Page 37 of The Firefighter's Fate

In my research, I’ve read enough to understand that Arthur was the life and soul of everything and everyone, and Royce was the opposite. He’s grumpy and anti-social while his brother was gregarious and charismatic. But they were close, and he apparently blames himself for his brother’s crash.

Maybe his decision to return to the Air Force has been some kind of penance for what happened with Arthur.

But I don’t dare question Royce about any of this. I don’t want him to suddenly walk away before I have what I need.

“What’s Arthur got to do with Connor and shrugging off your family?” I ask the pilot ace softly.

Royce sighs. At least he’s more talkative than his firefighting brother.

“Everyone reacted differently to what happened with Arthur. It seems like Connor’s reaction was to retreat from the family and Father’s hold on him. I don’t blame him. I have my own issues with certain members of my family, too.”

“With whom?” I ask. “Just your father?”

Royce scoffs.

“No, not just him. If you must know, I have ongoing... issues with Arthur’s ex. Leila. She’s integrated herself into my family, and I don’t want anything to do with her...”

He practically spits out her name as if it’s a bad taste in his mouth.

I didn’t expect to hear about that. I wonder what’s caused that split between Leila and Royce.

He hates her?

“So you think Connor has withdrawn because of Arthur?” I question the pilot, trying to keep on topic before he runs back to his plane hangar.

“Yeah, that and the fact my father thinks that firefighting is not a real career worth pursuing,” Royce replies. “They’ve had some fiery exchanges about that, let me tell you. I’ve witnessed one or two blow-ups, and they ain’t pretty.”

“I bet. So, Connor resents his father for that? For his views on firefighting?”

“I believe so. Both Father and Connor can be so damn stubborn. Between those two it’s like watching two walls have a shouting match.”

“You’ve been really helpful, Royce,” I say. “Thank you.”

“What are you doing all this for?” Royce asks. “What’s your purpose here?”

“I’m writing an article about him,” I admit.

Royce lets a sly smile grace his hardened face.

“Commissioned by Father, I’m guessing?”

I nod.

“Yes.”

“Of course,” the pilot mutters. “Typical of him to keep prodding a son who doesn’t want anything to do with him.”

“I’m trying to get Connor to talk to me,” I say. “To sit down and have a real interview.”

Royce laughs. He really laughs.

“Seriously? Do you think he’ll talk? Out of all the people on this planet?”

“I bet I can get him to,” I say.

“It’ll be impossible to get Connor to talk to you, or to any other journalist,” Royce replies. “Or to anyone, for that matter.”

“That’s what Spencer told me,” I reply. “Almost word-for-word.”

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