An Explosive Situation

The next day, Evelyn pulled up in front of an old farmhouse. Waiting outside was a Hispanic woman about Evelyn's age, wearing business attire and a calm demeanor, despite the fact she had called 911 after having apparently spotted explosives in the basement. After a deep sigh, Evelyn got out of the car, hoping the caller was wrong.

"Ma'am." Evelyn said.

"Deputy."

"You the caller?"

"Yes. Rita Vasquez."

"Evelyn. So it's just you here?"

"Yes."

"Okay. So what's going on?"

"Well, I was checking over this property I acquired, and I found some crates marked 'TNT' in the basement."

"Did you touch the boxes."

"Not at all."

"Right. What can you tell me about the previous owner?"

"Uh, it was owned by Jeremy York, who was recently put into a retirement home."

The name didn't ring a bell for Evelyn, so she said "Just give me a sec."

Evelyn headed to the trunk of her car, where she retrieved a pry bar and then checked her flashlight. This was far from her first dark basement.

Walking over to Rita, she said "Can you show me to the basement?"

"Yeah."

Evelyn followed Rita inside and to the basement door, where she said "Okay, get behind my squad car."

"Uhh, shouldn't you call the bomb squad?"

"We don't have one ma'am."

"Oh... right."

Rita rushed out of the house, trying to get as much distance as possible. She then sighed, before opening the door. Once she turned on her light, she descended the stairs, with each step creaking under her foot. Part of her wondered if they would give way. If Rita was right, then falling into the explosives was the last way she wanted to confirm it.

At the bottom of the stairs, Evelyn composed herself, before heading over to one of the dust-covered crates that read 'TNT'. She shifted the top just enough to see the old sticks of dynamite. After a deep breath, she moved up the rickety stairs, hoping they wouldn't give way. Once she was on stable ground, Evelyn moved as fast as she could out of the house.

Outside, she saw Sergeant Barnes talking to Rita. She approached the two, where Rita said "So what's going on?"

"I wouldn't stick around if I was you."

"What's the deal?" Barnes asked.

"Basement's full of dynamite. We'll have to call State Police in with their bomb squad."

"Sure thing." Barnes then turned to Rita. "You better get going. We'll have to block off the roads."

"Right. Thanks for your help."

Rita drove off as Evelyn turned to Barnes and sighed. "Guess I'll block the road off?"

"Another shitty job for Deputy Brown."

Evelyn rolled her eyes before heading into her car, where she sent a quick text to Spencer.

'gonna be a long day :( c u tomorrow'