Explosive Alliance

by Susan Sleeman

  “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?”

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss that.”

  “Okay, can you discuss any other leads she might have mentioned?”

  “She did say back at the house that she’s releasing the bomber’s sketch to the media in hopes that someone recognizes him.”

  Krista shot Cash a terrified look. “They won’t release my name in conjunction with that, right?”

  He shook his head. “We can’t stop the press from speculating, but our team would never reveal any information about you.”

  She watched him carefully, her looked filled with skepticism.

  “What?” he asked. “You don’t believe me?”

  She shrugged. “It’s all just so unsettling, I don’t know what or who to believe anymore.”

  Cash could totally relate to that sentiment. He didn’t know what to believe, either, but unlike her, he couldn’t let it get in the way of his job. If he did, someone could die.

  * * *

  Cash stood gazing out into the night, his hands shoved into his pockets. Krista wanted to peek at his expression but remained seated on the sofa. Since the discovery of the detonator, a wall of silence had gone up between them. He knew she was withholding something, and her failure to confide in him had clearly disappointed him. Big-time. She wanted to tell him about her past, but for all she knew, Skyler was counting on Krista’s guard being down with Cash and her revealing information to him.

  Which meant she needed to be even more on guard around him. How was she supposed to do that when he was doing the right thing here? Standing guard. Caring for her and Opa. Following through on his commitment. Everything she hoped for in a man.

  He turned and caught her watching him. “You look like you have something to say.”

  Did she? Maybe.

  She got up. Crossed over to him. “I don’t want you to think I’m not grateful for your help.” She smiled sincerely and met his gaze. “This is all so overwhelming. Terrifying, actually, but you... Without you...it would... I—” Stress from the past few days stole her words. Tears pricked her eyes. She tried to blink them back and looked away from his compassionate gaze to get control of her emotions.

  “Hey, hey,” he soothed. “Don’t you know guys can’t handle it when a woman cries?” He quirked a smile.

  She tried to return it, but her mouth trembled.

  “Aw, c’mon, Krista. Don’t cry.” He brushed tears away from her cheek, his touch an instant comfort. “I can’t stand to see you so upset.”

  He dropped his hand to hers and drew her closer. His eyes riveted to hers. The depth of his concern and caring was unmasked and she could hardly breathe. Her eyes locked on his. She was drawn toward him. Step by step. He lowered his head. His lips descended toward hers. She clutched his shoulder and lifted up on her toes. Prepared herself for the touch of his lips. Something she’d wanted for days, if she was honest about it.

  “Liebchen...” Opa’s voice came down the hallway. “Could you help me with... Oh, I am interrupting.”

  She jerked away from Cash. Took a deep breath. “No, you’re not. What did you
need?”

  “An extra blanket, but I can’t reach the top shelf.”

  “I’ll get it.” She all but ran from the room, charging past a surprised Opa.

  She pulled down the fuzzy blanket and hugged it to her chest.

  How could she have almost kissed Cash? They were so unsuitable for each other. Both with their own secrets. Both vulnerable and hurting.

  She had to watch herself around him. She couldn’t ever forget her poor judgment in men. She’d find herself in a world of hurt again. If that wasn’t enough reason, these developing feelings for Cash could distract her at a time when clearing her name was more important than ever before.

  SIXTEEN

  Cash watched Krista leave the room, his mouth hanging open in surprise. Not for the way she’d bolted, but for his reaction to her. He’d almost kissed her. Dumbest of all moves he could make. A part of him hated himself for wanting to kiss her when he still couldn’t believe in her innocence. What kind of man did that make him?

  Otto sat on the sofa and patted the seat next to him. “Come sit by me, Cash.”

  His mind still reeling, Cash reluctantly joined Otto.

  “These feelings you have for my Krista,” Otto said. “Are they serious?”

  “What?” Cash’s focus transferred to Otto. “That’s the last thing I expected you to want to talk about.”

  Otto’s eyes narrowed in a way Cash hadn’t seen before, upping Cash’s concern.

  “She has been hurt in the past.” Otto met and held Cash’s gaze. “Badly. I need to know your intentions are honorable.”

  “Intentions.” Cash jumped to his feet. Intentions? “I don’t think I have any intentions.”

  “That makes me sad. This is the first time in years that Krista has seemed so interested in a man. I’d hoped when this investigation was over that you two might have something together.” As Otto studied him, Cash felt as if the man could see clear through him. “I think you are the right man for her.”

  So much for Otto seeing him well. He was the last man she should risk getting involved with, and he respected Otto too much to let him think otherwise. “I’m not really relationship material right now, Otto.” Cash gave a CliffsNotes version of losing his teammates. “I can’t seem to shake it, you know? I’ve tried everything, but I can’t find my way in the world again.”