Death Run by Jack Higgins Page B

for the bullet holes in her coat and the blood, she could almost be peacefully sleeping.
    As soon as the guard was looking at the wounded woman and away from the stage, Gemma’s hands came up, ready for the catch. Rich threw the ball of paper. Gemma grabbed at it. It bounced out of her hands and fell to the floor, out of reach.
    Gemma glared at him like it was his fault. Then, in a single swift motion, she was off the stage, scooping up the ball of paper and pulling herself back up.
    When the guard straightened up and turned to check on his prisoners, he could see nothing amiss.Rich just hoped Gemma would get a chance to read his message and would understand what he wanted her – and the others – to do when the time came.
    If not, they might all end up dead.

12
    â€œSo what do we call you?” Jade asked the Banker. “I mean ‘sir’ sounds a bit formal given what’s going on. And I guess you’re not really Mr Argent.”
    Rich had returned to the storeroom. He was holding a stapler. “Maybe we need a code name,” he suggested.
    â€œOh right,” Jade said, unimpressed. “What are you going to do with that?” She pointed to the stapler. “Give them a clip round the ear?”
    â€œWhy not call me Dom?” the Banker suggested.
    â€œIs that a code name?” Rich asked. “The initials stand for something, maybe?”
    â€œIt’s short for Dominic. That’s my real name.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œRight, well, you and Dom…” Jade hesitated overthe name. It didn’t really seem to suit the man and she wondered if it really was his name. Not that it mattered. Not that she cared, not really. “Tell you what, why don’t we just call you Mr Argent so we don’t get confused? You get on with your distraction tactics and I’ll get the phone.”
    â€œI’m not sure why it has to be me that does it,” Mr Argent said nervously.
    â€œBecause it’s you they’re after,” Rich said. “One of us pokes their nose round the door and they don’t give a monkey’s. Might even shoot us. But they want you, and they want you alive.”
    â€œAnd because I’ll be quicker than you getting the phone,” Jade said. She glanced down at her flat school shoes. At least she didn’t wear heels like some of the girls. But she’d rather be in her trainers.
    â€œAll right then,” the Banker agreed. “Let’s get it over with.”
    â€œThat’s the spirit.” Rich patted him on the back. “Come on, we’ll be fine. Soon be over.” He turned to Jade. “You be OK?”
    â€œCourse I will.” She tried to sound confident. But her stomach was churning with anxiety – for herself and for Rich. “Look after yourself.”
    â€œDon’t worry about me.”
    â€œOf course I worry about you,” Jade murmured as Rich and the Banker disappeared down the stairs.
    The reception foyer was empty. Rich waited for several seconds at the end of the corridor, listening for any sounds that might suggest one of the gunmen was coming. But there was nothing.
    â€œOK,” he said to Mr Argent. “You’re on. I’m all set.” He brandished his stapler.
    The Banker nodded and swallowed. “Right. Here we go.”
    He walked briskly across to the double doors that led into the school hall, and reached out for the handles. He took a deep breath, turned to smile nervously at Rich, then heaved the door open.
    Rich held the stapler ready as the Banker stepped into the hall. Over the man’s shoulder he could see the gunman turning. The man’s face was a mask of surprise.
    Then the doors were closing again as the Banker turned and ran. He skidded past Rich and pressed himself hard against the wall of the corridor behind him.
    Moments later, the halls doors sprang open again. The gunman stood there, looking round, searchingfor any clue as