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“What about the debris? That canister? Don’t you want to have a look?”
Foster glanced at the spot then back to her. “You’re exhausted and cold.”
“And yet, not dead. Come on. Ten minutes, then we’ll hop back in the truck.”
Foster huffed but nodded, covering her six as they trekked back down the hill and over to the pile where the tango had been picking through bits of metal and plastic. Foster didn’t talk, just started rummaging through his half of the junk as she took the other side. Her internal clock was closing in on those ten minutes when Foster inhaled, the rough breath sounding loud in the surrounding silence.
She shifted over to his side, crouching beside him. “Did you find something interesting?”
“I’ll say.” He held up part of a small black box with some frayed wires and what looked like a circuit board. “More than interesting, really.”
Mac frowned. “You’re excited because you found half of a garage door opener?”
“That’s what it looks like, but Greer’s Bronco had a built-in one. And seeing as she’s tech savvy, why would she have a manual one, too?”
She inhaled. “Wait. Do you think it’s some kind of detonator?”
“That would explain how Greer’s Bronco had enough momentum to suddenly fly off the road and roll all the way down here. Why that guy was standing out on the side. He needed to be able to activate it.”
“But if they used an explosive, why aren’t Chase and Greer dead?”
“The right explosive in the right amount... Or maybe they used the wrong amount, and it didn’t go as planned. But I guarantee this is what our mystery guy was looking for.”
“Because you might be able to lift some prints off the inside.”
“If we’re lucky.” He shoved it in his pocket, glancing over at her before doing a double take. “Crap. You’re more than just cold and wet now, even with the scrubs and the borrowed hoodies. Which means, it’s time to get you into some dry clothes.”
“Or at least, out of these wet ones.”
Foster coughed, shaking his head as he took her hand, grabbed the spent canister as they passed by then trotted back to the truck, giving her a boost inside before slipping behind the wheel again, and pulling back onto the road.
Mac buckled in, glancing at the area as it faded behind them. This was far more than some sophisticated burglars. And she had a bad feeling Foster had been right, and it was only going to get deadlier the longer they played the game.
Chapter Ten
Two o’clock in the morning, and they were just locking the door behind them as they staggered into Beckett’s place, the rain and wind still raging outside. Foster had made the drive home fairly quickly, but simply pulling into the driveway — parking beside Chase’s truck — had brought the night’s events into sharp focus. And he knew he’d never settle until he’d done a thorough sweep of the property.
He’d glanced at Mac, wondering if he should ask her to stay in the truck or make the rounds with him, but she’d simply smiled and asked him which one of his buddies’ houses he wanted to clear first.
And just like that, he’d fallen a bit harder.
They’d spent the next hour scouring every inch of the other buildings and surrounding area until he felt confident they were alone before heading back to his place. He’d disarmed the new system Zain had installed then whisked Mac inside, rearming it as soon as he’d locked the door.
Mackenzie removed her wet hoodie, her teeth chattering as she attempted to hang it on one of the hooks only to drop it when her hands didn’t seem to work quite right.
Foster tsked. “Why didn’t you tell me you were freezing? We could have scrapped searching the other homes and just come straight inside.”
Mac scoffed at him. “As if you would have been able to relax without knowing the property’s clear.”
“Better me courting a stroke than you slipping into a hyperthermic coma.”
“I’m not that bad. But some dry clothes would be nice.” She tilted her head, staring at him for so long he thought she’d fallen asleep on her feet before she sighed. “Who are we kidding? Even after searching everything — with Zain upgrading everyone’s security systems — there’s no way you’ll be able to go to bed and sleep. So, why don’t you plant your butt on one of the chairs, make that call to Keaton if it’s not too early or too late, and I’ll be right back.” She arched a brow. “Assuming you don’t mind me rummaging through your closet and grabbing a few things.”
Mackenzie smiled when he nodded then turned on her heels and headed for the stairs. Her hips swayed hypnotically as she climbed the steps, turning right at the top before disappearing down the hallway.
He could catch her. Race up the stairs and scoop her into his arms then take them both into his room — have her stripped and on his bed in record time. What he’d been itching to do since that earth-shattering kiss at the front door.
Except where she was right. The warrior in him whispering how that tango could be outside, right now, biding his time. Waiting for them to drift off before breaching the house.