a dead man! The director’s son, Leo, is on that bus! She’ll make sure you rot in prison for this!”

The hijacker, enraged, decided to make an example of someone. A child was murdered. Moments later, a police sniper took the hijacker down.

In the chaotic aftermath, I saw my husband wrapping his arms around a sobbing Chloe.

“It’s not your fault,” he whispered, stroking her hair. “No one can guarantee a negotiation will work one hundred percent of the time.”

Then, he walked over to me, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder.

“I know it’s hard,” he said, his voice flat. “Leo was unlucky. It has nothing to do with Chloe.”

He paused, leaning in closer. “Maybe you could put out a statement for her. Something about her courage and quick thinking, how she prevented more casualties.”

I stared at him, the world tilting on its axis. It took a full second for his words to register. He thought the child who died… was my son. Our son.

A cold, brittle laugh escaped my lips.

“I could write one,” I said, my voice dripping with ice. “But I don’t think you two would want to receive it.”

* * *

When Mark and his intern had first arrived, he’d immediately turned to her.

“Chloe, you take point on this one. It’s a valuable field experience.”

Chloe’s lip did its signature pout, her voice a saccharine drawl.

“Oh, Mark… I’m so nervous. It’s my first time, I don’t know where to even start…”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I rushed forward and grabbed Mark’s arm.

“Are you insane? There are twenty-two children on that bus. This is Chloe’s first time in the field? It’s too reckless!”

Mark violently shook my hand off.

“Audrey, what do you know about this? I’m well aware of Chloe’s professional capabilities. Stop getting in the way.”

He turned back to Chloe, his expression softening as he gave her shoulder a supportive squeeze.

“Don’t be scared. Just trust your gut and give it a try. I’m right here to back you up, no matter what.”

Watching them, so wrapped up in their own private world, a chill snaked up my spine from the concrete. The other parents, who had started to gather, were a mess of tears and frantic prayers, the scene descending into chaos.

The negotiation line connected.

Chloe took a deep breath, forcing a cloying sweetness into her voice.

“Hello, sir, my name is Chloe Hayes, I’m a crisis negotiator. I’m asking you to please remain calm, we can talk about your needs…”

She was cut off by a raw, guttural scream from the phone.

“Talk about my ass! Get me a car and cash, now, or I start killing kids!”

Chloe froze, her face flushing a deep, mottled red. Humiliated, she lost all composure and shrieked back into the phone.

“You’ll be sorry! Do you have any idea whose bus you’ve taken? The director’s son, Leo, is on that bus! You touch a hair on any of those kids’ heads, and she will make sure you never see the light of day again! The police will put a bullet in your head!”

“Chloe, shut up!” The words tore from my throat. My blood ran cold. “What are you doing? You’re going to get him enraged!”

Chloe whipped her head around, her eyes flashing with annoyance.

“Director Reed, you don’t understand negotiation tactics, so don’t interfere! I’m applying psychological pressure.”

She then turned to Mark, her eyes welling up with tears.

“Mark, do you see this? She’s… she’s interfering with my work…”

Mark’s glare was like a physical blow. “Audrey, be quiet. Chloe is a professional. I trust her judgment. Stop causing trouble.”

But on the other end of the line, the hijacker had, predictably, been pushed over the edge. His voice was a venomous roar.

“Leo? The director’s kid? Fine! Just fine! He’ll be the first to go! A warning to the rest of you!”

“Who’s Leo? Get your ass up here, now!”

The bus erupted with the terrified screams of children. Small silhouettes scrambled away from the windows, huddling together in fear. My heart seized, along with those of every parent there. Several mothers looked like they were about to collapse.

But Chloe, as if determined to prove herself, leaned into the microphone again, her voice a taunt.

“You think you’re tough? Go on, try it! You’ll never get away with it! You’ll die, too! You’re nothing but a coward who preys on children!”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I lunged towards her.

“Chloe, you don’t care about anyone else, but what about your own child? Liam is on that bus, too!”

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, quickly replaced by a cold sneer.

“Audrey, what are you talking about? My son doesn’t even go to your preschool. He’s at his grandmother’s today. How could he possibly be on that bus?”

She turned back to Mark, her voice dripping with manufactured sweetness.

“Mark, see? She just has it out for me. She’s trying to throw me off my game…”

Mark’s face was a thundercloud. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back roughly.

“Audrey, I told you to back off, didn’t you hear me? You interfere with this investigation again, and I’ll have an officer remove you. Forcibly.”

In the instant we were arguing, a corner of the bus curtain was ripped aside.

The hijacker’s eyes locked onto a small figure huddled in a corner seat. On the back of the child’s backpack, a name was clearly embroidered.

He snatched the child, dragging him to the window and screaming hysterically at the crowd outside.

“I’ve got him! The director’s son, Leo! Now all of you back the hell off! You surround me, and I’ll kill him right now!”