The Tailor paused. He looked up, and for the first time, almost smiled.
At least, nothing anyone could prove.
Inside the van, Dallas was chewing gum like he was trying to kill it. "Okay, listen up. We drill the vault, we take the cash boxes, we leave. Expect blues in ninety seconds."
Not a sprint. A glide. The guard never got his thumb to the transmit button. The Tailor's forearm locked around his neck—no struggle, just a slow, certain collapse. The guard's knees buckled. The Tailor caught the radio before it hit the pavement. He set the guard gently against the patrol car, like a man helping a drunk friend.