Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #2 (6 page)

Seth's breath caught. “Seriously?” His thoughts immediately went to Tonya.

“Yeah, the bomb squad is on the way.”

“I just heard the announcement. They canceled the rodeo.”

“Get out.”

“Wait. Where are you?”

“I was heading to the bull pen to find you when you finally called me back.”

Seth raised his head and glanced around. Jake had a big question mark on his face. “Hold on a second, Clay.” To Jake and Monty, he said, “Keep it quiet, but there's been a bomb threat.” Alarm flashed on his friends' faces.

“So
that's
why they pulled the plug on the rodeo,” Jake mused.

“Yeah, apparently. We've got to clear out, but I've got to find Tonya first.”

“I'll look for her as I head out,” Jake offered, already moving.

Monty wasn't far behind him. “I've got to get Mia. If I see Tonya, I'll holler at you.”

Seth nodded his thanks. Back on the phone with Clay, he said, “I'm going to climb up on the rail of the fence. See if you can spot me.” He grasped the rail and hauled himself up, taking care not to depend on his injured leg to help maintain his balance. Then he looked over the leaving crowd. So far, they were still calm. Disappointed and disgruntled, but not fearful and running, as they would be if they knew the reason for the rodeo's cancellation. And no one was getting hurt because of a human stampede. He just hoped the bomb threat was a hoax.

“I see you,” Clay said. “Stay there and we'll get out together.”

Seth climbed carefully down from the rail and Clay pushed through the crowd to reach his side. Seth wrapped him in a short man hug, but his brother pushed him away. “Let's go.”

“I can't. I've got to find Tonya.”

“Who?” Clay asked.

“Tonya Waters. A friend.”

Clay frowned. “She'll be leaving, too. No one's going to stay in this arena.”

Except possibly the man who was after Tonya and would be watching for her to leave, waiting to grab her under the cover of the crowd. The thought festered inside him and he shook his head. He pulled out his phone and dialed her number.

No answer. He hung up and tried again. Nothing. “I've got to look for her.”

“Then I'm coming with you. The cops aren't going to let anyone go in. They're arriving as we speak but trying to be subtle until most of the crowd is gone. If these people panic, it could get ugly.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a black leather wallet-shaped item. “At least I've got a badge. It's gotten me this far. Let's go.”

* * *

Tonya and several of her coworkers followed the crowd. Confusion and worry churned through her. Why would they cancel the rodeo? It didn't make sense. Obviously something had happened, but what?

She moved quickly through the hall toward the exit. She examined each male face, her eyes landing on one after another. Most talked to one another, asking for information and wondering at the strangeness of the canceled event. Tonya didn't talk. She watched.

She reached in her pocket for her phone, then grimaced when she realized she'd left it on the vanity table. She'd been ready to leave the dressing room and go climb in the barrel of the cannon when the announcement of the cancellation came over the loudspeaker.

Her eyes landed on a familiar figure at the end of the hall and she came to an abrupt stop. Someone bumped into her from behind but she ignored it as her heart thumped out a faster rhythm.

Hank Newman waited at the exit ahead. In order to get out of the building, she'd have to pass right by him. So far, she didn't think he'd spotted her. Panic assailed her. What should she do?

Tonya turned around and pushed her way against the crowd. “Sorry. Excuse me. Forgot my phone...”

The announcement came over the loudspeaker once more. “Please exit the arena immediately. You may apply for a refund or a ticket exchange online at the rodeo website, but for now, please leave the arena as quickly and safely as possible.”

Something was definitely going on and she had a feeling Hank Newman had a hand in it.

SIX

S
eth wove his way through the people still pouring out of the arena. “This is impossible,” he said to Clay. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the noise.

“Call her again.”

“I did. She's not answering.”

He dodged another person, an older man in a wheelchair. Law enforcement had descended and was helping guide the people and make sure order reigned. Most people probably assumed the cops were there to keep everything under control. But those who noticed would question the bomb-squad van that had pulled up at the front.

“Excuse me, gentlemen, you're going the wrong way.”

Seth stopped at the officer's upraised hand. Clay pulled his badge and held it up. “He's with me.”

The policeman frowned but nodded and let them through. Clay's badge might not have read Nashville, but it did have Tennessee on it and people parted to make way for them. Seth kept moving toward the building where he'd left Tonya not too long ago. Thankfully, the crowd had thinned considerably.

“Seth!”

He spun toward the familiar voice. “Tonya?”

She'd come from the opposite end of the building. Not the exit he'd expected to see her appear from. She ran toward him dressed in full bullfighting gear. “He's here,” she panted.

“Who? Hank?”

She nodded, her fear palpable. He turned to his brother. “Clay, this is Tonya.” Clay shook her hand and Seth slipped an arm around her shoulders. “It's okay. Let's go. We'll talk more once we're away from here.”

He started to lead her away, not wanting to tell her about the bomb scare yet.

They hurried toward the nearest exit.

“Tonya Waters?” Clay stopped and pulled her to a halt. Her attention swung from Seth to the officer who'd stepped up to them. He checked his phone, then took another close look at Tonya.

“Yes, I'm Tonya.”

“Can you come with me, please?”

She blinked. “Why?”

“We'd like to ask you a few questions.”

Clay stepped forward and flashed his badge once more. “What's this about?”

The officer nodded and motioned to them. “I'm not exactly sure. I just got a notification to look for this woman.” He turned the phone around. Two pictures of Tonya side by side were on the screen. One had her driver's-license picture; the other had her dressed in her bullfighting attire—which was the only reason the officer had recognized her. The bright shirt, red wig and makeup stood out. “Just follow me,” he said.

Seth could feel the tension emanating from Tonya. She lifted her chin and took off after the officer. Her gaze swung from left to right, and Seth knew she was looking for Hank.

The officer led them out of the arena and to a police cruiser. “Would you get in, please?”

Tonya backpedaled. “Not until I get an explanation,” she said.

“That's right, Officer.” Clay stepped forward. “You're going to have to be a little more forthcoming.”

The cop sighed. “Just a minute.” He moved about ten feet away and spoke into his radio.

“What's going on?” Tonya whispered.

Clay shook his head. “I don't know. But I'll say it probably has something to do with the bomb threat.”

Tonya sucked in air. “Bomb threat? What bomb threat?”

“The reason the arena was evacuated,” Seth whispered back. A tremor ran through her and he drew her closer.

“And the reason that officer walked us all the way out here away from the area,” Clay added.

The officer returned. “All right, some of the higher-ups want to ask you some questions about the bomb found in your cannon.”

The sky tilted and Tonya thought she might be in serious danger of passing out. Only Seth's hold on her upper arm kept her from crashing into the dirt. She stared at the police officer, mouth agape. “What?”

He hitched his belt a little higher and stroked his chin. “One of the guys who's on your setup team found it. Said he was going to check the spring one more time. He dropped the dummy into the barrel but it wouldn't go all the way down. He pulled the dummy out and found the device. Scared him to death. He was on his knees thanking the Lord it didn't go off.”

Tonya couldn't seem to stop shaking. They'd found a bomb. In
her
cannon. Someone could have been killed. “Maybe it's a prank. Just a stupid joke.”

“The bomb squad is there now and will determine that. We've got bomb dogs going all through the facility. But the main question we want to ask is, who would do this? Do you have any idea who would put a bomb in your cannon?”

“Hank Newman,” she whispered. “He would.” She covered her mouth with her fingers. “This has to stop. I have to stop him. But how?”

“By letting the authorities find him,” Seth said in a firm tone.

“I'll take a leave of absence immediately.” As much as she hated to do it, Tonya knew it was the right thing to do. Innocent people could have been hurt. Maybe even killed. She shook her head. “I'll get in my motor home and disappear.”

“No, he'll just find you,” Seth said. “You've been running for a while now, haven't you?”

“Ever since he got out of prison.”

“Then maybe it's time for a new game plan. What do you think about finding a way to put him away for good instead of always having to look over your shoulder?”

Tonya rubbed her eyes. “That would be ideal, of course, but I don't know how to do that. Even when he violates a restraining order, he manages to turn it around. And the cops believe him. You can't touch him.”

“Why?”

“Because he comes from a family of law enforcement.”

Clay lifted a brow. “He went to prison before.”

“Because I had irrefutable proof. He won't make that mistake again. He acted on impulse when he tried to strangle me. He was angry and lost his cool. This time he'll be careful, very careful.”

The officer stepped forward. “Where were you during the testing of the cannon?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Someone always does a test run on the cannon before you get into it, right?”

“Yes.”

“Where were you while this was going on?”

“Getting ready.” She gestured to herself. “Putting this outfit on. Painting my face. Why?”

“They'll want to rule you out as a suspect,” Clay said quietly.

“Oh.” Tonya grabbed the wig and pulled it off. Her blond ponytail tumbled down her back. “I didn't put that bomb in there. From the moment I stepped in the arena, I've been around people who can vouch for my whereabouts.”

“Could you give me some names?”

“Of course.” She rattled them off and the officer's pen scratched across the paper. His radio crackled and he listened. Tonya couldn't make out the words. When it stopped, he nodded and shut his notebook. “No one has come across Mr. Newman yet. We'll keep him on the radar, though.”

“He's here.” She clasped her arms and hugged herself while she kept glancing around. Even though they were a good distance away, she could see the area still teemed with law enforcement, but it looked as though most of the rodeo goers had left.

“You don't think he would have left with the crowd?”

Tonya shuddered. “I don't know. I just know I want to get out of here before he shows back up.”

Seth rubbed his chin and gave her a thoughtful look. “The next rodeo I'm competing in isn't for another two weeks,” he said. She knew he rode in only the ones that offered the biggest cash payouts.

“What's your point?”

“Come home with me.”

She stilled, frowned. “What?”

“We've got two weeks.” He looked at Clay. “Can you find this guy if she hides out at Mom and Dad's house?”

Clay stared back for a moment. Something seemed to pass between the two men. Then he nodded. “Obviously I can't promise anything, but we can do our best.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I have a lot of resources I can put to good use. Shouldn't be that much trouble to get him.”

Tonya started to protest, then scanned the arena in the distance. Someone had put a bomb in her cannon. If one of the workers hadn't exercised some extra caution, she'd be dead—possibly along with some innocent bystanders. She turned back to Seth. “Fine. If it's what I need to do to make sure no one gets hurt.” She bit her lip, her gaze bouncing between the three men. “What about your parents? What if this person manages to find me? Your family could be in danger.”

“It wouldn't be the first time,” Clay muttered.

Tonya lifted a brow and Seth flexed his jaw. “I'll explain that comment later. For now, Hank wouldn't have any reason to know you'd go to Wrangler's Corner. You should be perfectly safe there while we figure out what to do about your stalker.”

Ice slid up her spine. Indecision gnawed at her. “I don't think that's possible.” She sighed. “Seth, I have four older brothers. I won't even go to one of them, because of the threats Hank made against them. If I haven't asked them for help, how can I risk your family?”

“Think about it. It makes sense that you would go to a family member for sanctuary. Hank knows your family. He might even watch them to see if that's where you go after he realizes his plan here has failed.” He looked around. “Which he already knows at this point. But when he doesn't find you with your family, he'll realize you went somewhere else. Only by then you'll be at the ranch and he'll have no way to track you.”

It sounded good. It even sounded reasonable. She didn't really want to chance it, but what else could she do? “All right. We'll try it, but at the first sign of danger, I'm out of there.”

“Don't worry. It'll be all right. We'll find Hank, get him put back behind bars, and all will be well.”

Somehow those words didn't hold as much comfort as Seth probably intended. She had no doubt he fully believed what he'd just said, but there was only one problem.

She knew Hank and he didn't.