Page 383 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Thank you.” He didn’t know what to say.

Not when he’d wondered for years if she’d seen it. If she knew it had blown him away how popular one simple coffee table book had become. He’d searched into his history and been able to give voice to people who might not have been able to tell the world their stories otherwise. That first book about Grandpa had become a whole series.

He’d published the book under his real name. Part of the success was down to his having been a survivor of Ivan Damen, but not all of it. That was a comfort, at least.

“I’m going to look out the front door, okay?”

She held out a hand. “I’ll do it. Since I have the gun.”

Jacob nodded. “I’m right behind you.” He even locked up the office and grabbed his backpack, putting both straps over his shoulders. Might as well be ready to make a run for it.

He put his cell phone in his pocket.

It still didn’t make sense that he had no cell signal here. Why would there suddenly be a problem with his phoneandthe internet? It was like something had blocked it all so they wouldn’t be able to contact the outside world.

Addie stepped to one side of the door. “Okay, here’s how this works.”

He perked up at her commanding tone. Had to push aside the flash of attraction that had always been there, for her. She had become a strong, skilled woman. He was no less drawn to her now than he had been before.

“Are you paying attention?” she asked.

He scratched his jaw to hide the smile. “How does this work?”

“I stand here. You open the door, and I go first.”

He nodded. “Okay, sounds good.”

“Stay behind the door until I say it’s clear to come out.”

Again, he felt the flash.

“Got it?”

Jacob cleared his throat. “Understood.”

Her gaze flickered with confusion for a second.

Jacob motioned to the door. “Let’s get out of here.”

After that, they could talk more. He wanted to take her to dinner still. But if there really was someone outside waiting, they both needed to focus.

Jacob flipped the lock, but it wouldn’t move. He twisted the door handle.

Nothing.

“We locked this.” He tried again. “It’s stuck.”

“We can try the back.”

He nodded. They both turned to the room, and he stopped. “Is that smoke?” He put out his hand reflexively, and she grasped his arm. “It’s pumping into the room from somewhere.”

At the far end of the room, flames whipped under the door to the back hall.

Jacob sucked in a breath. “Fire.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Fire.” She whispered an echo of his word.

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