Page 14 of Burning Desire

Chapter Seven

Aftermath

Draven

It’s been four days since the fire. Four long days since I thought I might lose Harmony before I even had a chance. We are happy, living in our own little bubble. The only dark cloud that still hangs over us is the fire investigation.

Harmony’s insurance won’t pay out until they have a definitive answer on the cause of the fire, and it is breaking her heart to see her bakery this way. Which is why I am at the Kidds Beach Police Department, trying to get some answers.

“Fire Chief Black, how can I help you today?” the desk sergeant asks, probably recognizing me from the article the local paper ran after the fire.

“I need to speak to the person in charge of the Lewis fire investigation. The one at Cake My Life.”

“Such a shame about that. Harmony makes the best macarons. I’m just glad she is okay.” I can hear the genuine concern in his voice. He types on his computer for a moment before looking around and pointing. “You’re in luck. There is Detective Conrad.”

“Thank you,” I say sincerely as I make my way over to the other man. “Detective Conrad?” I ask as I approach.

“Yes, how may I help you?”

“I’m Draven Black, with the fire department. I was wondering if you have a moment to discuss an open arson case.”

“You’re the new chief?” At my nod, he gestures to a chair beside his desk. “What can I help you with?”

“My girlfriend Harmony’s bakery burned down—” I start but he cuts me off.

“We have already apprehended the suspect, and she hasconfessed. Seems like a bit of a troubled soul. I sort of feel sorry for her.”

“Her?” I ask apprehensively. My heart is already breaking for Harmony.

“Yes. One Aurora Daniels.”

“Fuck.” I run my hands through my hair.

“Do you know her?”

“Yeah. She is my ex-wife and Harmony’s older sister.”

“That’s insane,” he says as he rubs his beard. “I wish I had better news for you. Harmony will need to press charges, or the insurance company won’t pay out for the fire damage.”

“What will happen to Aurora if she does?” I need to make sure I have all the right information so Harmony can make an informed decision.

“Well,” the detective says twirling a pen between his fingers. “She is currently getting a psych evaluation, and I would put money on the fact she has some kind of dissociative disorder. Should that be the case, and if she is prosecuted, she will spend time in a mental facility for the criminally insane.”

I knew what he was going to say but hearing the words out loud was like a physical blow. “And if Harmony drops the charges?”

“Then I would recommend her family finds her professional help before she hurts someone.”

“I’ve already found a place for her,” Derick says behind me.

“I’ll leave you two to talk,” the detective says giving us some privacy.

“I know I have no right to ask either of you to do this,” Derick says, his voice tired. “But I would really appreciate it if Harmony could not press charges.”

“And what about her?” I ask. I am angry that he would ask her to give up everything for her sister, who tried to burn heralive.

“I will pay for everything that needs to be done at the bakery. Replace any items she has lost. Hell, she can gold plate the windows for all I care.”

I look at the man I used to call my best friend, and I can see this weighs heavily on him. His face is gaunt, and his skin has a greyish tinge to it.

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