Page 47 of Chain Reaction

Usually, ordnances like these didn’t contain a ticking bomb—only explosives.

However, Raven had said the ordnance Eleanor had found was only made to look old. But a new bomb had been inside.

What would he discover here?

Jake swallowed hard.

He was about to find out.

CHAPTER 21

Raven watched, barely breathing as Jake paced toward the bomb.

She really wished he wouldn’t do this. Wished the sheriff’s office had access to a robot to check the bomb.

She knew that suit would offer Jake little protection in the event of a powerful blast.

But she’d also known she couldn’t change his mind.

Her lungs froze as he knelt beside the bomb. Slowly, he reached for the device to better inspect it.

“You said he’s an expert at this, right?” Sheriff Williams asked beside her.

Raven nodded, trying to keep the emotion from her voice. “He’s the best.”

She meant the words. Whatever Jake set his mind to, he excelled at it, whether it was protecting her or dismantling a bomb.

She’d always admired that quality about him.

Just then, a new thought hit her.

Not just a thought. A terrifying possibility.

Quickly, she glanced over her shoulder. Scanned the crowd.

It was mostly first responders, a news crew, and a few onlookers.

What if the perpetrator was here? What if he was watching right now—maybe even delighting in this moment?

Or worse. What if he had a remote detonator?

Tension crept up her spine, and she continued searching for anyone suspicious.

No one caught her eye. But her lungs didn’t loosen.

What had happened to the man from the ferry? What had he wanted from them? Where had he gone after he jumped overboard?

She didn’t have those answers.

The ticking noise kept replaying in her mind. Every time she closed her eyes, she could hear the countdown. Could imagine a deadly explosion. Could feel the heat from it. Smell the smoke.

She didn’t want a replay of yesterday.

She pressed her eyes closed.Please, Lord. Protect Jake. Watch over him.

When she opened her eyes, she turned back to the scene. Jake had opened a compartment on the back of the device.

Like the bomb on Lantern Beach, this one definitely wasn’t a relic. Someone had recreated the device to look like an historical artifact when it wasn’t. Ordnances from that time period wouldn’t have a compartment like that.