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  “I’ve told them they can go to the toilet in a few minutes. I’ll need help with that. Not one word about Ash. Understand.”

  Allan nodded, then asked. “Why?”

  “Because,” Danny said heavily. “First off we don’t want them to know we’re a man down and second, they’re edgy enough as it is. We don’t want panic. People get unpredictable when they panic and we’ve got enough of a task trying to second guess your old man.”

  Allan glanced towards the office. “You seem to be doing a good enough job,” he sounded envious.

  Danny shook his head. “Don’t bet on it,” he said. “The only reason Ted gives me leeway is he figures we’re cut from the same cloth and he can’t be sure how far to push before I let rip. You and Ash, well, he figured he’d got the measure of the pair of you.”

  “You mean he doesn’t rate either of us,” Al said bitterly. “Didn’t, I mean.”

  Danny put a large hand on the younger man’s shoulder and shook him gently. “The way your old man measures these things, you don’t want to come very high on his scale, believe me. Now, come on and help me with this lot. We’ll take then two at a time and no talking. Got that?”

  Allan nodded. “Who’s going to watch the window?”

  “Ted can do that. Least we know where he is then. When we’re done, we got to have a little talk, convince him to let some of these people go.”

  “Why? Alan asked again.

  “Because, like I said, we’re a man down. They get an idea in their heads to rush the door when one of us opens it, there’s a chance they get lucky. Like I say, people get unpredictable. It makes no difference if we got five hostages or twenty five, they’re still insurance, but a smaller number puts us back in control and we need all the advantages we can get if we’re going to talk our way out.”

  “You think we can? Talk our way out? Get away? You think Ash was right and we should ask for a car and a plane and…” He trailed off and stared hard at Danny. “You think the police will storm the building?”

  “Not yet, they know we’re armed, they’ll want to talk us out, negotiate.”

  “Dad says he won’t negotiate,” Allan said miserably.

  Danny patted him on the arm. “Then we’ll just have to convince him otherwise,” he said. “Trick is to make him think it was all his idea.”

  “What…what do we do with Ash. We can’t just leave him lying there.” He shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve never seen anyone dead.”

  “Later, we’ll find something to wrap him in,” Danny told him. “Just be thankful we’ve got air conditioning and hope to hell the police don’t decide to cut the power.”

  ***

  “I’m hungry mummy,” Holly had slept for a while but this had been her refrain since waking up. Both little girls were fractious and miserable and everyone, Dorothy included, seemed to have passed beyond the desire or ability to try and cheer them up.

  The first response of the hostages had been fear, then, when they’d been locked inside the little room, an odd kind of relief. They were together, all in the same boat and out of sight of the guns. It felt almost safe.

  As the afternoon had worn on, their mood had been sustained by a grim determination to make the best of a lousy situation. The police would do something. The robbers would give themselves up. Everything would get back to normal…it had to be like that…didn’t it? But as afternoon had become evening and the only break in the routine of sitting still and entering into sporadic bouts of conversation had been the three toilet breaks and the delivery of the water, reality had begun to sink in. They were trapped, in a small room, with four armed men outside the all too thin door. Violent men and, to add to their anxiety, so far, there was no sign of anyone doing anything. Mary Parker was now insistently asking why.

  “The police will wait it out, see what the robbers do, I suppose,” Harry told her. “They won’t want to come in mob handed, knowing there are other people inside.”

  “But do they even know we’re here?” Mary’s voice rose petulantly.

  “Hush, my dear,” her husband tried to soothe her. “It will be all right.”

  “They’ll know which staff were on,” Megan tried to reassure. “And they’ll know there must have been some customers inside. Harry’s right, they’ll try to talk to the thieves and persuade them to let us go and give themselves up.”

  “And how long will that take?”

  “I don’t know, Mrs Parker,” Megan was sounding just a little impatient. “But it will happen. We just have to manage the best we can until then.”

  “You don’t have a choice, “Dorothy told her tartly. “We’re all stuck in here until someone on the outside takes action and, as Harry says, they’ll be doing their best to put us in as little danger as possible.”

  “But what if they don’t?” Mary Parker’s voice cracked with the emotional strain. “We’ve been locked in for hours now. What if our air runs out? We could die in here.”

  “It’s not pressurised, Mrs Parker,” Naomi told her with as much patience as she could muster. She was well aware that the irritation she and the others felt with Mary Parker’s outburst came purely from the fact that she was voicing their own inner fears. Somehow, while they kept them hidden away and unspoken, they were manageable. To voice them out loud and with such an air of panic, was unbearable. “It’s just an ordinary door, “ Naomi went on “and, if it’s anything like most doors, it’ll have a gap underneath where the air can come through. Besides, we’ve had it open several times and that’s let more air in and there’s probably a vent high up in the wall somewhere.”

  “There’s an air brick,” Brian Machin confirmed.

  “With tiny, tiny holes in it. How can that possibly let enough air through for all of us? How?”

  “Please calm down dear,” her husband told her, but he sounded weary and unhopeful that his remonstration would have an effect.

  “If you don’t shut up, “Dorothy told her. “I’ll come over there and slap you.”

  “Dorothy, that’s hardly a useful thing to say,” Harry remonstrated.”

  “If she doesn’t, I will,” Patrick muttered. “She’s not the only one who doesn’t like being closed in.”

  Naomi gripped his hand. Patrick was not exactly claustrophobic, but he didn’t exactly enjoy enclosed spaces either.

  “Audrey, try to drink some water,”

  Naomi heard Brian Machin’s voice, quiet but clear in amongst the protests provoked by Dorothy’s outburst. She leaned towards the sound of it. “How are you, Audrey?”

  “She’s not good,” Brian Machin replied. “She really does need a doctor. Oh, for God’s sake, all of you, be quiet!”

  Brian Machin had been nothing but calm and polite all through their ordeal and the effect of his anger was shocked and instant silence. It didn’t last for long.

  “I’m sorry, I’m sure,” Mary Parker whined, “but you heard what that dreadful woman said…”

  “I can’t have my wife spoke to in that manner. Too high handed by far. She has been, all the way though. Dragging those children from their mother. Provoking…”

  “Oh, just shut up! All of you!”

  Naomi started, recognising Patrick’s voice.

  “You’re behaving like a load of little kids. We’re in this mess together so we’d better make the best of it and think up ways of getting out. Not arguing amongst ourselves. It should be us and them, shouldn’t it? Not them and a few of us and then a few more?”

  He lapsed into silence, muttering a vague apology. Naomi felt him shift beside her, drawing up his long legs and huddling miserably at her side. She slipped an arm round his shoulders and hugged him. He resisted for a moment, but it was token teenage boy resistance and he gave in, shuffled closer to her side.

  “Sorry,” he muttered. “Didn’t mean to get carried away.”

  “Sorry for what,” she contradicted, pitching her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “You’ve behaved impeccably, Patrick. Yo
ur dad and I are dead proud of you.”

  “Here, here,” Dorothy applauded and, not for the first time, Naomi felt she could do without her approval. She sensed Dorothy was about to say more, but whatever it would have been was interrupted by the sudden opening of the door and two of the men, the leader and the younger one bust inside and from the squeals and gasps of shock, Naomi guessed that they were both armed.

  CHAPTER 14

  “Sir, something’s happening. One of the riflemen just reported that the doors are opening.”

  “What?”

  Alec crossed to the window accompanied by Hemmings and the two negotiators. As they watched, the bank doors opened just enough for a man to pass through. He was supporting a middle-aged woman, dressed in a cashiers uniform. She looked sick; he looked fearful. One arm around the woman, he raised the other as though to signal that he was no threat and unarmed. Hemmings turned and strode towards the door. “I’ll get down there.”

  Alec nodded. “I’m guessing that’s the manager and Audrey Shields,” he said. “Alert the paramedics and bring them in through the back.”

  He turned his attention back to the view of the street. Brian Machin was struggling a little, Audrey weak enough to be almost a dead weight. Armed officers emerged to give them escort, a further two with riot shields to give them cover.

  “There’s more,” Sarah whispered.

  The door had opened again and this time an elderly couple struggled through. They practically ran across the road, the woman twittering with panic, her voice rising to them and audible through the part open window.

  “Know who they are?” Sam asked

  Alec shook his head.

  Then two women followed. The first carrying a baby in her arms, the second leading two little girls. The second woman had reached the bottom of the steps when she turned as though preparing to go back. She looked terrified. Then the door opened a little further and the youngest child reached out for what next emerged. The large black dog came obediently to her side, allowing her to take his harness, then sat down on the curb waiting. The woman screamed at him. And began to drag her children across the road. “Leave him, Megan, just let go. Just let go.”

  “A guide dog?” Sarah was puzzled. Alec didn’t reply, he was already heading for the door. Not quite believing what he’d seen, he ran down the stairs, through the shop and into the street. The black dog, puzzled now and whimpering softly, was still waiting on the curb. He saw Alec and arfed happily. Then, finally accepting Alec’s urgent instructions, ambled across.

  “What’s going on?” Hemmings demanded. “You know who he belongs to?”

  Alec nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Hemmings frowned, but took his cue. “I’ll get them all upstairs,” he told Alec “and I’ll get a dog handler in to look after him.”

  “No!” Alec hadn’t meant to sound so emphatic. “No, it’s all right. I’ll see to him.” His hands moved to free Napoleon from his working harness, rubbing the dog’s sleek coat, checking as Naomi always did, for any pressure sores or tiny rubs. Napoleon wriggled happily beside him, whining now as though to ask what was going on.

  “It’s all right, boy, it’s going to be ok, old man,” Alec told him, hoping that were true.

  ***

  Arriving upstairs he found that Hemmings had taken over and was issuing orders, getting the hostages fed and watered, arranging for transport to the hospital to be checked out. Sarah Milton was taking their names and Sam was watching the window for further developments.

  “Our friendly neighbourhood journalists are in a feeding frenzy,” he announced. How did they manage in the days before mobile phones?

  Alec’s pocket began to ring. He fished out his mobile and stared at the name on the screen, hesitating over whether or not to take the call, finally deciding in favour, aware that his indecision had attracted even more attention.

  “Friedman,” he tried and failed to sound businesslike.

  “Friedman, is it? “ Simon said. “Ok then, Friedman, tell me this. That was Naomi’s dog, wasn’t it?”

  “I’m not at liberty to…”

  “Oh, don’t give me that crap. I’d know Napoleon in a roomful of black Labradors. Naomi’s my friend too, remember.”

  “Are you calling as a friend or as a reporter,” Alec questioned.”

  “Not fair, Alec!” Simon paused. “Look, they’re going nuts out here, everyone’s making the call that hostages have been released. You making a statement or what? And, don’t worry, I’m not so stupid or, contrary to popular belief, so mercenary that I’d risk a friend over a story. I’ve been there. Done that. Ain’t worth it? But just tell me this, is Harry with her?”

  Alec hadn’t thought about it until that moment. They’d planned to go out together that day, he’d been supposed to meet her that night. He’d assumed, when he’d been unable to reach her, that she’d heard the story on the television and knew he’d be involved in the investigation. Naomi rarely phoned him at work.

  “I don’t know yet,” he said.

  “Mari should be told.”

  “I know that,” Alec snapped. He took a deep but only partially calming breath, aware that Hemmings and the two negotiators were watching him. “I’ll call you back,” he said. “Soon, Simon. I promise.”

  “You going to tell us what’s going on?” Hemmings wanted to know.

  “If explanations can wait,” Sam interrupted, “then they should, just until we’ve finished getting names from the released hostages and then sent out for food.”

  “Food?” Alec was momentarily at a loss.

  “The lines of communication just opened,” Sarah told him. “We need to keep them open. Food and water and mobile phone. Maybe by morning, we’ll have a dialogue going.”

  ***

  Inside the store room there was a little more space in which to move.

  “At least.” Dorothy said, “those released will be able to give the names of those of us left behind. Our families will know where we are and the police will know how many.”

  “Mum and dad will know I’m ok,” Megan said. She sounded close to tears at not being chosen.

  “What surprises me,” Dorothy mused, “Is why I’m still here. I’d have thought he’d have kept the Parker’s, so much easier to intimidate them and taken the opportunity to get rid of me.”

  Naomi was amused. “Was that the plan?” she asked.

  “Lord, no dear. I’m like this with everyone. I don’t see it changing just because the stupid man had a gun. Well, I think we should be grateful they let the children go.”

  There was a general murmur of agreement at that. “Audrey too,” she added. I just hope she’s going to be all right.”

  ***

  Hemmings listened as Alec told him about Naomi.

  “Shit!” I should relieve you now. You know that?”

  Alec nodded. “Do what you have to do,” he said. “But I’m staying put, official or not.”

  “We’ll talk about it later,” Hemmings said. “Right now, there’s a job to do.”

  Alec took a deep breath and tried to consider the business in hand. “I suggest we have a quick chat to the hostages as a group, before they leave. That way we can collect initial impressions of conditions inside the bank and they should be more at ease as a group.”

  “Brian Machin and the woman with angina have gone.” Hemmings reminded him. “I let him go with her, they’ve got one of my lot in tow. DC Prior, she’s a good lass. Sarah’s taken the rest through to the back room.”

  The room directly behind the shop had been used as a kitchen diner by the owners and Sarah had them gathered around the table, drinking tea and fizzy pop. She’d conjured up a couple of packs of biscuits from somewhere and the two little girls were tucking in. The adults looked shell shocked, but the kids were prattling about the lady who took them to the toilet and the men with guns. Sarah was encouraging them to talk and Sam, keeping in the background, quietly took notes.

  Hemmings joined th
e hostages at the table. “We’re arranging to get you all ferried to the hospital for a general check,” he said. “Your families will meet you there and then we’ll assign officers to take statements. I’m sorry to have to insist, but we’ll need those tonight, as soon as possible. We need to know as much as possible about what’s going on in there.”

  “She’s a mad woman!” The mother of the two little girls could not seem to get her mind off Dorothy Peel. Alec began to wonder if she saw her as a bigger bogey man than the four with guns. “She just snatched them from me and marched them off to the toilet. She could have got them shot.”

  “I think she was very brave, “Alice’s mother contradicted.

  “Brave!” Mary Parker had other ideas. “The woman is insane. She threatened to hit me!”

  Alec watched and listened, oddly detached, unable to get Naomi out of his mind for long enough to focus on the others. A small part of his brain told him that they were getting nowhere fast and that to talk collectively to these people was not the good idea it had first seemed. Hemmings seemed to be reaching the same conclusion and when word came that vehicles had been arranged to take them away, he released them without protest or comment.

  Sam came over to Alec and handed him a list. “Those still left inside,” he said. “There are seven. Megan James, we knew about. Tim Barron, the other cashier. Mrs Dorothy Peel, who seems to have stirred up a certain amount of controversy and a retired Brigadier, Paul Hebden. I believe you had them both on your original list.”

  Alec nodded.

  “Then there’s a Naomi Blake. The guide dog belongs to her, but I gather from what’s not been said that you know that already. Where is he, by the way?”

  “I’ve got someone getting him fed and watered,” Alec’s voice cracked slightly. He coughed and carried on. “Who else?”

  “A father and son, Patrick and Harry Jones. They were with Naomi Blake.”

  “Yes, they would have been.”

  “Alec, how deeply are you involved with this woman?”