Page 29 of Best Laid Plans

“I did. We have to walk for it, though. Had to park down past the high school.”

“These loafers are practical as well as sexy,” Nathan states, making me laugh.

“Did one of your ex-wives tell you that?” I tease as Powers slips his hand in mine and leads the way.

“Maybe. What’s your point?”

I laugh again, enjoying the feel of the air on my face after being cooped up. Powers tenses, making me look up at him.

“Something wrong?”

“Keep walking, but move a little in front of us.”

I do as he asks, Lucy moving a few steps ahead as she sniffs around.

“What do you see?” Nathan questions, his phone already in his hands.

“Looks like the agents are following us.”

“Why? They have to know we’re not going to lead them to James. Idiots,” Nathan grumbles.

My breathing speeds up when I realize that’s the last thing they’re thinking about. “They probably already know where he is. They’re looking for a chance to grab and deliver me.”

“You’re serious?” Nathan says.

I nod. “Nothing about them was on the up. If Lane hadn’t arrived when he did, I have no doubt they’d have walked me right out of the station and shoved me into their car—for my own protection, of course.”

“Of course,” Powers mutters.

Nathan curses. “This fucker has way too many allies for a psycho.”

“That’s why he has them. And they’re not allies—they’re accomplices. He would never do for them what he gets people to do for him, but he doesn’t have to. He pays those who are easily bought and takes out those who aren’t.”

I stop talking when Lucy freezes solid, then sits down next to a light blue Ford Taurus. “Come on, girl.” I click my tongue, but she ignores me.

Powers is so focused on the Feds that it takes him a minute to notice something is wrong.

“What’s she doing?” I ask when she refuses to move.

Powers sucks in a sharp breath as he reaches out with both arms to stop Nathan and me from going any farther. “She’s telling me she’s found something.”

“What’s she found?” Nathan questions, looking around.

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. I know what Lucy used to do before she retired.

She found bombs.

Chapter Ten

POWERS

I feel my heart drop to my fucking feet before my training kicks into action.

“Back up slowly,” I tell Nathan and Lil. “Nathan, I want you to head back to the station, find the chief of police, and tell him what Lucy can do. Tell him we have reason to believe that there is a bomb outside the high school.”

“Powers.” Lil’s voice shakes. She’s staring at her watch.

“What’s wrong?”