The woman screamed, then quieted down as Greg rushed forward with his fingers to his lips. “Hey keep it down,” Greg hissed. “You will be okay, but I need you to remain calm. This man is dangerous and the last thing we want is to invoke a panic. In a few short minutes,” here Greg stopped to check his watch, “We will be moving him to a secure location, so that he is no longer a danger to anyone. In the meantime, though. I need you to remain calm. Can you do that for me?”

The woman nodded.

“Good.” Greg replied. “May I ask what your name is?”

“Francis,” the lady replied.

“And your son?”

“His name is Franklin. May I ask you a question?”

“Certainly Francis,”

“What did he want with me? Why was he acting that way?”

“This man was under the delusion that someone was out to get him and that the only way for him to feel safe walking through the food court was to take a hostage. But you don’t have to worry about it anymore Ma’am, he won’t be a bother to you again.”

Jacks radio squawked. Bending down, Greg picked it up and spoke into it, “Subject is secure. Initiate plan F.”

“Plan F?” Francis asked. “What is Plan F?”

“This is Plan F,” Greg replied. “Don’t worry its only a matter of time before this is all over and you’re resting comfortably at home.”

“Why do you call it Plan F?” Franklin asked for the first time.

Hunching down so that he was level with the little boy. Greg looked him in the eyes and smiled, “Well Franklin, we call it Plan F, because all of the other plans before it failed.”

“And if this one fails?”

“Then we will call the new plan, Plan G.”

“Oh, that’s reassuring,” Francis murmured…”

“We’re doing the best we can Ma’am.” Greg replied. “Speaking of which, I believe that the medics are here to take him away.”

“How can you possibly know that?” Francis demanded.

“I hear their pounding footsteps outside of the alleyway.” Greg replied. “The sound of boots pounding in sync is not that common around here.”

“Actually,” Francis began, when around the corner came the four men marching rapidly, carrying a gurney between them. A fifth man, walked briskly behind them. Upon arriving where Jack lay, the four men placed the gurney on the ground, lifted Jack’s limp body onto the marchioness, hoisted it and quickly marched back the way they came.

The fifth man approached Greg. “Operation F is well on its way, sir.”

“Your men know where they are taking him, right Sergeant” Greg asked.

“Yes Sir.”

“Good, let them know that I will meet them up there.”

“Up where?” Francis asked.

Both the sergeant and Greg turned and stared at Francis… “Um yes, yes. Of course, I will let them know that you will meet them at the infirmary.” The sergeant replied. “They will be happy to know of the success of Operation F.”

Greg smiled, “The operation is not quite over yet Sergeant, Francis and Franklin both need to be briefed and then escorted safely to their residence. Are you up for the challenge?”

“Of course,” the sergeant replied. “If you would Ma’am, allow me to escort you to our awaiting medic, who will ensure that you and your son are safe to return home.”

With a bewildered look, Francis walked out of the alleyway, with her son in tow, followed closely by the sergeant. When they had left, Greg waited five minutes and then cautiously slipped out of the alleyway. Making sure that he was not noticed as he made his way up to where Jack was being held.