Mason’s face paled, and Ava remembered that he’d believed he had a clear shot.

“You weren’t a trained sniper,” she said, squeezing his hand. “And if you’d done nothing, his son would still be dead.”

“We don’t know that for certain,” Mason stated.

Ava wondered how often he thought about that day. Mason sat up straighter in his seat and looked out the window, tension growing on his face.

They pulled into a grocery-store parking lot, and acid pumped into her stomach.

Go time.

Mason stepped out of the FBI vehicle and put on his hat. The parking lot was crowded. Portland Police had already taped off the area and were interviewing witnesses in a cold huddle at the far end of the lot. Were all the customers out of the store? A SERT vehicle parked directly in front of one of the sets of doors. Men in military looking gear grouped on the safe side of the vehicle, getting a briefing. Two police cars blocked the other doors. Portland Police and Multnomah County vehicles continued to stream into the lot. ASAC Duncan stopped beside Mason and scanned the lot. “Who’s our guy?” he muttered.

Mason pointed at a group of Portland police officers, spotting a captain in the group who seemed to be giving orders. “Right there.” He and Ava followed Duncan and two other agents over to the group, who eyed them with suspicion.

Duncan made introductions.

“You’re the one who gave the ID?” Captain Hale asked Duncan.

Duncan pointed at Mason. “He got the call from the kidnapper. He’s the father of your hostage.”

Hale’s eyes narrowed. “You’re Mason Callahan? And you’re with OSP?”

“Major Crimes,” answered Mason. “This suspect lost his son in a shooting inside this store twenty years ago. I was there that day.”

The captain nodded. “The store manager said there’d been a shooting a long time ago in the exact same spot. I haven’t had time to verify it.”

“Freezer aisle?” Mason asked.

“Yep. He’s got a teen boy with him, and he keeps asking for you. He’s making it clear he won’t deal with anyone else.”

“Who’s talking to him?” Duncan asked.

“One of our hostage negotiators is in there now.”

“Our SWAT team is on the way, but I’ve got a negotiator with me.” Duncan gestured at Ava. “You mind if she gives your guy a hand?”

“We’ll take all the help we can. I don’t want this ending ugly,” said Hale. He eyed Ava. “But if he starts reacting just because you’re a female, you’re out of there. Some assholes don’t take kindly to being handled by a woman.”

Ava’s shoulders stiffened. “I know. And if I make him nervous, I’ll back away.”

“The store manager talked to him a bit over the intercom at first. She’s a levelheaded one, and he didn’t seem to mind her,” said Hale. “She got the store emptied of customers and even got him to release the woman he shot. The guy—you say his name is Kent?”

“Kent Jopek,” Mason stated. “How is the woman he shot?”

Captain Hale looked grim. “He shot her in the shoulder. She was able to get out of the aisle under her own power. The EMTs seemed to think she’d be okay. It didn’t look like she lost too much blood. She’s a tough bird. All the other shoppers scattered at the sight of his gun, but she kept moving closer, asking him to let the boy go.”

“Brave,” said Mason. “Stupid, but brave. You have snipers in position?”

“Not yet. SERT is working on a briefing and plan.” Hale gestured at the group by the SERT armored vehicle.

“The snipers good?” Mason couldn’t help asking.

Hale frowned. “Of course. That’s what they train for.”

“I know. I know. I just had to ask. I was the one who had to shoot that day. It didn’t end well.” Seeing the specialized rifles made him jittery. He needed to trust the men holding those weapons.

“Anything else you can tell us about this guy?” Hale asked.

“Not really,” Mason answered. “My shooting was ruled good, but it’s hung over my head for two decades. I can’t imagine what it’s done to him.”

“Obviously it’s been festering a long time,” Ava said. “It’s caused him to grab Mason’s son and re-create how his own son died. It’s possible he believes he’s got nothing to lose.”

“But I’ve got everything to lose,” Mason stated. “And he wants to make that happen. He’s been chipping away at me and I didn’t realize it. He killed Josie—”

“What?” Duncan and Ava spoke at the same time.

“He told me on the phone. He set me up. I’m not sure why he did it other than to make my life miserable.”

“Wait. What are you talking about?” asked Captain Hale.

Mason looked the captain in the eye. “I’m on leave for the murder of one of my CIs.”

“Yeah, I heard something about that. An OSP detective. That was you?” Hale’s brows came together.

“Yes. Jopek set me up. Now this.”

One of the Portland Police officers in heavy SERT gear jogged over to their small group and addressed Hale. “Corello says the guy inside keeps asking for Mason Callahan. Corello’s not getting anywhere in negotiations with this guy until Callahan arrives.”