Page 68 of Burning Truth

“There’s no way,” Russell snapped. “Not unless you…”

His voice trailed away.

“Found your hidey-hole,” Addie finished. “Yes, we did. And your map and your phones. We’re just confirming with you what we’ve already figured out.”

The monster glanced at the clock on the wall. “Then I think I’m done here, if you have all the answers.”

Addie cocked her head at him. “It would be nice if you confirmed the Finale.”

A smirk curled his lips. “Ah, so you haven’t figured everything out, then. Hm, that’s a shame.”

He rocked back in his chair, arms crossed, like he was enjoying a show.

Sanctimonious ass. Yeah, that wasn’t going to fly. “Well, good luck being chained to the table, Russell. You’d better hope Severn is better than you think he is.”

She headed toward the door, nodding her head at Eric to lead.

“You’re not done, Addison,” he snapped. The chains jangled as he shifted, but she didn’t look at him. She opened the door for Eric to walk through, then she went through, closing the door firmly behind her.

“Addison! Addison!”

Addie was surprised when she was met in the hallway by Severn’s grinning face and strong arms.

“You were brilliant, beautiful. We couldn’t have done that any better.”

She drew back from his hug, looking up into his face. If he was grinning, surely they’d found all the IEDs. “Did you find them all?”

He shrugged lightly. “We think so.”

She smacked his arm. “What do you mean, you think so?”

He laughed at her. “Yes, I believe we found them all. The second one at the Police academy threw us a little, but they found it. There were two here, as well, but they’ve been taken care of.”

“Addison!” Russell yelled, and she could hear the panic in his voice.

They stepped into the viewing room, where Johnson was smiling softly, her arms crossed beneath her breasts.

“I didn’t think you’d have the gumption to leave him hanging like that,” she said, reaching to pat Addie’s shoulder. “Good girl. He’s sweating bullets right now. And I have a feeling…”

She’d no sooner said the words than Russell was yelling for her again. “Addison, there’s one in the closet in the northwest corner of the basement, and one in the Deputy Chief’s office on the fifth floor. If you uncuff me, I’ll dismantle them!” he cried.

She looked at Severn, and he nodded. “We got them. We might step outside the building for a minute, just in case he’s got something hidden up his sleeve, but I think we’re safe enough.”

They watched Russell scream for a minute as he kept glancing at the clock, then they very calmly walked out of the building. Severn kept his arm around her shoulders, and Addie was appreciative of the support. It had been a harrowing day, and she was more than ready to be done with all of it.

Once the bombing time elapsed, plus a ten-minute cushion, the few staff still there headed back inside.

Russell hadn’t moved, but he sat glaring on the other side of the glass. Addie would have laughed if she had more energy. He’d been had, and he knew it. Maybe they should have let him know that Severn had found the IEDs. But that would have been too easy. And no fun. Yes, maybe it was a little evil, but, oh, well.

“He will not be happy when we get him out of there and take him to booking,” Johnson said, laughing. She turned to face them both. “I have to tell you how much I appreciate everything you both have done for the department. And the city of Columbus. We never would have found him if you two hadn’t worked together.”

Addie looked up at Severn. He wore a satisfied expression, and he shook Johnson’s hand when she held it out. “It was our pleasure,” Severn said, then he looked down at Addie. There was an intensity to his expression, and she understood what he was telling her.

“It was,” she told Johnson, “although I’m very glad it’s over.”

They all nodded.

Eric leaned in to her line of sight. He’d been following along with the group like a lost puppy. “I feel like it would be criminal not to do a finish piece on this night,” he said, and she heaved a sigh.

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