Page 79 of Freeing Savannah

“Hoot, it’s safe to let go of the pedals. There’re no wires attached to the rods that control the pedals.” Eggs returned with a large toolbox, which he set on the floor near Sawyer’s feet. “Let’s get this lid off.”

While Sawyer lowered the lid until it lay flat, Eggs and Hoot each grabbed a pair of pliers and used them to yank the pinsout of the two hinges holding the lid in place. Then, with one on either side, they lifted the heavy piece of wood and walked it off the back end of the piano before setting it on the floor. Sawyer removed the music shelf which held her iPad; the countdown numbers still displayed. She was grateful he was careful not to bump the fallboard, so it didn’t slam down on her fingers.

He could obviously get a better look at the device now. She stared at his side profile as he studied it and the wires she assumed were attached. His brow had a deep furrow in it as he concentrated. “The best course of action is to disarm the bomb but I think the easiest?and quickest?way is to take apart the levers and hammers over the sensor pads. Let the bomb squad take care of the rest.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Eggs stated.

“Halestorm, I need to know the easiest way to take the keys, levers, and those hammer things apart.”

“I can talk you through it,” Savannah said softly.

“All right.”

“You gotta remove the fallboard first.

“The what?”

“The lid,” she jutted her chin in the direction of the piece that covered the keys when closed. “There’s screws underneath the frame.”

“We got it,” Hoot and Eggs said, each getting down on the ground with screwdrivers to remove the screws holding it in place.

“Should we be worried about damaging the piano?” Eggs wondered.

“Hell, no,” Sawyer growled.

“Flint will take care of any consequences,” Hoot assured.

“Okay then. Once the screws are out, it should be easy to just lift it off.”

“Done,” Hoot and Eggs said at nearly the same time. Sawyer took hold of both ends of the fallboard and yanked it straight up. It broke free of the wooden blocks bracketing the keys.

“Now remove the screws from the action staff brackets.”

“English, Savi.”

“S-sorry. Those gold bracket things near the hammers. Once you remove the brackets, you can lift the whole thing holding all the hammers.”

The guys dove in and helped Sawyer remove the brackets. There were five of them, each with multiple screws. It took too many precious minutes to get them out.

“Just lift that whole part out,” Savannah instructed once the last bracket was off. Hoot took care of that part and set it aside. “Now it’s just a matter of lifting the key and lever out. They are attached so they’ll come out as one.”

“Seriously? It’s that easy?” Eggs asked.

“Yeah.”

“Six minutes,” Hoot called.

“I’m gonna do one at a time,” he told her softly. “Guys, you think you can help Savannah hold down the other keys?” They didn’t hesitate, which made Savannah’s eyes fill with unshed tears.

She noticed Sawyer take a deep breath before he grasped the key under her pinky finger on her right hand. As if moving in slow motion, he then carefully lifted it out from under her finger. Nothing happened. She let go of the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. He worked his way down the row until finally she was free and could lower her hands.

She slumped forward as relief hit her, her body trembling uncontrollably.

“Okay. You’re free. Let’s get out of here and let the bomb squad do the rest.”

Just as she was about to stand, Sawyer put a hand on her shoulder and held her in place. “Wait!” he yelled. “Haley’s saying a new message just popped up.”

“W-what does it say?” she asked.

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