“You guessed right. I could use some advice about a local problem before I call the FBI in.” Colby looked frustrated. “LeRoy and his deputies have found several pipe bombs in mailboxes on rural routes. The homemade jobs were placed there the last three nights, we think. They were not properly wrapped, so they didn’t go off. The first ones were too poorly made to be more than just supplies, but whoever is doing it seems to be getting better. Farmers circling Clifton Bend are finding them and calling in. It’s keeping LeRoy busy just going out to pick them up. He won’t let his deputies but I’m not sure LeRoy has enough training or equipment.”

Hank had seen this before in his work. “You want me to tell you if we’re dealing with a kid just trying to stir up trouble or someone honing his craft.”

“Right.” Colby let out a breath. “This isn’t my territory really, but this valley is my home. Yours too. I’m just helping the sheriff out and you’d be helping me out.”

“I’ll help but off the books. Set it up for just me and you to go in to look at the bombs. No one else.”

“Will do. I’ll pick you up at six.”

“No. I’ll meet you. Text me where. I don’t want Millie to worry.” Both men stood. “And, Colby, I should tell you that the odds are good that this guy probably will not stop until he blows something or someone up. The thrill of making any bomb isn’t the thrill of frightening people. It’s the excitement of knowing he’s caused bedlam.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. I told LeRoy to call this in, but he thinks he can handle it.”

Hank pulled a card from his wallet. “Email me the files. Anything you’ve got. I’ll break into Millie’s laptop and study them before we meet.”

“You know her password?”

“Yeah, I got it on the first try.”

Colby nodded and walked away. Hank sat down at Millie’s computer and typed in her password. RAMBO.

His first email was to headquarters asking for all he needed if he had to suit up. If they got the request today, he’d be able to pick it up in Clifton Bend in two days.

He continued working while Millie slept the rest of the morning away. Then he left Rambo in charge and drove over to the barbershop for a haircut. When he glanced in the shop mirror, he almost didn’t recognize himself. Surprisingly, he looked like the man he was. A captain in the Houston police force. The commander of an elite division who handled explosive problems. Bombs, toxic waste, ammo, and the list went on.

Hank tipped the barber a twenty and smiled. The one thing he didn’t look like was a preacher’s son.