Page 9 of Smoldering Nights
"Once this is posted, it feels like the real work will begin."
Sadie smiled."I'll help you in any way I can.For instance, should I begin calling your flower vendors and see if they can deliver more flowers to cover your orders?"
"Where will I have them delivered?"
Sadie's pretty lips turned down for a moment."Ask Jace and Margo at the Sandbar if they have room in that giant house of theirs."
"I only know them from business meetings and having done some weddings and birthday parties there.I'm not really friends with them."
Sadie shrugged."I'll keep thinking on it."
Her phone buzzed again.
I’m outside when you’re ready.
Her heart gave a traitorous little flutter.“He’s here.”
Sadie gave her a quick hug.“Call me if you need anything.And if you think of anyone suspicious, let me know.I can ask around, too.”
“Thanks, Sadie.”
She grabbed her purse from the side table in the living room, realizing that Travis' boots were on the rug next to the door.She hadn't even heard him come home.This thought made her nervous, what if someone had been outside trying to hurt her?She'd slept too soundly.She opened the door and stepped outside.Mitch stood beside his truck, leaning slightly on the open door.He looked tired.Pale.But focused.
“You ready?”he asked.
Izzy nodded.“As I’ll ever be.”
They drove in silence for a few blocks.The kind that wasn't uncomfortable, just...full.She studied his profile, strong jaw, serious eyes, a faint bruise darkening near his temple.He looked like he should be resting, not playing detective.
“You sure you’re okay to be doing all this?”she asked quietly.
He didn’t look at her.“You’re not safe until we find out who did this.So yeah.I’m doing this.”
Her heart twisted.“I didn’t mean to drag you into my mess.”
“You didn’t.”His voice softened.“But I’m in it now.And I don’t walk away from unfinished work.”
They arrived at Petal Pushers, and she saw the police squad car already there.Mitch stepped from the truck just as labored as yesterday.He pulled his laptop from the backseat, and she watched his face intently to see if he showed signs of pain.If he was in pain, he was a great actor.If not, he was a miracle.
He set the laptop on the hood of his truck as Trey Fielding approached them.
"Morning, folks."
Mitch shook Trey's hand, and she followed suit.Trey nodded at her, "We'll figure this out, Izzy."
Comfort washed over her.Hopefully, nothing else would happen to anything or anyone."Thank you."
Mitch pulled the video footage up on his laptop, and the shadowy figure paused on screen.
“That’s from about two minutes before the explosion,” he said.“They knew exactly where the cameras were.Stayed just out of frame most of the time.”
Izzy leaned in.“Can you enhance it?”
He smirked.“You’ve been watching too many cop shows.It doesn’t work like that.”
She grinned despite herself.“Had to try.”
He clicked through more frames, each one revealing just a fraction of the figure’s movement, dark hoodie, slightly hunched shoulders, heavy step.
