Page 17 of Chain Reaction
This was what she’d been looking for. This could be a key find in their investigation. While much of the bomb had clearly been destroyed upon detonation, this piece was nearly intact, probably five by eight inches.
If she could study this more, it would tell her a lot about the ordnance Eleanor had found. Raven could examine the paint, the metal, the barely perceptible symbol located on one edge.
Together, that would give her some answers—about how old the ordnance was. Where it was from. If it had really washed ashore during a recent storm. Or if someone had planted it for Eleanor to discover.
Finding this was like hitting the jackpot.
Shadows appeared beside her, and she looked up. Cassidy and Jake stood there.
“Did you have some luck?” Cassidy asked.
Leaving the evidence in the sand, Raven rose. “It’s a piece of the original bomb. I’d like to take it with me to study it more thoroughly.”
Cassidy nodded quickly. “Whatever you need.”
“I’ll need an evidence bag and a glove—to preserve any potential fingerprints.”
“I’ll get them for you,” Jake said before striding toward Officer Leggott, who stood near his squad car.
Cassidy turned toward her, questions lingering in her gaze. “You really think you can find some answers from that?”
“There’s an excellent chance I can,” Raven said. “That remnant will tell us a lot about what happened this morning. As far as what happened since I arrived . . . Jake will be your guy for that.”
Cassidy crossed her arms. “We desperately need some answers. I thought this was a one-time event. Now I’m beginning to fear whoever is behind this may not be done.”
Raven didn’t like the thought of that. Instead of dwelling on it, she decided to focus on the facts. “Any luck finding the guy who threw that grenade?”
A frown played across her lips. “We’re still looking for him. It’s a small island, and if he tries to leave by ferry, there’s a good chance we’ll find him.”
But Raven knew the truth. Though most people left the island by ferry—there were no bridges leading to Lantern Beach—there was still a possibility someone could leave by a private boat.
Whoever was behind the bombing was clearly smart and motivated. He had a good grasp of technology and probably a decent amount of financing behind him. After all, he’d either used an actual relic or a decent imitation of one—and not just anyone could purchase or create something like that. He would have to know his way around a bomb as well.
Someone like that would be smart enough to get off this island in the most inconspicuous way. Or try to blend in somehow.
This case was far from simple and far from being over.
Raven turned back to the police chief, her thoughts still racing. “Listen, I originally planned on leaving tomorrow. But I’d like to stay longer if that’s okay with you.”
“Of course,” Cassidy said. “I can use all the help I can get. The state is sending someone out tomorrow, and I have a feeling the FBI will be called in also.”
Jake joined them holding a bag and glove.
Raven carefully picked up the evidence and slid it into the bag. She couldn’t wait to dive into this and find some answers.
“If I’m done here, I’d like to go back to my rental so I can begin to check this out.” Cassidy had provided a rental house where Raven could stay while she was in town.
There was one inn on the island, but it was fully booked by a church renting it for a retreat.
Raven wasn’t complaining. She preferred the privacy of a rental house over an inn any day.
“That’s fine with me,” Cassidy said.
Jake’s shoulders seemed to widen as if he were bracing himself before he said, “I’d like to escort you there.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Raven’s words came out too quickly.
“Respectfully, I insist.” Jake kept his voice monotone, almost as if trying to keep any emotions out. “We don’t know what’s going on here or who this guy is who was watching. Until we have more answers, we need to operate under the assumption that this man is dangerous and that he might not be done yet.”
