Page 46 of Chain Reaction

A ticking noise.

Jake heard it too because he yelled, “Everybody, get back!”

Then he grabbed her and started to run.

Jake paused at the police line and surveyed the area.

Everyone had gotten away from the device, just as he’d directed.

But they couldn’t just stand there and wait to see if the device exploded.

He knew what he had to do.

He turned to face the sheriff. “I’d like to check out the bomb myself.”

Sheriff Williams grimaced. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“I have my bomb suit. I know what I’m doing.”

The sheriff still hesitated, his lips pulled downward and caution in his gaze.

“Jake is one of the leading bomb experts in the country,” Raven assured him. “There’s no one better you could have check this out.”

Her words seemed to convince the sheriff.

He stepped back and nodded. “I’m going to have to trust you on this. We normally wouldn’t have a private citizen do something like this.”

“I promise that I can handle this.”

Sheriff Williams nodded. “Be careful.”

He headed toward the SUV to get the suit, Raven with him.

Raven grabbed his arm, and he turned to face her.

“Please, be careful.”

The concern in her gaze touched him—but it wouldn’t deter him. “I will be.”

The corners of her lips flickered down in a frown. “That suit won’t protect you—not if the bomb is big enough.”

Her words were true. But the suit was better than nothing.

He locked gazes with her. “I’ll be okay.”

Despite his words, her frown deepened.

Without talking more, Jake walked with the sheriff back to his SUV and reviewed his plan. Then he suited up.

He prayed this went well.

With one more glance at Raven—who looked apprehensive with her arms crossed over her chest and a frown on her face—he started across the sand.

Sweat trickled from his forehead. If he didn’t feel any fear right now, then something would be wrong. He had to harness his fear to keep him sharp.

Finally, he reached the ordnance and knelt beside it.

From inside his suit, he still heard the ticking.