Glittering Gallows

Chapter 55

327 C Chapter 55 he two bags were now fully stuffed, tied and lay near the revolving door. The tellers, the security guard and everybody, stood against the front windows, the backs of their heads pressed against the louvers. Aluwani moved on the floor of the hall, monitoring them vigilantly. Outside, marksmen trained their weapons at the bank. But the people inside were shields. Women and a few men were crying. The crescendo of a helicopter prompted Regis to investigate. Holding the bank manager by the back of his shirt collar and the Luger pressed against the man’s head, Regis stood behind him at a window near the door. He pulled down a louver and peered outside. A police SWAT helicopter hovered in front of the building. Its doors were open and helmeted figures sat inside, their rifles aimed at the bank. Straining, he looked south. Six police cars with flashing lights blocked the intersection of Jacob Maré and Andries St. To the north, four more patrol cars blocked Andries St about fifty metres from the bank, their front doors open, marksmen stood at the ready behind the doors. Police officers were in the park and shielding behind lampposts, statues and garbage bins. Regis had never seen so many police officers in action. A voice speaking through a megaphone rose above the noise of the helicopter: “THIS IS THE POLICE! YOU’RE SURROUNDED! I’M SPEAKING TO THE TWO MEN INSIDE BINOMIAL! SURRENDER BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. I REPEAT; THIS IS THE POLICE! COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!” Another helicopter crescendo erupted. Regis peered outside again and saw an Apache military helicopter flying over the park, looming. It appeared as if it was going to ram into the bank, but then it soured out of sight. The gun- and rocket-burdened battlefield gunship frightened him. T 328 Aluwani saw the gunship too, but already he was sweating liberally. He raised his pistol and pressed the muzzle against his right temple. “THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING!” the voice came again. “SURRENDER BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! I REPEAT; THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING!” Aluwani’s finger slowly curled around the trigger. Most of the women watching him screamed and closed their eyes. The security guard collapsed again. ...