Ryleigh stood. “We can speculate all we want, but it might not even be Smokey. Top priority is to get a positive ID.”
Finn looked at Eckles. “You know what type of vehicle Smokey drives, and is it parked in the lot?”
Eckles nodded. “He’s got one of them new Jeep Gladiators. Lime green. Can’t miss it, but I didn’t see it in the lot or on the road.”
Ryleigh frowned. “Had to have hiked in then. If you were out front, he could’ve come in on the logging road back here. If so, he couldn’t have parked close to here or his Jeep would be toast.”
Finn squinted through the smoke to peer down the road leading away from them. “Don’t see any vehicles.”
“Say he’s our bomber,” Ryan said. “Wouldn’t he want his truck nearby for a fast getaway?”
“I would,” Finn said. “We’ll look for the vehicle. I’ll call him too. See if he answers. If so, we’re not looking at Gates. I’ll also check with Tobias to see if Gates is with the guys. If I don’t get ahold of him, odds are better that we’re right.”
“He’s single.” Eckles’s slumped shoulders rose for a flash of a second, then fell as if he was holding heavy logs. “No girlfriend and never married. Lives alone. So no one at home will report him missing.”
“Then let me make that call,” Finn said. “If he doesn’t answer or isn’t with Tobias, I’ll send someone over to his place to check on him.”
Ryleigh met Finn’s gaze. “Even if we don’t find Gates, we’ll still need a positive ID. A chunk of boot isn’t enough by a long shot. We’ll need dental records and/or DNA.”
Finn nodded and held his hand out to Eckles. “For now, I’ll take your key to the explosives’ depot.”
Eckles batted his eyelashes. “My key? But why?”
“It’s for your own protection,” Finn said. “The sheriff will want to search the depot and check the inventory. I’d like to be able to tell them you didn’t have assess from this point and could alter things.”
Eckles eyed Finn for a moment then jerked his key off a ring and slapped it on Finn’s palm.
“Thanks, man.” Finn pocketed it.
Vehicle tires crunched over gravel and air brakes sounded from the road.
Ryan jerked his head in that direction. “That’ll be the rest of the crew. Maybe the sheriff or deputies too. They’ll cordon off this area, and you all need to move back to the road for safety.”
Finn clamped his mouth closed to keep from saying anything. He was used to being in charge, not taking orders. He knew how to handle himself in more dangerous situations than most men. Likely more than Maddox here, except when it came to fires. Finn knew the basics though. They were unpredictable. Could turn on you in minutes. Took this guy out, after all. They all needed to take care, and he would listen to Maddox.
Sort of.
Finn eyed the firefighter. “You have the explosives training needed to clear the area for any additional bombs?”
Ryan snapped his shoulders back. “Our crew is trained in the basics. Nothing advanced.”
Okay, fine, Finn’s question had annoyed the guy. “Just asking because I’ve had advance explosive training while serving in the Navy, and I’m glad to clear the area.”
“Explosives, really? As a sailor?” Ryan’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
“He was a SEAL,” Ryleigh said, sounding unimpressed.
Ryan scrubbed a hand over his short blond hair. “Oh, right. Then yeah. You’ve probably got the goods to do it. But this is a crime scene, and I still need approval from the officer in charge before you can search.”
Finn opened his mouth to argue. Stopped. Wouldn’t hurt to wait a few minutes to follow protocol. This body was going nowhere, and if everyone moved back for safety, then another bomb wouldn’t threaten them.
Besides, if he remained at the scene, so would Ryleigh. Sure, he’d broken up with her after a whirlwind relationship. Had thought of her and played the what if game on a regular basis. He was the one who ended things and shouldn’t have such intense feelings over seeing her again, but he did.
And when he cared about someone? The protective instinct he’d developed to protect his sister, Hadley after losing his parents rose up.
So no matter what Ryleigh wanted, he’d do anything—everything—to be sure she didn’t get hurt. Even if he died trying.
2
