Burning Truth (Lost and Found Columbus #3)

Chapter 8

8

T hey arrived at the food truck festival three hours later. Parker had arranged a vendor pass for them, so they managed to pull into one of the closer parking lots.

“This place is crazy,” Addie breathed, glancing around at the flowing crowd.

There had to be at least fifty food and drink trucks parked along the streets and through the park. The air was crowded with smells that made her mouth water, and she could hear live music in the distance. She loved doing festivals and hometown fairs like this. If only it wasn’t to draw out a killer this time.

They posed in front of the main entrance, and she snapped a photo of them to post. “I’m going to be stuffed when I leave...lol! #Columbusfun #WNBC4 #newboy #Columbusfoodtruckfestival

Immediately, likes started rolling in. She shoved her phone away. She didn’t want to just wait for the attacker to respond. When she was ready, she would start going through the comments.

Severn was still wearing his t-shirt, but he’d added a light over-shirt to the ensemble to hide the gun she’d felt nestled at his waist. The thought that he was going to these lengths to protect her chilled her. Despite his reserved demeanor, she would never want him hurt or uncomfortable.

The sweet and savory aromas wafted through the air, mingling with laughter and chatter echoing from excited festival-goers. The vibrant colors of the food trucks popped against the deepening twilight, creating a festive atmosphere that should have been exhilarating. Yet, the weight of the plan they’d concocted loomed heavy on Addie’s shoulders. She didn’t want any of these people to be hurt.

“Stick close to me,” Severn instructed, scanning the crowd with calculated intensity. “And try to act natural. No looking around for anyone suspicious, just... enjoy yourself. I’ll be on lookout.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she was momentarily distracted. They fit together perfectly, and their steps even synced as they wandered through the crowd. Her hip brushed his, and it was a very nice feeling, despite what was going on.

She swallowed hard, this time for an entirely different reason. Severn Moran intrigued her like no one else ever had, and being this close to him was totally derailing her thoughts. Even though it was a warm night, she didn’t want to move away from him.

As they wandered through the colorful maze of trucks, Addie noticed the energy of the crowd—families, couples, and groups of friends—excitedly waiting in line, eagerly chatting, and sampling everything from gourmet tacos to artisanal lemonade. She felt an odd sense of longing wash over her. Here they were, amidst all this joy, and yet her life had transformed into something scary. She wanted to be done with this mess.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head. The stalker wasn’t going to get her down or deny her fun.

“Look! That one has deep-fried cookies!” she said, pointing toward a food truck adorned with twinkling lights.

Severn snorted, the sound low and inviting as he turned to her. “Deep-fried cookies? I don’t know about that...”

With a grin, she bumped his hip and guided him toward the line forming at the truck, the smell of sweet dough and cinnamon drawing them closer.

As they joined the line, she pulled out her phone, glancing impulsively at her social media account to see if anyone had started trolling her post yet. “Better get a picture, or we’ll lose our credibility in the foodie world,” she murmured, lifting her phone for a selfie with Severn.

“Say ‘yum’, Addie,” he teased, leaning in closer, warmth radiating off him as he wrapped himself around her from the back. He slipped his glasses off, revealing his beautiful eyes. She felt her heart race, his expression making her think he was actually having fun. Or was he just a good actor? He did this stuff for a living, right?

“Yum!” she echoed, her laughter ringing true even as she snapped the picture. Scanning the comments, her heart sank again when an instant message popped up, issued just seconds before: “You’re going to regret this, you little actress.”

They’d been there less than an hour, and he was already commenting. Or was he close enough to actually see her?

Before he could pull away, she pulled Severn’s arm tight across her chest and angled the phone so that he could see the message. He gave her a squeeze to let her know he had seen and repositioned himself at her side, his arm around her waist, to move forward.

“So, he’s watching us,” Severn said, and she knew it was for the other’s listening in on Severn’s earpiece. “Gabbie, did you get that?”

“I did,” she said, her voice strong.

Addie had an earpiece as well, hidden beneath her curly hair, and she could hear Gabbie’s fingers pounding on the keys of her computer.

Addie forced a smile onto her face as she turned to Severn. “Hey, look, it’s our turn! What kind do you want?”

Once they had their treats in hand, they made their way toward a quieter area near the festival stage, where live music floated through the air. The laughter and music helped mask her anxiety as they settled onto a concrete step in the amphitheater, munching on the indulgent deep-fried dessert—equal parts crispy, gooey, and entirely too good to be legal. She’d gotten vanilla ice cream with hers to cut the sweetness.

“This is insane,” Severn remarked, shaking his head in disbelief. “These are not bad.”

Addie simply nodded. “Right? I could eat these every day.”

Actually, probably not. The sugar content had to be astronomical.

Her eyes danced around, bouncing from face to face as she tried to spy the malevolent nature of the person after her. No neon sign was just going to pop up and point to them, so unless he wanted her to know, his identity was going to be secret. Severn had mentioned that it could be a man that had asked her out, and she hadn’t really registered the invite. Or he’d made some other advance toward her. She talked to so many people in her job, though, that it was hard to remember every little interaction. He said it may be someone she knew.

Unfortunately, as she glanced around the crowd, she spied several people she knew.

One of the editors at the Columbus Dispatch was handing out free papers, trying to drum up subscribers. And she thought she recognized one of the interns from her own station. He was tall, with red hair, so pretty identifiable. She mentioned both of those people as she ate her treat, knowing that Gabbie was recording everything they said over the air.

Addie talked about inconsequential things with Severn, but in the back of her mind, she knew her performance was being watched.

Suddenly, Gabbie’s voice crackled in through their earpieces, interrupting the conversation. “The head of security at the ISP got back to me, and he gave me a tag to follow. The phone is in the festival. Less than a hundred yards away from you.”

Addie gasped. She couldn’t help it. And it took everything in her not to spin her head around, looking wildly around for the stalker. There was no way she knew what the man looked like, though. Or hell, it could even be a woman. Highly unlikely, but not impossible.

Severn leaned down toward her, cupping her face. “Hey,” he said softly. “You’ve done good so far. Don’t let him rattle you now. Gabbie is recording everyone in this place. We’re going to figure it out.”

Then he leaned down further and brushed a kiss against her lips. It was just a quick kiss, but he did it very easily, like it was habit. And it served to bring her out of the panic.

Addie blinked, firming her spine. “I just hope he didn’t bring anything with him today.”

Severn’s mouth tipped up on one side. “He didn’t. He likes to work from the shadows, remember? More than likely, he’ll do something tonight. So, all of these people are safe today. I believe that.”

His reassurance fed her own, and she nodded. The words made sense.

“Keep acting casual, but let’s move toward the edge of the crowd,” he instructed, standing up from the concrete stair. “We don’t need to draw attention to ourselves, but we can stay close enough to keep a lookout.”

As they moved through the throngs of festival-goers, Addie centered her gaze ahead, though her mind raced. Her arm was wrapped around Severn’s waist, her hand resting below the gun, and she thought they both appreciated the touch. Was she putting them both in even more peril?

They wove through the crowd, passing food trucks with aromas that danced in the air. Severn occasionally glanced down at her, his jaw set in concentration. It was more than just the thrill of the hunt for him; she could see the genuine protectiveness in his posture, the way he kept her close, as if daring any unseen threats to come out.

“Keep your head up and your eyes open,” he murmured, tactfully shifting their route, guiding her toward a quieter side of the festival grounds that still provided a vantage point to the bustling main area.

Addie’s heart raced not only from the excitement of being so close to Severn but from the looming threat hanging over them like a dark cloud. “What if we can’t find him?” she whispered, the weight of anxiety tightening her chest.

Severn stopped and turned to face her fully, his expression intense yet gentle. “We will. Gabbie is tracking the signal, and if he’s in the crowd, we’ll flush him out. Just stay with me, okay? We have backup circulating through the crowd. One of us will get a lock on him. We may not catch him tonight, but we’ll do our damnedest to identify him.”

Every fiber of her being wanted to feel secure in that promise. She nodded, pushing aside the nagging dread. Together, they walked to a spot slightly obscured by tall tents and fabric canopies.

“Do you think this guy has ever had deep-fried cookies?” Addie attempted to lighten the mood.

Severn smirked. “I doubt it. He seems more like a cold, lonely shadow than a guy who indulges at food truck festivals.”

“Consider that a blessing, then,” she said, rolling her eyes playfully, yet her body remained coiled with tension. “I’d hate to be responsible for ruining cookies for some poor dude hiding behind a screen.”

“Focus on the laughs, not the lurking,” he reminded her gently. “We’re right where we need to be.”

They wandered on through the crowd.

Just then, two men caught their attention. They were obviously talking, arguing, about Addie and Severn. One of the men strutted up to them. Severn stiffened and subtly shifted her behind his arm.

“Hey, aren’t you the weather girl,” the man said, squinting and smiling.

Addie snorted. “Nope, not me,” she said, laughing.

The two men looked at each other, confused. “You said it was her,” one groused.

“No, I said I thought it was her. Not my fault you jumped the gun and rushed up here. Wait,” the man said, focusing on Severn, “you are the guy she was dating. I recognize those scars. You are her!”

Addie shook her head. “I don’t do the weather, guys. I report news.”

The first man waved a hand. “Oh, whatever. You’re on TV, that’s why we recognized you. Girl, that is quite a hunk you’ve got there,” he said, eyeing Severn up and down. He reached out for a high-five from her.

Addie smacked his hand with her own. “I know, right?”

“I bet he’s amazing in bed,” the second man said wistfully.

Addie laughed outright as Severn clenched his jaw. “Oh, he is,” she said confidently. “Would you like a selfie?”

“God, yes,” they said, crowding in toward them.

Addie grinned for the selfie and prompted them to post it and tag her in it.

Once the gay couple departed, more people began approaching them, wanting pictures from the semi-celebrity. Addie forced another smile and posed for more than a dozen pictures. Some people just wanted a selfie with Severn, which she was totally okay with. It didn’t look like he liked it, though. His eyes had gone cold and his jaw was clenched.

“Heads up, team, that signal is right on top of you,” Gabbie said, and fear trickled through Addie’s gut. She looked around surreptitiously, but there were so many people. She had the sudden thought that it would be the perfect time to throw a pipe bomb at her. It would take her out, Severn, as well as a huge group of people.

Severn moved close, towering over her, his body wrapping around her own as if he could feel her building panic.

“We’re going to move on, guys,” Severn called out to the crowd. “We want to hit a few more trucks.”

The crowd started to break up, and that was when she caught sight of someone she thought she recognized.

Nelson Flynn stepped forward, his eyes on her, a broad smile on his round face. “Hey, Addie. I saw your post and it looked like fun, so I came down.”

What the fuck! Was Nelson the bomber? “Hey, Nelson. Yeah, it’s been a lot of fun, but we only just got here. We still have a bunch of trucks to get through.”

“Oh, you need to try the Neighborhood Ninja,” he said, motioning behind him. “They have some of the best Kung Pao chicken I’ve ever had. Do you like Kung Pao?”

Addie blinked at the ridiculous question. “It’s fine. I prefer General Tso’s, if I’m being picky.”

“Maybe we can get some together, sometime,” Nelson said, stepping closer. It was like he didn’t even see Severn, towering at her back.

“Maybe,” she said, carefully.

Addie wasn’t sure how to proceed. She tried to scan Nelson’s body, but she didn’t really see anything conspicuous. No backpacks, or weird shapes under his clothes. Actually, he was wearing a small, brown fanny pack. It was kind of feminine.

How big did an IED have to be?

Severn motioned to a beer stand. “Let’s head over here, babe,” he said, completely ignoring Nelson.

Addie knew he wasn’t, he just looked like he was ignoring him. He’d used ‘babe’ for that reason, as well. Addie followed along at the urging of his hand. She knew his other hand was probably ready to pull out his gun.

Nelson followed along behind, like a puppy.

“So, Addie,” Nelson said, raising his voice so he could be heard over the crowd and the music, “I wanted to tell you how good I think you’ve been doing on your reporting. I watch your segments at night, and you’ve really grown as a news personality.”

Severn was now pulling her along by one hand. She glanced at Nelson, who was lagging behind. “Thanks, Nelson. I appreciate that.”

“If you ever want to do a piece on the Department of Emergency Services , just let me know. I’m your guy!”

“Okay, thanks Nelson. I have to go.”

Turning, she jogged a little to catch up with Severn’s long strides. “Why are we rushing?”

“Did you hear what Gabbie said?”

“No,” she said, breathlessly. “What?”

“The signal is moving toward the rear of the festival, close to the north exit,” Gabbie said.

Addie frowned. “But, I thought Nelson...”

Severn shook his head. “He doesn’t have the balls to be the bomber. We need to move,” Severn said, and she followed his lead again, stepping lightly on her feet as they made their way through the maze of people.

Keeping focused while navigating the crowd was harder than it seemed. Addie stole glances at strangers, trying to pick up any sign of someone out of place, but all she saw were smiling faces and families enjoying themselves. It was surreal, feeling so chaotic in her own mind but watching people have fun. They had no idea of the threat hanging over them.

“Gabbie, are there any cameras near the exit?” Severn asked, urgency thick in his voice as they reached a less populated area.

“Just about everywhere. The food truck festival has hardly any blind spots,” she answered. “But I can’t see all the cameras at once. I’m trying to narrow them down.”

They pressed on until they reached the far side of the festival, where the music faded into the background noise of conversation and laughter. The exit loomed ahead, surrounded by the glow of festival lights, but there was an eerie stillness nearby.

Severn stopped and studied the area, scanning the shadows that obscured the neighboring alley. He’d long ago taken off his glasses to see better. “Stay alert,” he instructed, glancing at her with a seriousness that sent a shiver down her spine.

The pulse of the crowd was behind them now, and every step farther into silence made Addie’s heart pound harder. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as they reached the edge of festival territory, an instinct that something was wrong clawing at her.

“Gabbie?” Severn broke into the tense silence. “Any updates?”

Her voice crackled back with urgency. “The signal is constantly moving, and there’s a delay with the reporting… it’s zigzagging through the crowd but definitely heading toward the exit. It seems like it’s less than about fifty feet ahead of you.”

Addie’s breath stalled as a group of festival-goers exited through the nearby path. A sickening pang of anxiety bloomed when she caught sight of a dark figure lurking in their shadow—his features partially obscured by the dimming light, but something about him felt wrong.

“There! Over there!” she hissed, pointing as the prickling sensation spread down her spine.

Severn was already moving, his focus sharp and unwavering. “Stay behind me,” he commanded, scanning the crowd again. “We can’t let him out of our sight.”

Adrenaline surged as they pressed forward, edging closer to the dark figure that seemed to melt further into the shadows of a building. The festival noise faded behind them as they hurried after him.

Then, from one moment to the next, the figure they’d been following was gone.

Severn stopped, scanning the area, and Addie did as well. “Where did he go,” she whispered.

“I’m not sure,” Severn said, walking forward slowly. “Gabbie, is that phone still moving?”

“Yes,” she said. “Same direction you are.”

Gabbie’s voice crackled in again. “I just pulled up security footage from one camera nearby. I think I see him... Hold on. No, it’s not him. I’m not sure where he went.”

Severn still tugged her along behind him, but Addie wasn’t so sure they were heading in the right direction. Whatever was tugging at her was gone, now.

“I’ve lost the signal, guys. Sorry.”

Addie looked at Severn. He looked frustrated, his mouth pursed tight, but he continued walking in the same direction, gaze scanning the ground.

“You think he crushed the phone, or something?”

“Not sure, but we’ll look around a little.”

They didn’t find anything. It was dark enough in places that Addie had to use her phone light.

Then her phone dinged with an incoming message. She swiped through the screens.

That was fun. See you again Monday night .

She looked up at Severn. “Guess we know when the next bombing will be.”

His tight mouth told her she was right.