Page 15 of Chain Reaction
The five of them began to walk back toward the house.
Raven only wished Jake wasn’t here to complicate things.
Whywashe here? Sure, he was an explosives expert. But why, of all people, had he been called in? Certainly, there were other explosive experts who were closer and just as experienced.
She had more questions, but she probably wouldn’t ask any of them. The more distance she could keep between her and Jake, the better.
She trudged through the sand, listening to the conversations around her. Cassidy was talking to Fire Chief Holland about getting some equipment out here to fill in that hole before someone fell in. Jake, Leggott, and Raven followed close behind.
As they all headed back toward the blast site, an out-of-place sound caught Raven’s ear.
She paused. Heard it again.
It sounded like . . . a phone ringing.
But it wasn’t her cell, nor did it sound as if it came from anyone in the group in front of her either.
“You guys,” Raven called. “Do you hear that? Is that one of your phones?”
Everyone paused, listened, and then shook their heads.
Jake’s hands went to his hips as his eyes narrowed. “My ears are still ringing, but I hear it too.”
As if on autopilot, Jake walked toward the sound.
Raven hurried to catch up with him, curious about the noise since no one else was on the beach except them.
She paused as they neared the dunes.
“This is where that guy was hiding when I saw him.” Jake pointed to the sea oats on the sand dune.
Raven’s heart beat harder as theories tried to materialize in her mind. But she didn’t want to latch onto any of them. Not yet. Not until she had more information.
Jake walked between the brush then leaned down. Pulling a glove from his pocket, he used it to pick up an object in the sand.
A cell phone.
Her throat went dry. Had that guy accidentally dropped his phone when he’d fled? Could they be that lucky? Maybe the device would give them the evidence they needed to track him down.
She watched as Jake hit the screen.
Words appeared as if a text message had been left open.
But when Jake grunted, Raven realized it wasn’t good news—like a break in the case might be.
“Well?” Cassidy asked.
Jake turned the screen toward them.
Raven’s blood went cold as she read the message.
You’re too late.
CHAPTER 7
Back at the scene, Jake and Cassidy chatted. He kept one eye on the police chief while also watching everything around him—including Raven, who wandered near the dunes.
He would be more prepared next time if that guy made another appearance.
