Hugh J. O'Donnell

The bomb ticked quietly and inevitably down to zero.  The cops stood around, debating what to do, while their ‘demolitions expert,’ dithered in front of the device, like an unprepared child called to the front of the class.  But the device, like life, was unlikely to grant an extension.  Roger hadn’t been on the force very long.  He joined the CPD after quitting conventional police work.  He had been unwilling to adjust his ‘attitude problem.’   All that hippie bullshit.  At thirty seconds, he made his move.  He shoved Thom out of the way and grabbed the cutters.  Blue, he decided.