Jeffery Deaver

A diabolical killer whose brutal slayings leave a trail of cryptic messages hidden at the scene of the crime is loose on the streets of Manhattan. As the city lies in fear, a gifted but disabled detective (Washington) teams with a rookie street cop (Jolie) to go inside the mind of this terrifying madman and defeat him at his own game. (Universal Studios)

Three escaped convicts from prison take a group of deaf students hostage and hold them captive to keep the authorities at bay. (imdb)