Page 3

CHAPTER 3

J ake ran toward the woman. She’d just started to rise after he yelled.

But she wasn’t moving fast enough.

Without thinking, he grabbed her by the waist.

Lifted her in the air.

Ran toward the sand dune.

Behind it.

Then he pushed her to the ground and covered her with his own body.

An explosion sounded. Heat scorched his back. Singed his hair.

Debris flew, raining fire around them.

Then came the thick, dark smoke.

The blast had been quick.

He prayed Cassidy and Officer Leggott had taken cover also, that they’d heeded his warning in time.

Finally, when fragments stopped raining around them, he lifted his head.

Through the opening in the sand dune, he spotted Cassidy and Officer Leggott rise from behind the police cruiser.

Thank God, they were okay.

Jake gave them a thumbs-up to indicate he and this other woman were also safe.

Then he glanced at the woman beneath him, startling as he realized he’d been right. There was something familiar about her.

She looked like someone he’d known a long time ago.

The woman lifted her head high enough to wipe some sand from her cheek. As she did, the scent of her shampoo hit him—vanilla and almond. The familiar aroma sent his mind reeling back in time.

Was that . . . ? No, it couldn’t be.

Jake quickly righted his thoughts, concentrating on the problem at hand. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” the woman murmured, her voice hoarse. “Thank you.”

He rolled off her, certain his eyes were deceiving him into seeing things he shouldn’t.

But as the woman’s eyes met his, recognition filled her gaze.

His heart pounded like a drumline in his ears. He wasn’t seeing things after all, was he?

Raven Newton stared at him. “Jake?”

“Raven.”

She rolled over and sat up, the gratitude in her gaze turning to suspicion. “What are . . . what in the world are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you.” He tried to keep the offense from his voice but was unsuccessful. That wasn’t the greeting he’d expected after saving her life. However, considering the way things had ended between them, he shouldn’t be surprised.

Her eyes narrowed. “Chief Chambers called me to help with this case.”

Raven was one of the leading experts in historical artifacts, including bombs. But he’d had no idea she’d be called in for this investigation.

Honestly, this wasn’t the right time for this conversation. Not considering the fact that a second bomb had just gone off—and this one definitely wasn’t an accident.

Without another word, Jake stood, brushed more sand off, and then offered his hand to help Raven up.

She stared at his outstretched arm as if contemplating whether or not to accept his offer. Finally, her fingers touched his. But the suspicion and distrust remained in her gaze.

Jake tried to ignore the rush of electricity where their skin met.

Rekindling things—or feeling any type of attraction, for that matter—with Raven Newton was the last thing he wanted.

He was never supposed to see her again. Yet here she was, looking more beautiful than ever, even with her scowl.

Almost as if in sync, they both turned to face the bomb site. Cassidy was already on the phone, probably calling this in to the fire department. Small flames burned in the center of the remains, and several pieces of debris flared with mini-fires around them.

It reminded him of a war zone—and he’d seen plenty of those in his time as a bomb tech for the Navy.

Raven frowned as she stared at the scene. “It doesn’t matter why we’re here. The fact is, we’re both working this case, and we’re both professionals. We should make the best of it.”

“Agreed.”

A moment passed, and then Raven cleared her throat. “So, what just happened?”

“I’m not sure,” Jake said. “But that second bomb wasn’t here this morning. Someone must have come back and planted the device since I was here earlier. They wanted to send a message.”

Raven frowned as she continued staring at the house. “Message received. Loud and clear.”

Raven’s heart raced—and it wasn’t just because of the picture she’d seen or the bomb that had nearly killed her.

It was because she was never supposed to see Jake Laudner again.

He’d broken her heart ten years ago. She’d recovered and years later had tried to insert herself into the dating pool—which oftentimes felt more like a cesspool.

There was one guy she was considering giving another chance. Kingston McLaughlin.

He was a former military guy who was now a financial advisor in DC. The man dressed in expensive suits, was smart, and his teeth were incredibly white and straight.

They’d gone out a few times, and they were supposed to go out again when she got home.

However, she still hadn’t met anyone she was truly interested in—not like she’d been with Jake. But at least she was trying to put herself out there again.

Last she’d heard, Jake was still working in the Middle East as an EOD—an explosive ordnance disposal expert. She’d assumed he’d be career military, living overseas without anyone back in the States to tie him down. He was the type to be married to his job.

Just like her dad. And Raven had vowed never to date someone like her dad.

Yet she’d fallen for him. Big mistake.

Jake definitely wasn’t supposed to be in Lantern Beach.

But right now, she needed to focus. She’d been called in to offer her expertise on bombs—not her expertise on Jake Laudner.

Cassidy and Officer Leggott paused in front of them. The chief’s eyes were wide with concern as her gaze swept over them. “Are you okay?”

Raven wiped more stray sand from her clothes and face, not liking the gritty feeling of the grains against her skin. “I’m fine.”

Her voice trembled as she said the words. That reaction, however, was a result of Jake, not the bomb. She prided herself on always being composed.

“Jake?” Cassidy stared at him.

“I’m glad I got here when I did. I heard a ticking sound and found the bomb twelve seconds before it exploded.”

Cassidy’s gaze darkened. “That wasn’t there earlier. We checked this whole area multiple times.”

“I know,” Jake said. “Has the scene been left unmanned?”

“I asked Officer Leggott about it.” She nodded toward the uniformed officer with her.

“We had a changeover in shifts about three hours ago,” Leggott informed them. “There was about fifteen minutes when no officers were here.”

“Could someone have rigged the bomb in that amount of time?” Cassidy asked.

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 from her 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.