Promises in the Dark

by D. K. Hood

  “Me too.” Kane leaned on the van with one hand and peered inside. “I figure it’s the same MO as the explosion at Louan but this time he didn’t plan on leaving any evidence.”

  Jenna looked from one grim expression to the other. “I noticed a couple of cruisers over by the firetrucks. We’ll head across this field and speak to the deputies. It will keep us out of harm’s way. Maybe they’ll have a lead on who did this.”

  Heat from the blaze warmed Jenna’s cheeks as she headed across the uneven ground with Kane at her side. The smoke was getting so thick she could hardly breathe. “Here.” She dragged a couple of facemasks from her pocket, handed one to Kane, and removed her helmet to push the other one over her nose.

  “Keep your helmet on.” Kane adjusted his chin strap and pulled down the visor. “I sure don’t like the look of this blaze.”

  Jenna nodded. “Yeah, something’s not right here.”

  Through the smoke she could make out the flashing lights on the cruisers but underfoot the plowed ground was treacherous. She pulled out her flashlight, glad she’d filled her pockets with everything she might need. The duty belt she usually wore held everything she needed but in plain clothes with a shoulder holster, she needed more pockets. She trained the flashlight beam on the ground and they hurried over the plowed field toward the cruisers. A whizzing sound flashed past her shoulder, and she ducked as an explosion shook the ground. Before she could think, a blast of hot air shot her high into the air. She couldn’t breathe, spinning in a ball of smoke and soil. The ground came up fast but instinctively she wrapped her arms around her and tucked in her head, taking the impact on her back, and throwing out her arms to spread out the shock. Although her vest had taken most of the impact, pain shot through her lungs as the air was forced out. Spread-eagled in the moist soil, she sucked in agonizing breaths.

  Another loud boom and a flash of light broke through the smoke. The next moment something huge streaked over her head and landed close by with a whine and a thud. She flinched at the sight of a cruiser door embedded in the soft soil, its window intact. Oh Jesus. Instinct to survive kicked in and she rolled into a ball as debris rained down on her. The helmet and liquid Kevlar vest Kane had insisted they all wear would protect her from serious injury. Coughing, she rolled to one side to scan the smoke-filled area for Kane. Her flashlight was gone and the smoke was so thick, she couldn’t see more than a few yards in any direction. Shredded paper and pieces of cloth fell from the sky in an almost graceful descent, like birds coming into land. Amazingly the facemask had remained in place under her visor. Moving her limbs and wiggling fingers and toes, she appeared to have come through the explosion unscathed. She coughed violently and then lifted her voice above the roaring in her ears. She pressed her mic. “Kane. Can you hear me? Is anyone out there?”

  Nothing. It was as if she was the only person on earth.

  “Kane… Kane.” She coughed and wheezed. “Dave, call out. Carter, Jo… Wolfe?”

  Nothing.

  Disoriented and nauseous, she crawled around on her hands and knees, hoping not to come across any body parts. The rear vision mirror of the cruiser lay on the dirt still attached to part of the windshield. Trembling and suddenly afraid for everyone on scene, she swallowed the acid crawling up her throat. Could she be the only survivor in a mass bombing attack? I must get up and search, there must be someone else alive.

  Sitting up slowly, she stared around the smokey field but couldn’t make out any movement. Years of training fell into place. First, she must evaluate her condition and supplies. She checked her pockets: apart from the flashlight, everything was in its place. Her clothes had come through intact, although encrusted with dirt. Her bare hands carried a few scratches and her neck was a little sore. Too dizzy to stand, she looked all around praying everyone was alright. She sat staring into the smoke for what seemed like forever before she caught sight of flashlights bobbing in the distance. The next moment, Wolfe burst out of the smoke, with Webber and Emily close behind. From another direction, Zorro dashed toward her his mouth opening but not making a sound, and behind him she could see Carter, his eyes wild as he searched the area. Behind him, Colt Webber was running toward the firetrucks. Why would anyone place an IED in a plowed field? Who was the intended target? It made no sense.

  She stared up at Wolfe. He crouched beside her and his mouth was moving but no words came out. Emily was there too, rifling through the medical kit but all Jenna could hear was the roar of the fire. She blinked at him and shook her head. “I can’t understand a word you’re saying. I’m okay, where’s Kane?”

  She glanced down as Wolfe handed her his phone. He’d written her a message.

  Not sure, Carter and Webber searching now. Where does it hurt?

  Jenna handed him back the phone. “I’m fine, can’t you hear me either?”

  When Wolfe smiled at her and nodded. Jenna touched her ears. “Oh, it’s the blast, I hear roaring in my ears. It will be okay soon, right?”

  Wolfe nodded again and then wrote another message and held out the phone for her.

  You have a few scrapes. Em will tend them. I’ll go check on Kane, Carter went to find him.

  “Okay.” A rush of anxiety hit her and she trembled. “I hope he’s okay.”

  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.”

  Kane handed her a bottle of water from the back of his truck. “We’re a team. Jo, Carter, and I are your eyes. You don’t need to be everywhere at once. You’ll burn out at this rate.”

  He’d wanted to remind her how an FBI team worked together, all collaborating but using their expertise, but now wasn’t the time. His knowledge of IEDs had come from experience in the field but he’d seen enough to understand where Carter was coming from. “If anyone has footage of the fire, it will give us a better idea of what happened. The bomber used a drone and that makes me wonder if it’s the same man. It’s a different MO.”

  “Not necessarily.” Carter frowned. “Drones have been around for a long time now and it doesn’t take too much knowledge to make them shoot missiles. The domestic ones have extended range now but from what I’m seeing in the wreckage, he’s using military style.”

  Kane glanced up as Wolfe came out of the smoke. The visibility was rapidly improving and behind him, the sheriff’s department had set up a command center with halogen lights to replace the dying glow of the fire. “Any other casualties?”

  “Minor cuts and bruises from flying glass.” Wolfe moved to his side. “Em is assisting the local doctor. No one needs the paramedics.” He looked at Jenna. “There’s no sign of the girl. The trail went cold after they found her backpack. The search and rescue will start over first light. Jo has collected the phone footage of the fire from the onlookers and has a list of everyone on scene.”

  “Did you get inside the house yet?” Jenna stared into the direction of the smoldering embers.

  “No, it will take hours before we’ll be able to go inside. The fire chief and one of his men went in to look around before all the evidence is consumed. They have protective clothing and we don’t.” Wolfe’s expression was grim. “I used Carter’s binoculars, and from what I could see the tabletop protected the lower section of one of the victims. I asked the firefighter with Thompson to take a few images for me and then lift the tabletop. The remains of one of the victims, the lower legs, are intact and there is evidence of zip-ties around the ankles.” He pulled out his phone and scrolled through images before handing it to Jenna. “I’ve ordered the local deputies to secure the area until we’re able to remove the bodies. The fire chief reckons it will be cool by noon.”

  “Oh, sweet Jesus.” Jenna lifted a sorrow filled gaze to Wolfe. “This seals the deal. It has to be the same man.” She shook her head. “Why is he here? Blackwater isn’t part of his comfort zone.”

  “Like you said, it forms a triangle.” Jo seemed to appear from nowhere. “He’s probably living in Black Rock Falls. It’s central to the areas he’s hit so far.”

  Kane rubbed his chin considering her theory. “Yeah but nothing could be farther apart than a social worker and a sheriff. What’s his motive?”

  “A sheriff is involved with the family court to some degree.” Jo frowned. “He’s the first responder to a call for help or to handle a complaint against anyone. He’d call in social services, so yeah, he’d be involved.” She stared at the gutted building. “Which makes his motive close to the DC bombings, apart from the people killed in the car bomb. What do a sniper and a secretary have in relation to members of the family court?”

  The hairs on the back of Kane’s neck stood to attention. He had the answer and would have to bite his tongue. He recalled his wife, Annie, complaining about a young man insisting on seeing the magistrate about a complaint. It had gone on for a few days before Annie had called security. He recalled her frightened voice on the phone. She’d been scared and he’d hurried to meet her to take her home. That was the day of the bombing. He leaned again
st the Beast suddenly dizzy. Annie had been targeted because she’d refused to allow the bomber to speak to the magistrate. She’d died for nothing and the knowledge ripped a chasm in his heart. Now he knew the truth, nothing would stop him taking down this monster.

  “There is a link but it’s top secret. I had to pull a few favors to get this information and it’s hearsay at best, so, you didn’t hear it from me.” Carter moved closer. “The secretary, whose name is suppressed, was the magistrate’s secretary. Apparently, the day of the bombing, she had someone removed from the premises. A man had requested an appointment to speak to the magistrate about abusive foster homes. The magistrate instructed his secretary to send the man to the local police to put in a complaint and it would be dealt with through the normal channels.” He shrugged. “He called himself ‘John Doe’ so we found no trace of him.”

  Kane could feel Jenna’s eyes boring into him. She could sense his anger and he valued her company and support. She kept him sane and focused. Right now, if he discussed the bombing a moment longer, he’d explode. He needed an excuse and looked straight at Wolfe. He cleared the lump in his throat. “My head is throbbing. Do I have concussion?”

  “Come with me.” Wolfe led him to his van. “Take some deep breaths, you know the drill. I know all this is bringing back painful memories and wanting to get revenge is normal but acting on it is not. You know that, right?”

  Kane said nothing.

  “You owe it to Annie to keep it together.” Wolfe’s expression was grim. “She wouldn’t want you in jail, she’d want you to have a long and happy life. Find the bomber and let the courts deal with him. Find the evidence and make the case. That’s what she’d want you to do.”

  Kane tried to ignore the pain crushing his heart at the mention of her name and nodded, forcing words from his dry throat. “She understood my work and I made her promise to go on with her life if I died, she made me promise the same. At the time, I thought it would be me.”