Grand Bank Heist

Chapter 1

It was the second bank robbery in a week. To be first to submit a report on this, I threw my trench coat over a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt and rushed to the scene.

Police cars were parked everywhere, and the bank was cordoned off. I flashed my reporter ID and entered the restricted area.

I interviewed all the witnesses I could at the bank. I jotted as much as I could down on my notebook and recorded the interviews. Many other interviewers and reporters were doing what I was doing. The only difference was that the witnesses were more willing to answer me than them, as I have observed.

"Get Ray here now!" A gruff voice ordered.

I was distracted by his voice that I nearly missed the last woman to exit the bank. I ran up to her and interviewed her. She was reluctant to answer me and burst into tears.

"The hostage just went through a trauma. We need to let her calm down first." The policeman who escorted her out said.

"Alright," I replied, keeping a keen eye on her.

I observed the bank and jotted down more notes. I took out my camera and got some pictures as well.

"I'm here, Detective." A tall man came into the scene. He was wearing casual clothes like mine, topped with a coat.

"Security systems failed, and the security cameras did not capture any footage. Go see what you can find out from the witnesses. I have a feeling we're dealing with the same robber from the last time. I've already tried to talk to the hostage. She doesn't want to talk to me," the detective said.

The tall man walked past me and went towards the hostage. I was irked because I wanted the first scoop. I watched him like a hawk. When he spoke, I pricked my ears. But every question he asked the hostage, she would not answer. Instead, she begged, "Please, don't send them to jail."

The tall man walked past me again and back to the detective.

"Stockholm's Syndrome," the tall man said.

I suddenly thought of follow-up questions for some of those witnesses I had already interviewed and ran to find them. I took more notes and decided that that should be enough information. I went to get two cups of coffee and went back to the hostage. She was sitting alone on a bench.

"Here, Miss. They said you needed to calm down. So, I got you a cup of coffee while getting one for myself. Is it okay if I sit with you?" I asked.

The hostage nodded.

I took a sip of my coffee and asked, "How can I address you?"

"Peggy."

"I'm Cara. Can you tell me what happened here?"

Peggy gave me a long stare before opening her mouth again. I was worried she would not tell me anything again.

"I got kidnapped and held hostage so the robbers could finish their job without the police interfering. I just happened to be at the bank, and they took me as the security had called the police for reinforcement. They released me after they had done their job and left."

"Were you scared?" I asked.

"At first, I was. But later, I knew they would not harm me. Please don't let them go to jail. They are good people."

I was flummoxed because how could someone who committed a crime be good? I thought perhaps they were stealing money for a charitable cause somewhere, but it certainly did not make them good by robbing a bank and making themselves notoriously wanted.