Read Explosive Alliance for Free Online Page A

this long to ask.
    Jake nodded. “We’re good to go.”
    Brady shot for the door.
    â€œI’ll go tell Krista and Otto they’re free to leave.” Cash headed outside before anyone tried to stop him, especially Skyler, who was coming his way. He stepped into the cold, damp air and zipped his jacket as he approached the pair.
    The scent of popcorn lingering in the air spoke of fun and enjoyment, contradicting Otto’s fatigued expression. He looked plumb worn-out and still had a long train ride.
    Cash met Otto’s gaze. “You two look like you could use a ride home instead of taking MAX.”
    â€œNo,” Krista said.
    â€œThat is most generous,” Otto said at the same time.
    She frowned at him. “It’s not necessary, Deputy Dixon.”
    â€œIt’s Cash,” he said, not liking the formality of her tone for reasons he chose not to analyze. “Necessary or not, I want to help.”
    â€œThank you.” Otto smiled. “We will be glad to accept your offer. Might I use the restroom before we go?”
    Cash ignored Krista’s stare and nodded. “There’s one in the restaurant.”
    â€œI’ll go with you.” Krista helped Otto rise and move back into the restaurant.
    Skyler eyed the pair as they strolled by. After the door closed, she joined Cash. “What’s going on?”
    â€œWith what?” he asked, feigning ignorance.
    â€œYou and Ms. Curry know each other?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBut you find her attractive.”
    â€œWhat red-blooded male wouldn’t?” He held up a hand to stop Skyler from continuing. “Don’t worry. I don’t plan to do anything about it.”
    â€œPlease don’t be offended that I asked about this.” She took a step closer. “You haven’t been a deputy all that long, and I want to make sure you understand your role here.”
    He smiled. “You mean other than the red-blooded-male thing?”
    She frowned at him. “I’m serious here, Cash.”
    So was he. He wasn’t uncomfortable disagreeing with others on the team. That was the norm for him, but he
was
uncomfortable with his reason for disagreeing today. He couldn’t clear Krista from suspicion just because she was pretty and kind to her grandfather. He needed to take a step back. To focus on the evidence in front of him as he’d been taught. To remember Brady spoke the truth—suspect the person who reported the crime until they were ruled out.
    He leaned against the wall and let the night play in his memory. He saw Krista running toward him, gripping his arm, her terrified eyes looking up at Otto. “Krista’s shock and fear at the discovery of the bomb were real. I’d stake my life on that, and I find it hard to believe she had any part in this.”
    â€œDon’t make a rookie mistake,” Skyler warned. “There are all kinds of reasons she could be involved and still be legitimately terrified.”
    â€œName one,” he challenged.
    â€œShe could’ve been working with a partner who stashed the backpack in the stadium earlier and it was her job to retrieve and place the bomb.”
    â€œOtto didn’t mention seeing her with a backpack and you have to agree he reads like a straight shooter.”
    â€œI agree about Otto, but with his obsession with the game it’s not hard to believe that he wouldn’t notice Krista leaving her seat to retrieve the bomb.”
    â€œOkay, say I buy that—which I don’t—why would she bring Otto with her if she was going to plant a bomb?”
    â€œHe makes great cover for something like this.”
    â€œStill, I don’t see her risking his life.”
    â€œMaybe she didn’t think he was at risk. Her partner could have told her there would be more time for her to get out of the stadium, but when she saw the countdown on the cell phone, she realized she couldn’t get Otto