He took her spot and held his breath. He slowly eased the door open. Nothing happened. No explosion. No sound, save the groaning door hinges.

  He stepped inside.

  A few items had fallen to the floor, likely due to the reverberations from the bomb, but the explosives all remained in their boxes on the shelves.

  Grady put on booties and stepped inside too, and Ryleigh hung by the door. Maybe she was watching Finn as Russ was going to pitch a fit when he found out Finn had gone into the depot. But he had witnesses here to prove he didn’t take anything.

  “I got the red ones.” Grady began running a finger down the tubes.

  Finn moved to the white tubes and started counting.

  Grady looked back at Ryleigh. “Seventy-two of the white ones on my first count, but I’ll double-check.”

  “That’s a match for the inventory,” Ryleigh confirmed.

  “Seventy of the red tubes,” Finn announced and tried to keep his disappointment out of his voice.

  “Looks like no one accessed the depot then since I was here with Russ,” Ryleigh said. “And the bomber won’t likely be on the video.”

  Finn was disappointed. Sure he was, but… “We had two cameras on the main building. One is focused on the door. The other had a wider range. Both are motion activated. The wide-angle device could’ve picked up someone outside the office.”

  Ryleigh looked at Finn. “Then let’s get to reviewing it. We should go to Russ’s office to download files if there are any. Chain of custody and all of that.”

  Finn snapped off his gloves. “We both might have access to the files and can download them, but we’ll need Tobias’s approval to cover our bases. You call Tobias while I drive.”

  Grady stepped outside. “I’m sure Blake will split the forensic team with the mill site and get the forensics going here. I can start by recovering that packaging, and we’ll go from there.”

  “Thanks, man.” Finn bumped fists with Grady and followed Ryleigh, who was already racing up the hill as if a fire chased her.

  She really was invested in finding out who was behind these bombs. She was desperate to keep bad publicity from ruining her family’s company and also find the bomber. Finn had added motivation now too. Not only did he need to clear his name so family services didn’t take Avery from him, but he too wanted to help save the Steele family’s reputation along with bringing in the bomber.

  They climbed into his truck, and he maneuvered around the other vehicles to get them pointed toward Russ’s office.

  Ryleigh took out her phone and made the call. “Tobias. Good. I’m glad I caught you.”

  She explained the reason for her call. From what Finn could hear of the conversation, it didn’t seem as if Tobias was fighting access to the video files.

  “Thanks, Tobias,” she said. “Also, if Russ approves, do you think your crew would like to help the forensic team move the rubble at your office?”

  Tobias’s raised tone came through the phone, but Finn couldn’t make out his words.

  “Okay, good. I’ll let you know.” She ended the call and smiled at Finn. “We’re good on the videos.”

  “Sounded like Tobias objected to his men helping with the debris,” Finn said.

  “Only that he would have to pay them when the company isn’t bringing in any income.” She tapped her phone screen. “I’m texting Russ to update him and let him know to expect us.”

  He glanced at her when she was too focused to know he was watching. He was getting used to having her at his side, and he liked it. Liked her. Maybe more than liked.

  She laid her phone on her lap and looked at him. “Since the Eckles’s place is just down the road, we should stop on our way to show the boot photo to Pauline.”

  “Good idea. She could very well ID the person who trashed Gates’s place, and he could be our bomber.”

  “True, but we have no proof of that.” She stowed her phone and tapped the clock on the dash that read four-thirty p.m. “Only an hour before you have to get home to Avery. You sure we have time to do both things?”

  “I can wait until five forty-five, but Russ probably won’t let us review the files anyway.”

  “You could be right.” She sat back, a pensive look on her face. “Can I help with dinner tonight?”

  “Saturday night we make personal pizzas from scratch, so we’ll each make our own.”

  “Oh, okay,” she said. “Sounds good.”

  “It’s another one of Felicia’s traditions. Avery hasn’t seemed to really enjoy it, but maybe with the way she’s opening up, tonight will be different.”

  “As long as you don’t try to brush her hair.” Ryleigh laughed.

  Finn should laugh too, but his failure over braiding was a sore spot with him. “Maybe after dinner, you can teach me how to do those braids.”

  “Of course. But I have to warn you.” She paused and cast a serious look his way. “It’s probably the hardest thing you’ll ever have to master. Even harder than becoming a SEAL.”

  She laughed, a full-throated sound that made him wish they were on a date, and she wasn’t forced to be with him in a hunt for a deadly bomber. But she was forced to be here, and he had to remember that. Even if she was fitting in. Even if she was great to be with. And even if he was falling for her big time.

  He forced his mind to the drive and that alone, enjoying the wooded area until the Eckles’s metal mailbox, dinged with buckshot, appeared at the road. He turned down their drive. Gravel crunched under his tires, and tall grass and weeds swished against the wheels. Two vehicles were parked in front of the small and unimpressive house.

  “Looks like they’re both home,” he said as he killed the engine.

  “That baby is taking its sweet time in arriving.” Ryleigh slid out.

  He followed her up to the door and pounded hard.

  Eckles opened it and glared at them. “You ever gonna leave us alone?”

  “Yes, if you’ve done nothing wrong.” Ryleigh met his gaze, her shoulders back. “Can we come in for a minute?”

  “I’d rather not.” Eckles crossed his arms, a strong whiff of Italian spices and garlic drifting out of the house. “We’re about to sit down for supper. We’d like to eat in peace and have some alone time before the baby is born.”

  “This will take just a second,” Finn said. “We have a photo to show you and Pauline.”

  Eckles sighed and dropped his arms. “Fine. She’s in the kitchen. Wait here. I’ll get her.”

  He took off, stomping in exaggerated steps.

  “He isn’t happy to see us,” Finn said. “You think that means anything?”

  “Maybe or he could just want his life to return to normal and be left in peace as he said. At least, that’s what I would want. Especially with a baby on the way.”

  Finn imagined Ryleigh pregnant with his child, and the vision was not at all unpleasant. In fact, he liked it. He didn’t even know the guy he’d become since he’d left the SEALs and spent a couple of months caring for Avery. Changed him and his priorities, that was for sure. And he liked the new guy better.

  Talk about a shocker.

  Pauline lumbered into the room, slapping oversized fuzzy pink slippers on the linoleum floor. The old floral apron covering her belly was dotted with spaghetti sauce, the cause of the aroma that had made Finn’s mouth water.

  Eckles trailed her. They stopped by the door, and he took her hand.

  She gave them a defiant stare. “You have a picture to show me?”

  “Do you know who might wear boots like this?” Ryleigh displayed the photo for Pauline, and Eckles looked over his wife’s shoulder.

  “Oh. Oh! Yeah. Yeah. Dean has a pair like that. Dean Keenan.” She rolled her eyes. “He thought he looked so cool with those and his leather jacket from New Rock.”

  “You’re sure he wears them?” Finn asked.

  “Positive. Saw it with my own two eyes when I was in the group.” She freed her hand from her husband’s hold and planted both of them on her back. “And when Carla was here, she said he’s still wearing them. The matching jacket too. Like he couldn’t let go of the past or her.”

  “I can confirm that,” Eckles said. “I never saw the boots but heard Pauline and Carla talking about them. Laughing too.”

  Ryleigh looked at Pauline. “Do you know anyone else who wears this make of boot?”

  “Nah, who would want to wear them?” She grimaced. “Maybe they were cool at one time, but that time has passed.”

  Ryleigh stowed her phone. “Would you both be willing to testify to the fact that Keenan wears this style of New Rock boots?”

  Pauline looked at her husband, and they both nodded.

  “And you’re sure you haven’t seen him in years?” Finn asked.

  Pauline bit her lip.

  Okay, what was up with that? Had they lied again?

  “As Russ told you, if you hold back, he’ll bring you up on charges.” Ryleigh shared her gaze between the couple but let it land and sit on Eckles. “And I don’t doubt he’ll do it.”

  “Dean was here.” Pauline glanced at her husband. “I’m sorry. I had to tell them. I don’t want to go to jail. I just had to.”

  “That’s okay, honey.” Eckles took his wife’s hand again but peered at Ryleigh. “He showed up here the day after Carla took off. Demanded to know where she was. He threatened us. Said if we told anyone he’d been here, he’d come back and kill the baby.”

  Pauline rested her free hand on her belly. “I shouldn’t have told you. Now this little one is in danger.”

  “He won’t come back.” Eckles rubbed her back. “He’s forgotten all about us and is focused on tracking Carla down.”

  “God help her when he finds her as no matter how careful she is, I’m sure he will.” Pauline shivered.

  “Hopefully we’ll find him first,” Finn said.

  “Okay, for the last time, is that everything?” Ryleigh eyed them both. “You’re not holding back again.”

  “No, no,” Pauline said. “That’s all. Honest.”

  Finn didn’t know what to think. They seemed sincere, but they’d lied very convincingly.

  “Thank you for your time.” Ryleigh turned to leave.

  “Wait?” Pauline called out. “Did Dean set the bomb at the mill?”

  “We’re not at liberty to say anything at this point.” Ryleigh headed down the stairs.

  Finn followed, processing the news. After the door closed behind them, he faced her. “This is our best lead so far.”

  “You’re right.” Her words were upbeat, her tone not so much as she quickly strode toward his truck. “But it’s only a lead. Still doesn’t tie Keenan to the bomb.”

  Finn opened the passenger door for her and met her gaze. “Then let’s hope the video from the depot or logging office does just that.”

  17

  Finn trailed Ryleigh into the conference room that smelled of popcorn, and his mouth watered. He was looking forward to pizza night more than usual. Not only because he was hungry but because it would be good to chill out for a while when things had been so tense today.

  He pulled out a chair for her when Russ marched through the door and eyed them both.

  Oh boy. Here it comes.

  “Neither of you will be touching those video files.” He planted his feet as if expecting an argument.

  “Figured you’d say that.” Finn dropped into the chair next to Ryleigh. “But you do need one of us to give you the login information.”

  Russ grabbed a notepad and pen and fired them across the worn laminate table toward Finn. “Write it down. I’ll do the rest.”

  “Will do.” Finn tried his very best not to sound irritated. “But could you at least log in before we leave and check for files? There might be only a couple to review, and you could look at them and tell us what they contain.”

  Russ frowned. “I suppose I can do that.”

  Finn grabbed the pen and scribbled down the web address for the cloud site along with his username and password.

  Russ snatched up the paper. “Be right back.”

  He departed as swiftly as some of the RPGs Finn had launched during his service days.

  Finn looked at Ryleigh. “You didn’t tell him we identified Keenan as the one whose boots were on the Roomba video.”

  “Neither did you.”

  Ah, turn it back to him. Nicely played. “I didn’t want to prejudice him on the video. If he knew about Keenan, he might try to see the guy when it isn’t him.”

  “Same for me.” Ryleigh’s phone rang. “It’s Sierra.”

  Ryleigh tapped the speaker button and set her phone on the table between them. “You’re on speaker with Finn. Please tell me you have news for us on the photoelectric cell.”

  “Sorry, not yet,” Sierra said. “I just got to my lab and will begin processing it as soon as we get off the phone. But I got a call from my guys dismantling Gates’s vehicle, and they’ve finished their work.”

  “And?” Finn prodded.

  “And most interesting is they found blood in the back. Not a large quantity so could be from a simple cut. Or someone bled out in the vehicle and it was cleaned up well.”

  “Blood,” Ryleigh said. “Didn’t expect that.”

  “Don’t read too much into it just yet. Could be from an on-the-job injury. Anything really. But we’ll run it for DNA and that might tell you something.”

  “We’ll wait for further news, then,” Finn said.

  “My team also found Gates’s phone, which Nick will image and review, plus they recovered multiple sets of fingerprints along with some additional particulates that they gave to Winter. They also located Gates’s vehicle keys hidden under the driver’s seat. Looks like a house key on the ring too, but no brass key like you described for the explosives’ depot.”

  So maybe someone had stolen Gates’s key and used it to take the explosives.

  “Chad didn’t find it at the guy’s house either, right?” Ryleigh asked.

  “No,” Sierra said. “So it’s still missing.”

  Now they were tasked with figuring out where it had gone, but Finn didn’t know where to start on that until he had time to think.

  “I won’t get to processing these vehicle prints until I get back to the mill,” Sierra said. “But Chad will do a comparison on the ones lifted at Gates’s place to eliminate those. I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve cleaned and processed the photoelectric cell for prints. I’ll send an email to everyone to update them.”

  “Okay, thanks for the update.” Ryleigh ended the call and turned to discuss this latest news with Finn, but Russ rushed into the room carrying an iPad. “We have one video from the depot.”

  “Can we look at it?” Ryleigh asked.

  “Figured you’d ask.” He set the iPad between them and tapped the video play button.

  Finn fixed his focus on the screen, hoping he could ID the man’s face. The night was dark and shadowy. No movement, but something had activated the camera. A large figure came out of the building. A man. In a hoodie.

  “He’s not carrying anything.” Finn stared at the screen. “No explosives so what was he doing in there?”

  Ryleigh leaned closer to the iPad. “I’d say he planted something, but we didn’t see anything out of place.”

  The man turned to lock the door. Finn squinted to get a look at his face, but shadows cast over his face deep in his hoodie. He spun to go. Taking long steps.

  “His boots!” Ryleigh poked the screen. “It’s Keenan. It really is.”

  “Yeah,” Finn said. “Yeah, it is! Keenan’s our guy.”

  “Hold up.” Russ paused the video and glanced between them. “You showed me the boots but you didn’t say anything about Keenan owning a pair.”

  Finn told him about their visit to Pauline.

  Russ went around the table and dropped into a chair. “Ties Keenan to Gates.”

  Ryleigh nodded. “Keenan had a key in that video, and Sierra just told us that they found Gates’s keyring and his depot key wasn’t on it. So maybe Keenan stole Gates’s key when he trashed his place and stole the explosives that night.”

  Russ’s gaze cut around the room and landed on one of the whiteboards. “Good theory, but we don’t have any evidence with him stealing the explosives. No evidence, no proof of his involvement. Except that he went into the depot.”

  “Maybe he shows up on the earlier videos.” Ryleigh leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. “Have you finished reviewing them?”

  Russ nodded and leaned back in his chair. “Since you started requiring all visitors to sign in, we were able to ID everyone in the videos. No Keenan.”

  “Which means he didn’t come to the site before this. Or at least he didn’t trigger a camera.” Ryleigh sat back. “The question then is, did he steal the explosives or not?”

  Finn didn’t know the answer either. “He could’ve been onsite but the camera malfunctioned.”

  “How likely is that?” Russ asked.

  “It can happen,” Ryleigh said. “The video goes to the service provider first before recording on the company account and fails to connect more often than I would hope.”

  That could be their answer. At least Finn hoped it might be. “Did any of the videos display a static or a black screen?”

  “I remember a couple of them in the middle of the night,” Russ said. “Figured it was an animal or leaves moving that triggered the camera, but it didn’t pick up the animal.”

  “Keenan could’ve visited in one of those times,” Finn said. “Can you look at them again to see how long the videos lasted? Maybe he had time to get in, take the explosives, and get out while the camera was trying to connect.”

  “That could very well have happened,” Ryleigh said. “Though he couldn’t have planned for an outage unless he had a signal jammer.”

  Russ planted his hands on the table. “Sadly, thieves are using those more often to block signals on home doorbell cameras.”

  “You can buy one online for ten bucks,” Ryleigh said.

  Russ shook his head. “Policing these days isn’t what it used to be.”