Page 59 of Finding Love in the Clouds

“Wait, are you telling me that there was actually a grill with fire in it on my set?” Fernando asked.

“I mean, yes. And I know your rules about safe sets. It wasn’t my decision, well, okay, it wasn’t only my decision, though no, I didn’t stop it. Yell at me about that later. What I’m saying is the grill that supposedly had gas going to it that wentkaboomdidn’t. Could someone have gotten hurt from our grill out? Yes, in theory. Could someone have gotten blown up from it? No way! I’m telling you, Andy, something is going on. I have been laying here for hours trying to figure out who would’ve or could’ve done it, and I got nothin’ but… Someone blew us up. The fact they got all three of us McKenzie kids seems suspicious, too. There was only one time in the entire show that Callie and I would be together with no other actors in the frame on that particular set. Brice, being the detailed director that he is, is constantly jumping in and tweaking things, so that was a lucky break. My gut says someone is after the McKenzie kids, and I don’t know why. I haven’t heard anyone bad-mouthing you or us. And I’ll tell you, when Enrique looks at the set footage, he’ll see that the box has been there since the beginning. Someone had to have gotten their hands on the script and found that one day, when Callie was shooting alone, then planned it ahead of time. That garden box was not in the set design. It worked, so we left it. Looking back, that may be an area in our security procedures we need to tighten.”

“Cory, this information has been very helpful. I have a lot to think about. Rest now.” Fernando patted him on the shoulder and exited theroom before turning to Colin. “I have a briefing in a couple of hours. I’ll learn something soon and pass it along as soon as I can. Before I go, do you know of anyone who may want to target your kids?”

Colin rubbed at the five o’clock shadow growing on his chin. “No, but this is the first time I’ve given it any thought. Let me get back to you on that later, after my mind has time to think over it more carefully. If we go down the rabbit hole of targeting McKenzie kids, you may need to widen the net a little and consider that Elsie is the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and has hired and fired hundreds of people throughout her career. Arabella and her husband worked for the FBI and IRS and put away some big names for white-collar crimes. Those folks would be pretty connected, have long memories, and tend not to stay in jail too long.”

Fernando rubbed his head. “Yeah, well, just because it’s a giant can of worms doesn’t mean we don’t need to open it. Will you reach out to the girls and see if anyone comes to mind? I don’t want us to make assumptions that could cost someone their life. Today, we were blessed that everyone will recover; that might not be the outcome if this was planned, and they get a second chance.”

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Saying their goodbyes, they exited the hospital and climbed into the waiting Suburban. “Garret, good to see you, man!”

“You too, boss. Where to?” the burly driver asked from his place behind the wheel.

“Sophie’s.” As the large SUV pulled into traffic, Fernando went out on a limb. “Garret, has Enrique reached out to you in the last day or so about security clearance and… other things?”

“I’ve been briefed,” Garret informed him, making eye contact through the rearview mirror. “If you slip and have a conversation about the RC or anything related to it or the author you are interested in working with, then I will politely shut you down. The car is not yet considered a secure location.”

“Good. Very good. I assumed so. I will, of course, verify that later with my brother, but I trust you implicitly. It’s going to be a long day, Garret; I hope you got some sleep.” Turning to Sophie, he added, “I think that last conversation, if the date of placement can be confirmed, rules out other potential sources of danger. Until we can confirmit, though, I was wondering what your thoughts were on moving your family into my home for a little impromptu vacation. It’s a quicker introduction to everything than we planned, but under the circumstances, I would feel better knowing you were behind layers of protection instead of just having security posted at your place.”

Sophie squeezed his thigh where her hand rested. “I agree. Javier will have a good time while the rest of us feel safe, and it will take one thing off your mind. Consider it done.”

Just then, Fernando’s phone rang. “Jax, just the man I wanted to speak with. Any movement we need to worry about? Good. Will you please ask the agents inside if the girls are awake or asleep? Excellent. Callie’s always had a very strict biological clock. When it’s her bedtime, she konks out no matter where she is. I’m glad she’s resting well tonight. When she awakens, will you please have your agent inform her I called to check up on her and will see her later in the day? Thank you. Good night.”

“I don’t think it’s night anymore; the sun is starting to rise.” Sophie pointed out the window where the sun was turning the sky a beautiful shade of salmon.

“I’m heading to the office to talk all this through and then hold the press conference. I’ll meet you at the house later tonight.”

“What, I’m not coming with you?” Sophie protested.

“No, you’re going to pack up the family and move them to safety while I get this all sorted out. When we determine that it’s safe, you can resume your duties at the office. Until then, you can finish your last week of vacation while secretly planning what changes you want to make to the house, shop for new linens, discuss colors with the interior designer, or whatever makes you happy. Or you can work from home. It’s your choice; I just need to know you’re safe while my brothers and I assess the danger. Please.”

Sophie conceded quickly. She could see how worried he was, and even though she wanted to be by his side... if knowing she was in his home, safe, would make this day easier, that was what she would do.

Fernando walked her to her door and kissed her before pulling her into a tight hug. “Be safe. I’ll see you for dinner tonight.”

“Until tonight. I love you,” Sophie said against his lips as she kissed him one more time.

The morning moved quickly. Fernando’s first stop was to the set. He needed to see it with his own eyes. The detective in charge was grateful for his presence and questioned him as they walked around the scene, which was cordoned off with yellow crime tape. His heart pounded as he took in the devastation around him. The air still carried the acrid scent of burnt plastic and fuel, mingled with the metallic tang of scorched metal.

The garden storage box holding the fuel tanks was obliterated. Fragments of melted and shattered plastic littered the area, scattered across a wide radius. The ground where the box once stood was blackened with a charred burn mark. Fernando’s eyes tracked the debris field, noting the extensive damage. He closed his eyes, thanking the Lord once more for sparing the siblings of his heart, before continuing his inspection.

Nearby, the metal grill lay toppled on its side, its once sturdy frame now warped and blackened by the heat. The grill’s legs were twisted, and its surface was charred, indicating the high temperatures it had endured. Fernando could see where Brice had been standing, now marked with spray chalk, just five feet from the blast. His mind filled with images of his brother being thrown by the force, sustaining those terrible injuries. If the grill looked as it did, it was a miracle Brice, who was just a few feet further away, made it out alive.

He rubbed at his chest, trying to ease the pain and decrease the panic that was rising as he took in the scene. The wooden privacy fence behind the explosion was in ruins. A large, charred hole marred its surface, with splinters radiating outward from the point of impact. Fernando’s eyes traced the fence line, visualizing Cory standing in front of Brice, filming the scene. A yellow number marked the ground where a deep gouge marred the surface. Fernando imagined that was where Cory and the camera made contact, sliding against the hard turf and crushing his spleen.

The area where Callie had been acting was further away but not untouched. Debris had reached even there, and the ground was littered with smaller fragments of the garden box and shrapnel. A dented and scratched propane tank lay resting on its side near the picnic table where Callie would have been standing. A foot or two to the left and she would have been severely injured, perhaps killed. The thought sent a shiver down Fernando’s spine.

Emergency personnel were no longer present, but crime scene investigators, arson investigators, and detectives were assessing the damage and gathering evidence. They moved methodically through the debris, checking for any evidence that had been missed in the first collection, and trying to determine what had happened. Statements from the crew members had been collected the day before, and all footage from both film production cameras and security had been collected.

“Is there anything else you need from me, Detective?” Fernando asked.

“No, sir, you’re free to go. Thank you for your cooperation,” the detective in charge confirmed. I’ll be collaborating with my colleagues to determine what information we are at liberty to share, and I’ll seeyou soon for the briefing. My boss would like to discuss what you’ll say at your press conference.”

“I’ll be as honest and open with the Chief as you are with me, Detective. See you soon,” Fernando stated before making his way to the car.

Chapter Sixty

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