WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17
Sweat slid down the hollow of Chandler’s back as he searched for a solution.
There had to be one. It was impossible that Jake would pay with his life for a sin that wasn’t Chandler’s, let alone his friend’s. Jake’s wife and kids needed him to come home. Chandler had to keep the masked man talking while those outside the office formed an executable plan. Fast.
“What do you want to do? Tell me what you want me to know.”
“That you and the military destroyed my life.”
Chandler gritted his teeth to avoid arguing the point with a man who seemed on the brink of losing it all. “What could we have done differently?”
“You should have been on the delivery run.” He stepped toward Chandler but halted still out of reach. Where was the trigger?
“There are many nights I feel like I am there.”
“Nightmares aren’t the same.”
“I’m sorry for all that happened to you. Killing Jake won’t solve it.”
Jake groaned from his spot on the floor. The blood spilling everywhere could not be good. Chandler had seen enough even on his relatively straightforward tours to understand that much. Allison kept the jacket pressed down. “He needs an ambulance.”
At her words, the man spun on his heel and shot above her head. The bullet might have parted her hair on its path, because she froze, features forged in a caricature of shock. Beth opened her mouth, and Chandler gave a slight shake of his head. She shut her mouth, but her eyes told of her displeasure. Now to keep Jake alive.
“Let them go. We’ve got to get Jake help or you’ll have a murder charge waiting.”
The man snorted. “You think I care? Fool. No one cared about me, so while I’m glad to hear you caring about your friend here, he gets to take care of himself.”
“Then let the women go. They haven’t done anything to you.”
“I know exactly what will happen. They’ll tell those outside where I’m standing and where you’re standing. I’ll take a sniper shot to the head, release my hold on the trigger, and blow you up with me.”
The guy had to be bluffing.
“What was your job in the army?”
“Ordnance expert.”
Of course it was. Talk him out was the best option then.
Keep him talking. We’re working on a plan.
Sure they were.
Time was running out.
That knowledge accelerated with each frenzied step the man took.
Chandler had to end this now, whether or not those outside had a perfect plan.
The man took a step toward Jake, then three away.
He turned.
Looked at the women, gun still directed at Chandler.
Then he stopped, arms twitching.
An eerie calm settled on the man, and Chandler braced.
“Know what? I’m tired of waiting. I think I’ll just blow the bomb now. Take you all with me.” He raised his hand, as a voice in the comms unit told Chandler to duck.
How could a sniper crack the bulletproof glass?
Chandler lunged for the hooded soldier as he heard the ricochet of multiple shots.
The man jerked, and Chandler grabbed the trigger from his hand. He scrambled to ensure his fingers were locked on top.
“I’ve got it. Send in the bomb unit and EMTs.”
“On their way. Should be in the back door in seconds.”
Allison looked up from her position over Jake. “Come on, Jake. Stay with us. Your kids need you!”
A moment later Beth was there with a stack of paper towels. “Give me the jacket, and apply these to the wound.”
Then the back door banged open and the area swarmed with EMTs and police.
As soon as EMTs dropped next to Jake, two officers escorted Beth and Allison to safety. Chandler didn’t move as he clutched the device the man had wanted to detonate. The adrenaline ebbed from him and his arms began to shake.
“I need someone to take over the trigger.”
A member of the bomb squad hurried over. Another approached the package left on the door.
EMTs positioned Jake on a gurney. Pushed him out the door.
Chandler followed a step behind.
Agent Weldon approached and led him into one of the small conference rooms, away from the action. Chandler tried to ignore the blood that soaked his clothes while he fought the crash of adrenaline.
“How did you penetrate the bulletproof glass?” It hadn’t stood a chance against whatever they’d used.
“We have our ways. Secrets we don’t share.” Agent Weldon crossed her arms and studied him. “You did well in there. What can you tell me about Russ Goldman?”
“Is that his name? He’s called several times and may have followed me at the local Indian restaurant. There were other times when I saw a shadow, so he may have followed me.” Or it could have been Dane focused on Jaime. Now they’d never know for sure.
“Why you?”
He frowned and looked at her. “What?”
“Why you and why now?”
“Misplaced frustration. He’d just been shipped in, filling in for a soldier headed home to be a father. Then he went on a supply run, and it didn’t end well. We lost a man, and others were injured.” Chandler’s gut clenched. “I had to call their families. Letting them know their son was dead or critically injured. Russ Goldman must have slipped through the cracks in my system. It was a time I never want to repeat.”
She made a couple notes in a slim notebook. “All right. Don’t go anywhere yet.” She walked away, leaving him to collapse on a chair in the corner while the room down the hall buzzed with activity.
It was late in the afternoon, really time for her to leave the law firm and head home, but Jaime couldn’t. She glanced at her phone, growing more concerned with time. What had happened to Chandler? He’d been called to work hours ago. The fact he hadn’t returned her calls or texts told her something terrible had happened.
She needed to get Aslan with Tiffany, but without Chandler that wouldn’t be possible. She called her mom to check on Tiffany.
“She and her mom returned to their home today.”
“What? Why?” What was Madeline up to? She’d seemed quite content to stay where Jaime’s mom would take care of them.
“They were doing fine but ready to be back in their space.” Her mother sighed. “I don’t blame them, though Happy has been mopey since Tiffany left. He’s going to miss her.”
“Has Corey Bowman been arrested?” He must have been, or surely Madeline wouldn’t return to a place he knew.
“She got a call from the police. Your father took Madeline over this morning to make sure it was okay before taking Tiffany.”
“Oh.”
“They’ll be fine. Just call Madeline and touch base.” There was a smile in her mother’s voice. “I wouldn’t have let them leave if they weren’t ready and your father didn’t think it was safe. Much as we enjoyed having them, Tiffany needs her room.”
“I know, Mom. Thanks for helping them.”
“Of course.” There was a pause, and then her mom continued in a quavery voice. “Thank you for asking.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.”
Jaime swallowed back a sudden lump. “We’re going to make it.”
“Yes, we will.”
Her phone beeped. “Mom, before I go, I’ve been subpoenaed to testify at Uncle Dane’s congressional hearing Tuesday.”
“Want us there?”
“I’m not sure, but I didn’t want you to be surprised.”
“Just let me know when and where. Your dad will want to be there.”
“Be careful, okay?”
“Why?” Her mom’s response was quick.
“Because I’m not sure what he’ll do when he finds out I’ll be testifying before the subcommittee. But it’s something I have to do.”
“Your father can take care of us. Should you come home until this is over?”
“I don’t think so. Then he wins.” She took a breath. “I’ll let you know the details about the testimony.” The phone beeped, a reminder of the holding call. “Love you, Mom. Gotta grab this call.” As she clicked over to take the other call, it hit her that it had been a long time since she’d said those words to her parents. “Hello?”
“Hey, beautiful.”
She pulled the phone from her ear and glanced at the name on the screen. It sounded like Chandler, but the words couldn’t be his. “You okay?”
“It’s been a long day. I’d recommend ignoring the news for a bit.”
She leaned over to click the computer to life. In a moment she was surfing. Horror bubbled inside her as she found a story about an attack at the Vet Center. “You were in the middle of that? No wonder you didn’t return my calls.”
“Yeah. The man was injured in a convoy explosion. I was supposed to be there, so he blamed me for his injuries.”
“Are you okay?”
“I am. This guy must have suffered some horrible things on his last tour, because he didn’t make sense.” He blew out a breath. “He shot one of my team members, so I’ll be here awhile and then at the hospital. I’d like to come by when I get home if that’s okay.”
“Sure, let me know when you’re done.”
“Will do.” Exhaustion overshadowed his words.
“Will your colleague be okay?”
He sighed. “I don’t know. I’m praying no news is good news.”
“Then I’ll believe that with you.” She would until they could put this day behind them.