Page 121 of Raging Inferno

Dominic.

Presley cracked a lid to see Jessie spin around. “Dominic. You scared me. I came to check on my dear friend, Presley.”

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Dominic felt better after a shower and a bite to eat. Gia was worried about Presley. He assured her she was okay, and that lifted her spirits.

After a call from the police with a demand disguised as a request, he and Kayne stopped by the station. FBI agents had arrived from the Minneapolis office. Dominic gave his official statement, which was short. He’d had a minor part in the ordeal. Kayne had given his last night but had to repeat it for the feds. Presley would need to speak with them when she was able.

The captain allowed them to watch the video Rena had recorded of Jessie’s and Tamera’s confessions. Dom clenched his jaw so hard he was surprised he didn’t crack a tooth. Learning how Jessie and the others had assumed Gwen was dead and set the fire that had killed her was almost more than he could take. He couldn’t imagine Presley hearing it from their lips.

Instead of owning up to their actions, they had compounded them by letting Jerrod Moran think he was responsible. Two young lives had been lost because of five girls and their cowardice.

It’d gutted him to hear Val and Rena admit to staging the accident that had killed two of his firefighters. He called their families to inform them before they heard it on the news.

The two people that Kayne’s office had sent for public relations arrived. He gave them a statement to release, including his disappointment in his firefighter, Rena Robbins, and had them contact Charlie at the station.

The bullet from Presley’s gun had shattered Rena’s patella. She’d have to have knee replacement surgery and recover behind bars. She blamed Val for everything, saying she had threatened her. Dom didn’t care what excuse she used, as long as she was locked away for a long time.

Reggie Branch was now in stable condition and would recover. Dom planned on visiting him when he returned to the hospital.

Kayne was called back for more questioning since he’d released the bullets that killed both Eddie Smith and Val Anders. Instead of waiting, Dom told him he would meet him in Presley’s room and bummed a ride from one of the cops.

He heard a voice as soon as he pushed the door open. When he saw who it was, red clouded his vision.

“What the hell are you doing in here?”

Jessie spun around with a hand on her chest. “Dominic. You scared me. I came to check on my dear friend, Presley.”

He felt like a huffing bull, ready to charge. “Get. Out.”

Jessie gasped. “Dominic, why are you acting like this?”

He stalked forward, and she stumbled back, bumping into Presley’s bed. “You are a murderer.”

Jessie’s breath puffed in and out. Dom didn’t care if she passed out. If it were up to him, she would be locked in jail right now.

Jessie glanced back at Presley and then at him. “H-how did you know? W-what did you hear?”

“Your entire confession.”

Her mouth gaped like a fish. “How?”

“Val Anders filmed the entire thing.”

“What? Where is the tape?”

“In the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

Jessie dropped into the chair. “No, no, no.”

“How did you live with yourself, Jessie? My God, Gwen was your best friend.”

“It wasn’t easy! I’ve regretted it every day since. Why do you think I drink so much? It helps me forget.”

“You lied to Presley’s face all those years.”

Jessie burst into tears. Dominic glanced at Presley to see her awake and listening. She mouthed something to him, and his heart bumped against his ribcage.