Page 49 of Wild Oblivion

After dealing with enough battlefield casualties, you learn to spot the ones who can be saved pretty quickly. Unfortunately, none of them were coming back from this. I checked vitals, but they were all gone.

My heart sank.

I didn't know who was inside the building during the blast,but it was obvious no one could have survived. Not a blast like that.

The distant sound of sirens warbled as emergency responders drew near.

The air was filled with the scent of blood mixed with concrete and gypsum, along with the sharp smell of ozonated air. It had a unique metallic tang.

I felt helpless.

There was nothing I could do. I'd failed. Anger, disappointment, and guilt swelled. If I'd only been a little quicker, these people might still be alive.

My phone buzzed my pocket. I didn't even have to look at the screen to know who it was. Veins bulged, and my fists balled.

I was furious.

24

“Deputy Wild, I’m afraid you’re too late,” the caller said in a gleefully smug voice.

With a tight jaw, I said in a low growl, “That wasn’t supposed to detonate until 10:30 PM.”

“Whoops. I lied. Sue me.”

I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle the guy. “Your credibility just went out the window.”

“No, it didn’t. My threats are more credible than ever. Don’t be mad, Deputy Wild. You didn’t think this game had rules, did you?”

Rage boiled my veins.

“I’m glad you survived. I quite enjoy this. It only gets more interesting from here. I’ll be in touch.” He ended the call, and I wanted to smash the phone.

Red and blue lights flashed as patrol cars screeched onto thescene. EMTs and paramedics were close behind, followed by the medical examiner, and Paris Delaney and her crew.

First responders attended to the victims and searched the rubble for survivors. I didn't think they'd find any inside the building. There wasn't much left but piles of dust and debris. Sonic Temple was a memory.

Special Agent Thompson arrived on scene with his team, and I gave him a full debrief. He was angry. We all were.

“You said we had 12 hours.”

“I never said that. He did.”

A frustrated sigh escaped his mouth. "Well, at least this didn't go off when the venue was full. This could have been so much worse."

It was a tragedy, but I didn't disagree. The venue could hold thousands of people. Packed inside for a Wild Fury show, it could have been devastating. Still, it didn't make it any easier to stomach.

Paris approached, and her camera crew closed in. I gave her a look that said,not now. Paris was not one to take no for an answer. "Deputy Wild, what can you tell us about the explosion? Is this related to the bombing at the wharf and the device at Big Tony's?"

"I urge anyone who has any information about the bombing to contact the FBI, ATF, or the County Sheriff's Department."

I stepped out of frame, not wanting to answer any more questions.

Brenda examined the remains, and her crew bagged bodies. There were no survivors. No casualties to triage.

Emily arrived on scene with a mortified look on her face. She scanned the debris in absolute horror. "I got here as soon as I heard. I'm sorry I haven't been able to come up with a detection device. It's going to take some time to build one, and even then, I don't know how sensitive it would be.” Her face contorted with sorrow. "This is all my fault."

"How so?”