Page 4

CHAPTER 4

A s 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.

Yet he still couldn’t believe Raven was here. In Lantern Beach. His gaze kept wanting to seek her out.

He lifted a prayer, asking for focus.

Someone had planted a bomb at the site where another bomb had already exploded.

Jake had seen a lot of things in his career but never that. He’d originally assumed this had all been a tragic accident.

But now that didn’t seem to be the case.

The earlier situation could have turned out so much differently, as could have the situation this afternoon.

Someone was playing with fire, and he didn’t like it.

And why Lantern Beach of all places? It was such a peaceful little island.

It was also where the Blackout headquarters was located. Was someone sending them a message? Or was Jake reading too much into this?

Maybe there was no connection at all. It was too soon to know. He needed to keep investigating first.

He needed to search for blast effects—shrapnel patterns, which could determine the type of explosive used. He’d look for burn marks and shockwave damage. He would need to swab for nitrate, ammonium, and other explosive compounds.

Then he’d search for wires, batteries, blasting caps, and remote triggers—on top of explosive casing.

As he knelt down to examine some of the rubble, the hairs on his neck suddenly rose.

He stood at full height, his body stiffening as he glanced around.

He knew this feeling.

Someone was watching him.

Since Cassidy, Fire Chief Holland, Officer Leggott, and Raven were behind him, he focused instead on the dunes in the distance—dunes with sea oats waving in the breeze.

He saw no one.

Slowly, he scanned the neighboring houses. This home had been raised high on stilts to protect it from flood waters. The other houses looked much the same, covered in weathered cedar siding with pitched roofs and multiple decks and balconies all facing the water.

Thankfully, it wasn’t tourist season yet, so no one had occupied the surrounding residences.

One of the houses had a swimming pool and deck along with a small shed to keep pool toys. Now, the area was littered with charred pieces of wood and black shingles.

Nothing caught his eye.

He surveyed the horizon where the ocean met the sky, searching for any boats.

Nothing.

There was still no sign of whatever had caused his guard to go up.

Jake shifted his gaze back to the dunes.

That was when he saw him.

Someone crouched in the sea oats thirty feet away.

He hadn’t been imagining things. Someone had been watching him from afar.

“Hey!” Jake started toward the man.

He needed to talk to this guy. To see what he was doing. Why he was attempting to hide. To find out what he might have to do with this bomb.

If the man were innocent, he wouldn’t need to run. But if he was guilty . . .

As if to answer Jake’s silent question, the guy took off.

As Raven sketched out the bomb site, she thought about that picture she’d found before the explosion.

Now it had been destroyed.

But she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Should she tell Cassidy or Jake?

She nibbled on her bottom lip.

Part of her thought she should. But she only had theories.

Maybe she would do some investigating on her own first. If her prying turned up anything, she’d tell both Cassidy and Jake about her find.

Until then, she’d keep this quiet.

A shout sounded, and she straightened.

The next instant, Jake sprinted toward the ocean.

What in the world was he doing?

Then a figure rose from the sea oats. A man wearing sand-colored camouflage.

He fled from the scene.

Raven sucked in a breath. Was Jake trying to catch this guy?

Cassidy jogged past her, headed toward the sand dunes.

Officer Leggott and the fire chief weren’t far behind.

Raven placed her sketch pad on the ground and followed, scrambling to keep up.

Her heart pounded in her ears as she waited to see what would happen.

As she waited to see if Jake was okay.

Not that she really cared. But she wasn’t apathetic either. She didn’t want anything to happen to the man she’d once been in love with.

The memory caused emotion to burn in her throat—memories and emotions she’d tried to bury. Now wasn’t the time to reminisce.

Now was the time to focus.

As they reached the shore, Raven had a better view of the beach.

The man in camouflage darted down the shoreline, his legs pumping.

Jake was fast, but the guy had a head start. Raven wasn’t sure if Jake could catch him.

Just how far would this man run?

Knowing Jake, he’d keep going until his body gave out—which Raven couldn’t see happening. He’d always been strong and athletic, not to mention determined.

She sucked in a breath when she saw the man stop and turn.

Cassidy paused, her arm darting out to stop Raven from going any farther. Fire Chief Holland and Officer Leggott stopped also.

Was the man about to pull a gun and fire?

Instead, he only stared.

“What is that guy doing?” Cassidy murmured, her gaze fixed on the scene in front of them.

Raven quickly soaked in the guy’s features. Square face. Broad nose. Ruddy complexion.

She’d never seen him before.

But the look on his face was determined—and dangerous.

Raven’s breath caught as she waited to see what would happen next.