Megan liked the guy’s certainty.
“We hope to find it and more,” Reid said, sounding equally certain. “What about the box? Anything stand out there?”
“It’s handmade like I thought. There are initials, WJS, engraved near the seam inside the box. That ring a bell.”
“Not at all.” Reid looked at Jack, who shook his head.
“It could be initials for the person who built the box then gave it to your suspect or maybe Fowler didn’t leave the bomb.”
“Has to be Fowler, even with these initials. He’s the only one who has something against Megan. And besides, she saw him outside her daughter’s door.”
“DNA on the box will help confirm he planted the bomb,” Jack said.
“DNA will tell you that Fowler touched the device,” Trent said. “But you really need his DNA recovered from the car to put him at the scene.”
“True,” Jack said.
Megan didn’t like that they had so little evidence against the guy.
“What about Fowler’s truck?” Reid asked. “Landon find anything?”
“He’s working the electronics now, but hasn’t reported his findings yet. Not surprising. It takes time to dismantle and thoroughly process a vehicle like he’s doing. “
Reid’s experience told him that, but it didn’t mean he didn’t hope for something faster. “Any ideas on forensics we might be missing so far?”
“I can assure you we were thorough with the car and device.” Trent’s voice rose. “So no.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t,” Reid said. “I’m desperate for a lead.”
“I understand.” Trent’s tone once again exuded a sense of calm that even Reid’s directness hadn’t caused to waver for long. Megan imagined he would do well as an expert on the witness stand. “If you need additional forensics processed, we’ll be glad to do it for you, but I’m not familiar enough with the case to suggest what you might be missing. If I think of something, I’ll let you know.”
That was all they could hope for.
“We appreciate your support,” Reid said.
“Landon will phone you with information on the vehicle, and I’ll call with the DNA results when it completes or if we find other evidence you need to know about.” Trent ended the call.
Reid tucked his phone away and turned to Jack. “Not the answer I wanted, but at least I tried. With you in charge of the operation, I’m content everything will proceed according to plan.” Reid took a long drink of his soda and silence descended on the group.
Seemed as if no one had anything else to say. Megan included. So she tucked into her food as did the others.
Though the agents had been upbeat, an ominous vibe throbbed through the air. No matter their planning, no matter their skills, these strong professionals were concerned. Worried even.
Maybe worried that Fowler would best them and get through their defenses.
Megan dropped her sandwich. She couldn’t eat another bite. She went to stand in front of the roaring fire that Jack must’ve built while she was upstairs.
A car pulled into the driveway, and Megan spun to face the windows covered with plantation shutters. Not able to see who’d arrived, her stomach tightened more. Logically she figured the agent bringing the equipment had arrived, but in her heart, she feared Fowler had located her.
Jack and Lauren went to the door, and Reid crossed over to her.
His gaze met hers. “You’re tense.”
She peered at him. “How can I be anything but?”
He took another step closer but kept an eye on the door. “Now that we know Fowler wants money, we can assume he isn’t as likely to hurt you unless you don’t cooperate.”
His words hit her like ice water. “So what you’re saying is if I follow your advice and don’t give him the money, then he’s going to hurt me or Ella?”
