Free Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #2 by Lynette Eason, Lisa Harris, Rachel Dylan

lifted her chin and took off after the officer. Her gaze swung from left to right, and Seth knew she was looking for Hank.
    The officer led them out of the arena and to a police cruiser. “Would you get in, please?”
    Tonya backpedaled. “Not until I get an explanation,” she said.
    â€œThat’s right, Officer.” Clay stepped forward. “You’re going to have to be a little more forthcoming.”
    The cop sighed. “Just a minute.” He moved about ten feet away and spoke into his radio.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Tonya whispered.
    Clay shook his head. “I don’t know. But I’ll say it probably has something to do with the bomb threat.”
    Tonya sucked in air. “Bomb threat? What bomb threat?”
    â€œThe reason the arena was evacuated,” Seth whispered back. A tremor ran through her and he drew her closer.
    â€œAnd the reason that officer walked us all the way out here away from the area,” Clay added.
    The officer returned. “All right, some of the higher-ups want to ask you some questions about the bomb found in your cannon.”
    The sky tilted and Tonya thought she might be in serious danger of passing out. Only Seth’s hold on her upper arm kept her from crashing into the dirt. She stared at the police officer, mouth agape. “What?”
    He hitched his belt a little higher and stroked his chin. “One of the guys who’s on your setup team found it. Said he was going to check the spring one more time. He dropped the dummy into the barrel but it wouldn’t go all the way down. He pulled the dummy out and found the device. Scared him to death. He was on his knees thanking the Lord it didn’t go off.”
    Tonya couldn’t seem to stop shaking. They’d found a bomb. In
her
cannon. Someone could have been killed. “Maybe it’s a prank. Just a stupid joke.”
    â€œThe bomb squad is there now and will determine that. We’ve got bomb dogs going all through the facility. But the main question we want to ask is, who would do this? Do you have any idea who would put a bomb in your cannon?”
    â€œHank Newman,” she whispered. “He would.” She covered her mouth with her fingers. “This has to stop. I have to stop him. But how?”
    â€œBy letting the authorities find him,” Seth said in a firm tone.
    â€œI’ll take a leave of absence immediately.” As much as she hated to do it, Tonya knew it was the right thing to do. Innocent people could have been hurt. Maybe even killed. She shook her head. “I’ll get in my motor home and disappear.”
    â€œNo, he’ll just find you,” Seth said. “You’ve been running for a while now, haven’t you?”
    â€œEver since he got out of prison.”
    â€œThen maybe it’s time for a new game plan. What do you think about finding a way to put him away for good instead of always having to look over your shoulder?”
    Tonya rubbed her eyes. “That would be ideal, of course, but I don’t know how to do that. Even when he violates a restraining order, he manages to turn it around. And the cops believe him. You can’t touch him.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause he comes from a family of law enforcement.”
    Clay lifted a brow. “He went to prison before.”
    â€œBecause I had irrefutable proof. He won’t make that mistake again. He acted on impulse when he tried to strangle me. He was angry and lost his cool. This time he’ll be careful, very careful.”
    The officer stepped forward. “Where were you during the testing of the cannon?” he asked.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œSomeone always does a test run on the cannon before you get into it, right?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhere were you while this was going on?”
    â€œGetting ready.” She gestured to herself. “Putting this outfit on. Painting my face.