Page 77 of Scorched

Chapter 13

Declan marched into his office at the fire station, Seb and Jace on his heels. They turned heads as they filed past, but he didn’t care. The staff would all find out what was happening soon enough. He unlocked his door, flipping on the lights as he entered, and made a beeline for the filing cabinet. He opened the drawer with the personnel files and found Gehring’s.

“Here you go.” He held the folder out to Seb.

Seb opened it, scanning it for Gehring’s address. “It’s an apartment at that new complex by the highway.” He glanced up at Jace. “Should make it easy. One entry point.”

“And lots of people in the way,” Jace added. “What are the chances he’s there?”

“Slim to none. Not after being spotted.”

“You should have the bomb squad sweep the place before you go in,” Declan said. “He might have run back there long enough to grab some stuff and rig the place. You don’t want to set something off inadvertently.”

“That’s a good point,” Jace said. “They haven’t left yet, have they?”

Seb shook his head. “No. They were checking the last couple barns when we left the ranch.”

“Detour them to that apartment complex,” Declan said. “The barns can wait. There could be a bomb just waiting to go off where there are dozens of people.”

Seb was already dialing. His conversation was brief.

“They’re going to meet us there.”

“Good.” Declan moved toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Seb asked. “I still need to coordinate my team.”

Declan glanced over his shoulder. “To talk to my staff. Someone has to know something.”

Seb looked at Jace. “Go with him.”

Not waiting for Jace to follow, Declan walked out. He entered the common room and let out a sharp whistle. Crichton’s entire squad turned.

“Tell me what you know about Jameson Gehring.”

They looked at him, confused.

“Gehring’s part of your squad, sir,” Stickley said.

“I’m aware, but some of you have to know him.”

“We went to a bar together once,” McPherson said.

“Where did you go?” Jace asked, taking out his phone to take notes.

McPherson named the bar. “I only went with him once. To be honest, he’s a little strange.”

“How so?”

“I don’t know. It was just the way he interacted with people. Like they were there to amuse him. We had a couple drinks, then I called a cab and left.”

“He say anything personal while you were with him? Tell you about some place he liked to go?”

“He mentioned camping with his dad.”

“Did he say where?”

“Just the mountains.”

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