26. River

RIVER

My motorcycle sped over Main Street Bridge so fast it launched into the air, landing with a skid of the back wheel before rocketing toward the Ritz.

As I raced toward the building, I saw a stack of empty TNT crates. "Oh Jesus."

I slid to a halt beside them, let the motorbike glide out from under me as I stumbled into a sprint, heading for the entrance to the theater.

I heard the wail of the fire truck siren, still a way off.

In front of me I saw Dynamite Dwight helping Mavis out of the building.

As I hurried toward them, Dwight shook his head at me. "River, you can't be here."

"What's going on?" I demanded. "What's happening?"

"I've wired the whole building, but the kill switch won't work. The timer's faulty. The whole thing is set to explode in less than ten minutes."

"Where's Clarry?"

"He's still inside. "

I sprinted toward the building.

Behind me Dwight called, "River, no. You have to get out of here!"

"Not without Clarry," I shouted back over my shoulder.

I pushed through the doors and into the theater.