Chapter 4
"All right, all o' ya. Line up over there. Now!" The gunman who seemed to be the mouthpiece for the group pointed to the western wall of the bank. Harry took Ruth's hand and led them over to the wall, positioning them closest to an office door.
Some of the women and a few of the men were crying as they lined up along the wall. One woman was grabbing at the gunmen and pleading with them, "Please please don't hurt me. Please please" so that by the time the customers were positioned against the wall the gunmen were annoyed. Harry judged they had about half an hour until Tariq and Lucas discovered what was happening and sent in the cavalry until…
"Hey you" Harry was jabbed in the stomach "give me your wallet." Harry opened his coat.
"I don't have my wallet."
"Get real man" the gunman pointed his gun directly at Harry's chest.
"My wife has her purse. Why do I need a wallet?" Harry calmly reasoned.
"Ha Ha. Yeah man. Let the old lady do the payin'. I like that." He turned to address Ruth. "Drop it in here, doll" Ruth chanced a glance at Harry who nodded. She dropped her purse into the bag the gunman was holding. As the gunman moved on, Wes made a strange strangled sound in his throat which caused the gunman to pause and step back toward him. Harry looked down at Wes and for the first time realized how pale the boy was. Wes was shaking visibly as he stood between Harry and Ruth. They exchanged a look.
"Hey kid, what's your problem?" the gunman grasped the front of Wes' jersey and the boy promptly vomited all down the gunman's front. Harry blanched at what he knew would come next.
"You rotten brat" the gunman raised his hand to slap the boy. Harry stepped in front of Wes and grabbed the man's arm.
"You don't want to do that." Harry stated coldly, his eyes lancing through the gunman's eyes. The gunman stepped back finding it difficult to hold Harry's stare. Unfortunately, this unusual action caught the attention of the ringleader who strode over to see who this man was that could cow his henchman.
"What's going on here?" He demanded of the gunman.
"Nothin' boss. This here kid puked on me." The Ringleader studied the boy in front of him. Ruth tightened her grip around Wes' shoulders and stared back, defying the man to touch him.
Harry acted quickly when he saw Ruth's determined face. She'll challenge them all if I don't step in now. His heart beat with pride in this brave lady at his side.
"My son is sick. Can my wife take him into the washroom and clean him up?" The Ringleader slowly turned and held Harry's gaze.
"This boy is your son?" He said in a measured voice.