Page 17 of Edge of Steele
“Out with it,” Finn snapped. “Before your brother gets over here.”
She wasn’t surprised at Finn’s outburst, but she was surprised he’d made it this long without exploding.
“Please,” she said to Ryan making sure her tone was soft and conciliatory to make up for Finn. “Finn’s just a bit impatient, and he means nothing by it. Right, Finn?”
“Right, but let’s get to the point.” His tone continued to hold a sense of urgency. “What did you see?”
“One unusual thing. A piece that looks like a photoelectric cell.”
Now he had Ryleigh’s full attention. “They used it to detonate the bomb?”
“Looks like it,” Ryan said. “We spotted computer fragments too, which I suspect are out of place in the mill.”
“Only computers are in the machinery,” Finn said. “So if you saw parts of a typical computer casing, they’re not from the machine.”
“That’s what I saw,” Ryan said.
Colin cocked his head. “In all my ecoterrorism research, I’ve never seen a photoelectric cell being used.”
“If the cell was the detonator,” Finn said. “The computer fragments could suggest the bomb was controlled by a computer. That would allow them to time the explosion somewhat.”
“Explain,” Russ demanded from behind them. “And make sure you mention how and why you possess such knowledge.”
Finn turned slowly. “SEALs are trained in explosives. All types and all methods of detonation. You never know what you might encounter on an op.”
“Okay that covers why you know about it.” Russ kept his gaze pinned to Finn. “Now give me the what.”
Finn stood tall and strong under the intense observation. “When you think of photoelectricity think of electricity produced by a light beam. So photoelectric cells work when light hits them. The brighter the light, the greater the electricity produced. These cells are used in everyday life. Automatic faucets in public restrooms for example.”
“You wave your hand,” Colin said. “And the cell sends a signal to a solenoid, which pulls the valve open and the water comes out.”
Finn nodded. “Bombs controlled by these cells are often called “when dawn breaks” bombs as they go off when the rising sun hits them.”
Russ frowned. “Then why didn’t this one detonate at sunrise today?”
“Based on Ryan’s mention of computer parts, seems possible that the cell was controlled by a computer programmed to only detonate when a certain level of light was reached.”
“Doesn’t sound precise though,” Ryleigh said. “If the bomber knew when the workers would be out of the building, why not just set a timer? Or even detonate with a cell phone?”
“That I can’t answer,” Finn said. “But I do know bombers tend to stick to the same script—use the same switches, explosives, and wiring—so maybe the photoelectric cell is what he knows.”
Russ faced Ryleigh. “I’ve thought about your earlier offer. I’d like your assistance on this investigation and have you call in the Veritas team if they’ll do the work pro bono.”
Ryleigh tried to keep her mouth from falling open, but this was the last thing she expected from Russ.
“Good way to catch flies,” Russ said.
“But I…you…are you sure?”
“Positive. I need to gain as much information as I can over the weekend before I call in the feds—who aren’t known for sharing.”
“You know I’m not a law enforcement officer anymore.” She didn’t really want to throw out things to change his mind, but she didn’t want him to agree only to backtrack either.
“You can serve as an official expert,” Russ said. “But I can deputize you if that makes you feel better.”
Clearly, he’d given it some thought. “No need as far as I’m concerned.”
He gave a sharp clap of his hands that echoed through the stillness. “Get on the horn to Veritas, and let’s get this moving.”
