Page 51 of When You're Lost

“So it was a staff member all along?”Amelia asked.

“David Smythe,” Finn said.“There was a forgery ring working through the gallery.He decided to punish anyone who knew about it and did nothing.He thought it was a betrayal of what art should be.”

Her face fell.“And he's dead?”

Finn nodded grimly.“He pinned me under debris, tried to re-enact that painting in real flames.The building collapsed around him.There was no saving him.I...I couldn't get near him...”

Amelia’s grip on his hand tightened.“I’m sorry.”She paused, lips parting as she glanced over Finn’s shoulder.“Where’s Eleanor?”

“She must be around,” Finn said.“I wouldn't have made it out if it wasn't for her.”

He turned, following her gaze.Through the drifting smoke, Eleanor stood near a line of orange traffic cones, arms folded across her soot-smudged jacket.Her expression was distant, as though replaying the horror in her mind.She was scanning the scene for glimpses of paramedics or officers, but her gaze snapped to Amelia at once.She approached the two of them, leaving a swirl of ash in her wake.

“There you are,” Amelia said, stepping forward.A wave of gratitude crossed her face.“Eleanor, thank you for saving Finn.You saved his life more than once tonight.He’s a handful at the best of times, but in a flaming building, I can only imagine.”

A weary laugh escaped Eleanor’s lips.“It's the least I could do,” she said simply.“After you saved us at the warehouse.Wouldn't want you to be without your boyfriend.”She smiled.

Finn nodded in agreement.“Amelia’s right, Eleanor.I owe you.If you hadn’t pulled me out from under that beam, I’d still be stuck inside.”

Eleanor lowered her eyes, a slight blush touching her cheeks.“You’d have done the same for me, I’m sure.”

In the flickering emergency lights, Finn could see Mary Whitmore hunched near an ambulance, speaking quietly with a pair of uniformed officers.Her face was streaked with soot and tears.She looked their way, as though wanting to approach but too hesitant, burdened by guilt for her role in the forgery scandal.Finn filed it away as something to handle soon—Maryneeded to be processed by the police for her part in the forgeries, but at least she wasn’t the murderer.And Finn would vouch for how she tried to stop the madness inside of the gallery in the end.

Before he could say anything else, a familiar voice carried over the noise.“So this is where the party’s at.”

Rob strode up, his shoes crunching on broken glass.He wore a rumpled suit jacket, clearly having rushed from another location.Relief mingled with exasperation in his tone.“You three have to stop leaving me out of the big fireworks.”

Finn suppressed an ironic chuckle, remembering all the times Rob had arrived just after the chaos ended.“Wish it was less dramatic, trust me.You’re not missing much besides smoke inhalation and a nasty cough.”

Rob turned his attention to Eleanor.“How are you holding up?I heard you had a front-row seat to David Smythe’s meltdown?”

She drew a slow breath.“I’m… all right.I just want to get out of here.Maybe get a shower and some fresh air that doesn’t reek of burning buildings.”

Rob nodded solemnly, then switched back to professional mode.“I’ll need your statements,” he said, looking at both Finn and Eleanor.“We need a formal account for the record—David Smythe’s involvement, the forgeries, the bomb.”

Eleanor cleared her throat, glancing away.“Yes, that’s fine.But can we do it tomorrow?I can barely think straight right now, and you can see the state Finn’s in.”

Rob’s features softened.“Of course.Tomorrow.I just wanted to let you know.If you’re free in the morning, we’ll get it on file.”

Eleanor nodded, exhaustion etched into her face.“Yes… I’d like to go home.”Her voice quivered slightly on the last word.

Rob tilted his head.“I can give you a ride if you want.You shouldn’t have to deal with public transport or a taxi in your condition.You sure your place is okay?”

Eleanor pursed her lips, shaking her head.“My place is across town, and I’m wiped.Yours is closer, if memory serves.”She paused, summoning some courage.“If it’s not too much trouble… maybe I could stay at your place tonight?”

A flicker of surprise, then a gentle smile crossed Rob’s face.He cast a sideways glance at Finn and Amelia—aware they were listening—but found both of them watching with wide, happy smiles.“Of course.That’s no trouble at all.”

The hush that followed was brief but loaded, as if they’d all recognized a subtle shift.Then Amelia’s lips moved into a teasing grin, and Finn coughed pointedly, exchanging an amused look with her.The tension broke into a soft laugh on Finn’s part, muffled by a wince at his bruised ribs.

Rob shot them a mock scowl, though his eyes gleamed with warmth.“Not a word from either of you.I don’t have to tell you a thing.”

Amelia laughed under her breath, stepping closer to Finn to slip an arm around his waist.He leaned on her gratefully.“We wouldn’t dream of prying,” she said.“Just… nice to see everyone’s safe, right?”

Eleanor tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, still smudged with soot.“Yes, safe—relatively.But I definitely need a bath and some rest.”She glanced at Finn.“Take care of yourself, okay?It was...Interesting being your partner for a few days.”

Finn nodded, holding out his hand to her.She accepted, and they shook firmly—a gesture of respect and thanks.“You'd make a great cop, Eleanor.You take care.”

She broke contact, stepping back.Rob placed a supportive hand on her shoulder, and together they began to walk away, weaving through the throng of emergency responders and officers.The flicker of ambulance lights highlighted the slight slump in Eleanor’s shoulders, but also Rob’s quiet reassurance.

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