Close enough to slide his hand out that window and shoot Jack.
“We’re working on it, James,” Jack said, as though reassuring a hungry boy that dinner was almost ready. “But it might take a little longer than five minutes.”
The gun still aimed in the general direction of the little girl, the boy fired a shot. Splinters from the chalkboard sprayed around the room. The bullet lodged in the cement wall.
Uniform and rubber-suited officers alike jerked to attention. All eyes were on Jack, guns pointing toward the classroom.
“I have a shot,” one of the officers said. “Should I take it?”
“No.”
Jack wasn’t going to see that boy die if he could help it.
He’d have to go in. James was shooting. It was only a matter of time.
Marissa was lying to the left of the window. James was on the right. Jack’s job was to get through that window and put himself between the child and the gun.
The worst that could happen was that he’d take the bullet. He hoped it would hit the bullet-proof vest he had on under his T-shirt. But if not, it would be his life in exchange for the child’s.
Small price to pay.
He shifted onto his knees. “James?” he called. “My butt’s getting sore sitting here, so I’m going to stand and lean on the windowsill. Okay?”
It was a gamble. But if the boy’s attention was on Jack, chances were the child would be safe for another moment or two.
“I don’t want you to be startled by the movement,” he said, crouching under the window. “Is it okay with you if I look in?” he asked.
“No.”
Peering over his shoulder, receiving the confirmation he’d been seeking, Jack rose to his full height. An officer inside the building was ready to rush the boy if James turned the gun away from the child for even a second.
He stood.
James, startled, aimed the gun at Jack, who pushed up the window and climbed in. “Just didn’t want you—”
The rest of his words were lost in the chaos that followed. A couple of officers appeared from the back of the room as Jack put himself between the boy and the small blond girl lying on the floor. With one officer on either side and others filling the back of the room, they apprehended the boy.
Jack reached for the now-hysterical child.
And a shot rang out.
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