But before he could touch it the door opened inward, knocking him back on his heels. Sandy cannoned into him from behind.
Grace’s square middle-aged figure was outlined in the doorway. The gun in his hand was steady. He brought it forward until it nudged against Ken’s chest.
“Back up,” Grace said quietly. “It’s more private in the rear of the store.” Without turning his head he addressed Barrack, who had come up behind him. “Tell Andy to stay on guard outside. Then come back here. We have to decide what to do with these two snoopers.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
They were all in the back room, within the circle of light that illuminated the table on which fresh green bills were still scattered. Barrack and Grace, both with guns, kept the boys between them.
“Coming!” The man spoke in a mumble, and when he appeared at the rear door a moment later he was shaking his head dazedly. But his head jerked up and his big hand balled into a fist when he saw the boys. He came toward them in a rush.
“Shut that door!” Grace’s voice stopped him.
Cal sketched a jab with his fist. “Just let me—!”
“O.K.” Cal turned and slammed the back door shut with a crash.
“Sit down—you two,” Grace ordered the boys. “And put your hands flat on the table.”
“Look here!” Sandy managed to get a note of angry innocence into his voice. “I don’t know what you—”
“Quiet.” Barrack added weight to the command with a prod of his gun.
Cal laughed unexpectedly. “They’re sure not going to be taking any stories to the police now.” He grinned even as he massaged the reddening bruise on his chin.
“What makes you think the police don’t already know what we know?” Ken asked. His voice had sounded uneven for the first few words, but he had managed to steady it before the end of the sentence. “And the Treasury men too?” he added for good measure. “We’re with Global News, you know, and the way we work—”
“I told you to keep quiet.” Grace sounded more impatient than alarmed.
“Look, Grace,” Cal said suddenly, “why don’t we—?”
Grace turned on him angrily. “Whatever we’re going to do,” he said, “we’re not going to discuss it now.” He jerked his head toward the boys. “Keep them covered, Barrack.”