Page 9 of Chain Reaction

Jake shrugged then nodded. “It’s possible. This person would have had to just been waiting for the right opportunity.”

“Maybe this isn’t about that lottery money . . .” Cassidy muttered. “Not after this stunt.”

Raven was inclined to agree—though that angle should still be investigated.

“And who actually uses a ticking bomb?” Cassidy’s forehead wrinkled in confusion as the wind whipped pieces of hair fromher bun. Soot and ash covered one of her cheeks, and some type of grass clung to her shoulder.

Raven could only imagine what she herself looked like right now.

“Someone who wants us to know what they’re up to.” Jake scowled as he said the words.

Raven repressed another shiver.

She hated how shaken she felt right now.

Cassidy stared at the new debris around them. “At first, I thought this was a careless accident—or a plot to get an early inheritance. But someone wants to let us know there’s more to this. That second bomb was meant to send a message.”

“Or maybe it was meant to destroy any evidence left behind after the first explosion.” Raven’s blood chilled at the thought.

“Either way, we need to find out more information before someone decides to detonate another bomb.” Jake shifted on the sand, his hands on his hips as he stared at Cassidy. “What do you want me to do?”

Raven pulled her gaze away from him. He’d always been so handsome in that strong, silent way. Only he really wasn’t that silent once you got to know him. In fact, he’d been a great conversationalist. He was well-rounded, able to talk about anything from his job to classical music.

He’d surprised her in so many ways. In the end, not all of those ways were good.

She cleared her throat and tried to bring her thoughts back into focus. Jake had asked a question.What do you want me to do?

“I’d like you to check out the remains of the bomb so we can pinpoint exactly what kind it was,” Cassidy said. “And hopefully trace it to whoever made it.”

“A lot of bombers have a signature way of developing the explosives,” Jake explained. “I wish I’d seen the device earlier so I could have gotten a better look.”

“I’m just glad you saw it when you did.” Cassidy frowned, her jaw hardening. “This could have been an entirely different story. We might not be standing here right now.”

“Could this have been two separate incidents with two separate perps?” Raven asked. “Could someone be capitalizing on the earlier bomb by leaving another explosive in the same spot to send a message?”

Cassidy rubbed her neck and sighed. “At this point, it’s anyone’s guess.”

Raven hadn’t expected her to have an answer. They would need to investigate more first.

“I need to see the remnants of the original bomb,” Raven said.

Cassidy drew in a slow breath. “I’ll show you what we’ve found so far. In the meantime, Jake, see what you can find out here—without putting yourself in danger, of course. Firefighters are on the way.”

At her words, sirens filled the air.

“By the way, I never officially introduced the two of you,” Cassidy said, squinting as if she suspected they may have a history.

“We’ve met before,” Raven said.

“A long time ago,” Jake paused only for a moment before continuing. “I’ll do a sweep of the area. We need to make sure no other bombs are present.”

With one last glance at Jake, Raven followed Cassidy back toward the vehicles parked near ground zero. One of the police cars had a shattered window. Ashy remains littered the tops. Debris lay scattered everywhere around them.

Raven was still shaken to the bone . . . for more than one reason.

CHAPTER 4

As Jake worked the scene and talked to firefighters, he knew he needed to put Raven out of his mind. He had other things to concentrate on—like the safety of those around him and figuring out who might have done this.