Page 70 of Wild Oblivion

"You got nine lives, Wild,” Deputy Polk shouted at me.

I’d been through that many at least.

Jack buzzed my phone. "I’ve been watching the whole thing on TV. You got out of there in the nick of time. You okay?"

“Yeah, we’re all good.”

“I don’t know about you, but this has got me all fired up. The gloves are off. We need to get this bastard any way possible.”

“I’m with you, brother.”

“I knew that you would be. Glad you’re okay.” He paused. “I should have been there.”

“Nothing you could have done. How’s Henrik?”

“He’s good.”

“Keep him out of trouble, and I’ll be back shortly.”

“Affirmative.”

I texted Isabella to rattle her cage and see if she had drummed up any info on our perp.

At the station, we touched down on the helipad, and EMTs triaged us. We were both dirty, dusty, and shaken up. We’d both suffered minor abrasions.

All in all, we were okay.

The EMTs suggested we go to the hospital for a full workup, but I declined. Emily wasn't too enthused about the prospect either. She turned down their offer for a ride in the ambulance.

Once inside, I filled out after-action reports in the conference room. That's when anotherunknowncall buzzed my phone.

"I'm tired of this game," I said when I answered, knowing it could only be one person.

"But you're doing so well. You're still alive after two close calls. It's quite impressive.”

"You lied.”

"I did no such thing. How you interpret the clues is your business."

“You detonated the bomb early again. More people died."

"As we've already established, there are no rules, Deputy. More like guidelines. Suggestions, perhaps.”

"A game without rules isn't fun.”

"Oh, I'm having a tremendous amount of fun. And I suspect you are too.”

I scoffed. "This is anything but fun.”

"You don't mean that. I'll bet you feel more alive than ever. That adrenaline, like a drug, rushing through your veins. You get to play the hero. And the clarity of mind,” he said with envy. “Nothing to cloud your judgment. When it comes to matters of life and death, survival is the only thing that matters. It's pure. Unadulterated. You should be thanking me. Plus, you're getting to spend time with that gorgeous blonde. Have you banged her yet?”

The scumbag had obviously been watching.

I didn’t bother to answer his lurid question. "What's next?"

"See. You’re ready to get back into the action already. I'm afraid you'll just have to wait, Deputy. All things in good time.”

He ended the call.