Page 7

CHAPTER 7

B ack at the scene, Jake and Cassidy chatted. He kept one eye on the police chief while also watching everything around him—including Raven, who wandered near the dunes.

He would be more prepared next time if that guy made another appearance.

The man had been there for a reason, and Jake needed to figure out what. He didn’t think the guy’s presence was just to leave a message on the phone for them to find.

“I don’t like this,” Jake said. “Something is going on here.”

Cassidy’s jaw remained hard along with her expression. “I agree. At first, I thought this was just an unfortunate tragedy at best or a means for someone to steal Eleanor’s money at worst. Now it’s becoming clear there’s more to this story. I want to know what.”

Jake’s muscles felt stony as he asked, “You calling the feds in?”

“Given these new developments, most likely,” Cassidy said. “But I wanted to bring Dr. Newton in first so I could see what we’re working with. I also thought it was a good idea if you came.”

“Too bad I don’t have my K-9 yet.” He was about to begin training a new bomb-sniffing dog. His last K-9 had retired and gone to live with a team member who’d recently retired from the military.

“With tourist season starting in another month, I feel confident everyone is going to want this wrapped up as soon as possible,” Cassidy continued. “Nothing drives away tourists quicker than danger.”

“I can imagine.”

Cassidy’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. “It’s the NCSBI. I’ve got to take this, and I’ve got to make a few more calls also.”

As the police chief stepped away, Jake remained planted in the driveway between the remains of the house and the line of vehicles parked along the gravel lane. His gaze found Raven again.

He watched as she studied debris in the sand.

She was just as beautiful as ever. Slender and five foot seven, with black hair that came down her back in large, wavy curls. Her eyes were blue and her skin milky.

Raven Newton was still one of the most beautiful women Jake had ever met. When they’d been together, he’d felt like the luckiest man in the whole world. Because not only was Raven beautiful, but she was also smart and kind. He’d felt like a better person when they were together.

Then everything between them had ended. As quickly as they’d fallen in love, they’d split equally as fast.

A knot formed in his chest.

Would Raven ever understand why they couldn’t be together? Would she ever forgive him?

Jake never thought he’d see her again. He’d tried to put her out of his mind. After all, they were both busy with their own lives and careers. He hadn’t thought they’d run into each other.

But now Raven was in Lantern Beach, of all places. As much as he tried to forget about the pain of their breakup, he might have to face it head-on instead.

“So what do you think?”

Jake snapped from his thoughts and turned to see Cassidy had paused near him.

Had she been talking to him? How long had he been lost in his own thoughts?

She raised her eyebrows. “Sorry to interrupt. Your mind on something else?”

“Yeah, you could say that,” he murmured.

Get your head back in the game, Laudner.

Lives are depending on it.

Raven knelt in the sand by the dune and studied an object nestled in between strands of sea oats. It didn’t appear anyone had seen this earlier when they’d searched the beach. Or perhaps this had been blown here during the second blast.

It didn’t matter either way. She was just glad she’d spotted it.

She took a pen from her pocket and gently turned the object over.

As she did, her breath caught.

Just as she’d suspected, this was a piece of the original bomb.

This was what she’d been looking for. This could be a key find in their investigation. While much of the bomb had clearly been destroyed upon detonation, this piece was nearly intact, probably five by eight inches.

If she could study this more, it would tell her a lot about the ordnance Eleanor had found. Raven could examine the paint, the metal, the barely perceptible symbol located on one edge.

Together, that would give her some answers—about how old the ordnance was. Where it was from. If it had really washed ashore during a recent storm. Or if someone had planted it for Eleanor to discover.

Finding this was like hitting the jackpot.

Shadows appeared beside her, and she looked up. Cassidy and Jake stood there.

“Did you have some luck?” Cassidy asked.

Leaving the evidence in the sand, Raven rose. “It’s a piece of the original bomb. I’d like to take it with me to study it more thoroughly.”

Cassidy nodded quickly. “Whatever you need.”

“I’ll need an evidence bag and a glove—to preserve any potential fingerprints.”

“I’ll get them for you,” Jake said before striding toward Officer Leggott, who stood near his squad car.

Cassidy turned toward her, questions lingering in her gaze. “You really think you can find some answers from that?”

“There’s an excellent chance I can,” Raven said. “That remnant will tell us a lot about what happened this morning. As far as what happened since I arrived . . . Jake will be your guy for that.”

Cassidy crossed her arms. “We desperately need some answers. I thought this was a one-time event. Now I’m beginning to fear whoever is behind this may not be done.”

Raven didn’t like the thought of that. Instead of dwelling on it, she decided to focus on the facts. “Any luck finding the guy who threw that grenade?”

A frown played across her lips. “We’re still looking for him. It’s a small island, and if he tries to leave by ferry, there’s a good chance we’ll find him.”

But Raven knew the truth. Though most people left the island by ferry—there were no bridges leading to Lantern Beach —there was still a possibility someone could leave by a private boat.

Whoever was behind the bombing was clearly smart and motivated. He had a good grasp of technology and probably a decent amount of financing behind him. After all, he’d either used an actual relic or a decent imitation of one—and not just anyone could purchase or create something like that. He would have to know his way around a bomb as well.

Someone like that would be smart enough to get off this island in the most inconspicuous way. Or try to blend in somehow.

This case was far from simple and far from being over.

Raven turned back to the police chief, her thoughts still racing. “Listen, I originally planned on leaving tomorrow. But I’d like to stay longer if that’s okay with you.”

“Of course,” Cassidy said. “I can use all the help I can get. The state is sending someone out tomorrow, and I have a feeling the FBI will be called in also.”

Jake joined them holding a bag and glove.

Raven carefully picked up the evidence and slid it into the bag. She couldn’t wait to dive into this and find some answers.

“If I’m done here, I’d like to go back to my rental so I can begin to check this out.” Cassidy had provided a rental house where Raven could stay while she was in town.

There was one inn on the island, but it was fully booked by a church renting it for a retreat.

Raven wasn’t complaining. She preferred the privacy of a rental house over an inn any day.

“That’s fine with me,” Cassidy said.

Jake’s shoulders seemed to widen as if he were bracing himself before he said, “I’d like to escort you there.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Raven’s words came out too quickly.

“Respectfully, I insist.” Jake kept his voice monotone, almost as if trying to keep any emotions out. “We don’t know what’s going on here or who this guy is who was watching. Until we have more answers, we need to operate under the assumption that this man is dangerous and that he might not be done yet.”

A chill raked through Raven. Jake was right. She knew he was.

Any arguments died on her lips.

“I have to agree with him,” Cassidy said. “In fact, given the stakes, I’d like Jake to work with you.”

“What?” Raven’s voice came out as a squeak.

Cassidy offered an affirmative nod. “It’s true. The feds won’t hire Jake for this, but I’m not opposed to asking Ty for some favors. I don’t like what I see going on here, and I don’t want anything happening to someone I’ve asked to come in as a consultant.”

Raven nodded. “I understand.”

“I’ll follow you in my own vehicle and check out your place to make sure it’s okay.” Jake stared at her, his expression not leaving any room for argument.

Despite his logic, Raven still hesitated. Why did it have to be Jake?

Couldn’t Officer Leggott escort her instead?

But if she suggested that, she’d only look petty. As far as Cassidy knew, Raven and Jake didn’t have a turbulent history. Raven didn’t want to do or say anything to put her professional persona in peril.

“That’s fine,” she finally said.

But Raven was lying.

Being around Jake made her feel anything but fine.

For the sake of everyone here, Raven would power through her hard feelings and do the job she’d been hired to complete.