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That comment earned Bridger a pained look. “Right. I forget how close to the vest you Special Ops types like to play things. Well that’s not how things work in my county. I ask the questions. You answer. We can have this discussion over at the jail, if you’d rather. You two left the scene of an explosion. Sure makes you look like plausible suspects. I’m sure I can come up with plenty of reasons to hold you overnight.”
Tai pulled out a chair and plopped down. He patted the seat next to him a little harder than he needed to and looked up at Bridger. “Sit.”
Bridger debated holding out, but stubbornness wasn’t going to get him anywhere. Just because Sheriff Hammond reminded him all to much of his own stiff, unbending father wasn’t a good enough reason to get himself locked up.
And he couldn’t leave Jane. Not with a potential bomber out there.
He sat. “We shouldn’t have left. You’re right. But I didn’t want to risk letting Jane out of our sights.”
That didn’t seem to surprise Hammond. Of course, he’d already checked on their backgrounds. He’d know they were close with Jason.
He stared them both down for a minute, sizing them up, before continuing. “Jane gave me a good description of the scene. Our preliminary investigation backed up her observations. I’m guessing you didn’t leave before you checked out the damage. I want to know what you’re thinking.”
“I had a look around,” Tai admitted. “Enough to see what was left of a timer.”
The sheriff pulled out a chair and sat. “I’m not sure I like you two, but I like Jason, so I’ll reserve judgment.”
Bridger grinned. He hoped he looked more appreciative than cheeky. “Thanks for that.”
“Don’t be.” The man didn’t look impressed. “You’re one more stupid stunt away from getting locked up.”
Bridger nodded sharply. “Copy that.”
The sheriff slapped a manila envelope down on the table between them and tapped it with his index finger while he studied the two of them with hooded eyes. The air system kicked on, whipping up an artificial breeze that whistled through the cracks in the ill-fitting door.
The man flicked the envelope across the table toward him and Tai. “You didn’t see this.”
Bridger grabbed it. Inside was a plastic evidence bag containing a printed note. He held it up to the light.
Sinner. You have failed to heed my warnings. Money will no longer save you. The price of redemption has risen. Now, you’ll pay with your life.
He whistled softly and turned the page so Tai could read it.
“Huh.” Tai slid him a look. “Guess we don’t have to wonder if the blackmailer’s our bomber.”
Sheriff Hammond rubbed his eyes. “Myles says this is the first threat he’s received, other than the threat to his wife. Do you have any information that suggests otherwise?”
“Negative,” Bridger answered immediately. “The only threat Jason knew about was the one to the wife if the pastor didn’t come up with that hundred thousand.”
The sheriff sank back in his seat and raised his gaze to the ceiling. “And now the blackmailer goes from wanting a hundred grand to trying to kill the man. What set him off?”
Bridger regarded the sheriff. Behind the good-old-boy features, the man was sharp. Far sharper than he’d given him credit for. “A good question.”
“Crazy doesn’t need an explanation,” Tai said.
Hammond eyed Tai with renewed respect. “Fair enough. Maybe this never was about the money.”
An excellent point. And a frightening one. Greedy people were easier to figure out. And far safer to deal with. Their motives were predictable, if their methods weren’t always logical. But crazy....
He groaned silently. Dealing with crazies was like playing Russian roulette. All you could do was prep for contingencies and hope you didn’t miss one.
The sheriff took back the sheet and stuffed it into the envelope. “Pastor Myles told me you two were helping him look into the extortion. Said Jason had offered to find the guy.”
“Yeah. Jay’s been called away on business and he asked us to finish this up.”
The sheriff concentrated on closing the envelope. “Any reason neither he nor you thought to report this?”
“The pastor asked him to be discreet.” Bridger beat. “I’m sure Jay would have turned over any evidence he collected.”
