I put my hand on Mary’s arm and pulled her close to me.

‘Is there any way out of here besides the door?’ I asked in a whisper.

She shook her head.

‘How about the roof?’

‘There’s a ladder that takes you up to the roof, but once up there, there’s no way to escape.’

‘Sure?’

‘You might with a rope, but it wouldn’t be easy.’

‘I guess I’ll take a look,’ I said. ‘Got a rope?’

‘There’s one in the kitchen.’

Joe suddenly fired again.