Nick tossed his phone to Riley. “Call Weber,” he said as he rolled Hudson over on his stomach. “Tell him the hostages will be coming out of the side door and to hold their fire.”
Riley’s eyes widened. “That sounds like it would be better coming from you.”
“Make the call, Thorn,” he said with a wink. “A badass like you should have no trouble telling the cops to stand down.”
“Is it over?”
“Are we going to live?”
“Is there any lobster tail salad left?”
The hostages were starting to peek over the desk.
“Everybody, form an orderly line and put your hands on your heads,” Nick advised as he patted Hudson down.
“Kellen, the hostages are coming out the side entrance. Hold your fire,” Riley said.
“Oooh! I’m taking this chicken parm with me,” Mrs. Penny announced, snatching a to-go container off the anchor desk. She turned, and Nick watched in slow-motion horror as the thick sole of her orthopedic shoe caught on the cable running to the bomb.
“Nooooooooo.”
But it was too late. The clock started a countdown from thirty seconds.
“Everybody out!” Riley shouted.
“Now! Move!” Nick ordered.
Gabe picked up Mrs. Penny and tossed her over one shoulder. He grabbed the associate producer and put her under his other arm and ran like a linebacker for the emergency exit.
Armand scooped up Chris on a dolly and sprinted for the door.
Bella skipped past them, looking like she was lining up for chicken fingers in the cafeteria.
“Wait! Help me! I’m stuck to this chair,” Griffin wailed, scooting after her.
“Really tempted to leave him here,” Nick said, throwing Hudson over his shoulder.
“I know. But you won’t because you’re a good person,” Riley told him.
“I’m the most important person in this room! Someone has to save me,” Griffin wailed.
“I’m notthatgood of a person,” Nick insisted.
“Come on, Santiago. I’d like to see you naked again.”
“The things I do for you, Thorn.”
With that, they ran for the door, Nick carrying Hudson and pushing Griffin in front of him.
The clock glowed brightly in her head as they made it through the emergency exit into the parking lot. “Get back,” she yelled as she held the door for Nick.
“Ahhh! This is too bumpy,” Griffin complained when the chair wheels hit the parking lot.
“We can’t get far enough away with this luggage,” Nick said through clenched teeth.
Riley glanced at the dumpster then back at Nick.
“Good idea,” he said.
