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He assured them they were. One of them called the police and fire department. Callie’s face turned ashen. She grabbed hold of his arms as though she were clinging to the edge of a cliff.
    “We need to get out of here. They could still be around, watching, but are you all right to stand up and walk on your own?”
    “I think so, and if not, too damn bad. I don’t want to be here right now anyway, with everyone staring at us. So get us out of here.” She looked at him with pleading eyes that could move mountains, and probably had.
    He held out a hand for her to grab and pulled her up gently. Some good Samaritans were headed their way. He deftly waved them off. “It’s okay. Help the others. We’re fine. We’re just gonna go and clean ourselves up. No real harm done. Thank you. Boy, I feel bad for whoever rented that apartment.” He nodded to various onlookers as they hurried away, down the parking lot to his bike. He scanned the area for anything suspicious, but there were no cars sitting idly with people inside, nor could he see anyone on the rooftops. Whoever had done this probably timed it to go off after they left.
    He had to give the woman props. Obviously shaken beyond words, she still held it together, just enough not to raise any flags with the nosy neighbors. Fire engines and police vehicles screamed past as they reached his bike. No one would be the wiser about the two of them.
    He sat on his motorcycle and waited for her to climb on. And waited some more. He turned to find her standing there, staring blankly at the bike.
    “Let’s go.” She looked at him, nodded, and climbed on the back. Again, he waited. “Grab on to me, now.” Her arms didn’t embrace him. He reached back and grabbed them himself. They dropped. What’s going on with her ? “Callie, what gives?”
    “I…I can’t do it.” She shook her head, looking puzzled.
    “Shit.” He got up from his seat. “All right, listen to me. Scoot forward and turn around so you’re facing the back of the bike.” She did as he told her. “Now I’m gonna sit back down, and I want you to straddle my lap. Then, rest yourself against my chest. Okay?”
    He helped her maneuver herself onto him. God help me, but her body fits like a freakin’ glove ! Breathe, man. You don’t need a distraction like this right now. Just get her back to the hotel and figure out the next steps . Her legs crossed around his hips, and she rested snugly against him. Her arms hung limply at his sides. He started the bike as more fire engines and police cars rushed by.
    There was much to ponder on the ride back. What exactly was in that envelope? Did the people after her find it and take it before the blast, or had it been destroyed? Or, did it survive the blast, without being found? He hated being a pessimist, but more than likely, they’d gotten what they wanted. He’d have to go back later tonight and do a little recon on his own.
    After a continuous checking of his side mirrors and taking many unexpected turns to shake off anyone who might be following, he finally pulled into their hotel’s parking lot, found a shady spot to park the bike, and turned off the Fatboy’s rumbling engine. Curiously, the vibrations of the beastly machine continued. He checked, and the engine was definitely off. And then he realized where the shaking originated from. Callie. Wracked with sobs, her whole body shook up and down.
    “Hey, girl. It’s gonna be fine.” He instinctively rubbed her back. “I told you I’d help you. Right? And look, we survived a pretty big blast back there. That’s a good sign that things are gonna work out.”
    She looked up at him with tears streaming down, untamed. Dripping mascara dramatized an already intense situation. She shook her head. Between sobs, she managed to speak her mind.
    “It’s not…gonna work out. They got…the envelope. I know they did. Why else…torch the place?” She swiped at her tears. “No, they got it, and I’m next.