“Good. Now, I need you to listen to me. We don’t have much time. They’ll be coming, and they won’t make the same mistake twice. First, I’m really proud of how you handled yourself. Most kids—hell, most adults—would’ve collapsed under the pressure. You did the right thing, and I know your dad will be proud of you too.”

Sam was struck with a wave of emotion at the mention of her father. Zack saw her true pain and fear, but they vanished, replaced by a confidence he knew was there. “That’s the girl next door I know. Good. That’s the game face I need you to have until this is over. Can you do that?”

Her calm replenishing itself with each word, Sam nodded. “You got it, Mr. C.”

Zack smiled at the politeness. “Here’s the deal. I have no idea who these people are or what they want, but most of the neighborhood has been taken hostage by them. In addition to the one you dropped, I’ve taken out six of them.”

“What? You’ve killed six people? Tonight?” Sam asked awestruck. “Forget about these guys, Mr. C? Who are you?”

That was a fair question in more ways than Sam knew. “Listen, I promise, when this is over, I’ll tell you some of it, but for now, we have more pressing matters at hand. Like I said, we need answers, and this guy, here,” Zack said, pointing over his left shoulder, “is the only one who has them. What I’m about to do, you’re not going to like. Honestly, I don’t like it, but if he doesn’t start talking, we can’t help any of our friends and neighbors.”

At the mention of the neighbors, Sam’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. Ben—he called me on the handheld radios we use to talk instead of cell phones. Do you have any idea if he’s okay?”

Zack heard the desperation in her voice, the need to know that the boy she cared about was safe. “That’s his name. Ben. I couldn’t remember it earlier. And yes. He’s safe. He’s a brave one, Sam. He fought and beat one of the hostage-takers, but then they outnumbered him, and he gave up, which was the smart move. He’s okay. We just need to figure out how to help him and the others stay that way.”

Sam nodded, shook her head, and looked at the unconscious gunman. “Mr. C, this is seriously messed up. What are you going to do to him?”

“Whatever it takes, kiddo,” Zack replied. “Whatever it takes. Are you with me?”

“Hey, you’re the adult. I’m just following your lead.”

“Good. Now, let’s get him up against the railing.” He yanked white plastic zip ties off the man’s vest.