Müller and Dave take Howard and Philip hostage, while Louise dies from the black mamba's venom. Dr. Stowe contacts the police, having discovered the mix-up, and a police officer is dispatched to the Hopkins residence. The officer is shot and killed by Dave with one of Howard's rifles, but the officer manages to call for backup before he dies. More police officers arrive, led by Cmmdr. William Bulloch (Nicol Williamson), and after learning about the hostages, Bulloch has the street sealed off and tries to negotiate with Müller, but refuses to give in to Müller's demands for transportation and 1 million in different currencies. Dr. Stove arrives with a case of anti-venom and informs Bulloch of the black mamba. Bulloch and Dr. Stove warn both the kidnappers and hostages of the snake, and Müller lies that Louise is still alive, and orders Dr. Stove to come to the front door with the anti-venom to treat her. Dr. Stove complies and is taken hostage.