getting lots of attention. People were getting alarmed, there were politicians beginning to talk about reducing oil imports from the Middle East, the refinery bombings on everyoneâs mind.â
Nicholas said, âMaybe thereâs something else going on, maybe they now have another, grander planââ
Zachery nodded. âYes, or another person is now on board. Another player, perhaps, one with no qualms about killing. Or maybe a separate group entirely, using COEâs MO?â
Nicholas said, âThe last bit of chatter in the darknet warned specifically of a California hit, near San Francisco. But now this happens here at Bayway. No, I still think itâs COE. Another player now involved, someone far more violent whoâs now calling the shots? That sounds possible.â
Mike shook her head, sprinkling ash down onto her shoulders. âWeâre going to have toââ
Zachery interrupted her, his hand on her arm. âStop. Listen, Agent Caine, both you and Agent Drummond go home, take a shower, get some rest. Nothing will happen until the fire is out, which could take hours. Since you two are our leads on these bombings, JTTF will want to be briefed in the morning. You know theyâll be expecting a full report, so you need to power down and get some sleep.â
Mike had worked for Zachery long enough to know he meantwhat he said, so she nodded slowly. But she still wasnât ready to fold her tent.
âYes, sir.â Mike ran her hands across her face. They came back still streaked black with soot. âIâve got to hose myself down before I hit the sheets. Maybe get a power wash.â
âWeâll find a place where they can turn a hose on both of us,â Nicholas said, and gave her a wink.
âMay I also suggest you put some ice on that shiner?â Zachery said. He patted her shoulder once again, shook Nicholasâs hand, then set off to talk to the firemen at the triage center.
âGet the chemical ice pack out of the first-aid kit in the boot, Mike. Itâs quicker than stopping off for a bag of peas.â
She quickly found the ice pack since all the pool cars had the same equipment. She broke the pack as she climbed into the front seat, pressed it against her face and leaned her head back against the headrest, and felt the blessed freezing begin.
She said, âYou donât have any sleeves. Dare I ask what Nigel will have to say to you?â
He laughed, and it felt good after this nightmare of a nightâwell, at least for a moment.
He fired up the Crown Vic and headed back for the bridge.
Mike lifted off the ice pack and pulled down the passenger mirror. She really didnât want to look, but she had to.
Oh my, not good.
At that moment, she saw her mother staring at her, horror clear on her face. She lightly touched her fingers to her cheek. Bruises galore, and a lovely plusâher skin was lobster-red from the few minutes with the ice pack. She groaned and slapped the visor closed. She looked over at Nicholas. Sure enough, he was smiling, a brow arched. âI shouldnât have looked. The truth doesnât always set you free. Sometimes it terrifies.â
He laughed. âYou do look like you went rounds with Lord Queensberry himself.â
âIsnât Queensberry one of your grandfatherâs swanky friends?â
âPossibly, though a few generations removed. Heâs a famous British boxing enthusiast. Youâve heard of Queensberry Rules?â
âYeah, yeah, it figures it would be a Brit who decided the proper, most civilized way to go about killing each other.â
He reached over and lightly touched his fingers to her cheek. âEven though you look a bit rough, Agent Caine, all those men you rescued tonight would agree an angel saved them. The ice pack should help.â
She said, âWhen Iâm done with it, you can use it. Youâre a bit on the edge yourself.â She paused,