Promises in the Dark (Detectives Kane and Alton)

Wolfe peered at her and passed her the phone again.

He won’t be able to hear us calling him either. Take out your earbud. It will have protected one ear at least.

The next moment, Wolfe threw himself over her and Emily and then pushed them to the ground. He stared at Jenna and mouthed the words: “Shots fired.”

On her back, Jenna stared into the strange glowing sky. She cried out in terror as an explosion high above the ground, lit up the night like a starburst. The loud bang came through her already buzzing ears and then Zorro burst through the smoke, behind him Kane and Carter ran toward the explosion. “Let me up. I can see Kane and Carter. Look over there.” She gave Wolfe a shove and sat up.

She pressed her com mic. “Kane, please tell me you can hear me. Are you okay?”

“Well, it seems I can hear in one ear. The other is ringing so loud I can’t think straight.” Kane sounded fine. “I saw you hit the dirt. You okay?”

So happy to hear his voice, Jenna’s fingers trembled as she pressed her mic. “Yeah, I’m good. Casualties?”

“Just the deputy’s cruiser, and a few cuts and bruises from falling wreckage.”

Jenna sighed with relief. “Who was shooting?”

“That was me.” Kane sucked in a breath and coughed. “Carter found me. My earbud had fallen out and then Zorro spotted a drone. It turned out to be carrying an explosive device. I must be concussed from the blast.” He sounded bemused. “It took me two shots to bring it down.”

Forty-Two

Slightly off kilter, Kane leaned against the Beast and sipped water beside the open passenger door. His head throbbed but physically he’d survived the explosion with only a bruise caused by his weapon and a sore shoulder. The buzzing in his ears seemed to resolve itself faster than most people but the headache was a problem. His helmet had protected his head just fine but since the second metal plate had been inserted, he’d found a vulnerability he could well do without. He’d chosen not to take the pills he carried for pain, and decided to wait. Wolfe would check him for concussion and he’d be good to go. He glanced at Jenna and chastised himself for not protecting her from the blast. If he’d been following her across the field, he’d have had time to react.

After seeing her tuck and roll as she fell, a move he’d insisted she perfect after the last time someone tried to blow them to kingdom come, and then flex her arms and legs, he’d assumed she hadn’t sustained any serious injuries. This time he hadn’t been able to protect her. The missile had flown by and she’d dived away out of his reach. As it exploded the shockwave had thrown them in different directions. Being heavier than Jenna, he’d rolled like a pile of autumn leaves across the field and come to rest in time to see her fa

ll out of the smoke. When Carter found him, Zorro had gone ballistic and it didn’t take them too long to spot the drone. It had destroyed a cruiser and was coming around for a second attack. He didn’t hesitate and aimed to bring down the drone intact, so they could trace the owner. He’d clipped it and taken another shot when it self-destructed, knocking them off their feet in the blast. He sipped his water and shook his head in disbelief. Somehow, they’d all come through two explosions uninjured.

“I refused to give the bomber the satisfaction of scaring us away.” After brushing the dirt from her clothes, Jenna climbed into his truck. “When you’re good to go, I intend to remain on scene and gather evidence.”

Kane leaned into the cab and looked at her closely. “Sure, I’m waiting on Wolfe to check me out but I’m just fine, don’t worry.” He took in her pale face and the nasty scratch down one side of her neck. He figured her anger outweighed the shock. He could just about see her mind working on how next to proceed.

“Fine huh? You look like shit.” Jenna scanned his face. “Don’t go all macho on me, Dave. I can see your head is killing you. Dammit your eyes look weird.” She stared out the window. “Where the hell is Wolfe?”

Kane straightened; leaning forward was making his eyes blur. “He’s checking on the deputies to find out if anyone has laid eyes on the missing girl, and he wants to speak to the local doctor, who I gather has just arrived on scene.”

“Kane.” Carter placed a hand on his arm to get his attention. “I’ve collected the remains of the drone. Whoever was controlling it detonated the explosive the moment you shot it. He didn’t plan on leaving incriminating evidence behind but the detonator is intact. It has the DC bomber’s signature, same as we found at the Louan fire.” He scratched his cheek. “I’m seeing something different here. I figure he’s upped his game. That wasn’t just a C-4 explosion. I figure he added an incendiary device. Did you see the flare up? He’s added something else to the mix. He wanted a fire and as much destruction as possible.”

The explosion had been on Kane’s mind as well. He nodded. “Yeah, seems that way but I’m not sure why he took out an empty cruiser. Just to scare us off maybe?”

“Like that will work.” Carter shook his head. “For a guy smart enough to build these devices he sure is acting dumb.”

“He has to be close by.” Jenna dropped her legs out the door and slid from the seat. “He’s here somewhere in town, or in a vehicle close by. He has to be, to control the drone.”

Kane moved to one side and closed the truck door behind her. “Not these days, no. Drones can travel miles from the operator. He could be tucked away anywhere within a five-mile radius maybe more. It depends on the drone.”

“I’d like to know if any of our suspects are in the local area.” Jenna looked around in dismay. “But that will have to wait until we check out the scene. We’ll need statements from witnesses before they vanish.”

“Jo is working through the witnesses with a couple of deputies. The first responders have a list of everyone on scene and will email it to us.” Carter smiled at her. “We have everything covered.”

“How come you can hear?” Jenna stared at him. “I’m only hearing in one ear right now.”

“I had the earbud in one ear and an ear plug in the other.” Carter shrugged. “It’s usual to wear them when dealing with explosives.” He turned toward the fire. “The fire is under control and I gave the fire chief the go ahead to go into the kitchen via the front. It’s too hot for any of us to risk it right now. Wolfe will have an update soon.” He grimaced. “Although, nothing is left inside by the look of the house. I figure the bodies have been cremated.”

“You know this, how?” Jenna folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the Beast. “Explain.”

“When I was over there before, I used my binoculars to see inside. It looks like a crater. There is a clear path from the front to the back of the house. Trip wires couldn’t have survived the extreme temperature and detonators would have melted. I’m not so sure about the entire yard. I’ll need to clear it before we go in.” Carter narrowed his eyes. “Do I have to explain everything to you? Explosions and fire are my world, Jenna. You need to trust my judgment.”

“Sure, sorry.” Jenna pushed her hair from her eyes and sighed. “I’m used to working on the front line.”