Say Goodbye (Romantic Suspense #25) by Karen Rose

            He pulled back to the curb, listening. He finally nodded. “I’m on my way. I’ll use the flashers and get there faster.” He paused again, looking over his shoulder at the Kitson home. “Yeah, we found her. I got a name to run. Daniel Park. He was in Terminal Island with Pastor and Waylon. He was a financial manager. Handled all of Pastor’s accounts, so aiding and abetting at the very least. I’m hoping Pastor is still using him, but if not, we might be able to use him to find out who Pastor’s financial advisor is now, and that person’s communications might lead us to Eden.” He listened a moment more. “See you soon.” With that, he ended the call and pulled the car back onto the road, on the way to the freeway.

            “What happened?” Liza asked.

            “Explosion at KZAU. No serious injuries, except for the receptionist, who may have a concussion. Belmont stole some dynamite last night. The KZAU bomb was a small load, like a cherry bomb.”

            “So not to maim, but to get everyone out of the station,” Liza said.

            His brows went up. “You saw that in Afghanistan?”

            “A few times, yes. Was Daisy there?”

            “No. She and her cohost were broadcasting from their houses because of Gideon getting shot. They didn’t mention that they weren’t physically in the station until after the explosion.”

            Liza’s stomach turned over. “He’s still trying to get to Gideon so that he can get to Mercy.”

            “Yeah. We’re gonna need to take a rain check on lunch.”

            “I couldn’t eat a bite now anyway. Get us home.”





TWENTY-SEVEN



GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

            MONDAY, MAY 29, 10:55 A.M.





Tom delivered Liza to the Sokolovs’ house because that was where all of the security was. He was directed into the garage, where one of the bays stood empty for secure pickups and drop-offs. As soon as the garage doors were down, Irina burst from the house, Karl on her heels. They opened the passenger door and dragged Liza into their arms.

            “Irina was worried,” Karl said over Liza’s head when Tom got out of the SUV. “The bombing at the radio station has us all upside down.”

            Karl owned the station, Tom remembered. “Your staff? They’re all right?”

            “All but our receptionist, but she’ll be all right soon.” Karl walked around the SUV and clapped Tom on the shoulder, his grin a little sly. “Thank you. I won two hundred bucks.”

            Tom rolled his eyes, his cheeks heating. “Yeah. Well. I need to go.”

            “Did you eat?” Irina asked.

            “No,” Liza said. “We came straight here. Now that I know everyone is okay, I can eat.”

            Irina pointed to Tom. “You cost me twenty dollars.”

            Liza laughed, the sound musical. “Take me to the food, Irina, and leave poor Tom alone.”

            Karl herded them through the laundry room and into the kitchen, which was bursting at the seams. Half of Karl and Irina’s brood was here, as were Mercy’s friends from New Orleans.

            Irina shooed him toward the table. “I’ll get you a plate. We had a late breakfast.”

            Tom pulled Liza’s chair out for her and looked around. “Where’s Jeff?”

            “Asleep,” Zoya said. “He was up all night doing something for you.”

            “He didn’t tell you?” Tom asked, surprised.

            “No,” Zoya pouted. “I was annoyed, but he said he didn’t have permission to share that. Just that you two were—” She waggled her brows. “You know.”

            Catcalls followed. Tom thought the seclusion was getting to them. They were a punchy crowd. “He helped us locate Pastor’s wife,” Tom said.

            Silence descended as every eye met his. At least they weren’t teasing him anymore.

            Mercy exhaled unsteadily. “What?”

            Tom sat next to Liza, nodding his thanks when Irina gave them each a plate full of eggs, bacon, and pancakes. “Jeff helped us locate Pastor’s wife,” he repeated.