Death Run by Jack Higgins

good,” Jade murmured. It looked like they were going to get the phone, no problem. And as soon as Ardman sent help…
    Jade stepped out from the stairs, but the Banker grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. There wassomeone in the corridor. A figure walking slowly and purposefully towards them.
    â€œHe saw me!” Jade hissed.
    â€œBack down the stairs then.”
    Jade couldn’t resist a quick glance back down the corridor to see how close the gunman was. Probably running full tilt.
    But he wasn’t. The figure was still walking at the same pace. He waved. Now he was closer and in the light, Jade could see that it was Rich.
    â€œSurprised to see me?” he asked as he reached them.
    He looked rather surprised himself as Jade grabbed him and hugged him tight.
    â€œTake that as a yes, then,” he said, pulling away at last. “Good to see you too, Jade.”
    She told him quickly who Mr Argent really was and about the phone.
    â€œOnly problem,” Rich said, “is there’s one of those guys in the classroom.”
    â€œIn my classroom?” the Banker said. “A gunman in my classroom?” He sounded more upset about that than he had been about anything else.
    â€œBut… How do they know it’s his classroom?” Jade wondered.
    â€œSays so on the door,” Rich told her. “Mr D. J. Argent.”
    â€œThey know what I look like, but how do they know that’s my new name?” the Banker asked.
    â€œBecause they found your photo on the staff mugshot board,” Rich explained. “Like, Cleeveholme’s most wanted.”
    â€œThey must have guessed you might go back there. Or they’re hoping so,” Jade said. “What do we do now?”
    â€œWe need to get old Beardy to call the gunman away.”
    â€œHe’s not likely to organise a tea break,” Jade pointed out.
    â€œTrue.” Rich grinned. “But if he suddenly needs more men for the search…”
    Jade was grinning too. “You’ve got an idea, haven’t you?”
    â€œMight have. I reckon they must be getting pretty desperate to find you by now,” he said to the Banker. “Let’s add to their problems.”
    They hurried into the storeroom and through to the gallery at the back of the stage. Looking down into the hall, they could see the gunman left on guard and the group of children – now including Mike and Rupam – sitting tired and scared on the edge of the stage withMiss Whitfield. The Banker looked down sadly at the body of his daughter, still lying on the hall floor.
    â€œI don’t think she’s badly hurt,” Rich reassured him. “They said the wound wasn’t too bad. But she’s out for the count and she needs treatment.” He beckoned them back into the relative safety of the storeroom and explained his plan.
    â€œOnly trouble is,” he finished, turning to the Banker, “if they get you, they get all the magic account numbers and the money.”
    â€œActually, they don’t.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” asked Jade.
    â€œI don’t have the numbers and passcodes. Well, not in their entirety. It’s a safety measure, and it’s why Mr Ardman is so frustrated with me. I only know half of each piece of information. Ardman needs the other half and that will only arrive when I’m sure I am safe.”
    â€œSo these people, the Tiger’s gunmen if that’s who they are, will only get half the information from you if you’re caught,” Rich said. “Who knows the other half?”
    Jade and Rich looked at each other, realising the answer at the same time.
    The Banker nodded. “We each know half. We work together, out of necessity. Though there is one failsafe,one place where we have stored the entire numbers and codes.” He smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s very safe.”
    There was a noise from below – the hall door