“No problem.” The firefighter tromped back inside, and Molly hustled toward the crowd of onlookers that had gathered to watch the action. John must’ve recognized the cops, too, since he kept pace without asking why she was basically running away from the house and skipping out on the inevitable police interview. She risked a glance over her shoulder once they were safely mingling with the gawking neighbors. Detective Mill started to turn his head, so she grabbed John’s arm and pulled him past the last ring of people.

John’s look was distinctive enough that she knew Mill would recognize him if he caught a glimpse. The cops would figure out that they’d been there once Mother Tick described them, but Molly figured they could stop by the police station and find a more sympathetic officer to take their statement. Mill and Bastien would tie them up for hours, just because they had decided she was guilty by association with Jane. She and John didn’t have time for that, not when they needed to bring Sonny in.

Once they were free of the crowd, Molly forced herself to slow down to a brisk but not racing pace. John’s car looked too far away, and she resisted the urge to glance over her shoulder to see if either of the cops had followed. The normal sounds of civilization—traffic, a lawn mower in the distance, the faint sounds of kids playing—quickly covered up the chatter of the crowd, but Molly still didn’t relax until they finally reached John’s car.

By mutual silent agreement, they didn’t speak until they were both seated and the doors were closed. As John pulled away from the curb, he glanced at her, his anticipation clear. Apparently, her suppressed glee had been obvious…at least to John.

“I found a phone,” she said, pulling out his multi-tool but leaving the cell in her pocket. She didn’t even want to touch it before Norah could work her magic, in case Molly erased something by accident.

“Sonny’s phone?” John accepted the multi-tool absently as his eyes lit with the same excitement that Molly felt.

“One of his phones. It was under the light-switch plate.”

“Nice!” He dropped the tool into his pocket and then raised his fist for a congratulatory bump. “I have people who can take a look at it.”

“So do I,” she said, although she did bump his fist. “Norah’s the best, and she’s cheap. She works—at least partially—for street cred and family dinners.”

She was braced for him to argue, but he just held on to his wide smile and shrugged slightly. “How can my tech guys beat that?”

The mention of tech guys reminded Molly of their appointment, and she hurried to glance at the clock. She grinned. “Look at that! We survived an explosion, found a clue, and we’ll still get back in time to have a security system installed.”

“We’re just that good,” John said solemnly, making her laugh. It hadn’t been that funny, but the giddy relief that had built up over the past few hours needed to release somehow, and there was no way she was about to cry, especially in front of John Carmondy. Even though she’d discovered that he was an enormous marshmallow mashed inside a huge, muscular package, and that he would most likely be as sweet as pie were she to dissolve into a wet, sobbing mess, she didn’t want to reveal that side of herself to him. She wanted him to see her as tough, as an equal partner, someone who would have his back, just as he had hers.