“Down on your knees.”

That was not going to happen. Decker said, “If you’re going to shoot me, you’re going to shoot me standing up.”

“I’m not going to shoot you, but how do I know when I let her go, you’re not going to try to swipe the gun away.”

Decker took five steps backward. “I’m way out of your reach.”

After what seemed like hours…more like a few moments…Banks let go of the sobbing girl and she ran out of the lobby. Decker was now staring at the barrel of a Glock 11 mm semiautomatic. “Just you and me, boss.”

“Turn around.”

Decker said, “You’ve got to keep your eyes on me, but I’ve got to keep my eyes on you. If you get cranky and start peeling off rounds, I need to be able to duck.”

Silence.

“I’m not moving on you, Rudy.”

Banks’s arm was starting to shake. He propped it up with his free hand.

Decker said, “You’ll notice that we’ve been in here for what…five minutes and no one has stormed the place. It’s still just you and me.”

Rudy didn’t answer.

“All I have to do is phone and tell them we’re coming out,” Decker said. “That’s all I have to do. I promise you that none of our people want to fuck this up. Once you’re out of this sketchy situation, you’ll get your lawyer, you’ll get your bail, and you’re home drinking Scotch and watching the game on TV.”

“I fucking hate sports.”

“C’mon. You know what I’m saying. You’re a savvy guy, Rudy. You know how to work the media.” Decker tried to keep condescension out of his voice. “Show these stupid kids what badass really is.”

More silence.

The gun still aimed at his face.

Finally, Rudy whispered, “Make your call.”

“Smart,” Decker said. “Very smart.” He tried to work as quickly as he could before Banks could change his mind. “All set.”

Banks said, “We walk out slowly!”

Decker was shivering and sweating at the same time. “You better believe it.”

“You’re an idiot for coming in and making yourself a human shield.”

“I’m sure my wife would agree.”

“I think I’m a bigger idiot for trusting you.”

“At this point, the only option we have is to trust each other.”

“Are you going to get some kind of promotion for this?”

“Maybe I’ll get a bonus.”

“If we walk out alive.”

“Yeah, if we don’t, maybe my wife will get some insurance money.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! How the fuck did this happen?”

“I don’t know, Rudy. Hollywood called me down and told me you wanted to talk to me. That’s all I know.”

“You tell Hollywood that they’re fucking lunatics if they think they can slap me with Ekerling’s murder.”