Ben had no idea where Hank was, but he had no doubt the cop was close. The sheriff would be in his cruiser ahead of the governor’s car. And, of course, another car would follow with two Texas Rangers traveling with the governor.

“We’ve got more people watching over the site than will be listening to the speech,” Jenny whispered.

She stood like a soldier next to Benjamin.

The minutes ticked by. No stranger came near the podium. Ben knew Ketch, Pecos, and Hank had checked all buildings surrounding the stage. If the bomber wanted to make a scene he’d have to set off a bomb near enough for the cameramen hanging around to see it. If he wanted to harm people, he’d have to place the bomb close to the stage.

To do that, he’d have to get past the growing crowd.

Ben tried to figure the odds that the incompetent gang could actually make a bomb that worked. One in five, Ben determined. Then the chances of getting it within a hundred feet of the presentation were almost zero.

“Thirty minutes.” Jenny checked her watch.

The grounds workers were finally putting up folding chairs for the guests and several of the faculty.

A few students were starting to gather.

Ten minutes to wait.

Ben saw Wynn Wills and his brother, Bull, move up in front of the walkway. They were both close enough to see the guest of honor, the governor, arrive and hear the speech but not close enough to be noticed if they decided to cut out of the speech early.

Ben checked the wall clock and wished his heart would slow to the second hand’s pace.

A long black limo pulled up with a county sheriff’s cruiser in front and a highway patrolman following behind. Before any door of the limo opened, the sheriff stepped out just ahead of the limo and two Texas Rangers climbed out of the back of the patrol car.

Just as the limo door opened, Benjamin saw Bull Wills take off in a dead run through the rose garden. Everyone had turned their attention to the governor’s arrival.

Ben was three stories up. He could do nothing but watch. Jenny let out a cry as people below cheered the governor.

But those on guard shuffled and guns were drawn as Bull plowed into one of the groundskeepers at full speed.

A silver pipe flew out of the guy’s hand and rolled beneath the podium as Bull flattened the groundskeeper to the ground and planted almost three hundred pounds on top of him.

Benjamin and Jenny had a front seat to all the action as the crowd’s attention shifted.

The limo door closed. Texas Rangers stepped to either side. Sheriff LeRoy rushed toward the limo from the other direction. Hank seemed to come out of nowhere as he ran toward Bull.