“Yeah. Max shot him. Then George was supposed to get the files from you, but he didn’t.” She tilted her head, the gun settling to point at Josie’s chest. Dark circles of sweat stained her flowered shirt. “What happened to George, anyway?”
Josie’s chest pounded. “I’m still not sure about George.” She surveyed the empty hallway. “What’s your plan here?”
Madge sighed, regret flashing across her face. False regret. “I’m a good person, you know.”
“In my experience, people who spend time trying to convince people they’re a good person are actually trying to convince themselves.” Where was Shane? “You know you’re not a good person.”
Madge’s head jerked up, her eyes a crazy, wide blue. “We’ll see about that now, won’t we? Give me the files.”
Josie pushed them toward Madge along with the ledger.
“Thanks.” She shoved them all in the big bag. “Now here’s the deal. I’ll shoot you.” Her gaze hardened. “I really will.”
Josie believed her. “This won’t work.”
“Sure it will. We get up, go toward the conference room in the back, and head down the east stairwell.” Madge sneered as she stood.
Josie swallowed. “What then?”
“Then we meet Max and give him the ledger. He’ll figure out what to do.” Madge gestured for Josie to get up.
“He’ll kill me. You know that, right?” Josie edged around the desk, her gaze on the gun. Madge had about six inches and forty or so pounds on Josie.
“Maybe not. I mean, maybe we can convince him you won’t tell.”
If Madge got her out of the building, she was dead. “Okay.” Josie eased toward the door.
Madge grabbed her bag. “I have the gun right behind my bag. I’ll shoot you if I need to.”
“I know.” Josie stepped into the hallway, glancing toward the far lobby. God, please let Shane be on guard.
Shane sat, his legs out before him, a legal pad in his hand. He glanced up.
She tipped her head toward Madge and turned the opposite way.
Vicki glanced up from her computer screen. “How are things?”
“Great.” Josie kept moving. She couldn’t get Vicki hurt. “Madge and I are heading to the conference room to spread out.”
“Josie,” Shane said, suddenly right behind her.
She jumped, partially turning. “Hi, Shane.” She gestured toward Madge. Her breath caught. “This is Madge, my client. We’re heading to the conference room.”
Shane smiled, all teeth. He extended a hand. “Nice to meet you, Madge.”
Madge eyed Josie and then Shane. With a hiss, she dropped the bag and pointed the gun at Shane. “Damn it.” She straightened her shoulder, gaze surveying Shane. “You look like danger.”
“Thank you.” Shane shifted his stance like a cougar about to strike.
Madge steeled her shoulders. “Yeah. There’s only one way to deal with a guy like you.”
Oh God. She was going to shoot! Without a thought, Josie shot a roundhouse kick at Madge’s hand.
The gun went off.
Shane bent at the waist, his hands going to his stomach. Blood oozed.
“Shane!” Josie gasped.
His eyes widened.
Madge grabbed Josie and pressed the gun to her neck. “You’re next.” She tugged Josie toward the elevator; backing away from Shane and a wide-eyed Vicki. Accountants and secretaries peered out of their offices, several with cell phones held at their ears. Calling the police, hopefully.
“Let her go and I won’t kill you,” Shane hissed through clenched teeth. His skin paled, yet he stood upright, one hand still covering the wound.
He’d been shot. How bad? Josie tried to halt their movements. Madge dug the gun in harder, and Josie winced.
Madge punched the elevator button. “If anyone comes near us, I’ll kill her. You know I will.” The door slid open and she yanked Josie inside.
Josie bit her lip. Shane stood near the door; his jaw set hard, a murderous glint in his eyes. Blood continued to soak through his T-shirt. How bad was the wound? Josie struggled to focus but couldn’t tell.
The door slid shut.
Chapter 23
“You didn’t have to shoot him.” Josie tried to tilt her head away from the cold gun stabbing into her jugular as the elevator descended. Anger made stars dance in front of her eyes.
Madge shrugged from behind her. “Yes, I did. I could tell from one look at that guy—he’s a hunter. He’ll keep coming. Nice kick, by the way. Who do you think you are? Rambo?” She dug sharp nails into Josie’s arm, her extra six inches of height coming in handy.
Josie blinked rapidly. Her kick had been useless. Maybe Shane was right. Maybe she was a ball of fluff. Fear filtered through the anger. What if the bullet had hit something important? What if Shane was really hurt? Without a doubt he wouldn’t seek medical help while some crazy woman held Josie hostage. He’d come after her.
That’s what family did.
The doors slid open. Two security guards, their stances low, pointed weapons at them.
Madge yanked her toward the door. “Make a move, boys, and I’ll shoot her in the neck.”