"I'm surprised you sent away the help," said Beau.
"I'm surprised that you didn't blast it out the window," snapped Julie. "They're here."
A flash grenade punctuated her remark as it feebly arced part way into the room but suddenly changed direction like a windswept leaf and sailed back out.
"Don't kill anyone," Julie said over the cries of confusion from the hallway. Beau was focused on the windows and the wall and then the windows again. He winced, and Julie gave him a bemused look.
"I'm going to need about a gallon of bourbon when this is over," said Beau. There was a thump as the secondary team tried to rappel in through the windows. What should have been a cascade of broken glass followed by the staccato pops of gunfire was a very unsatisfying "thunk," as the windows had taken on
