Sierra told him about Uri’s vehicle and the other team members that would be coming. “I’ll find a local garage to have the truck towed. I’d like you to take charge and tear it apart.”
“Sounds good.” Again no questions asked as he pressed the tape over the powder to lift a clean fingerprint.
“I’ll want our van at my disposal at the bomb scene,” she continued. “Do you have everything you think you’ll need here?”
“I should have.” He placed the prints on a white card and got out a pen.
“Call me if anything comes up and when you’re ready for pickup.”
He nodded and started noting things on the back of the card. Sierra had been right. Her assistant pretty much read her mind and didn’t have to stop working to take directions.
Out in the fresh air, Sierra ripped off her gloves, and at the van, she balanced on one foot to climb free of her protective suit and booties. “I’ll follow you if you don’t mind.”
“Don’t mind at all.” Ryleigh climbed into the truck and got on the road, her mind going on autopilot and wishing Finn was with her.
As much as she hated to admit it, she had to say she’d enjoyed his company. And seeing him with Avery last night allowed her to see a whole new side to the man. She still didn’t like the way he’d ended things back in the day, but he’d had good intentions, and it would be churlish not to forgive him. And unchristian. Not something she wanted to be.
Honestly, it felt good to let it go. She’d carried it too long, when she knew God always meant for her to forgive. Now she had peace. About that, at least.
She turned onto the rutted and winding logging road. Many of the trees abutting the gravel were about chest high but others towered over them. The smaller ones, she suspected, were replanted by Tobias’s men at some point. A deputy had parked his patrol car next to the lime green vehicle with Oregon plates sitting cockeyed on the edge of the old road. The midsized pickup looked more to her like a large SUV with the back roof cut off for a pickup bed. Thick mud coated the bottom and a heavy layer of dust covered the remainder of the body.
She stopped short and pulled off to the side of the road to give the deputy space to leave if he needed to. Sierra parked behind her, and they both started for the young deputy who was climbing out of his car. He was short and stocky and looked to be in his twenties, but he had a confident stride as he marched their way.
Ryleigh introduced herself and Sierra.
Sierra slipped on gloves. “We need a garage where my team can dismantle the vehicle and process it for evidence. Can you arrange a location while I take a good look at it?”
He ran a hand through glossy black hair. “I can make some calls and see what I can do.”
“We’ll also need it towed there on a flatbed.”
The deputy scratched his neck. “Only one garage I know of in the area with a flatbed truck. Their availability might be a problem.”
Sierra raised her shoulders and gave the deputy a no-nonsense look. “I’m sure you can impress upon them the importance of getting this vehicle under cover as quickly as possible.”
“Sure thing, ma’am.” He spun and charged back toward his car.
Ryleigh stepped up to the truck. “It’s clear you’re used to dealing with law enforcement.”
“I come from a family of them just like you, so yeah. Learned at an early age.” She chuckled and walked around the outside of the truck. “Nothing unusual at first blush, but a closer look will be needed. Maybe I’ll have Winter come down too.”
“You’ll soon have everyone from Veritas on the scene.”
“Not everyone by a long shot, but most of the department heads for sure.”
“I can’t imagine how much this must be costing your company.”
“Tax write off.” She met Ryleigh’s gaze. “And even if it wasn’t, you can’t put a price on catching a bomber who has no regard for human life and could strike again.”
Ryleigh left Sierra to arrange Gates’s vehicle towing and drove Finn’s truck down the long driveway toward Eckles’s home to meet Russ. She wasn’t surprised that the guy lived in the country. A lot of people did in these parts, but he also seemed as if he liked to be in charge of his life and not have to deal with other people. Made country living perfect for him. And a perfect place to construct bombs without anyone looking over his shoulder.
She found Russ leaning against his patrol car outside the four-car garage, tapping his foot. So he was antsy and impatient. Not new. His behavior could be irritating, but was a bonus for an investigator. He worked quickly and got results, so she couldn’t fault him.
She quickly parked and got out to join him.
“Eckles owns three acres,” he said. “It’ll take some time to properly search the property. After we talk to Eckles and his wife, I’ll call in a couple of deputies to help out.”
She looked at the house with the curtains drawn. A red flag at this time of day. “You think we’ll find her home?”
