Relief flooded through him. “Now only three more to go.”
“Three more?” Mia hissed, pressing against the window. “My daughter’s in there...”
Through the glass, David could see Lila on the ground. He could see Preston’s hand on her ankle and Brian kick out.
Come on, come on.
What would she use?
Something personal. Something that mattered to her.
Something she loved.
“Her favorite food,” David said suddenly, looking at Mia. “What’s her favorite food?”
“She loves...” Mia stopped, her eyes widening. “Hot fudge sundaes. With caramel.”
“Hot Fudge Caramel Sunday,” David breathed.
He was about to type it in when suddenly the door swung open.
They all froze.
Brian stumbled out first, supporting Lila. Both were coughing violently, their faces red, tears streaming from their eyes.
“Hot Fudge Caramel Sunday,” Brian gasped out between coughs.
Mia and Eve rushed forward.
Mia grabbed Lila, pulling her daughter away from the door. “I’ve got you, I’ve got you.”
Lila was swaying, coughing so hard her whole body shook.
“Quick,” Milly said, indicating for Nolan to help her.
They grabbed Calvin, who was still struggling against his restraints on the floor.
He fought them, his eyes wild. “No, wait?—”
They dragged him toward the open vault door.
“No!” Calvin thrashed. “You can’t?—”
Milly and Nolan shoved him hard through the doorway.
He stumbled into the vault, arms windmilling.
Through the white fog, David could see Preston’s form on the ground, unconscious.
Calvin turned, his face appearing at the window, mouth open in a yell they couldn’t hear.
David slammed the door shut.
His fingers flew across the keypad, entering a new code. One Calvin wouldn’t be able to break.
Through the window, Calvin’s fists pounded against the glass.
His movements grew slower. More sluggish.
