Explosive Force. Lynette Eason

him.

      He pursed his lips. “Why do you jump to that conclusion?”

      “What else could it be?” She shrugged. “Why else would you and Annie be here along with other members of EOD? You’re going to have to check to make sure there aren’t any more bombs, aren’t you?”

      Nick knew Heidi because he’d read her newspaper articles and some of the stories she’d written. Most people would consider them to be fluff pieces, but the truth was, he could see her heart behind them. And whether he wanted to admit it or not, he liked it. He and Heidi had had a few conversations, and each time, he’d wanted to prolong them. Which was weird for him. He didn’t do conversations with people like Heidi. Users who just went after the story without worrying about the fallout. Even though his gut told him she wasn’t like that. But she had to be. Otherwise he could lose his heart to her. And that couldn’t happen. No way.

      “Good deductive reasoning,” he told her. “But did you think it was possible that I just wanted to see what was going on?”

      “No.”

      “Hmm. You’re right. Annie and I’ll have to check for more bombs as soon as we get the green light. And that’s not confidential so I’m not worried about you saying anything.”

      She sighed. “Look, I know with all the rumors circulating, no one wants to talk to me, but this...this is different.”

      An anonymous blogger had been reporting on the Red Rose Killer, his targets and the investigation. Reporting on things that no one but those involved in the investigation could know. Rumor had it that Heidi was the blogger. As a result, she’d been mostly ostracized from anything considered newsworthy when it came to the Red Rose Killer. But Heidi was persistent. He’d give her that.

      He nodded to the torn pants and bandaged knees.

      “What happened to you?”

      She glanced down. “I got knocked off my feet by the blast.”

      He raised a brow. “You were here?”

      “Yes.”

      Well, that put a new light on things. “Did you see anything?”

      “I don’t know. Maybe.”

      “Either you did or you didn’t.”

      A scowl pulled her brows down. “Then I think I did.”

      “What did you see exactly?”

      She drew in a deep breath. “Like I told the OSI agent, I think I may have seen the bomber.”

      * * *

      At Nick’s indrawn breath and instant flash of concern, Heidi felt slightly justified in her dramatic announcement. She shrugged, not nearly as nonchalant as she hoped she came across. “Honestly, I don’t know if he was the bomber or not, but I sure saw someone who looked like he was up to no good. He had on dark clothing and a hoodie—and a ski mask. Why wear a ski mask unless you don’t want anyone to know who you are? Anyway, he took that off right before he turned around and looked at me.”

      “Tell me everything.”

      As she talked about the man in the hoodie with the ice-cold blue eyes running from the scene, Nick’s frown deepened. “You might be fortunate he was in a hurry to get away.”

      “I think that’s a reasonable assumption.” Just the thought of him sent fear skittering up her spine.

      “So, he knows you saw him.”

      “Oh, yes, he knows. OSI is rounding up a sketch artist for me to work with.” She shivered and crossed her arms at the memory of the man’s brief pause, as though he’d considered coming after her. Thankfully, he’d been in a hurry, more worried about getting away from the impending explosion. But she had seen his face. Well, some of it. The hoodie had hidden his hair color and some of his features, but she’d be able to identify those blue eyes anywhere and anytime.

      “All right, stick close,” Nick said. “I’m going to let Annie keep working and we’ll see what she comes up with.”

      For the next thirty minutes, Heidi did as instructed and stayed right with him. Not just so she could collect facts for the story, but because she was just plain rattled. Okay, scared. She’d admit it. She was afraid and feeling decidedly out of her depth.

      But watching Nick and Annie work was a good distraction. She felt safe with Nick in a way she couldn’t explain, and she couldn’t help admiring his strength and confidence, the total focus and dedication he had to his job.

      Her father had been like that.

      Before he’d died.

      A pang of grief hit her and she shook her head. It had been two years and she still missed him like crazy. But he’d been a wonderful example of the ethical reporter she strived to be. She was determined to follow in his footsteps, determined to make him proud. Thinking of her father naturally sent her thoughts to her mother. A strong woman who’d loved her husband, she’d nearly been shattered by his death. His murder. He’d been killed by the big corporation he’d exposed as a front for the mafia. Killed by his best friend, who’d been the CEO of that corporation.

      A lump formed in her throat.

      Her parents had argued late one night. She’d come over for dinner and fallen asleep on the couch. When she’d awakened, she’d heard the harsh whispers coming from the kitchen. She’d stayed still and listened, hearing her mother begging her father to stop looking, to “give it up.” Her father had been adamant. “I’m not looking the other way, Kate. I can’t.”

      “I’m afraid, Richie,” she’d whispered. “I’m truly afraid something will happen to you.”

      And it had. Not even two weeks later, a jogger had found his body washed up against the shore of a nearby lake. Her father had taken a bullet through the back of his skull. Executed. She lifted her chin. But his work would live on through her. The men who’d killed her father had been captured, tried and imprisoned—including the best friend who’d put the hit out on him. But it didn’t bring her father back. It was up to her to carry on his work.

       Truth, baby girl. Nothing’s more important than exposing lies and bringing truth to light. Keep your focus where it should be. Don’t step on people to get to the top. Don’t excuse people who do wrong no matter who they are—and you’ll do just fine.

      Her father’s words ringing in her mind, she watched as Nick finally stood from the last place Annie had alerted on and tucked a small bag into the larger one he carried. “All right,” he said. “I think I’m done here for now.”

      “Did you find anything else?”

      “I’ll have to let the lab decide that.” He dug a hand into his front pocket and rewarded Annie with a treat and a “Good job, girl.”

      His gaze slid to her and he opened his mouth as if to say something, then snapped it shut and gave her a grim smile.

      He wasn’t going to tell her anything. He didn’t trust her. She gave a mental sigh and shrugged off the hurt. What did she expect with everyone thinking she was the anonymous blogger, posting about everything going on in the investigation of the Red Rose Killer? Things no one but the investigative team should know. The blogger had everyone on edge and pointing fingers.

      While it was true she was upset she hadn’t been assigned the story, that didn’t mean she was going around shooting off her mouth about things she shouldn’t. The fact was she didn’t know anything. Other than what was reported in the papers—and by the anonymous blogger.

      But Nick didn’t know that. He didn’t know her other than from a short snippet of conversation here and there. They often ran into each other at the Winged Java café and he always made a point to speak to her—but he kept himself at a distance. Like he didn’t want to get too close. For some reason, she wanted to change that.

      His