Page 2 of Deliverance

“Come on. Let’s get you checked out.” Liam tucked them under his arm and gestured to the ambulance, where two EMTs waited.

“Go to the hospital,” I instructed. “You need to get checked out thoroughly. I’ll handle things here.”

“I’ll call their dad,” Liam said over his shoulder, guiding them away.

I winced. Detective Patel was going to kill me. Maya winced as well, and I didn’t envy them for the conversation they were about to have with their dad.

“Do we have to?” they asked.

“Yes. You almost died,” Liam reminded them. “You’re going to let him yell and fuss over you.”

“Evelyn.” Jeff stood at my elbow, Alexander next to him. Marcus and Adrian were standing closer to the burning structure, pointing at something.

“What is it?”

Jeff regarded me carefully. “This wasn’t an accident.”

I snorted before I could help myself. “Sorry, but no shit.” I rubbed a hand over my face, exhausted.

“I know the arson investigator pretty well,” Jeff continued. “All I need to know is how you want us to classify the explosion.”

It took me a few seconds for my tired brain to catch up. “You mean classify it as intentional or accidental?”

Jeff nodded. I bit my lip and looked at Alexander. Classifying it as intentional meant an investigation and more eyes on the building. Plus, who knew what they would find in the rubble? With our close brushes with the Federal Investigative Agency and now the Special Investigative Division, we didn’t need any more eyes on us. Plus, the arson investigator wouldn’t be able to catch who did this. That would be up to me.

“Classify it as a gas explosion,” I said slowly. “But if the arson investigator has any ideas about how it happened or what caused it, I would appreciate a report as the building owner to prevent anything like this from happening again.”

Jeff nodded. “Got it. I’ll have him prepare something for your and my eyes only.”

I looked over the burning rubble. “Is anything salvageable?”

“I’m sorry, but it doesn’t look like anything is. Maybe once everything cools down, but whoever…this gas explosion was very thorough.”

Fuck. I didn’t even want to calculate how many tens of thousands of dollars of equipment was housed in this building. Liam’s setup alone…plus all of our backups, our security systems, medical supplies.

“Hey, it’ll be okay,” Adrian said.

I looked up and realized they had all approached while I was lost in thought.

“You have insurance, right?” Marcus asked. “We can help you call tomorrow.”

I laughed bitterly. “I have insurance on the building but not on all the equipment inside.”

“Why not?” Alexander frowned.

I know they meant well, but I couldn’t help the snark that escaped me. “Because I run a secret organization that operates under the radar and having insurance for close to a quarter million dollars in equipment spread out over multiple locations isn’t possible.”

HQ was more than just a central meeting place. All our extra equipment was stored there. Would it even be possible to rebuild?

Sebastian wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “We’ll help cover whatever insurance doesn’t.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.” I shook my head. “This is my mess, not yours.”

“What’s ours is yours,” Alexander said, pinning me with his icy blue eyes.

“You’re not asking; we’re offering,” Adrian said.

I rubbed my temples. I know they meant well, but this was years of work. And people were relying on us now. I had no idea what even needed to be replaced. I would need to talk to Izzy and see if we had enough to float us at the other locations until we could get things replaced. I could take the security system down at the manor if I needed to and use it at a safe house.