Page 31 of Fire Harbor

“Yes!” Lake yelled as she pumped her arm. She turned to face Scott. “Why are you here tonight of all nights? Nasty weather out there. Did you have something to do with the lights coming back on?”

Scott chuckled “Sorry. No. I’m not all-powerful like that. Although—” Scott pointed behind him to the window.

“Could’ve fooled me,” Lake said as she made her way back across the basement. But a flap-flap-flap sound caused her to stop and listen. Her heart quickened as she followed the noise and realized the long, narrow window on one side had come undone from the latch.

“The wind must’ve blown it open,” she muttered, climbing over an old trunk to reach the handle and hook the latch back to the frame. “Is that how you got in here?”

“Nah. My superpower is walking through walls. And making sure I don’t scare the dogs.”

As she sat perched on the trunk, a giggle escaped. “Just me, huh? Well, if anyone could walk through walls, that would be you. Since you’re here, what do you know about rescuing women off the bridge near Fire Harbor?”

“You want to talk about serial killers on a night like this when you’re here alone?”

“We have missing women out there, possibly connected to that serial killer who is snatching women. When would you like to talk about it? I can always make an appointment.”

“Very funny. You should stay off that bridge. And tell others to do the same.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve had my own spooky experiences out there. I’ve seen you there. Watching. Waiting. Making sure women get across safely. I know you saved at least six of them, probably more. But you couldn’t save all of them, could you?”

Scott shook his head. “I wasn’t even there the nights the other women disappeared.”

“That’s what I thought. You can’t be everywhere every time,” Lake said, trying to soothe his anguish. “Even ghosts have their limits. Why did you come here tonight anyway?”

“You’ve been pining after Linus for what, a year?”

Lake’s spine stiffened as she slid off the trunk. “I have not been pining. Don’t tell me you fixed it where he finally came to his senses.”

Scott held up his hands in defense. “Hey, I don’t do stuff like that. But if you’re gonna accuse me of matchmaking, I’m out of here.”

Lake watched as Scott’s image dissipated right in front of her. “Wait. Don’t go. I could use the company on a stormy night like tonight.”

But it was too late. Scott had already vanished.

Thrilled by his visit, she took the stairs two at a time and switched off the flashlight as she returned to the first floor. As soon as she reached the top, the dogs greeted her with tails wagging. Scout jumped up, placing her paws on Lake’s chest as if to say, “You’re back! We missed you!” Little Jack, always ready to play, sniffed her hand. But Farley hung back, refusing to budge from where he stood.

“What’s wrong, Farley? There’s nothing to worry about. You’re safe here,” Lake assured him, leading the dogs back across the foyer and into the front room. “We’ll be fine. Maybe we’ll sleep down here tonight. How would that be?”

Grateful for the return of light, she plopped back down on the couch cushions. A bump of nostalgia washed over her. This old house had been in her family for generations. It had seen storms come and go, witnessed tears of joy and sorrow, and provided shelter from life’s hardships. It was a place etched with memories—both happy and heartbreaking.

The sound of distant sirens broke into her reflective mood.

The sirens made her think of Linus. As if to answer some plea to get to hear his voice, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. With jittery hands, she fumbled to answer it, her heart pounding in anticipation. It was him—it was Linus.

“Hey, Lake,” his voice crackled through the line, barely audible amidst the thunderous backdrop. “How are you guys holding up? Are you okay?”

“We lost power for about half an hour, but the lights are back on now. We have a fire going, so we’re nice and cozy. How about you?”

“Power’s been a problem. The hospital had to go into backup mode for a while, but we’re fine now. I wanted to call and let you know that it looks like I’ll be working through the night. I might not be able to pick up Farley until morning.”

“Don’t worry about that now. Do what you need to do.”

“Somehow, I knew you’d understand.”

“Just stay safe.”

“You, too. Will you do me a favor?”

“Sure.”

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