Page 34

CHAPTER 34

A n ambulance had arrived on the scene about five minutes after the accident, along with Cassidy and another officer. As soon as the paramedics had gotten a look at Thomas, they’d known he needed more help than what they could offer in Lantern Beach.

He was now on his way to Raleigh, the closest hospital with a trauma center.

Raven watched as the medivac helicopter carried the man away. Sand stirred in the air, and her hair whipped around under the influence of the copter’s blades.

As the aircraft disappeared on the horizon, she frowned.

Who was this guy? And what was he up to?

The chances anyone would actually get any information out of him were iffy. His injuries had been severe—fractured ribs, a broken femur, and a head injury. Possible internal bleeding.

But there was one other way they might get some information . . .

Before Raven could ask Cassidy the question, Jake beat her to it. “Can we take a look inside the rental where this guy was staying? And inside his car?”

They’d already given her their statements.

Cassidy pressed her lips together in thought before finally saying, “I’ll need to take a look first, just in case. Then I can give you an answer.”

That sounded fair to Raven.

She and Jake waited on the driveway while Cassidy and Officer Dillinger went inside. But as Raven stood there, her mind raced with possibilities. What if they found another bomb?

She prayed that wasn’t the case.

Jake crossed his arms, his gaze still scanning everything around them. “Not exactly how I thought this would go.”

She scanned the houses in the distance also but saw nothing suspect. “Me either. That guy was desperate not to talk to us.”

“Yes, he was—which indicates he’s guilty of something.”

“The question is, what?”

They stood in silence, letting the question hang between them.

Finally, Cassidy stepped from the house and gave them a nod. “You can take a look. Just don’t touch anything.”

“What about pictures?” Raven asked. “Can I take some?”

“That should be fine as long as you’re discreet, which I trust you will be.”

“We will.” Jake gave an affirmative nod. “Did you see anything of interest?”

“I did.” Cassidy’s expression remained stoic. “No bombs—thank goodness. But I’d like you to take a look at everything before I give you my thoughts.”

Raven’s pulse pounded harder.

Now she really couldn’t wait to get inside.

Maybe some answers waited there.

Jake stepped inside the house first, Raven behind him.

He scanned the interior, which looked much like most of the beach houses around here.

Yellow-tinted wood paneling covered the walls. Nautical decorations were scattered about. A well-worn navy-blue couch and matching chair were arranged around the TV.

Jake walked into the kitchen first. Cassidy had said they couldn’t touch anything, and he wanted to honor that. This room wasn’t where information would most likely be found, but he wanted to be thorough.

“Anything in the fridge of interest?” He glanced back at Cassidy, who’d come inside with them.

She shook her head. “Just milk, orange juice, and eggs.”

He gave her a nod before striding into the living room and surveying that area. There didn’t appear to be any personal possessions in here, only some Outer Banks advertising magazines, a TV remote, and a candle.

Jake continued down the hallway, Raven behind him, until he reached the primary bedroom.

If this guy was keeping anything in this cottage, Jake assumed it would be in this room.

He and Raven stepped inside.

Various items were spread on the blue comforter stretched across the bed—notebooks, papers, drawings.

Jake paced toward them and leaned forward for a better look.

“Thomas Logan is definitely connected,” Raven murmured as she peered at the items.

“Yes, he is.”

It appeared Thomas had been studying something. He’d printed bomb schematics. There were photos of historical ordnances. A notebook where the word Sigma was scribbled.

Jake pointed at the word and looked at Cassidy. “This mean anything to you?”

She shook her head. “Unfortunately, no. But I plan on looking into it.”

“Smart idea.”

“You should also know we found his phone,” Cassidy said. “We’re trying to unlock it now.”

Raven’s eyes brightened. “That could prove to be a fountain of information.”

“That’s what we’re hoping,” Cassidy said.

Raven pulled out her own phone and began to carefully take photos of the items so they could study them more later.

Jake frowned as he glanced at the man’s things one more time.

Just who was this guy, and what had he been up to?