Page 3 (2/2)

I can see why the policehow I could have been that close and not earned a single shrapnel wound, when that tree has been brutalized But what do they seriously think happenedthat I set the bomb and decided to play victim?

My sto When I replay the detective’s words about being awfully lucky froo inside my head, it doesn’t sound as sincere any questioned by the police This is so that happens to Jesse Not to me

"No A round Then the boht that it’s almost imperceptible, but Duffy’s brow definitely jumps "What did thisto picture his face "He was youngIrishI don’t know He ran off right after"

"In which direction?"

I point toward the bushes where I last saw him

"What else can ya tell us about hi, their deiven them reason to suspect thatplace at the wrong tiood look at hi at all Was he tall, short? Twelve stone, fourteen stone"

I frown

Duffy smirks "Ye Americans call it ‘pounds’ "

"Oh" I shake hty pounds, maybe?"

"Think hard, Amber We need to find him," he pushes "You said he was Irish How do you know that? Did he speak to you?"

"Yes He said that he didn’t do this," I whisper, hearing his voice as I repeat the words Re look in his eyes

Duffy and O’Brien share a glance

"You think he set it, don’t you?" I ask

"Maybe," Duffy says

I frown "That doesn’t make sense Why would he jue of heart? He saw a pretty bird and didn’t want to be responsible for her death"

My cheeks heat with the unwanted coh I really want to roll my eyes Sometis I ly, would the guy have run the other way and let me blow to pieces?

Duffy must see my irritation "He ran Innocent people don’t run"

My eyes drift to the spot in the trees where I saw him vanish, and I start to questionhim the second the words caht say so like that Maybehe knew the borass He knew exactly where it was and he o off, the way he ran atto do with it, hoould he know those kinds of details?

Maybe a bomber’s word isn’t worth much when he’sa bomber

But he saved my life He put himself in harm’s way to protect me Maybe innocent people don’t run, but bombers don’t save lives

I diso, he was ready to accuse me