Page 87 of Every Last One

“Just extra precaution. And you don’t want to be roaming the halls when the police come in.”

“Have you heard something about that yet?”

“No. But here. I thought you might be hungry.” She handed the chips to Gail, knowing that Phoebe wasn’t to eat this close to her heart transplant. She had to believe the operation was still happening. “I know Phoebe needs to fast.”

“Thank you.” She popped a bag open and took out a chip but didn’t put it into her mouth. “But that’s only if she’s getting the surgery.” Gail’s voice cracked on that, and Maria touched her hand.

“Let’s keep positive, okay?”

“I’m trying. How is your boyfriend?” Gail crunched down on the chip, and Maria realized how hungry she was.

“Would you mind if I…?” She pointed at the unopened bag in Gail’s hand.

“Not at all.” Gail handed the bag over with a smile, which faded fast. “But you never said how your boyfriend is doing.”

Maria didn’t want to give too much thought to his condition. He was stable, but that could change in an instant. She took outa few chips and munched them down. Then licked her lips of the crumbs. “A doctor is with him, but he needs surgery.”

“Let’s hope he gets it.” Gail put a hand over her chest. “When I saw you, I thought maybe he was already…”

Maria shook her head.

“Good, but I just don’t understand why the police haven’t stormed in here yet.”

Maria struggled with the same question, but it came down to one thing. “There are a lot of lives on the line in here. And there are other gunmen.”

“What?”

“It’s not just the people on this floor in danger. Dr. Bell told me he heard about one on the second and sixth floors before the phones went down. There could be more.”

“And you never shared this with me?”

“I didn’t want to scare you any more than you already were.”

“But Phoebe…”

“She’s fine, and so are you. And you will be as long as you stay in this room.”

“And what about you?” Gail looked Maria up and down. “I get the sense you’re not staying.”

“I’m not.”

“At least leave me the gun in case another gunman comes.”

“The ones from the other floors can’t get to here. The elevators and the doors on the stairs are locked. The man from this floor is locked in the storage room.”

“Why are you holding on to the gun?” Gail’s eyes were wide, and fear was etched into her facial expression.

“Just in case…” Maria took a deep breath and put a hand over her stomach, her thoughts drifting to the child she was carrying.

“I don’t understand.”

“Other patients could need my help. This has been going on for hours. I’m going to get more food from the vending machineand do whatever I can to make this easier on everyone until the police shut this down.”

Gail greedily ate the chips and quickly polished off the bag.

“Here, finish mine.” Maria gave what was left of her chips to Gail.

“No, you don’t have to do that.”