If only he had his tail, he could continue to pick the lock and have an extra free hand with which to give Sallie a reassuring pat on the hand.
Alas.

A satisfying click comes from the door handle as the lock springs open. Splinter deftly pivots through the door, pulling Sallie along with him.

The next click is a little less subtle than the lock giving way.
It comes from the hammer on a handgun being cocked by the one remaining robber still left inside that had until now been unaccounted for.

"Don't scream," the man warns.