Page 24 of Smoldering Nights
“Maybe.Just spotted him entering Delilah Parker’s place through the back door.No knock, no hesitation.”
Jayson let out a low whistle.“That’s not nothing.Hang on, I’ll grab my laptop.”
Mitch waited, watching the alley beside the building, every car that passed by, every shadow that moved too quickly.He watched a dog run behind the building.Birds swooped low, catching bugs, and a slight breeze swirled the scent of burnt wood, flowers, and the honeysuckle blooming nearby.
After a few moments, Jayson found him.“Okay.Noah Grady.Clean record.No arrests.Former Army Reserves, honorable discharge.Been delivering for Sunnyside for three years, no complaints.But...”
Mitch straightened.“But?”
“He’s listed as a contractor, not an employee.Which means he owns his delivery route and contracts with multiple clients.”
“Could Delilah be one of them?”
“Officially?No records.But if she paid him under the table or with personal checks, it wouldn’t show up unless we dig deeper.Want me to go that route?”
“Yeah.Quietly.I don’t want to spook him.”
“You got it.I’ll run it through alternate databases, look for connections.Do you think flowers are the only thing he delivers?”
Mitch's nose twitched, and his jaw clenched."I don't know."
"I'll see if I can find any other connection."
Mitch ended the call and leaned against the side of the building.A breeze stirred his shirt, sticking damp fabric to his ribs.He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to center himself.
It wasn’t just that Noah might be involved.
It was that whoever was behind this knew how to hide.Knew how to use people who didn’t look like threats.
And it was starting to piss him off.
He headed back inside, where Izzy was kneeling in front of the cooler, wiping down the chrome trim.She looked up when he entered, her eyes holding the question she wasn’t ready to ask again.
He gave her a small nod to signal everything was fine for now.
Jayson entered a second later and handed Mitch a USB drive.“Backups are saved.If someone yanks your internet or damages the hub, you’ve still got copies.”
“Thanks.”Mitch pocketed the drive.“Appreciate the fast work.”
“No problem.Want me to run another perimeter sweep?”
“Not yet.Take a break.I might have another task for you if this lead pans out.”
Jayson nodded.He was good like that.Trusted Mitch’s instincts and knew when to hold questions.
As the afternoon dragged on, Mitch remained in the front of the store, watching.Not just the doors or the footage.He was watching patterns.Watching Izzy.Watching the way her hands slowed when she caught sight of the sidewalk.How her expression dimmed every time a delivery truck passed by.
This was what the fire starter wanted: fear, chaos, disruption.
And he was done playing defense.
When the shop finally quieted, Mitch stepped beside Izzy as she cleaned off a damaged display shelf.
“I’m going to follow up on something tonight.Quietly.I need you to stay at the condo.Keep the alarm armed.Jayson’s going to monitor the live feeds remotely.”
Izzy looked at him, hesitant.“What are you following up on?”
He didn’t want to lie.But he also didn’t want to make her doubt everyone she’d ever trusted.
