“I promise I’ll find him,” he said, “but your safety is a priority.”
“I’m calling 911.” Jo’s voice sounded high-pitched.
Mrs. Crawford cried in the back seat. “What is going on? What is happening? Was it an earthquake?”
He could barely understand the words through her sobs, so he was unsure if he heard correctly or how to respond. Jo informed emergency services about the explosion and gave her address. She ended the call and slumped.
Cole parked on the shoulder.
“Jo.” He got her attention. “You get in the driver’s seat and head to Cedar Trails Lodge.”
Pain etched her face. “Where are you going?”
“To find Gizmo.”
She frowned but nodded and got out. He hopped out so she could climb into the driver’s seat.
Cole peered at Mrs. Crawford in the back seat. “It’s all right. We’re safe now. We’re going to find out what’s going on. I’ll get Gizmo.”
“You’re a stranger,” Jo said. “What if he won’t come to you?”
“He will.” Cole wasn’t sure, but he would try. “Go. You need to get somewhere safe. We’ll let the authorities figure things out.”
Like who planted the bomb and how her father knew to warn her about it mere moments before it went off.
“What’s to figure out?” Jo eyed him but didn’t say the wordbomb.
“I’ll let Hawk know,” he said. “He and Remi are on a date tonight. She can meet you at the lodge.”
Jo hesitated, pressing her hand over his. “No, I won’t leave you.”
“You need to take care of her.” He gestured to the back seat. Jo wouldn’t resist protecting her neighbor. “She’s upset. Take her somewhere safe. Cedar Trails it is.” For now.
She dug in her bag. “Here’s the keys to my Land Rover. You can use it. Or call me, and I’ll come back to get you and Gizmo.”
“I’ll be all right. Please, Jo, just go.”
Fear twisted her features, but she nodded, understanding she couldn’t stop him. He watched her drive away and then jogged to the back of Mrs. Crawford’s house. He unholstered his handgun and called out for Gizmo. Mrs. Crawford said she’d let the animal out, and honestly, he feared the dog might have come across whoever had set the bomb off. The authorities could determine what kind of bomb, if it was on a timer or triggered by a simple cell phone.
If Raymond—or whatever his real name was—hadn’t warned them, they would be dead. For a moment, hecouldn’t breathe. This had been a close call. They could have died instantly. Fury burned through his core.
What had Raymond gotten his daughter into by mere proximity? Cole hadn’t come here to dig into Raymond Dodge’s life, but he was almost inclined to push Mira Cattrel’s investigation completely aside for now. Yes, she needed justice, but she was with Jesus in heaven and in a better place. Her justice could wait.
“Gizmo? Here, boy. Gizmo!” By calling out for the dog near the woods around Mrs. Crawford’s house, he was calling attention to himself if the person responsible for the bomb had remained behind to watch his handiwork and see if Cole and Jo had died. If so, then Cole would be ready to take him down. He crept through the woods, hiding behind trees, using them as protection even as he called the dog, which seemed counterintuitive.
Letting his gaze search the dark woods, he remained completely aware of his surroundings. Cold rain dripped on him, and he figured that would put the fire out as well. Sirens erupted, and finally the volunteer fire truck rumbled up the path to the destroyed home, along with a deputy driving a county vehicle.
While he wanted to talk to them, he’d told Mrs. Crawford he’d find her dog, and he wouldn’t go back on his word. Cole continued to search the woods, looking for two-legged creatures in addition to Gizmo. She hadn’t mentioned what kind of dog he was looking for. Maybe he should have asked. Through the trees, he could see that another emergency vehicle had arrived. Then he spotted Gizmo—a medium-sized brown poodle—emerge from a hole in the crawl space under Mrs. Crawford’s house. He raced across the yard to the familiar face, who bent over to pet the dog.
Cole tucked his gun away and jogged forward to meethis brother, who stalked toward him holding Gizmo in his arms.
“We have a problem,” Hawk said.
“You think?” Cole gestured to the destroyed house. “Would you believe that we’d be in that pile of rubble right now if Jo’s dad hadn’t warned us in a text about the bomb? You’d be digging me out right now or searching for pieces of me.”And Jo.
God in heaven,thankyou ... thank you. Cole was still unsteady on his feet, and when the adrenaline crashed, so would he.
Hawk’s face twisted up. “Stop. Don’t say any more. You’re alive. Let’s focus on that.”
