"I spoke to him today. I went and asked him about you. That's how we know who you are, Dirk," May said firmly.
She saw his face contort in anger.
"You did that? How dare you do that! You have no right to go to my family behind my back!"
"In the course of the investigation, I spoke to him," May said. "But that's not the point. Would he be proud of what you're doing? Would he approve?"
She knew she was playing with fire, and that she was close to dying. But she needed to keep this man talking, while Owen got closer.
The man laughed, but it was a humorless, brittle sound, and she could tell he was still angry.
"He would if he saw the results of it. He was a big believer in revenge. Maybe he’s gotten softer in jail, but he was, for sure.”
"Tell me, why did you target the art teacher?" she asked. "I mean, why art?"
Now, Owen was directly behind Dirk, about ten feet away.
Dirk was clearly surprised that May had asked him this question.
"She kept me in detention at the wrong time. Sometimes, it's only the timing that matters."
His head jerked to the right as a pillar collapsed.
"But she was just an innocent teacher," May tried.
Owen was prowling closer. She had to keep Dirk's attention.
"I already told you!"
"And the cops? How did you send those emails?"
"Because I know how to use the dark web, and I went looking for an unoccupied cabin so I could set someone else up as the suspect, and trap the cops.”
“That’s interesting,” May said.
To her amazement, she saw she'd managed to buy enough time to allow Owen to make his attack.
He'd gotten close, and now, May realized, the most dangerous part of this entire encounter was about to play out.
If Owen didn't get that bomb out of Dirk's hand, then without a doubt, they would all die.
If he managed, then they were still in huge danger, but they had a chance.
She held her breath as, behind the bomber, Owen made his charge, rushing at the man with all the speed he possessed.