“Forensics from the bomb could provide that,” Russ said. “I’ll approach Gleason, and we can go from there.”
Reid nodded as Micha rounded the corner. “Bomb squad’s given the all clear. Detective Wilson is here, and he wants to talk to us.”
“Not me,” Russ said. “I’ll grab Jess and get going home.”
“Hang out here, and I’ll say good night to her first.” Reid reentered the room and held his arms out to Jessie for a hug. “Uncle Russ is ready to go, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She rushed into his arms, then suddenly backed away. “Why do you have your gun?”
Reid knelt down at her eye level and pulled her close to keep Ella from overhearing. “I’m sorry, Jess. I know I promised not to carry one, but a man threatened Megan and Ella. I want to be sure that nothing happens to them, and this is just a precaution.”
Her chin wobbled. “Will you be okay?”
“Sure. Everyone will be fine.” Feeling like a heel for potentially misleading his daughter, he pulled her into his arms and peered over her shoulder at Megan.
Thankfully, Jessie couldn’t see the fear still lodged firmly in Megan’s gorgeous eyes, or she wouldn’t believe him. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Jessie, but Megan and Ella needed him, and he wasn’t going anywhere until he was sure they were safe from Fowler’s revenge.
9
After making sure Ella was soundly asleep with Boo-Boo in her arms, Megan joined Reid, who was with Micha and Detective Wilson in the hallway. She tried to pay attention to the conversation. Tried hard. But she couldn’t concentrate when her mind kept racing over the explosion.
Each detail played in her head as vividly as if she were still hearing the explosion. The feel of Reid’s strong arms lifting her like a doll and holding her close, taking her breath. Them falling and his solid body covering her, protecting her, and risking his life for her. His heart had beat wildly, the thumping against her back—as reassuring as it was terrifying—told her the event scared even a strong man like Reid.
What would’ve happened if the bomb had been real? She wouldn’t be standing here, that was for sure. She could be dead or severely injured.
If the bomb was meant to take her out, even Reid, the tall tower of strength gazing down on her with a flicker of concern in his expression, couldn’t have protected her from the deadly force.
Fear clutched her heart, and she shuddered.
Stop thinking about this. Stop now. It’s doing no good.
“Like I said.” Wilson leaned forward, pausing until she focused on him. “This guy knew what he was doing. Whoever placed it in the car understood how to trigger the device and create the noise and cause little damage.”
“Whoever? You mean Fowler?”
“Sorry, ma’am,” Wilson said. “But we have no concrete proof Fowler is behind this incident. Good news is that hospital security is back online and the video captured a potential suspect near your car about an hour before the device exploded. If you’re willing to leave your daughter for a few minutes, I’d like you to come down to the security office to look at it.”
Micha tipped his head at the door. “I’ll stay with Ella, and Reid can accompany you.”
Megan offered a smile of thanks to Reid’s team member, who was proving to be very helpful and considerate. She faced Wilson. “Let’s do this, then.”
He came to attention. “The security office is in the basement. Follow me.”
She started forward, putting as little pressure on her sore ankle as possible, making the going slow.
Reid eased up beside her, his jacket pushed back, hand on his gun. “Stay close and do as I say when I say. Okay?”
She nodded, swallowing down the unease his tone caused and taking some comfort in his nearness.
At the hallway intersection, Wilson turned left, walking at a quick clip, and Reid held his hand out to stop her. He stepped into the corridor and searched the area. After a few moments, he waved her on, and they made the rest of the trip to the security office in the same fashion. By the time they arrived, Wilson stood over a seated security guard who’d loaded the video on his computer.
Wilson pointed at the chair next to the guard. “By the way, Ms. Cash, we did confirm your alibi for the night of the supposed break-in at your home. A nurse named Nora said she saw you during that time.”
Megan wanted to shoutI told you so, but simply nodded and took a seat. The moment she took the weight off her twisted ankle, sharp pain stabbed her leg. She gripped the armrests of the chair and tried to ignore the throbbing.
Reid moved to her side but focused on the screen. The video started with a partial view of the rear of her vehicle. Soon a man, wearing a Rainiers baseball cap and shouldering a black bag, came into view. He stopped, his eyes raising and he offered a taunting grin through a thick salt-and-pepper beard.
Megan gasped and drew back. Reid moved forward and rested a hand over hers.She thought to withdraw, but why? His touch made seeing this man easier.
