I have removed several lines during the latest edits.
They had rhythm and created atmosphere. Some worked well when I read them on their own. Unfortunately, they also slowed down the scene.
This is one of the harder parts of writing a novel. A sentence can be good and still be wrong for the chapter.
I have chosen to remove or rewrite any line that draws attention away from what is happening.
A thriller needs its own voice, but the writing should support the tension rather than stand in front of it.
Sometimes the sentence you like most is the one that has to go.