Page 52 of Burning Truth

Gabbie handed each of the detectives hard print outs of everything they’d talked about.

“I’ll place a call to the judge and get on the search warrant,” Johnson told them. “I don’t want you people to do anything,” she said firmly.

Severn grimaced, but he understood where she was coming from. They needed to be legal about everything going forward, because they didn’t want Russell Dunn to slip through anyadministrative cracks. The man had killed people without remorse, and they needed to tie him up without a hitch. “Agreed,” he murmured.

“Don’t talk to him or respond to any messages.”

“I haven’t even had a chance to check my phone,” Addie murmured, digging in her purse. She found her phone and swiped through the unlock screen, and messages. Her face chilled and she held the phone out to him.

That was a close call. But not close enough. Soon you will be with me, Addison. Want to know what’s next???

Severn showed the message to Parker and the detective. Parker’s mouth tightened. “You guys are still in danger,” Parker said.

“We have a team of officers on Jake’s hospital room,” Detective Johnson told her, “since he was the primary target.”

Addie shook her head. “I think Severn was the primary target. Jake was inconsequential.”

The detective’s smart eyes narrowed on Severn, and she nodded. “You’re probably right. I have a feeling if I try to put an officer on you, though, they’ll be given the slip.”

Severn grinned at her, all teeth, and Addie chuckled.

“You’re right, Detective,” Severn said. “Thank you for the offer, but I think it would bring more attention to us.”

Detective Rodrigo had been on his phone most of the meeting. He entered the office now and looked at Johnson. The man was grinning, an expression they’d never seen before. “They found a full thumb print on the C4. And it immediately pinged in the system. It’s a guy named Russell Dunn. Years ago, he was denied admittance into the Columbus Police Academy because he failed his psych eval.”

They all shared a look as so many of the pieces fell into place. No wonder all of the law enforcement spots had been burned. Russel had to be bitter about being denied.

“That’s definitive evidence that he is the one doing the bombings,” Johnson said, her voice hushed. “Rodrigo, get the captain on the line and put SWAT on alert. Use the phone, not the radio.”

Rodrigo stepped out, his phone going to his ear.

“Wow,” Gabbie breathed, her big brown eyes wide. “He’s been waging a war, with the city and the police and everyone...”

“If he discovers what we know, he’ll become reckless,” Severn said, looking directly at Johnson. “Whatever surveillance you do on him, you have to be sure it’s kept very quiet. If he’s the head of the department of emergency services, he may have access to any and all radio chatter.”

“Every time he heard a call out for a fire, I bet he got a thrill,” Addie mused. “And then I recapped everything, stroking his ego even more.”

Severn reached out and cupped her shoulder, and she gave him a wan smile. He needed to get her home, or somewhere where she could relax. As if she sensed his thoughts, she gave him a look. “I need to go to work.”

He started to protest, but she held up a hand. “I feel like I need to carry on like everything is normal. I can’t give any indication that we know anything, so I need to behave like normal.”

“I agree,” Johnson said, nodding. “It’s going to take us a while to get some things set up.”

Severn heard a buzz, and Addie lifted her phone again.I know you’re reading my messages. You’d better respond.

Addie looked at him, a question in her eyes, and he nodded, then looked at Johnson. She seemed torn for a minute, but she eventually nodded that Addie could respond.

Addie immediately started typing, and Severn watched over her shoulder.You know what I think of you, Monster. That’s what I’m going to call you from now on. Monster.

Monster sent her back a wink emoji.I’m okay with that, for now, Addison. I like having a pet name.

You’re disgusting.

Why am I the disgusting one? You’re with that abomination. For a little while...

Severn winced internally, the word abomination striking a little close to home. Compared to beautiful Addie, he was an abomination.

Addie’s thumbs were poised over the screen, like she was thinking about what to say. “I’m going to bait him, tell him he’s a nobody. Tell him I think he’s lashing out at law enforcement because he’s a low-life criminal, or something.”

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