Page 15 of Deadly Revenge

“So, how do you like it?”

“Fine.”

She wasn’t giving him anything to build a conversation on. “Look, I need to clear the air. I never should have kissed you ... and ... and I’m sorry I didn’t call. I’m not going to offer any excuses, but I’d like a chance to make amends.”

She stared at him like he was a bug under a microscope, then she nodded. “Apology accepted. Now can we discuss Harrison Carter?”

She’d accepted his apology? He frowned. So why didn’t it feel like she had? He looked up to see her staring expectantly at him.

“Yeah. Carter.” Max had made a total mess out of it—he should’ve asked her out to a nice restaurant to apologize. Things like that went better with food. No, that would have made it worse. Like she’d even go on a date with him.

“Does the TBI check out every political rally when a candidate gets threats?” she asked. “Isn’t that pretty common now?”

“Common enough, but someone tried to run Carter off the road a week ago.”

“My dad mentioned that when he delivered the Slaters’ mail.”

Max frowned. “That hasn’t been released to the public. How did he hear about it?”

“You’ll have to ask him—he didn’t say.”

He nodded. “Carter passed it off as an impatient driver until he received a threatening letter. Let me get my tablet.”

He opened it to his notes and focused on bringing her up to speed on Carter’s case.

When he finished, she said, “You’re cutting it awfully close. The political rally is Saturday.”

“Tell me about it, but we didn’t know we needed extra security measures until yesterday when they advised us about the letter.”

Jenna wrote something on her tablet. “What did the letter say?”

He took out his phone. “I photographed it.”

Max held out his phone with the picture. Instead of typed words, someone had cut letters from newspapers and magazines to write the message.You’ve lined your last pocket.

“Okay. Definitely a threat,” she said.

“Coupled with the near accident that other agents are investigating, we’re not taking any chances.”

She looked over her notes. “What time is he arriving in Pearl Springs Saturday?”

“According to his campaign manager, around four that afternoon. He’ll make his speech around six then mingle with the crowd before the fireworks begin at dark.”

“That means he’ll be here at least six hours,” Jenna said. “If someone really is threatening him, the time around the fireworks display will be a perfect opportunity to take him out. Any chance of getting him to leave right after his speech?”

Max shook his head. “Already asked. He has family here—he sees it as a photo op.”

“It won’t be if someone carries through on their threat,” she said dryly. “Since you seem to be in the know, have Nathan and Alex said how many officers are available?”

At least Jenna was warming up to the idea of them working together. “Ten total. The city is providing one for the platform—theothers will be busy with traffic control. Russell County is providing the rest.”

“And from TBI?”

He shrugged. “You’re looking at him ... unless the threat level goes up. Right now, it’s a four on a scale of one to ten.”

Jenna’s eyes widened. “But there’ll be at least three thousand people at the picnic! Ninety-nine percent of those will stay for the fireworks.”

“Everyone is short-staffed,” Max said. “Carter’s campaign is providing four bodyguards for him.”

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