Page 59 of Jina

“What’s with the gasoline scent?” Grayson asked as he carried the box back to the van.

“Honestly, I’m not sure.” She glanced around the area in question before following Grayson back to Gully’s van. “My only thought was that our perp splashed the gasoline around to help deliver a bigger explosion.”

“He’s a real jack of all trades, huh?” Grayson set the box in the van, then stepped back to close the steel reinforced doors. There was no denying an acute sense of relief in knowing the device was no longer a threat. “Shooting, arson, and now setting an IED.”

“Yeah. It only reinforces my theory that this guy has a background in law enforcement.” She glanced over as Cole joined them. “Despite this latest bomb threat, I still think heading out to the Timberland Falls rental tonight is our best chance to draw him into the open.”

“I doubt he’ll show,” Cole said bluntly. “But I’ll go along with the rest of you on this.”

“Cole has a point,” Grayson said as the others clustered around. “Maybe we should think about where this all started?”

She frowned. “You mean at Mike’s MMA gym?”

Grayson shrugged. “Just a thought. It’s relatively isolated. And you had planned to stake out the strip mall behind it.”

She mulled that over for a moment, then shook her head. “I don’t think this guy will show up there.”

“Why not?” Cole asked. “He knows you go to the gym on a regular basis.”

“True.” She sighed. Thinking like a killer wasn’t easy. If she had some sort of clue as to who this guy was, it would help. “Let’s head back to the precinct and talk it through. I’m not sure which way to go on this.”

“Do you think it’s safe to take the rental?” Cole asked.

“No, we should leave it here.” She wasn’t sure why, but she felt strongly they needed a different vehicle for whatever plan they implemented tonight.

“You can take my car,” Grayson said. “I’ll ride shotgun with Gully in the van.”

Grateful, she accepted his key fob. “Thanks.” As she and Cole headed to the van, she battled a wave of frustration.

It was difficult to shake the sense of looming failure. The certainty that no matter which decision she made, it would backfire in her face.

And the worst thing of all was if that decision hurt someone she cared about. Any of her teammates, and of course Cole.

She wouldn’t survive that dire consequence.

They rode to Jina’s police precinct with a strained silence hanging heavily between them. Cole felt as if he’d run a marathon, and the day had barely begun. Seeing firsthand the situations Jina and her team dealt with gave him a new appreciation for their role on the tactical team.

The recent bomb incident made his cold case look negligible. His job was to arrest bad guys, even if the crime had been committed twelve years ago. After all, there was no statute of limitations on murder.

But after today? Finding Brad’s killer wasn’t important. For all he knew, the killer was dead. Or in jail.

Keeping Jina safe was all that mattered.

“What are you thinking?” He broke the silence as they entered the Milwaukee city limits.

She shot him a quick glance before exiting the interstate. “Honestly? I’m not sure what to think. Other than I desperately want to draw this guy out of hiding.”

“That’s true for all of us.” He wasn’t sure which option was better either. “Maybe your boss will have an idea.”

“I hope so.” She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear as they waited for the streetlight to change. “For lack of anything better, I’m still leaning toward the rental property in Timberland Falls.”

“I hear you. I guess the worst that can happen is that he doesn’t show.”

She let out a low groan. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of. This guy is growing more reckless with every attempt. He planted that bomb with complete disregard for the innocent lives that could have been lost in the explosion. We need him to find me. And soon.”

“He has been deliberately reckless,” he agreed. “And seems to be gloating about how easily he’s gotten away with everything so far.”

“Tell me about it.” She scowled while navigating the streets of the city. “He’s really starting to make me mad.” She gestured to the windshield. “That’s our precinct up ahead.”

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