Page 105 of Weight of Guilt

Luke’s lips pulled into a grim line. “Where’s the alarm that was pulled?”

“North stairwell,” Rowe told him.

“Any camera feed there?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

“I want to see it.” Luke stood. “Now.”

Wren followed Luke from the office and into the school foyer. Cody walked with them.

Just as she took another step, the front door banged open hard enough that she turned.

Nash came through at a jog and stopped a few feet inside. His gaze found her through the crowd, and he paused.

Something in her chest came loose at the sight of him.

She quickly crossed to him.

His arms came around her, and she leaned her forehead into his chest. He smelled like dirt and sweat and truck exhaust.

He didn’t say a word. He didn’t tell her they’d find Mason. He didn’t tell her everything was going to be all right.

Strangely, she appreciated that he didn’t make any empty promises.

Instead, his hand moved between her shoulders in one slow pass before going still again.

She wished she could stay here forever and pretend like all of this wasn’t happening. But she knew she couldn’t do that. Every second counted right now.

She stepped back and forced herself to breathe. “Thanks for coming.”

He nodded, concern saturating his gaze as he studied her. “Of course. I dropped Cody off here. Then I had to park farther down the road. It’s a zoo out there.”

“Follow me.” Wren turned toward the rest of the group.

Luke was already headed toward the stairwell. Wren jogged to catch up and stepped inside. As soon as she did, she saw the box sitting on the floor.

Luke raised his arm, stopping everyone from getting too close.

The two-by-two-foot container waited on the floor against the wall, directly under the red alarm pull. Plain cardboard. Flaps folded closed over each other.

When she saw the man carrying it in the video, she’d assumed it was a prop or a routine delivery, a reason for a stranger to walk down a hallway.

But what if it was more than that?

Her hand went out for the rail and missed.

Nash grabbed her elbow to steady her.

“Sheriff?” Principal Rowe’s voice thinned.

Luke didn’t move. He only stared at that box, clearly deep in thought.

Then she understood, half a beat before he said it, why he was being cautious.

He was afraid of what was inside—afraid it might be something that could harm them.

Afraid that it could be something like a bomb.