"The money first," the leader countered.

"Fine. But you untie her from the chair, and I get to check that she’s unharmed first," Hayden negotiated.

"Fine. But just you, and you can untie her yourself. None of you move…" the leader agreed but with a lot of caution.

As if he already knew what was expected, Hayden slowly lifted his hands up above his head. The leader nodded and two men approached Hayden and began patting him down probably to check for hidden weapons. What is he thinking?

I’m fine, although I couldn’t tell him that. Sure, it was a struggle being tied up and left alone in the warehouse,...