Cade kept his face perfectly neutral. He didn't look at the camera lens. He casually turned the bear so the right eye was facing his chest, effectively blinding the feed.
"Nice bear," Cade said loudly, ensuring the hidden microphone picked up his voice. "I think he needs to sit right here on the counter, so he can watch the door."
Cade stood up and placed the bear on the diner counter, facing the front entrance, completely looking away from Mia.
"What are you doing?" Sarah hissed, stepping forward.
Cade grabbed a paper napkin from the dispenser. He pulled a black pen from Sarah’s apron pocket and scribbled frantically on the paper. He held it up for her to read, keeping his body between the napkin and the bear.
CAMERA IN BEAR. GANG IS WATCHING. GET KITCHEN LANDLINE. CALL SHERIFF. TELL THEM SILENT APPROACH ONLY. NO SIRENS.
Sarah’s eyes widened as she read the words. She swallowed hard, giving Cade a tiny, nearly imperceptible nod. "I'm... I'm going to go get some water from the kitchen," she said aloud, her voice trembling only slightly.
"Bring me a glass, too," Cade said.
As Sarah disappeared through the swinging metal doors into the kitchen, Cade turned his attention back to Mia. He only had fourteen minutes left.
He knelt behind her again, looking at the pressure plate. With the camera facing the door, Silas couldn't see what he was doing behind the child's back. But the dead-man's switch was still fully active. If Mia's arms gave out and she fell backward, the plate would compress.
"My arms are shaking," Mia whispered, her elbows slipping slightly on the vinyl stool.
"I got you," Cade said. He moved closer, pressing his own broad chest lightly against the back of the device, taking the weight of it. "Just lean on the stool. I'll brace the back."
He needed to disable the pressure plate without triggering the primary receiver. He traced the blue bypass wire again. It ran from the cell-phone battery down to the spring-loaded switch. If he severed the connection to the pressure plate, the vest wouldn't detonate if she sat down. But if he cut the wrong wire, or if he crossed the circuit, the battery would dump a charge straight into the blasting cap.
He needed a tool. A knife wouldn't work; the steel blade could conduct the current and bridge the gap. He needed something insulated.
"Sarah," Cade called out softly.
Sarah emerged from the kitchen, holding a glass of water. Her face was ashen, but she gave him a sharp nod. The call was made.
"I need the ceramic paring knife from the salad station," Cade said quietly. "Ceramic doesn't conduct electricity. Bring it here. Keep it out of sight of the bear on the counter."
Sarah moved quickly, retrieving the small white knife with a plastic handle. She slid it across the floor to Cade.