Explosive Alliance (11 page)

“At least there aren't horrible messages painted on the walls this time,” she whispered back.

Opa spun to face her. “But this is different, is it not? This is not the work of neighbors who took their information from the television. Nothing has been leaked to the press in this investigation. These men and women who have stood by us are honorable, Liebchen. You can trust them.”

“Trust who?” Cash asked as he stepped through the door.

“I see Darcie has bandaged you up.” Krista quickly changed the subject.

“I didn't need it. I let her put the dressing on, or she would never have released me.”

“I heard that.” Darcie came up behind him and flicked his shoulder. “If you didn't already have a bump on your head I'd give you one.”

The team slipped into one of their silly moods, something Krista suspected they engaged in often to relieve the stress of their intense jobs. They really were an amazing group, as Opa had said. Could she trust them? She wanted to. Especially Cash.

Veronica entered the room carrying her large case. “Aha. I knew you guys goofed around on the job. Now I have proof.”

They groaned in unison, but it was followed by genuine smiles. Despite the situation, Krista felt herself smiling, too.

“You should do that more often,” Cash said, grabbing her attention again. He let his gaze linger, seeming as if he liked what he saw.

She felt a blush creep up her neck.

“Not only is he a good man,” Opa announced not too quietly. “But he cares about you.”

“Yeah, he does,” Brady said, but didn't sound happy about it.

Krista ignored everyone, including Opa, and continued through the family room inch by messy inch. A thorough search proved nothing was missing, so she moved on to the kitchen. Opa's irreplaceable stoneware from Germany was shattered and mixed with his favorite coffee on the floor.

Her heart ached from the trouble she'd brought to his life, but she kept moving, sifting through the mess until there was nothing else to look at. She dreaded moving on to Opa's room, where he'd already gone to assess the damage, but she wanted to help him if needed.

She found him, Bible in hand, his usual peaceful expression on his face. He looked up. “We will have a bit of work to do tonight.”

She went to him, hugged him close and held on for dear life. “I'm so sorry, Opa. I brought this mess into your life again.”

“There is no reason to be sorry.” He pushed back, his expression telling her he was taking this in stride like everything else. “You did not do this just like you did not kill Toby, and I will not have you feel any guilt.” He tipped her chin up. “Do you hear me, Liebchen? Do not feel bad. These are just possessions. As long as my Bible has survived and you are unharmed, I am fine.”

He stood up taller. “Now you go check your room and I will be with Cash in the family room.”

Feeling better, she went straight to her room. She dropped to the floor to look under the bed, where she'd returned the gun after the previous break-in.

The gun. It was gone.

Stunned, she sat back. Having a gun had given her a sense of security. Now her only form of protection was gone.

No. She had Cash. He would stand by them. If nothing else, he'd proved his trustworthiness in that area. But what if the intruder came back with the same gun and used it on Cash?

She couldn't expose him to such danger. She had to tell him, but how? How did she explain that a potential kidnapper, likely a deadly bomber, was in possession of her gun and could harm others with it?

Taking her time to put off the inevitable, she finished searching her room, then went back to the family room and faced the team. She met their gazes and Opa's squarely. “My gun is missing.”

Cash grimaced but said nothing.

Skyler frowned. “All we can do at this point is make sure it's added to the stolen weapons database. Is there anything else missing?”

“Not that I can see, but I won't know for sure until I put this place back together.”

“I did not notice anything, either,” Opa added.

“Then since we're done here, we'll get out of your way so you can clean up,” Skyler said. “Make sure you call me if you discover anything or if you happen to locate the gun.”

“Coming, Cash?” Brady asked pointedly.

“I'm staying.” Cash's shoulders went up in a hard line. “They need me even more than before.”

Krista didn't like the reason Cash had to stay, but she was glad he wasn't leaving. He closed the door after his team and smiled, but the strain of the day hung in his eyes. “Why don't we get the furniture turned over so Otto can sit down?”

Krista nodded. “And then I'll work on his bedroom.”

“I am not invisible, you know,” Opa grumbled. “I can work on my own room if you will be so kind as to lift my mattress back onto the frame.”

“Sure.” Cash smiled sincerely this time.

They made quick work of putting his mattress back into position, and then Opa shooed them out of the room. They walked back to the family room in silence, and Cash stood at the entrance, surveying the mess as if he didn't know where to start.

“The sofa is taking up a lot of space,” Krista said softly. “We should move it first.”

They each took an end and flipped it over. Something shiny dropped out, bounced on the floor and slid under the coffee table. Cash went to retrieve it while Krista moved on. She righted an end table and heard Cash mumble something under his breath.

“Did you say something?” she asked, turning to look at him.

Scowling, he pulled a latex glove from his pocket and reached under the table. A metal object lay in his palm, and he stared at it. He suddenly looked up at her, his expression stony.

“What is it?” Krista held her breath for more bad news.

He met her gaze, his eyes dark and angry. “Do you recognize this?”

She started at the shiny metal tube with a black cap at the end. “I have no idea what that is.”

He ground his teeth for a moment. “It's a piece of a detonator. For a bomb. If you're not involved with the bomber, why would you have something like this in your home?”

FIFTEEN

K
rista watched Cash pace the floor. Back and forth. Back and forth. Part of her couldn't believe after the time they'd spent together and the relationship that seemed to be developing between them—despite their best efforts to avoid it—that he could possibly think she was involved in the bombing.

The other part of her, the one who'd lived in a state of unease for years, had expected this kind of reaction all along. Her life had come full circle. The police believed her guilty of another crime she hadn't committed. But the hurt was exponentially bigger coming from Cash. She had to get him to see she didn't know about the detonator.

She clutched his arm, forcing him to stop and look at her. “I had nothing to do with this. Please believe me.”

“The evidence speaks for itself.” He held up the detonator. “This is very similar to the one used in the stadium bomb.”

“Similar but not an exact match?”

“Not exact, but come on, Krista. It's a detonator for a bomb. Not a run of the mill item found in someone's sofa.”

She let her gaze travel the room, looking for something, anything to explain her situation. “You said yourself that you think the bomber is the one who broke in here and is targeting me. Maybe he planted that thing under the sofa to discredit me. You know, so even if I identified him, no one will believe me.”

“You heard it fall out of the sofa, right?”

“Even better to make me look guilty. Put it inside the sofa and tip it over so it seems like it just happens to fall out.” She waited for him to agree but he simply stared at her. “It obviously was a good idea. It's clearly working.”

Cash rolled down his glove to encase the detonator and shoved it in his pocket before looking at her. “What else can I think?”

“I don't know—maybe that you've spent time with me the last few days. Gotten to know me and know I'd never do anything like this.”

He eyed her for a moment. “Or,” Cash said, his voice hard, “it could also be the more obvious answer. You could be the bomber's accomplice or, worse, the actual bomber. Maybe you made the bomb in this very room and the detonator slipped into the sofa unnoticed.”

His comment sent her taking a step back in shock. “What about the attacks on me? This ransacking? Why would I do that?
How
could I do it? You've been with me the whole time.”

His confidence faltered for a moment but quickly returned. “For starters, you could have hired someone for the break-ins to throw the investigation off track.” He fisted his hands, then released them and crossed his powerful arms as if he didn't know what to do with himself. “Either way, I have to report finding this to Skyler. She'll want to bring forensics back out here for a more detailed search for bomb-making supplies and residue to see if we can match anything to the stadium bomb.” He dug out his phone and started to walk away.

She grabbed his hand, threaded her fingers in his. “Please, don't call her. They won't find anything. I promise.”

He stared at her. “Give me a good reason not to tell her.”

Krista couldn't tell him about her past. About why she feared being targeted for the crime as had happened with Toby. The last thing she could do after this discovery was to tell him how she'd never been cleared of another serious crime.

“One reason, Krista. Just one,” he pleaded, sounding desperate to believe her.

She couldn't risk exposing her past. Looking away, she said, “I don't have one.”

“I didn't think so.” He pulled his hand free.

She clamped her mouth closed before she thought better of her decision and spilled her guts.

“Have a seat. Skyler and Veronica will be back here soon. You'd better hope they don't find anything else.”

* * *

The front door opened and Skyler stepped inside with Veronica. Opa must have heard the car pull up because he wandered out of his room. He took one look at Krista and came to sit next to her. He scooped up her hand, and she explained the situation.

“My granddaughter is not a bomber,” he fired at Cash and Skyler, who were deep in discussion at the mouth of the hallway. “If you could possibly believe she is, Cash Dixon, you are not the man I thought you were.”

Skyler shook her head and went down the hall with Veronica. Cash opened his mouth to speak, then clamped it closed and started searching the family room. Tears at his continued belief in her guilt stung Krista's eyes. She angrily swiped them away. Not anger at Cash, but anger at the situation. Maybe at God for allowing it and at herself for foolishly thinking she could rely on Cash.

“Don't cry, Liebchen,” Opa said softly. “Everything will be okay.”

He continued offering words of encouragement, but she didn't believe him. Couldn't believe him. Not after what had happened with Toby.

And worse yet, although she knew pigs would fly before Cash would sit next to her, hold her hand, support her and come to her defense, she wanted him there. By her side. Defending her as he'd pretty much done since this all started.

“Let's pray, Liebchen,” Opa offered.

Krista didn't have the heart to say no, so she joined him by bowing her head. She listened to his heartfelt plea. Admired his complete trust in God. Felt herself wondering if this was just another of those situations where God was trying to get her attention.

Well, God,
she prayed,
if You're trying to tell me something, I'm not seeing it so please make it clearer.

Krista heard footsteps coming down the hallway. She opened her eyes.

Skyler poked her head into the room. Her focus went straight to Cash. “You'll want to see this.”

“Stay there,” he said to Krista as he passed her.

She started to rise.

Opa held her down. “Do as they ask or things will only get worse.”

She could hardly sit still with fears running through her brain. Had the bomber planted something else? Made her look even guiltier? If so, was it time to get out of town?

She didn't want to leave Opa, but if she was arrested, she wouldn't be able to help him and his worry would hamper his recovery. Better she grab her bag and go. Once she reached her destination, she could call him to tell him she was safe. Then he could relax and heal.

She heard Skyler's and Cash's footsteps heading toward them. She held her breath, her heart pounding wildly. Her palms grew moist. She scrubbed them down her pant legs.

Cash came first, his expression rock hard and cold. Krista didn't have to wonder if the news was bad. His icy look made it all clear. She was in trouble here. Big trouble. Perhaps she'd even waited too long to depart, and the man she was starting to have feelings for was going to slap handcuffs on her wrists and arrest her.

* * *

Outside the interrogation room at County, Cash stood next to Brady and looked through the observation window. Few places other than jail or prison were more unwelcoming than the small, airless box where detectives interrogated suspects. Cold cinder-block walls. A metal table with slots for handcuffs to restrain suspects. Hard metal chairs. No window.

A room where Krista didn't belong. At least that's what Cash's heart was telling him, but his brain was trying to send a far different message.

After their discovery of her bag in the crawl space, Skyler had brought Krista in hoping to get answers to questions she'd sidestepped at home. No charges had been filed, but Krista wasn't free to leave until Skyler gave her approval.

Despite Krista's ongoing evasiveness, he'd wanted to help her but he couldn't do anything when she refused to confide in him. Instead, he watched as Skyler settled Krista in the same seat Otto had held moments ago. Skyler started grilling Krista, who responded in a weak voice that played over the speaker above. Skyler continued to toss out questions, but Krista offered very little in defense. Not even when Skyler set the bag from the crawl space on the table and pulled the items out one at a time. A large stack of cash. A passport with Krista's picture. Driver's license. Credit cards. All of them in Leah James's name.

Had Krista fooled Cash? Was he a chump for believing in her when the evidence of her deception was growing by the day? Was Brady right that Cash was letting a very cagey woman pull the wool over his eyes? A woman who possessed everything she needed to run far away from all of them. From him.

Maybe, but her pain right now was real. The tears rolling down her cheeks were real, too. So was the way her arms wrapped around her body in defense. She hadn't done any of this. She might be responsible for the fake ID they'd discovered, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the detonator had been planted.

Not that he'd told Krista how he felt. He'd been so unfeeling at the house, and he wanted to take it back. To storm into the room and tell Skyler to take it easy. To hold Krista and promise he'd make everything all right. To keep on holding her.

“Take a few minutes to think about this, Ms. Curry.” Skyler came to her feet and planted her hands on the table. “I'd hate to hold you here until you decide to talk, but I will.” After a long pointed look at Krista, Skyler stepped from the room.

Krista put her hands over her face and sagged in the chair. Her shoulders shook, and Cash knew she was finally letting go of the emotions she'd tried so hard to hold in check.

The door opened, and Skyler joined them. She wore a frustrated scowl. “I don't get her. Despite the detonator, I really don't see Ms. Curry being involved in this mess. If she'd just tell us the truth about why she has a fake ID, we could check out her story, and I could let her go.”

“You won't get anything out of her,” Brady said. “She's a tough one to crack.”

“Then I'll have to hold her until she talks.”

“Isn't that reaching?” Cash asked. “I get that we found the detonator, but there's no link to the actual bomb. It didn't even have her fingerprints on it. Plus, there were no traces of explosives found in the house or on the detonator. And the bag only proves she has a false ID. We still have no motive or reason for her to blow up the stadium and no trace of a connection to the staff or vendors to sneak it in past security.”

“I can hold her for the forged ID alone.”

“But you won't, right?” Cash asked. “You're frustrated with her, but keeping her in lockup won't make her talk.”

Skyler crossed her arms. “She's a flight risk.”

“I'm sure she'll agree to leave the items in the bag in your custody, and I'll be with her 24/7 so she can't go anywhere.”

“You're still going to babysit her?” Brady carefully watched Cash.

“Nothing has changed. She and Otto are still in danger. I won't leave them on their own.”

“Tell you what,” Brady said. “Why don't I take the next shift on her protection detail?”

Cash's gut revolted at the idea. “No! Absolutely not.”

Brady and Skyler exchanged a knowing look. Cash didn't care. He was too busy thinking about his own adamant refusal. His reaction said Krista had gotten to him more than he'd suspected.

What an idiot. Falling for a suspect.
She has a fake ID, for crying out loud.

What part of not letting someone into his life when he was still a mess over losing the team was he not getting? Was bad enough that he was an idiot for letting Krista in, but worse yet, he no longer knew if he could trust his judgment when it came to her. He needed to step this interest in her down a notch, but he still wouldn't leave her in danger.

“Okay,” he said. “So maybe I've got a thing for her, but—”

Brady snorted, interrupting him.

He looked at Skyler. “But I won't let that stand in the way of making sure nothing bad happens to her or Otto. In fact, we can use it to our advantage. Release her into my custody, and I'll keep trying to get an answer about the bag.”

Skyler frowned. “I don't know.”

“He has a point,” Brady offered, surprising Cash. “If anyone can get her to talk, it'll be Cash. If he doesn't, you can always take her back into custody.”

Skyler eyed Cash for a long moment. “Okay, but you're to stick to her like glue. Got it?”

Despite cautioning himself mere moments ago, the thought of being that close to Krista made him smile.

“Let me give her a stern warning about not attempting to leave your custody. Then she's all yours,” Skyler said before departing.

Cash watched as Krista's head shot up at the news of her pending freedom. He saw her blow out a long breath and sit up taller. Skyler issued her warning.

“I won't go anywhere,” Krista declared. “I promise.”

“Then you're free to go.”

Krista rushed toward the door.

“One more thing, Ms. Curry.” Skyler stepped in front of Krista. Skyler pulled her shoulders back while planting her feet in a way that made her seem six feet tall and always got people's attention. “Cash is a fine man and a well-respected member of our team. Don't use the fact that he believes in you to cause him any harm. Our team wouldn't look too fondly on that kind of behavior.”

“You have nothing to worry about. I respect him, too, and appreciate his kind consideration for my grandfather and me.”

“Then we'll have no problem.” Skyler stepped aside.

Cash hated that Skyler felt a need to issue the warning, but he didn't mind hearing Krista's response and seeing that she wasn't too angry with him after he'd been so rough on her at the house. He went to meet her at the doorway, and they picked up Otto on the way out. Cash escorted them to the car.

“So what happens now?” Krista asked after they'd buckled their seat belts. “With the investigation, I mean. Does Skyler think I'm the bomber? Has she given up on looking for the real guy now?”

“No, of course not.”

“But she thinks I'm involved, doesn't she?”