Page 81 of Long Past Deadly

“Oh yeah. Same type of explosive blew me into a pool at the LA Patton Downtown, seven days ago. It’s not his only skill either. He’s a sniper and well-known assassin. Warn your people to be careful.” Alanna shifted to cover Quaid’s back.

A black Suburban with lights flashing screeched to a stop at the back door. Frank.

He hurried from the car to the door, stopping at Nelsen’s side. “I’m taking the scene. Can you monitor in front?”

“Yes, sir.” She nodded at the rest of the group and left.

Frank turned to Quaid. “How sure are you there are no other explosives?”

“You think he breached the building and planted more? I’d say no. Am I willing to take the risk? No.”

“We’ll deploy a perimeter and watch the street for other car threats. Let’s get the bomb unit here and search the building.”

Quaid shook his head. “Not waiting for them. I’m going to third floor to Celissa. Alanna is with me. Remy go with Frank. Give him access where he needs it. We’ll use the bomb squad when they get here. Find Patina and Welker and have them search every vehicle in the motor pool and clear for bombs and weapons.”

“Copy, boss.”

Quaid took the stairs two at a time, Alanna on his heels. A faint hint of smoke and burning electronics greeted them, but dispersed as they went upward.

Guns draw for unfriendlies, the precaution grated. This was as much safe harbor as Cait’s house, and the attack pissed him off.

“You behind me, Williams?”

“On your six.” Her dry response hinted at irritation at his question. He’d explain later. He was comfortable with her behind him like she was Mackey or Hunt. He’d come a long way since the first attempt on their lives.

They met no one until they entered the third floor. With the electronics out, the third floor door was locked tight. Quaid shuffled his phone to call Operations.

Casey Miner manually opened the door. “Good. A boss is here. Don’t get me wrong. Celissa is doing great, but she’s not operational.”

“Understood. We’ll deal with that later. Anything I need to know?”

“All I have are fire department and police updates.”

“I got those outside. Classified documents locked down?”

“Yes. Skiff is secured. Computer systems are offline, but Kerry is working on rerouting.”

“Let me finish the sweep, and I’ll be in.”

Quaid put his gun away. Obviously the threat was from the car. Celissa had been moved away from the main entrance, the security door having been dropped, and she was using Mackey’s office.

“I’m working on it.” Celissa shoved her strawberry blonde hair out of her face and scribbled notes on her iPad at a frantic pace. “I remember everyone who is in the building and had all personnel report to the day room so I can get a visual on every person.”

He leaned over her shoulder and studied the list. These people could be deployed to help when she finished the check. “Let’s keep an eye on the fire department updates in case everyone needs to evacuate.”

“Right.”

Alanna came to her other side. “Are you okay?”

“Scared the bejesus out of me, the explosion. But I’m in one piece. My kids…”

“Where are they and what do you need?”

“I was supposed to leave early and pick them up, but I called the school and had my mother get them. Are they safe going home?”

“We won’t take chances. We’ll send somebody.”

“They can go to my mother’s.”