Page 18 of Deadly Hacker

CHAPTER8

EMMA JEAN

“Okay,class, let’s move into our next position,” Emma Jean instructed with a smile.

It was Friday, her favorite day of the week, and the studio was filled with bright and shining young faces. The room was cheerful with its rainbow-hued streamers and motivational posters. Emma Jean was excited to share the treats she had prepared for the approaching snack break. The kids were in high spirits, many of them giggling and chatting between poses.

Emma Jean didn’t mind. She expected a little more focus from her adult classes, but she loved seeing the children interact with each other. Many of them were otherwise sheltered kids who didn’t get much face time with other kids their age. Emma Jean was ecstatic to provide a space for the kids to not only improve their flexibility and pain management, but to just act like kids for once. There were two parents present that day with their little ones, and even they were feeling especially chatty. Emma Jean understood that for these parents of kids with disabilities, it was often more difficult to find time and opportunity to talk to other parents, too.

Flex and Flow was a meeting place, a safe haven. Emma Jean liked it that way. Even her own mind was comfortable enough to wander a little as she demonstrated a simple pose for the class. Her eyes passed over Grace in the front row. Her father, Max, had dropped her off that day with the mention of his friend Rad coming to pick her up again. Emma Jean felt a flutter of excitement at the thought of seeing him again so soon.

She told herself inwardly that he was not her type, but physically, he was perfection. Emma Jean remembered the sunny warmth of his charming smile, the way his golden-brown eyes locked on her as he said her name. It sounded so luxurious on his lips. Her body remembered the pulse of his muscles through his t-shirt and the way his body heat radiated over her. There was no denying it; Rad was wildly attractive.

More than that, he was playful. He was interested.

But Emma Jean wanted more than a fling. A guy like Rad simply had to be a womanizer. She was sure he had a full rotating roster of beautiful women at his disposal, and she wasn’t about to add herself to the list. She took herself too seriously for that. She had too much she wanted to accomplish in life to be distracted. In fact, she didn’t have the time to waste on anything less than true love.

Still, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Rad was even making appearances in her dreams lately. Just last night, she had been ravished in his powerful arms, kissed to the point of blissful oblivion, but she’d woken up frustrated and alone. Emma Jean just hoped she could play it cool when he showed up to collect Grace. She didn’t want him to know he’d been on her mind.

BANG!

“Oh!” Emma Jean started, covering her mouth with her eyes wide.

Silence fell over the yoga studio, all conversations going mute. That loud cracking sound had shaken everyone. Emma Jean wondered what it was, and the best possible scenario she could comprehend was fireworks. It had to have been a blast of fireworks somewhere in the city.

She knew that in the state of Nevada, the law said you could only purchase ‘safe and sane’ fireworks from licensed sellers in fireproof booths. The law also stipulated that fireworks only be set off between June 28th and July 4th.

Today was the 30th, with the Fourth of July on Monday. But some clubs, bars, and other entertainment venues liked to get the party started early and carry through the weekend. Sure, it was odd to hear them in the middle of the day when it was difficult to fully appreciate the fireworks, but still. That had to be the answer.

“Don’t worry about the noise, kids. Just people getting ready for Independence Day,” she said cheerily. “Let’s work on stretching toward our toes, all right?”

Most of the children accepted her explanation and happily went back to stretching and giggling together. But Emma Jean could see the concern etched on the parents’ faces. Grace stopped what she was doing and glanced toward the door, then back at Emma Jean. The yoga teacher gave her a sympathetic smile and shrug, trying to play it off so the kids wouldn’t get too freaked out. She had to remain calm for their sake.

But just as she opened her mouth to give the next instruction, another loud crack split the air. This time, everyone in the studio screamed. There was no hiding it now; that shot had definitely come from inside the complex. The parents began to mutter to each other, the kids lost interest in the yoga lesson, and one little boy started to cry.

Emma Jean had to act fast. These people were all under her care. It was up to her to keep them safe and calm. She hurried to the window and looked down.

Her heart sank. Multiple cop cars, a fire truck, and an ambulance were careening up the drive to park outside the building. She saw a police officer step out with a big megaphone, and she instantly understood that there must be a hostage negotiation taking place.

The most likely focal point had to be Saguaro Bank on the first floor. Which meant that Emma Jean and her whole class were in danger. Being on the top floor made them extra vulnerable. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. If the shooter decided to move up through the levels, he would have them backed into a corner.

Emma Jean decided immediately that she would do anything to prevent that.

Another shot rang out, and everyone ducked down in fear. The parents cradled their toddlers to their chests. A few children started to cry. Grace, always the little helper, instantly began comforting the younger children around her.

“What is that?” asked one of the parents.

“Nothing good,” said the other grimly.

Emma Jean struggled for words. They were right.

Up here in the studio, they were sitting ducks. The gym still hadn’t even hired a new doorman yet. There was no first line of defense. Emma Jean knew they had to get somewhere safer, somewhere less accessible to the shooter. Immediately, she thought of the basement storage room. It was rarely visited, mostly full of old equipment. It was rare to have a basement in Nevada, but the Sunrise Business Complex did have one.

But how to get there?

Emma Jean thought first of the staircase many people used to go from one floor to the next. But these kids with mobility trouble had no chance of making it safely and swiftly down those stairs, even with assistance. It was too risky.

There were three adults including Emma Jean, and eight children. Emma Jean knew she had to cram everyone into the elevator, and she would leave herself out if necessary. With the decision made, she jumped into action.

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