The robber caught his movement and tightened his grip on my arm as he swung the gun toward Stone.
“Join the others on the floor now or she gets a bullet,” the robber threatened.
Stone froze and held his hands up as if surrendering, then said, “I’m the branch manager. Whatever it is you want, I can help. Just don’t hurt anyone.”
“You’re not the usual branch manager,” the robber said suspiciously.
So, they had cased the bank and were familiar with the usual people.
“Bernie had a health emergency, heart. I’m here until he’s cleared to return.”
Good excuse and I wondered if the bank employees thought that as well.
The robber scanned the room. “The Regional Bank Inspector, where is he?”
Stone’s thoughts had to mirror mine. How did the guy know the Regional Bank Inspector was there?
Henry Walker slowly stood, his face pale. “That’s me.”
“Good,” the robber said and dragged me along with him.
I saw Stone move, though the woman remained still.
The robber halted and pointed his gun back and forth between Stone and the woman. “On the floor with the others, now, or she gets a bullet where it will do more than hurt.” When Stone didn’t move right away, he screamed, “NOW!”
I cringed when he pressed the gun hard against my side.
Stone’s gaze settled on me again, and this time he didn’t bother hiding his concern and anger. He and the woman joined the others and sat.
The robber cast a quick glance at his partner. “Shoot anyone who moves.” Then he turned to Henry Walker. “Safety deposit boxes, now!”
Walker nodded and headed to the back of the bank where the vault would be. The robber kept one hand tight on my arm and nudged me forward with the gun, to follow.
I knew Stone’s mind was working.
Mine was too. But the robbers’ guns made any sudden move a very bad idea, which meant Stone needed an opportunity.
The robber was well prepared. He unclipped a bag that hung from his belt and flung it at Walker as soon as we entered the vault.
“Open the box numbers I call out to you,” he ordered. “And be quick about it.”
Walker pulled out a drill from the bag and, with trembling hands, got busy.
Again, the robber was prepared, knowing he had only so much time before the police were alerted. Someone knew what he was doing.
The robber let loose a string of words that probably would have blistered paint off a car when he discovered the boxes were empty.
“Many box holders have cleared their boxes out in the wake of the bank robberies,” Walker explained.
Of course, my thought went straight to how the robber knew what box numbers to open.
The robber swore again, then waved his gun at Walker. “Open more boxes.”
Walker did as he was told until finally the robber said, “Enough. We’re done here. Move.”
Walker hurried ahead, leading us out of the vault area.
The robber kept his fingers locked firmly around my arm, making it clear he had no intention of letting me wander off.
