Page 33 of Hex and the Kitty

Around them, water continued to pour from the sprinklers as firefighters scrambled to shut off the system. Pink foam swirled in ever-widening puddles, its cheerful sparkle now seeming malevolent in light of this discovery.

“Everyone out of the garage,” Warrick ordered. “This is now an investigation scene.”

His team responded instantly to the steel in his voice, clearing the area with practiced efficiency. As they departed, Warrick caught David’s sleeve.

“Stay.”

When they were alone, Warrick knelt to examine the damage more closely. Whoever had done this knew exactly where to cut for maximum effect—knowledge that suggested inside information or careful study.

“This isn’t random,” he said quietly. “Someone wants to hurt us.”

David’s expression hardened. “Or you specifically.”

Warrick glanced up sharply.

“Think about it,” David continued. “The sabotage started after you took over as chief. The timing’s too convenient to ignore.”

A heavy silence fell between them, punctuated only by the steady drip of water from above.

“I need to call Reed,” Warrick said, rising. “And check on Molly.”

David’s eyebrows rose. “You think she might be targeted too?”

The possibility had already taken root in Warrick’s mind, growing with each passing second. His tiger snarled at the thought of anyone threatening his mate.

“The saboteur seems intent on disrupting what matters to me.” Warrick pulled out his phone. “The station, the ball, my reputation. If they know about Molly...”

He didn’t need to finish the thought. David nodded, understanding the unspoken fear.

“I’ll secure the scene for Reed. You make your calls.”

In the relative privacy of his office, Warrick dialed the sheriff first. Reed answered on the second ring.

“Reed? Warrick. We have a situation at the station.”

“The pink foam? Already heard. Small town, big gossip,” Reed replied, amusement coloring his tone.

“It’s more than that. Someone cut the brake lines on our main engine.”

The humor vanished from Reed’s voice. “I’ll be there in ten minutes. Don’t touch anything else.”

“Already secured the scene.”

“Good. And Warrick? Anyone come to mind who might have a reason to target you or the station?”

Warrick thought of Gus’s thinly veiled hostility, his convenient appearance just before the sabotage.

“Gus Niles was here this morning. Left minutes before the foam incident.”

A weighted pause. “I’ll look into it. Carefully. Gus has family connections in town—we’ll need solid evidence.”

After ending the call, Warrick texted Molly:

Everything okay at the bakery?

Her reply came quickly:

Fine here! Just wrestling with stubborn cookie dough. Everything okay there? You sound worried.

---