Explosive Alliance (10 page)

“Your theory makes no sense,” Cash said. “If it incriminates the bomber, it will most likely incriminate her, too. Wouldn't she get rid of it?”

“Not necessarily.” Brady eyed Cash.

“Then why the abduction attempt last night? Why not just sneak in and let her sleep while looking for this supposed item?”

“
She's
the one who said she was sleeping and that the man tried to abduct her. No one else saw it.”

“I heard her scream, man. It was bloodcurdling. Not something she could fake.” Cash was breathing hard and Krista saw him draw a deep, cleansing breath. “I'm concerned the bomber stopped by today to scope the place out so he could do a better job of abducting her. Maybe even kill her.”

Krista gasped.

“Sorry I was so blunt but it had to be said.” Cash swiveled in his chair. “I'd like to recommend that you and Otto spend the night here.”

Opa shook his head. “I won't be run out of my own home, Cash Dixon, but you're more than welcome to stay with us.”

“If that's the only way to make sure you're safe, then that's what I'll do.”

“You sure, man?” Brady shot Cash a pointed look.

Cash crossed his arms and stared back at Brady. “I'm positive.”

“What about work?” Brady fired back.

Cash looked at Jake. “I'll be taking a few vacation days. Sorry for the short notice, but no one is getting to Krista or Otto. Not on my watch.”

THIRTEEN

K
rista stopped in Opa's room to kiss him good-night. He was propped up in his bed, his Bible in his hands, doing his nightly devotions. Peace that made no sense after the recent chaos in their lives shone in his eyes.

He patted the side of his bed. “Come tell me why you have such a long face, Liebchen.”

“Just tired.” She sat next to him.

“It is more than tired, I suspect. You are upset about the day's events and that is understandable.” He took her hand in his, his wrinkled skin feeling familiar and comforting. “There is good news. Reporters are hailing you as a hero for stopping the bombing.”

“For now, but when—”

He lifted a finger to his lips. “Shh, no sense in worrying about what might happen.”

He had a point. One she wished she could embrace, but her history warned her to be cautious. “At least they haven't found where we live yet. Though I imagine it's just a matter of time. Then the harassment will start again.”

He watched her, his wizened eyes assessing. “Would you like to pray with me that God will resolve this quickly?”

She shook her head. “It's late, and you need your sleep.”

“Ah, so you are running from God again, I see.”

“Not running so much as not trusting Him to take care of us.” She paused to gather her thoughts so she didn't accidently say something that would offend Opa's faith. “Every time I do trust God, He puts a problem in my life so big I never fully recover from it.”

“He has a reason for allowing this new trouble in your life, Liebchen, and for all the troubles that came before.”

“So you always say. Problem is, He's not telling me why.”

“I suspect,” Opa said, pausing and intensifying his eye contact, “God is trying to get your attention, but only you can know that for sure.”

She wished God's reasons were ever that obvious. “Sounds so simple when you say it, but honestly, I don't think He's hearing me.”

“He is listening. Trust me on that. You might have to dig deep to find the answer you seek.”

“Again, easier said than done.”

“There is nothing easy about being a Christian, Liebchen.” He patted her hand. “Take some time to look beyond this situation to see why God is allowing this in your life. You will see. It will become clear.”

She didn't think Opa was right, but because she loved him, she would take time tonight to explore the possibility. He'd never steered her wrong—except with Toby.

“I love you, Opa.” She gave him a quick but sincere hug, then sat back.

“And I love you, Liebchen.” He smiled at her. “Now go entertain Cash so he does not die of boredom in my family room.”

She sighed at his obvious attempt to push her together with Cash, but with Opa's happy mood, she didn't have the heart to tell him to back off.

She went to talk to Cash even though she didn't feel like entertaining him. Okay, maybe she didn't really dislike the idea, which was why she'd simply check on him to be sure he had everything he needed to spend the night on the couch, then she'd head to her room.

Instead, he somehow managed to get her to sit down and he started sharing fascinating stories about the FRS. Stories of rescues, of saving lives and of losing others. His passion and commitment to his team and to helping people was alive in his voice. His face was animated, his body relaxed as if comfortable in his skin. She was drawn to him in a new way and wanted to sit right there, talking the night away. Getting to know him on a much deeper level.

“I'm the newest guy on the squad,” he continued. “But in a lot of ways it feels like we've been together for years.”

“I imagine your Delta team was a lot like that, too,” she offered, hoping he'd share that part of his past, as well.

He nodded, but the enthusiasm that had lit him from inside vanished.

“Was it hard to leave them?” she prodded, hoping to regain that connection they'd been sharing.

“Yeah.” He looked at his watch and came to his feet. “It's getting late. We have to be up early.”

“Of course.” She stood and tried not to let him know his evasiveness hurt. “I'll see you in the morning.”

Behind closed doors, she shook her head. Here she'd been thinking the worst thing she could do was sit down and talk to Cash, opening the door for something to happen between them and encouraging him to dig into her past. Then he'd clammed up and had all but thrown her from the room and now she thought
that
was the worst thing.

Not hardly. The worst thing was her certainty that he was hiding something big. Something that could rock her world again if she let herself trust him.

No way would she go there. Not on a personal level or with the investigation. She respected him for standing up for her, but it could all be an act. She'd seen that before. One cop playing the good cop role. Earning her trust, then using everything she'd said against her.

No, she would never fall for that again.

* * *

The next morning, Cash stationed himself in a position to see the playground and parking lot while still keeping a view of Krista's classroom through the window. He took out his phone and searched the internet to see if heads of households in Kennesaw were required to own a gun. Took only a minute to discover Krista had told the truth. Not surprising. No one could make up such an outrageous story on the fly. Especially not someone like Krista, who seemed to have a difficult time hiding her discomfort when she didn't want to answer questions.

Too bad her truthfulness didn't improve his mood. He'd spent the night on alert and he was exhausted and cranky. Didn't help that Krista kept looking at him as if she wanted an explanation for why he'd clammed up last night.

He glanced into the classroom and watched her move among the children. Last night's conversation came rushing back. It had felt so natural and effortless between them. He'd never known such ease with a woman. He'd even wanted to tell her about the loss of his team. To talk about it with someone for the first time. Surprised him. He didn't, of course. He'd clammed up instead. Telling her would push him over that personal line he was trying not to cross with her. The line she'd said herself that she didn't want him to cross. Best to stay focused on her protection detail.

The wind kicked up, and he hunched into his jacket as he walked the perimeter. When he spotted Skyler's SUV pull into the parking lot, he was glad for the distraction.

He met her at the playground fence. “What brings you here?”

“We located one of the men from the stadium video,” she said excitedly. “I'd like to arrange a lineup for Krista.”

The good news lifted some of Cash's crankiness. “I'm sure she'd be glad to do it after her shift. I can ask on her next break.”

Her eyes narrowed, Skyler moved closer. “I was hoping if I talked to Krista, I could get her to come in now.”

“You can ask, but she's dedicated to these kids. I doubt she'll leave them.”

“I suspected as much, but it would be a good idea to get going on this lead.”

His gut clenched at her dire tone. “Why the rush?”

“Our warrant came through for the black SUV's rental car records. We ran a background check on the driver. He's a virtual ghost. His ID is for a man who died years ago.”

A bad feeling settled over Cash and he glanced into the classroom to make sure Krista was okay. “Getting a fake ID issued means he's connected and has more skills than we first considered.”

Skyler nodded. “I hate to say this, but it's classic behavior for a terrorist.”

Cash shot her a look. “That's a pretty big leap, isn't it? There are plenty of other cons out there who assume identities.”

“True, but how many of them plant bombs?”

“Okay, so let's suppose for a minute that this bomb was the work of a terrorist. Why hasn't he taken credit? Even if the bomb failed, it's a perfect opportunity to get his message out to the public and drum up fear. Plus, terrorists are known for their suicide missions. Why not this guy?”

“Good questions.”

“But you don't sound like you think they're valid.”

“Oh, they're valid, all right. I just don't have the answers.” She scowled. “The only ID we have is for a guy whose past is a dead end, so there's not much we can do about him.”

“Maybe there's a link between him and the suspect from the video.”

“We're working on it, but nothing has popped up yet. This is why I wanted to get Krista to do the lineup ASAP.” Skyler massaged the base of her neck.

Tension. Just as everyone else involved in the investigation experienced, but being lead investigator for County, Skyler had to feel the stress more than others. Cash wished he could alleviate it, but there was nothing he could do.

She looked around the area, her gaze assessing and focused. “I'd thought your self-imposed protection detail for Krista was an overreaction.”

“But now?” Cash asked, not liking her tone.

She made strong eye contact. “Now I recommend you step up your game and assume full-alert status before a tragedy strikes.”

FOURTEEN

“T
hanks for coming, Ms. Curry,” Skyler said as she moved toward the window overlooking a small room where six men would soon file in for a lineup.

Krista could hardly stomach the thought of seeing the bomber, but she also wanted him to be in the lineup so she could identify him and end this turmoil.

She glanced into the room. The bomber. He'd be right there. In mere moments. His cold, gray eyes and ugly scowl directed at her again.

Her body started to tremble, and she wrapped her arms around her stomach in self-preservation.

“Hey.” Cash stepped up next to her and rested a hand on her shoulder. “They won't be able to see you.”

“I know. It's just... I... Seeing him...” The trembling increased.

Cash leaned in. “I'm here for you, honey,” he whispered. “It'll be okay.”

Honey.
He'd called her honey. She liked the way it sounded and would like to take time to think about it, but not now. Not when thoughts of the men behind the window consumed her mind.

The men.

She took a deep, shuttering breath and let it out. Cash moved closer. She felt the warmth of his body. Heard the confidence in his tone. He was there for her as he'd been since she'd met him. Her apprehension lessened a fraction and she found enough courage to move on. “Let's do this.”

Skyler requested the men to file in, then turned to Krista. “This is going to be hard and your first response will be to hurry through the line, but take your time. Look carefully at each man. If you want to see them from different angles, just ask and I'll have them comply. Okay?”

Krista nodded and clasped her hands together.

One by one, they stepped in—all men fitting the bomber's size and weight. The officer instructed them to turn and Krista swallowed hard. She forced herself to focus. Let her gaze run quickly over them.

He's not here.
A wave of relief washed through her, before she remembered Skyler's warning and her heart plummeted. She looked again. Carefully. Her breath held, she swept her gaze over them, then locked on their faces. Their eyes. One man after another.

“I'm sorry.” Disappointment brought tears to her eyes and she had to bite her lip to keep her cool. “None of them are the bomber.”

“You're sure?” Skyler asked.

Krista nodded. “I'd recognize him even in my sleep. These guys might be similar in build, but their eyes are all wrong.”

“Okay, then.” Skyler dismissed the men before turning back to Krista. “We're still trying to find the other man from the security footage, but I don't hold out much hope of locating him.”

“If you do, I'll be glad to view another lineup.”

“Thank you for your cooperation.” Skyler smiled sincerely. “I know it took guts to look at these guys. I appreciate your willingness to help.”

Krista returned the smile with a wobbly one of her own. She got the feeling that Skyler was finally looking more favorably upon her. She faced Cash. “We should get going. Opa's likely wondering where we are.”

“Can I have a quick word with you, Cash?” Skyler asked.

“I'll wait in the hallway.” Krista stepped outside and leaned against the wall. She hadn't closed the door, but as hard as she tried, she couldn't make out the conversation between Skyler and Cash until he suddenly raised his voice.

“Priceless, Skyler. Just priceless,” he exclaimed. “Krista comes in at your request, then you don't believe her because you think she's protecting the bomber? Unbelievable.”

Well, then.
So much for Skyler's favorable thoughts.

“We have to look at all possibilities,” Skyler replied. “I want to believe her, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't caution you.”

“
You
might have to look at all possibilities, but
I
don't.”

“Cash, wait,” Skyler said.

Without giving a response, or at least one Krista could hear, Cash stomped toward her. She pushed off the wall and waited for him.

“C'mon. Let's get out of here.” Without another word, he took long, pounding strides down the hallway in silence. The car ride to Erwin's house was made in silence. Tense, uncomfortable silence. She'd hoped Opa would lighten things up with his usual good humor, but even he couldn't get Cash to talk.

Krista honestly regretted the position she'd put him in with Skyler. Krista wanted to be angry with Skyler, but she really
was
just doing her job, as she'd told Cash. She was nothing like the detectives on Toby's case. She might have Krista firmly lodged on her suspect list, but she didn't treat her like dirt or tell the press that she suspected Krista's involvement. That was a huge win in Krista's book.

Cash remained distracted as he parked outside Opa's house, leaving Krista to help Opa out of the car.

“Bad day?” he whispered and stared at Cash, who stood at attention by his door, his gaze searching the surrounding area.

“I'll tell you about it later,” Krista replied and concentrated on helping Opa climb the stairs to the porch. Cash followed in silence.

He suddenly rushed past them and blocked the way. “The front door's open.”

Krista's gaze flew to the door. He was right—it was cracked open an inch.

Not again.

“Stay here while I check it out.” Cash pulled his weapon and elbowed the door.

She glanced at Opa and found unease in his eyes. The same anxiety raced through her. A loud thud sounded from inside. Her gut said to flee. She swallowed down her fear and stepped to the door to see if Cash was okay.

The sofa was turned over and a table lay on its side in the family room. Opa's lovely books had been dropped like trash to the floor. She caught movement deeper in the room. Cash was struggling with a man wearing a ski mask. They wrestled. Back and forth. Cash winning at times, the intruder others. The intruder suddenly broke free and grabbed Opa's favored ceramic stein from Germany. He raised it over Cash's head.

Fear for his safety took her breath but she managed to shout, “Look out, Cash!”

She hoped he heard. Didn't matter if he did. She was too late and the stein made a sickening thud on his skull. He dropped to the floor.

The intruder spun. Took one look at her and charged.

“He's coming, Opa! Quick—move to the other side of the house.” She nudged him into action and thought to follow. But this was her chance to help. She took a stance and planned to trip the man when he stepped outside.

“I'm not going without you.” Opa planted his feet.

“I'll be right after you.” She pushed him again.

He took a few steps, then stopped to wait for her.

The intruder was almost upon them. No time for either of them to flee.

She stepped between Opa and the threat. She shot out a foot. Unsettled the intruder. He staggered for a second but regained his footing faster than she'd expected and tried to grab her arm.

She jumped back. He stumbled to the side but quickly recovered. She took a stance learned in her self-defense courses and blocked his forward movement with her fists. He kept coming. She readjusted and blocked him again.

“Back off,” Cash shouted as he came barreling out the door. He dived at the guy. Missed and hit the porch floor with a solid thud.

The intruder bolted down the steps.

“Stay here,” Cash commanded as he staggered to his feet.

He charged after the man, but his steps were unsteady. He stumbled again. Righted himself and held on to a tree. Took a few more steps and grabbed another tree.

Krista hated to see Cash fighting a lost cause when the guy was long gone.

She jogged down the steps and laid a hand on his arm. “He's gone.”

“I know, but I...”

“I get that you want to go after him, but you're clearly dizzy.”

He tried to stand unaided, then leaned against the tree. His eyes had lost their determination.

“You're bleeding.” Krista tried to touch his head, but he backed away. “Let's go sit down.”

He swept fingers across the injury and winced. “Not in the house. It's a crime scene. We'll sit in the car.”

“Okay.” She tried to help him to the vehicle.

He shrugged off her hand and made his way only to lean against the hood. He pulled out his phone. “I'll call Jake and get an alert out.”

She nodded. “I'll go get Opa.”

He was already climbing down the stairs and met her at the bottom.

“Cash says we shouldn't go back inside yet. We'll sit in the car until his team arrives.”

“I hope Darcie comes along.” He tipped his head at Cash. “Looks like Cash could use her attention.”

“I saw the creep hit him with your stein, but, of course, Cash won't admit he needs to sit down. If we sit, maybe he will, too.” She escorted Opa to the car and got him settled in the back. She didn't say anything to Cash but took her seat in the front. He didn't join them.

“He's stubborn,” Krista mumbled.

“As are you, my Liebchen.”

She cast Opa a stern look, and he chuckled. A few minutes later Cash dropped onto the front seat.

“Are you feeling less dizzy?” she asked.

“I'm fine.”

“I do not understand what is happening, Cash,” Opa said. “This person—maybe the bomber—has been here three times now. Once to steal away my Krista. The second like a mouse in the night, disturbing nothing. Third, like a whirling tornado, making a mess and trying to grab Krista again. What can he be after?”

Cash swiveled on the seat. He closed his eyes for a moment, likely because he was still dizzy and trying to regain his equilibrium. “With the way the house is trashed today, it tells us he's desperate to retrieve something and he no longer cares if we know about it.”

“But what?” Krista asked. “I don't have anything he could want.”

“And why has he tried to abduct her?”

“My guess, though you can never know what a creep like this wants, is that he thinks if he takes Krista he can force her to tell him where the thing he's looking for is located.”

She looked at Cash. “Force. As in torture?”

He nodded and visions of the bomber taking control of her sent the blood draining from her face.

“Don't worry.” Cash took her hand. “I won't let him get to you.”

She appreciated his support and, honestly, she felt he was more than competent, but the man had almost grabbed her today. How would Cash stop such a thing in the future?

She heard the low rumble of a truck barreling down the driveway. Her pulse shot into overdrive as she swiveled to see the FRS coming to their rescue. A wave of relief over their arrival washed over her. An astounding change when she'd been so terrified to be interviewed by them at the stadium.

They climbed from the car to meet the squad, minus Archer, and the irony of Krista's situation had her shaking her head. She still feared they'd turn on her as the detectives had in Toby's investigation, but she'd come to rely on these men and women, too. And appreciate their strength and determination.

Darcie rushed up to Krista. “Are you okay? Cash told us the guy grabbed you.”

“I'm fine. It's Cash you should be looking at. He was hit over the head with a heavy stein.”

Darcie turned to frown at Cash, who was leaning heavily on the hood. “You didn't say anything about it when you called this in.”

“That's because I'm fine.”

“C'mon.” Darcie grabbed his wrist as she might a wayward child. “I'll decide if you're fine or not.” She dragged him toward their truck.

“Cash's gonna get an earful.” Brady smiled. “Glad I'm not the one who got hurt and didn't tell her.”

Jake looked at Krista. “Have you had a chance to look through the house?”

“No. Cash wanted us to wait for forensics.”

Jake raised a brow but said nothing.

Krista's apprehension skyrocketed. “What aren't you telling me?”

“Cash was right. We don't want to contaminate the scene, but I suspect his real reason for staying outside is to keep you from spending more time than necessary in the mess he described on the phone.”

“Unfortunately, you'll have to walk through the house to tell us if anything is missing,” Brady added, his tone warmer than it had been in the past.

“We'll be by your side as you take a tour.” Skyler offered a rare smile. “You ready?”

“I am coming, too,” Opa said. “It is time I see just what type of man we are dealing with.”

* * *

At the door, Jake handed out booties to cover their shoes, and he snapped on a pair of latex gloves, as did Skyler. Krista put on her own booties, then helped Opa.

Skyler faced Krista and Opa. “You'll want to pick things up and put them back where they belong, but please don't touch anything until after Veronica clears them. Just try to make a running inventory in your mind as you go. Call out if you notice something missing. Okay?”

“We'll do our best.” Krista linked her arm in Opa's, and after the team members entered the house, she stepped over the threshold.

She'd caught a peek at the place earlier, but she'd been focused on Cash. Now she took a long look. The book she'd left on the table this morning lay on the floor next to the sheets Cash had slept in. Opa's afghan pooled under his favorite chair, the cushion ripped free and flung across the room.

The full force of what this man was capable of hit her. What if they'd been home? The monster could have— No, she wouldn't go there.

“We can do this, Liebchen,” Opa encouraged.

Forcing her shoulders back, she moved forward, Opa right by her side. “This reminds me of the other time,” he whispered.

Krista knew he meant after Toby's murder, when Opa's home had been turned upside down and vandalized with threatening graffiti, leading to an ugly confrontation with her neighbors. That had served as the final straw after months of accusations and had sent Krista running from Portland.