“We’re clear,” she said.
“Then it’s go time.” Evan grabbed a rifle as a spark of adrenaline lit in his body. He willed himself to calm down, but the fire sizzled like ignited detcord. “You all wait here while I creep up there.”
“You’re not going alone,” Mack said, shouldering his own weapon, but his expression was uneasy. “I have your six.”
Kiley appraised Mack quickly, then looked as if she’d decidedsomething. “We’ll keep eyes on the place from down here and let you know if there’s any movement.”
Evan evaluated the parking lot and decided she was far enough away from the building in the event of an explosion, but still, he looked at Kiley. “I’d prefer it if the two of you moved behind the vehicle. Just in case.”
She frowned. “Remember, Mack’s the cowboy.”
Mack eyed her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just telling Evan not to take unnecessary risks. You two find a device, we call in the bomb squad. Understood?”
“Aye, aye.” Mack saluted her and grinned, but Evan could tell he would listen to her directive.
One last look at Kiley, and Evan lifted his rifle to set off. He heard Mack’s nearly silent footfalls behind him, reminding Evan of his days as an EOD tech in the Navy.
They climbed the exterior stairway. Step by step. Silent. Efficient. Lethal.
Outside the door, Mack took a stance with his back to the building, his rifle pointed at the parking lot.
“Do your thing, man,” he whispered, his eyes wild and intense at the same time.
Evan squatted in front of the door and got out the camera. He found an opening in the weather stripping and threaded the snake inside. He turned on the endoscope and gently eased the camera around the doorframe.
He jerked his hand to a stop and sucked in a sharp breath.
“What is it?” Mack asked.
“A pressure device, and enough explosive material to blow this entire building.”
CHAPTER 22
EVAN LOVED SEEINGhow Kiley was holding her own with the local bomb squad leader, a tall, lanky sergeant with an intensity that fit his extreme position. But Evan wished she’d give in and let him take over rendering the bomb safe.
“I’m not about to tell you how to do your job,” he said loudly to be heard over all the commotion in the parking lot, set up as a staging area for equipment and personnel. “That said, I really think you should consider it.”
“No.” Kiley planted her hands on her hips and stared at the sergeant.
He cringed at her vehemence.
“Your tech can take care of it,” she added.
“Begging your pardon, ma’am”—the sergeant tipped his head toward Evan—“but your guy has far more experience with this kind of device than mine does. No better bomb techs than the Navy’s EOD guys.”
Kiley shifted her focus to Evan, and he felt like a kid on the playground where leaders were evaluating his merits before deciding if he could join their team.
She turned back to the sergeant. “But it’s your responsibility.”
“And I’m not trying to shirk that. My job, however, is to minimize loss of life and property. Your guy would make that more of a reality.”
“I can do it, Kiley,” Evan cut in. “I’ll even wear the suit.”
She looked at him again. He tried to fire back the confidence he felt in doing the job he’d been well trained to handle.
She bit her lip, then suddenly something changed in her expression and she gave a sharp nod. “He’s cleared to help.”
