He had no idea where her brother-in-law was, but he’d seen a patrolman stretching tape across the drive. “I’ll make sure they get past the crime scene tape.” Brad turned to the detective. “The owner thinks it might be a gas explosion. Maybe a water heater.”
“The water heater is in the garage,” Kelsey said.
Robinson shook his head. “That would be quite a coincidence—an explosion just as someone remotely opens the garage door.”
“Corelli said the tape Kelsey put at the bottom of the garage door was intact,” Brad said. “But whoever placed the bomb inside could have seen it and taped it back.”
The lieutenant rocked back on his heels. “Sounds like this explosion was up close and personal.”
33
AN HOUR LATER Kelsey was still sitting on Sabra’s back steps. She stared at the activity in the garage. Her spirits sagged. What if the bodyguard had not walked back toward them? He would have been killed. The thought almost made her throw up.
Why had she called her parents? She couldn’t go home with them and put everyone in more danger. But where would she go? She jumped when someone touched her arm.
“Kelsey?” Brad said. “You were spacing out.”
“Trying to figure out what I’m going to do,” she said, standing to stretch her legs. Her mind kept looping over the same thing. Someone wanted to kill her, and they didn’t care who they hurt in the process.
Overhead she heard the whop-whop-whop of a helicopter and looked up. “Police?” she said.
“No, that’s a news chopper. Evidently, it’s a slow night.”
She could just see the headlines now. Bomb Destroys Local Woman’s Home. “Does the media know who’s involved?”
“Other than indicating it’s a possible gas explosion, we’re just saying ‘No comment’ when someone asks a question. And that’s what the investigators canvassing the neighborhood are telling your neighbors. No need to stir up fears that we have a mad bomber loose until we know more.”
No, not a mad bomber, just someone who wanted her dead. She rubbed her face and then massaged her temples. “Do you think the same person who stole the papers planted the bomb?”
“Possibly,” he said.
She looked toward the garage and blew out a breath. “I don’t know where I’ll stay now.”
“You need to be in a safe house.”
A safe house? “I thought that was just for witnesses. And I’m not a witness—I can’t remember what the man looked like.”
“You’re a potential witness. I called Rachel, and she’s checking on something for you.”
At least it was better than bringing danger to her parents’ doorstep.
“The bomb detection dog is here,” Brad said.
She followed his gaze to a beautiful golden lab as it trotted ahead of his handler toward the garage, sniffing the air. Once inside, the dog immediately sat down by a piece of debris on the garage floor.
“He’s found explosives,” Robinson said.
A piece of her heart died when she heard the confirmation. Her knees buckled and she sank to the porch step. There was something so sinister about someone trying to kill her with a bomb.
Movement near the side of the house drew her attention. Mom and Sam. She wanted to go to them, but her body would not move. Her legs wouldn’t hold her up if she stood. Brad walked to the uniformed police officer detaining them, and in a minute they came toward her.
Her mother sat next to her and put her arms around her. “Honey, I can’t believe this is happening. Are you all right?”
Kelsey nodded. If she had to tell one more person she was fine, she would scream. “I shouldn’t have called you.”
“Nonsense,” Sam said. “I wish I hadn’t gotten you involved with Rutherford. None of this would be happening.”
Had it only been a few days ago that she was playing the Phantom Hawk? It seemed a month. What she’d thought was such a good idea was possibly the worst idea she’d had in her life.
“Do you think the same person who shot at you did this?” Sam asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Mr. Allen,” Brad said, “did your wife tell you about Paul—”
“Yes. This”—he swept his arm toward the garage—“terrible thing knocked it out my mind.” He knelt beside Kelsey. “I’m so sorry, honey. How are you holding up?”
You don’t think Sam killed my dad, do you? She wished she could put that question out of her mind and flinched when he put his arm around her. But Sam did sound genuinely concerned.
He shook his head. “What a stupid question. Of course you’re not holding up. Why don’t you come back to the house with your mother and me now? Any questions Brad or anyone else has, they can come there and ask.”
“No!” Her face burned. “I’m not putting you in—”
“We want to put her in a safe house,” Brad said.
Sam stood. “Judging by what happened here, I can protect her better than the police.”
Brad rocked back on his heels. “How about Sabra and Lily? If Kelsey went home with you, it might put all of you in danger.”
“He’s right,” Kelsey said as the back door opened and Mason stepped outside. “Where’ve you been?”
“Talking to Sabra, trying to keep her from coming over here. She wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
Standing, Kelsey whipped out her phone and walked away from the others. Should’ve already called her sister. What if this person went after them and used them as leverage? “Don’t you dare come over here,” she said when her sister answered.
“I won’t. Mason made me promise not to. But I think you need to leave town. Go somewhere it’s safe.”
If there were such a place, Kelsey would. But whoever was trying to kill her seemed to know her every move. “I’m safer here with Brad. You have someone with you, right?”
A low laugh came over the phone. “Oh yeah. We can’t even go to the bathroom without someone following us. If it’s not the security people, it’s Mom. We’re going stir crazy.”
Tension eased from her shoulders. “You do what they say.” Her gaze followed Brad as he met Rachel at the corner of the house. “Look, I have to go. I’ll check on you tomorrow. Give Lily my love.”
“Where are you staying?”
“Brad’s arranging a safe house.”
“Good. Take care of yourself. You’re the only sister I have, and I want to keep you.” Sabra’s voice cracked.
“I love you too,” Kelsey said, smiling.
She glanced toward the garage again. Rachel was now talking to the lieutenant from the bomb squad. Kelsey couldn’t remember his name. He pointed toward them, and Rachel nodded and walked her way.
“There you are,” she said. “Are you up for answering a few questions? Robinson said I could take your statement. He’s going into your apartment with the dog and his handler.”
“Is that dangerous?”
“Shouldn’t be—he thinks if there was another bomb, the first one would have triggered it.”
Rachel glanced at the others. “Who else was here?”
“Only me,” Mason said. “And I hadn’t been home twenty minutes.”
“Did you notice anything suspicious?”
“No, I pulled into the garage that’s on the front and went straight into the house. I didn’t even look out toward Kelsey’s place.”
“No unusual noises?”
He shook his head, and she turned to Sam and her mom. “Can I get your names? And were you here?”
“I’m Cynthia Allen, Kelsey’s mom, and this is my husband, Sam. We weren’t here—had just finished dinner when Kelsey called.”
Rachel switched her gaze to Sam.
“We really don’t know anything,” he said.
Her phone rang and she answered it. After a brief conversation, she disconnected and turned to Kelsey’s parents.
“I believe that’s all I need from you two,” she said. “But I do need to speak to Kelsey an
d Sergeant Hollister privately, if you don’t mind.”
“But I do mind,” Sam replied. “I’d like to take my daughter home. She’s dead on her feet.”
“Stop acting like I’m not here. I can speak for myself.” Kelsey touched Sam’s arm. “I am not putting my family in danger. You two go home and take care of Lily and Sabra.”
Her mother raised her hand. “But Kelsey—”
“Please,” she said. Somehow she had to make them leave. “Let the police handle it.”
“Kelsey’s right,” Brad said. “And I promise you, I’ll keep her safe.”
Kelsey didn’t think anyone could keep her safe.
Beside her, Sam studied Brad. “I believe you’ll do your best. I just hope it’s good enough,” he said. “Come on, Cynthia. Let’s let them do their job.”
She hugged her mother. “I’ll be okay.”
A lump formed in her throat as they walked away. She wished she could believe that.
34
BRAD PULLED RACHEL AWAY FROM KELSEY and her parents. “What happened?”
“That was Reggie. They’re not giving us a place. She’s not a witness in a case yet,” she said.
“You’re kidding. What are we going to do?”
Rachel shook her head. “I can’t take her to my apartment. I have a roommate.”
“I am not leaving her unprotected.” Brad bit his bottom lip. “How about my house? If you can stay there with us.”
“It’s a plan. One we’ll have to sell to Kelsey.”
Rachel didn’t have to convince him of that.
Just as he approached Kelsey, the handler of the bomb dog came out of the garage. “It’s all clear,” he said. “No other bombs.”
“Do you know what was used?” Brad asked.
“No way to tell for sure until it’s analyzed. For my money, it’s ammonia nitrate and fuel oil. The detonator was wired to the garage opener, and when Corelli pressed the button . . .” He spread his hands. “Is he going to be okay?”
“I heard over the scanner that he was stable,” Rachel said.
“How does the rest of the house look?” Brad asked.
“Most of the damage is in the living area over the garage. Bedrooms are intact.”
“Did you say my bedroom is okay? How about my clothes?” Kelsey asked. “Can I go upstairs and pick up a few items?”
Brad hadn’t seen her walk over. “No. It’s still a crime scene,” he said.
“Oh.” Her shoulders drooped. “At least my car wasn’t parked in front of the garage door—that’s where I usually park.”
Kelsey swayed and Brad reached to steady her. She needed to be away from here. It wouldn’t take much of a wind to knock her off her feet.
“Let’s sit in my car,” Brad said. “And decide what we do next.”
She allowed him to lead her to his car, where he helped her get settled in the front seat. Then he motioned Rachel over. “Get in the back,” he said. “That way we can talk.”
When he slid in the driver’s side, Kelsey had her head bent over with her fingertips pressed against her eyes. “I’m taking you to my house,” he said.
“What?” She raised her head, and confusion flickered in her eyes. “I thought . . . you said something about a safe house.”
“My house is safe.”
“I don’t think that you meant your house earlier.”
He sighed. “I’m afraid that deal fell through. So, you’re going to my house, and Rachel is going with us.”
“No. I’ll go to a hotel. Surely this . . . this monster wouldn’t blow up a hotel just to kill me.”
“Going to Brad’s house is the safest thing you can do,” Rachel said. “You’ll have two cops guarding you.”
“But—”
“No buts,” Brad said. “It’s your only option.”
Kelsey braced an elbow on the console and chewed her thumbnail. He waited, fearing anything he said would make her dig her heels in. It would be much better if the idea appealed to her.
She took a breath. “Okay, I’ll go to your house tonight. But we have to pick up my car. I’ll need it to get to work in the morning.”
“We’ll talk about that after we get to my house,” Brad said. No way was she going to the museum tomorrow, even if he had to hogtie her.
A crowd of reporters was hanging around the end of the drive, and he ignored the requests for comments, just waving as they drove past them. His cell phone rang, and he glanced at the number on his dashboard. Andi. His sister. He should have expected her call, but he hadn’t seen her in the crowd of reporters. He pressed the answer button on the steering wheel and said, “No comment, and you’re on my speaker phone, so be careful how you react.”
“Bradley Hollister, I can’t believe you’re involved in this and you didn’t give me a heads-up.”
“I told you no comment.”
“At least tell me if it was a bomb and give me the victim’s name.”
“No comment.”
“Braaad . . .” Andi drew his name out in two syllables.
“Okay, I’ll tell you we’re investigating the possibility of a gas explosion.”
“And not a bomb?”
“That’s all I’m giving you.”
“If it’s not a bomb, why won’t you let me interview the victim?”
“No comment.” He chuckled when she emitted a growl over the phone.
“Thanks for the crumb you tossed me.”
“You’re welcome.”
Brad disconnected and turned right at the next corner. His house was located as far east in Memphis as anyone could get and still be in the city limits. It took fifteen minutes longer than necessary with him making turns and taking streets he wouldn’t normally take in case they had a tail, but when he turned onto his street, no car followed.
He pulled into the well-lit drive, and his lights caught Tripod waiting at the fence. At least if anyone came around, he would bark. Brad pressed the remote garage opener, shuddering as he imagined what would have happened if Kelsey had pulled up to her garage and pressed the remote.
They went in through the kitchen, and a wonderful aroma greeted them. The food Elle cooked. He’d totally forgotten about her.
“Rosemary chicken?” Kelsey set her laptop on the counter. “How?”
“Wow, you’re a neat freak,” Rachel said. “Are you sure you live here?”
They’d both spoken at the same time, and he answered Kelsey first. “Elle was here earlier.”
Then he addressed Rachel’s comment. “What is the big deal about putting things where they belong when you’re finished with them?” That’s all he did. And he had a cleaning person come in once a month. “Don’t tell me you two are messy.”
“I am,” Rachel said. “Disorganized, at least.”
He turned to Kelsey. “I saw your place last night—it was pretty neat.”
“Not like this.”
He opened the door that led into his backyard and let Tripod in. The dog danced on his three legs while he ruffled his fur. “Tripod, I want you to meet Rachel and Kelsey.”
Kelsey dropped to her knees. “Aw, he’s so pretty,” she said, rubbing his golden coat. “What happened to his leg?”
“I don’t know. He’d already lost it when I got him at the shelter.”
“Well, he’s a sweetheart.” She stood and yawned, stretching her arms out. “I wish we’d stopped at Walmart for a change of clothes.”
He groaned. Clothes had been the last thing on his mind, and he didn’t even have toothbrushes. He turned to Rachel. “If Kelsey makes a list, do you mind picking up what she needs? I’ll pay for it. And get anything you need.”
“I’ll give you a credit card and pay for yours as well,” Kelsey said and stopped in front of the stove. She took the lid off the chicken. “Do you mind?” she asked. “I’m starved.
He picked up the note Elle had left. “There’s potato salad in the fridge.”
Looking at Rachel, he said, “Better p
ut some sort of breakfast food on there—I only have cereal. But why don’t you fix a plate and eat first.”
“I’d rather wait until I get back,” she said.
A few minutes later Kelsey was sitting at the island. “So Elle has a key to your place.”
Her voice was subdued. She had to be exhausted. Probably why she was picking at her food after saying she was starved.
“I keep one inside the garage on a nail.”
He fixed his own plate, then sat across from her. “You’re not eating,” he said. “Elle’s a good cook.”
“I’m sure she is.”
He picked up a second chicken leg with his fingers just as the dog let loose with a frenzy of barks. He wiped his fingers on a napkin and pulled his gun just as the doorbell rang. Couldn’t be Rachel. She just left. He eased to the window and looked out. He holstered his gun. “It’s Elle.”
He opened the door. Even at this late hour, she looked elegant in flowing pants and a white sweater. “I wasn’t expecting to see you back here.”
Smiling, she stepped inside and set her purse on the table by the door before handing him a grocery bag. “I noticed you didn’t have any milk for your cereal in the morning, and I ran to the store . . .” Her smile faded as she glanced past him, and her face turned crimson. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company—”
“It’s not what you think,” he said as he put the milk in the refrigerator. “Elle Deveraux, Kelsey Allen. Her apartment was blown up tonight, and she needed a place to stay.”
“Here?” Elle frowned. “Just the two of you?”
The question rankled. He pressed his lips together.
“No, not the two of us. Detective Sloan will be back in a bit,” Kelsey said and stood. “I think I’ll go to the bathroom and freshen up,” she said. “If you’ll tell me where it is.”
“Down the hall on the right,” Brad and Elle said in unison.
When they were alone, he turned to her. “You thought—”
“I didn’t know what to think. You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend Sunday.”
“Because I don’t.” He had thought about kissing Kelsey. Brad shook the thought off. “She’s part of the investigation.”
Justice Buried Page 21
