... “I texted the police.” She had crept up to me while
I watched the proceedings.
... “You can do that?” I whispered
back, my heart racing.
... She nodded, face serious, eyes containing
a glint of amusement. “How soon do you think they’ll be here?”
I asked.
... She shrugged. “I don’t know.
Maybe they won’t show up at all. But it’s something.”
... “Well, we can hope – “
... The gunman rounded on us.
... “No more talking!” he yelled,
voice cracking a little. “That goes for everyone. No talking!”
... The second robber ran in from the back
and they went into frantic, hushed conversation for a moment, then the
bearded one in the ugly jeans advanced on Anil. “Open the shutters,
man!”
... Anil raised a shaking hand but replied
in an indignant voice, “I can’t! The system is broken, it won’t
open up.”
... “You’re lying!” Beardy
screamed.
... “Why the hell would I lie? You think
I want to be stuck in here with you? You think I care what happens to
the money in this store? Hell, no! I’m not the owner.”
... Beardy nodded, suddenly reminded of their
original purpose.
... “Yeah, yeah, gimme the money.”
... Anil almost rolled his eyes and opened
the cash register. He began stacking bills on the counter.
... “Are the police coming?” The
robber asked, repeatedly glancing at the front door.
... Anil nodded smoothly. “Yes.”
... My head snapped over at the bluff, but
I said nothing and hoped Anil knew what he was doing. Anil and the robber
debated the truth of this statement and the possible implications should
the authorities actually show up. I considered the argument unwise of
Anil, considering the obviously unstable mood of the man....
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