Page 36 of Chain Reaction

Not only had the windows been shattered by the bullets, but the tires on both of their vehicles had been slashed—most likely sometime during the night.

Her face turned paler, and Jake could only imagine what she was thinking.

Someone was determined to get them to back off from this case—and this person wasn’t above murdering them to ensure that happened.

CHAPTER 16

Raven’s heart continued racing even as they talked to Cassidy. Her pulse probably wouldn’t slow down anytime soon. Her adrenaline was pumping too hard after that near-death experience.

“We put a BOLO out on the island,” Cassidy said as they stood in the driveway of Raven’s rental. “However, we have no leads on that man from yesterday either.”

Raven noticed as they talked that Jake constantly glanced around, on the lookout for any more trouble. She appreciated his tenacity.

Cassidy turned toward Raven and frowned. “What I can’t figure out is why you’re being targeted.”

Raven jerked her head toward Cassidy. “Come again?”

“Someone tried to break into your rental,” Cassidy said. “Then they tried to shoot you this morning. There’s got to be a reason they’re coming after you specifically.”

“I don’t know what that reason could be.” Her voice quivered.

“That’s my point exactly.” Cassidy narrowed her eyes in thought. “Do they not want you to discover something about these bombs? Do they want to silence you before you can do that?”

Raven rubbed her arms, suddenly chilled. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Or . . .” Jake paused and glanced at Raven. Then he turned back to Cassidy. “Or there’s a chance someone knew Raven would be called in to work a case like this and set up the situation to get her here.”

Cassidy squinted. “Why do you think that?”

They told her about the photograph they’d found and explained that they’d planned on telling her today.

“But why would they target you?”

Raven blew out a breath. “My father is an ambassador. He’s made some enemies. I’m not sure that’s why—or even if Jake’s theory is correct. But it’s a possibility worth exploring.”

“I agree.” Cassidy nodded. “It is. We’ll figure it out. But I understand if you don’t want to stay here on the island. Things are getting more dangerous by the moment.”

Raven knew where the police chief was going with that statement. Raven wasn’t a trained officer of the law. She didn’t know much about defending herself or protecting others either. Being here could make her a liability.

All she really knew was how to properly identify relics from the past.

For a moment, the irony hit her. She could identify historic remnants—but what about the remnants from her own past? Remnants like Jake?

Why couldn’t she analyze those things with equal accuracy?

Jake shifted beside her. “Is there anything else you need from us?”

Cassidy let out a breath and slid the pad of paper where she’d jotted notes back into her pocket. “I think I have everything I need. Do you want me to call someone to fix your tires and windshields?”

“That would be great,” Jake said. “In the meantime, someone from Blackout is going to pick us up and take us back to headquarters.”

“Sounds like you have your plan all worked out then.” Cassidy glanced at Raven. “Are you going with him to see the ordnance?”

Raven nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“I figured as much,” Cassidy said. “But please, be careful. I have no idea who, or what, we are up against right now, and that fact bothers me. It should bother all of us.”

A few minutes later, Atlas Manning arrived to pick up Jake and Raven.