Earl

Earl resembles his TV persona. He wasn't a bad guy. Just had a Significant other that took a walk on the wild side and didn't take him along. She wasn't much of a catch but Earl Thought he loved her and she did him wrong. She and a girlfriend went out one night and left Earl with the kids. When she didn't come home, Earl collected up the Family Deer Rifle and went in search of his beloved. He tracked her down to a non-descript motel which catered to the Trucking industry just north of the state line. It did a brisk business on the weekends with the Mr/Miss Right Crowd or at least the Right Now. Now Earl showed at least a bit of decorum as he didn't just go busting down doors for the beloved. Probably would have interrupted more then one temporary relationships but we digress. He just went to the night clerk and asked if his beloved or her girlfriend were registered and what room. He knew she was there as the family sedan was parked outside. The clerk was behind glass and was probably happy for it, dunno if it would have slowed down what Earl was carrying but it would have bought him some time. He couldn't/didn't confirm her location and dropped a call to 911 as soon as Earl walked out the door. We came scampering down the interstate and faced off with Earl in the parking lot. It was dark when we got there but daybreak was just starting to crack as we went along. Earl was weeping and sobbing in the parking lot but still had the Deer Rifle. We had a bit of a pickle as Earl wouldn't give up the rifle and I wouldn't let him see his beloved until he did. I had tracked her down with her temporary partner and hustled them out the back. I couldn't get them out of there as Earl had eyes on the only way out.

Now I've been to the Basic Hostage Negotiation course but it wasn't something I did very often as I fobbed it off on one of the Crime guys as they were always better at the warm fuzzy stuff. Me, I was the Break things and Kill stuff guy. But one of the things they absolutely pound in you is ya never let the guy with the gun see the old lady or let the family member get involved in the negotiation process as you have no idea what the hell they will say. An I have been to too many Murder-Suicides to even let him get a bead on her. So there was the impasse. Finally Earl agreed to put down the rifle if he could talk to her. OK, Small steps. I talk to her and tell her "Do not promise him anything, Do not say it will be OK. Just say We will see" Earl put down the rifle, My guys cuff him up and get him in the back of the car. She came out and faced up with him. When He started to get cranked up. I told him Conversation's over. Earl went into confinement for that one. I didn't really like his beloved but he must have. Hell of a thing to put your trust and soul in someone who stomps all over your feelings. Sorry, Earl. It was just the job. Glad I didn't have to kill ya.