Allie looked sick. "I hope no one is hurt."
"Knox and I are going to check on the damage near the fitness center," Jason said. He pointed at her. "But you stay here. Keep looking. Even if the bomber threw the timeline out the window, he's probably still here." He turned to Rowan. "You too. Text us any updates."
Allie's eyes narrowed. "But if one of the bombs was placed near the ferry, how do we know he's here at The Mandeville?"
Knox leveled his gaze at her, hoping she sensed the certainty surging through him. "I can't explain it, but when we were talking to Kendall, I was positive Kendall believed the bomber was at The Mandeville. I know that's not a guarantee, but my gut says he's here."
Confidence sparked in her eyes. "That's good enough for me."
He squeezed her shoulder. "He might stay in a safe part of the building, or he might walk out, but he won't go far. You've got this."
Her "Yeah" sounded a little shaky, but more resolve hardened on her face than he expected.
His phone buzzed. He checked the text. And hot tension balled in his stomach. "Henrik says an explosion destroyed the bridge to the ferry."
Knox noted the professional expression on Allie's face, but tension hummed behind her words. "If no one can access the ferry, then no one can leave the island. Everyone is trapped. And there's no obvious place to run to because we don't know where the next explosion will be."
He grabbed her hand and squeezed. "One thing at a time. We work the problem, right?"
"Hey," Jason interrupted. "We need to go. Now."
Knox glanced back to Allie. She lifted her chin. "Yeah, work the problem." She nodded toward the door as Jason stepped into the hallway. "You guys be careful."
There wasn't time for more. He forced himself to jog out of the room and catch up with Jason in the hallway.
"Hey," Jason said as Knox matched his quick strides. Confused and frantic guests poured out of their rooms, asking each other what had happened.
Knox kept his steps measured and his voice low to avoid panicking anyone further. "What?"
"Any ideas?"
Knox grunted. "No. He's going off-script. Or made a mistake. Or there's another player. I don't want to guess right now."
They took the stairs to the first floor and sprinted across the lobby, heading for the billowing smoke coming from the fitness center. Dozens of tourists ran in the opposite direction—some crying, some screaming, some with ash on their faces. Another figure rushing in the opposite direction caught their attention—Kendall. And he was headed for Drakos's office.
Jason grabbed Knox's arm. "The hotel staff are calling for ambulances. Help is on the way. Let's follow Kendall."
Knox agreed. They navigated through the growing swarm of terrified tourists as fast as they could. When they reached Drakos's office, they found Kendall and Drakos standing practically nose to nose.
"Just sign it," said Kendall, his face red, neck veins bulging, "before things get more out of hand!"
"No," said Drakos. "You stop this crazy man. Just make him stop."
Kendall looked like he wanted to punch Drakos.
"What happened?" Jason demanded.
Kendall turned to him. "Two of the bombs detonated early."
As if that wasn't obvious.
"Why? How?" Knox asked.
"I don't know! When I heard it, I called him—the bomber," said Kendall. "He's here at the Mandeville, but no, I don't knowwhere. He said two of the bombs detonated early." Kendall was right in Drakos's face when he turned back to him. "I don't have control over this man. This is getting dangerous. I don't trust him not to accidentally get me killed. You're the one with the power here, Drakos. Just sign the papers, then I call my boss, and all of this is over." A detectable amount of desperation laced his words.
Drakos set his jaw but turned wide-eyed to Jason and Knox.
Jason narrowed his eyes at Kendall. "Let me talk to your boss."
