“All the bombs are up here,” she said, waving an arm out in front of her.
“I’m not talking about the bombs. I’m talking about the bomber,” he countered.
“You think he’s sitting around waiting for someone to come a-knocking?” she scoffed. When he made no move to get off the cart, she tried to reason with him. “It’s more likely we’d catch him roaming around the wreckage. I haven’t answered his texts. He’ll want to get a closer look.”
Jake swore softly under his breath, but she felt no triumph in winning this round. His jaw flexed, the little muscle in the corner twitching with tension, as he stared off in the direction of the east parking lots. At last, he blew out a gusty breath and said, “I’m coming with you.”
Cassidy blinked, surprised by his decision. “What about Max?”
“He’s coming, too.” Jake wrapped one hand around the canopy support, then hooked the other under Max’s harness.
“But he’s hurt,” she argued.
“Even hurt, he’ll be an asset to us.”
She glanced back, but Max only returned her stare, remarkably bright eyed. Darting a glance at Colonel Aronson, she asked, “Shouldn’t you check to see where they need you?”
He busied himself with checking Max’s bandage. “They have plenty of coverage for the three sites they can access. I’m thinking he’ll keep everyone away from the midway for now.”
“What if our guy is skulking around there?”
“I’m sure he’ll secure the perimeter and have the fire department continue to monitor for flare-ups.” He flashed a wry smile. “But I tossed an undetonated device into the mess, remember? I’m not going to presume to tell the colonel how to handle his scene. I’m probably not at the top of his list of favorite people right now.”
She chanced another peek at the stern-faced commander. “Taking off might be a one-way ticket to the bottom.”
“Not if we find something to help us grab this guy.” His expression melted into a grim smirk. “I’m already in the doghouse, Cass. Maybe, if we can get a bead on this guy, I won’t be busted down to highway patrol when this is all over.”
Her heart squeezed. She could see genuine worry in his eyes, but also the steely glint of determination. Jake Donovan had worked his way up the ranks of his chosen profession, and he’d put it all on the line because some madman had decided he wanted to take her out.
She flipped the switch to put the cart into Drive. Then she handed him both of her mobile phones and said, “If you’re coming along for the ride, make yourself useful,” before punching the accelerator.
They zipped down the concrete path leading to the rear of the arena, then down the opposite side of the hill. The east parking areas of the fairgrounds were reserved for exhibitor and vendor trailers and RVs. They were crammed into the narrow lot bumper to bumper. From this vantage point, Cass thought it looked as packed as a dealership lot. She let off the pedal as they approached the end of the walkway.
“Bump,” she warned as she approached the transition from concrete to grass.
“Got it.” He let out an exaggerated grunt and held on to Max as they rolled over the uneven terrain.
“I’m gonna head to the south end and work my way north,” she said, shouting over her shoulder to be sure he heard her over the noise of the cart.
“I’ll keep an eye out for any out-of-state tags or vehicles that look like they may be a rental.”
“Good idea,” she shouted. “A lot of the local farms and operations will put their logos somewhere on the vehicle. It doesn’t sound like the amusement company bothered to take the time.”
“Agreed.” Jake leaned over the seat and pointed to a shiny new RV. “I’m guessing a rental will likely be a newer model.”
Cassidy let off the gas and turned to shoot him a smile. “You’re smarter than you look, Donovan.”
“You don’t think I look smart?”
“Seems unfair is all,” she said with a cavalier shrug.
“How so?”
“To be smart and pretty,” she said as they coasted to a halt beside the large RV.
There were no markers indicating it belonged to one of the local ranchers or any of the myriad other businesses that supplied the fair. When she glanced back over her shoulder, she found Jake staring at her intently. “What?”
“Sounds suspiciously like flirting, Cassidy Walker.”
