Page 118 of Fire Fight

But my nerves propel me to my feet, pacing out the office, Drake’s words echo dully in my head.

He didn’t care what happened to me. The lawyer was to ensure nothing reflected poorly on Arnold.

Drake needs someone to fight in his corner. Not someone stamping out the flames to stop them scorching his dad’s reputation.

The only person I can think to call is the journalist.

Her card’s still at home but I search Elaine Ngata online, finding a secure link to report tipoffs anonymously. Not exactly the situation but I type out a quick message, adding my name and number so she can contact me.

Ten minutes later, my phone buzzes with her call.

“Can you help?” I ask after blurting out the details. “He needs someone in there who’ll prioritise his needs.”

I’m worried she’ll ask for an exchange. With my thoughts frazzled, I can barely form sentences let alone screen information before I talk.

But she doesn’t ask for a thing. Just assures me she has the details and will be in touch again shortly.

I fling myself into a waiting room chair, staring blankly into space. Wondering how Arnold can work when his son is in jail.

The hours drag by. A young man asks me what I’d like to order for lunch, and I nearly bite his head off, then clock his nervous glance at Arnold’s office and realise he’s only doing as instructed.

“Would you like a job?” Arnold asks as I pace by his office for an hour following lunch, arms wrapped so tightly around myself it’s hard to breathe. “You could file these documents. Imogen will show you how.”

Imogen doesn’t look enthused about the idea, visibly relaxing when I turn down the offer in favour of pacing more, this time in the empty office Arnold sends me to.

I know there’s nothing we can do without knowing more.

I understand my nervous energy won’t help Drake field the questions police are putting to him or get him free any earlier, but I can’t stop, and I can’t understand how his father can remain calm when my world has shattered.

Finally, as the clock creeps towards five, Arnold comes to find me. “Have you heard any news?” he asks, scrutinising my face more than he appears to listen to my words. “Once we’re home, I’ll give the lawyer another call and see if he knows more.”

We’re in the car when Elaine phones. “I have a lawyer who can help at short notice, but he’s not free. Are you able to cover the costs for a few hours while he talks to him?”

I break off the call, putting the question to Arnold, who shakes his head. “No. I’m already paying someone.” His face creases into a deep frown. “Who’s that you’re speaking to?”

“Citizen’s Advice Bureau,” I fib, turning aside before he reads the lie. “But can’t you make the payment? Just until we know—”

“Hang up.”

“But Drake’s didn’t do this. He needs someone who’s working for him, not covering for you.”

Arnold’s eyes narrow, hands gripping the wheel until his knuckles turn white. “Don’t speak to me like that. I won’t waste money on Blaine’s defence when the probability is he did this terrible thing. Instead of weeping over his future, spare a thought for the man he murdered.”

The ferocity steals my breath for a second, then I respond,enraged.“Drake didn’t do this. He would never do anything this serious and I can’t believe you would think so poorly of your—”

Arnold cuts me off. “I gave him the benefit of the doubt last time and look where that led. Or are you still pretending Drake didn’t set fire to Hudson Carter’s car?”

I jerk my head around, glaring out the window. “That’s not the same thing.”

He ignores me, concentrating on the road ahead like he’s wearing blinders.

The anger pours in, filling me to the brim and there’s still more, cramming me full, the seams of my consciousness bursting under the pressure. “He’s your goddamn son and you’re meant to care!”

“I do care.”

“Aboutyourself.That’s not enough. He needs our help.”

Arnold shakes his head, the muscles in his neck so tight I hear them crackle as he turns my way. “This is help.” He leans over, taking my phone and opening the window, tossing it onto the road. “The less time you spend on that the better.”

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