Page 34 of Broken Wheels
Josh nodded. He waited until Dixon was out of sight before addressing the emptiness around him. “Come on, Tanner. You wanted me to find you, so help me out here.”
He held his breath, but there was no ghostly apparition pointing an ethereal finger for Josh to follow. No cold breeze tickling his neck. Nothing but silence, and that frustrated the hell out of him. Maybe I’m wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time, right? Even if Tanner had pinged from here, that didn’t mean he’d stayed put. He could be off somewhere, laughing at how he’d fooled Josh.
“Hey, Doc? Can you come out here, please?”
Josh sucked in a breath. This had been a fool’s errand. He trudged outside and found Dixon standing with the others, about thirty feet from the building. Jasmine was on her phone, but the men were staring at the ground. Josh ambled over and was about to apologize for wasting everyone’s time, when Dixon turned around, his face grave.
“I’m sorry, Doc. I think we found Tanner.”
Josh’s heart thudded as he made his way over to them, frowning. “Out here?” Then he took a better look at what lay at their feet, and it took him a moment to realize he was seeing charred human remains.
Oh.
He stared at the burned-out corpse. Whatever did this, it burned hot and fast. There was no guarantee it was Tanner, but logically, it was a sound supposition. He knelt beside the remains, careful not to touch anything. Fragments of bones littered the area where they’d cracked and shattered, resting on a bed of ash. If Josh had to guess, it wasn’t unlike a thermite compound, designed to destroy enemy fortifications.
Yet another tick in the box that the government was behind this whole thing.
“Doc? You okay?”
He tilted his head and found Dixon, his face a mask of concern.
“What? Oh, yes, I’m fine. Why? Are you okay?”
Dixon nodded. “I was just worried about, you know, seeing your friend’s body and all. It might be upsetting.”
But I’m not upset.
It surprised Josh that he was able to clinically examine this person’s—Tanner’s—remains and not have any issues. And yet the memory of that young child still haunted him. A child whose sweet voice had tickled Josh’s ear only moments before he was caught in a blast that ripped his body apart before he could even scream.
“I’m okay.” Dixon gave him a dubious look, and Josh sighed. “I promise, I’m fine.”
“We’ve called the local police. They’re going to have questions.”
Josh stood. “And giving them answers might prove difficult. I’m not ready to tell them what I know, because that could put their lives at risk. We’ll just have to play it by ear.” He hoped Dixon wasn’t too mad. “I know you were hoping to get back to CrossBow tonight. I’m sorry if this puts us behind.”
“As if I care about that.” Dixon scowled. “This shit is so fucked up. What could do this to a body?”
“My best guess is it’s some sort of thermic reaction. I’ve never known anything that could burn bone to ash like this short of a cremation. Whatever killed this person—Tanner—it was quick, but undoubtedly painful.”
Jasmine finished her call. “Mr. Meeks? Since we have no idea how long we’ll be here, I booked us rooms at Hotel Verdant. It was a little pricier than the other options, but their online rating is way better. Plus, it has some nice views.”
Dixon chuckled. “Always thinking ahead, huh? How many rooms did you get?”
She smirked. “Four. I figure y’all can figure out who sleeps in what room, but as much as I love working with everyone here, I’m not about to share with any of you.”
“Aw, Jazz. Right in the heart,” Brant teased.
She laughed. “I know you’re all good and dependable, but after this, I’m going to want a long shower and?—”
“I’m kidding. You should definitely have a room by yourself.”
“You all should,” Josh interjected. “Call them back and change it to six separate rooms.”
“Five,” Dixon corrected. “One of us needs to stay with Dr. Malone.”
Of course. “What if I want a shower too?”
“Then someone will sit outside the door while you take it.” Dixon locked gazes with him. “This man is dead, Doc. We have to keep that in mind.”