Page 37 of Arsonist's Match
I’ll be in for it now,Flash bemoaned. “Officer Middleton,” she read from the woman’s badge, “this spectator was filming that poor child’s body being carried down and I just couldn’t—”
“Gotcha,” she replied, in obvious displeasure. The officer held out her hand, and Flash placed the man’s undamaged phone into her palm.
Officer Middleton sent the photographer a seething glare as she returned it. “This isn’t a circus, mister. Move along.”
Done with it, Flash spun around, intending to return to her truck, but Tightass grabbed her arm, stopping her. She was sure she’d get an earful.
“You all right?” he asked, to her surprise.
“Jerk was—”
“I know,” he interrupted, “and I don’t blame you. You saved one, you know. Good job.”
Flash blinked. Did she hear him right? Did he mean it, or had Captain Jake given him an ultimatum?
“Thankyou, sir.” Flash decided it was best to accept the praise without further comment. Time would tell. “Still, we lost one.”
“It’s the dark side of the job.”
Flash nodded, but the ache in her chest dug in.
Chapter 17
Athenasat behind her desk, four search windows open on her computer, and a stack of case files waiting for review. The whole team had been neck-deep in research since Agent McFadden’s briefing that morning.
The ticking of the wall clock, usually a faint background hum, now pounded in her ears like a sledgehammer on railroad ties. It was after five—she should call it, send everyone home.
What if he strikes again tonight? What if he’s already moved on to another state?
Her cell phone buzzed across the desk.Flash.
Recalling the fight, worry wormed into her gut. Athena hated walking on thin ice, but what could she do? Relationships were work. Maybe she wasn’t cut out for them. Then she caught sight of the redwood sign across the room.Keep calm and carry on.Next came the image of Flash—playful grin, sun-kissed skin, lounging in a bikini … or nothing at all. Her finger moved before her brain caught up, pressing the green icon.
“Hey,” she answered, aiming for cool, but honey slipped into the word.
“Hey,” echoed a tired reply. “How’s your investigation going?”
“It’s going.” Her default evasive answer. “You?”
“I miss you. Do you think you’ll be free tomorrow? I’m happy with lunch, dinner, a sleepover, whatever you can spare—I’ll take it.”
Something in Flash’s tone softened Athena’s edges—sincere, not merely charming.
“I missyou too, sweetie, but honestly … I’m just not up to a lot of personal drama,” she admitted. “We promised full candor, right? So, I’m just putting that out there.”
“I know,” Flash replied. “You know I’m no drama queen. Look, I’ve been thinking about the other night, the miscommunication, my fears, your fears, and it needs to be settled. I don’t want to lose the most amazing woman I’ve ever met because we failed to talk about our feelings. So … what do you say?”
A flood of emotions washed over Athena, culminating in hope. Despite the differences—age, status, income, their stress-heavy careers—she truly wanted Flash to be her One. Her partner. The woman who could complete her in ways no one else ever had. Hope shattered all the usual excuses. Instead of shutting down, as she had in the past, Athena leaned in.
More than once, Mr. Smith had credited his rise to director to the unwavering support of his wife.Could life really be easier—better—with the right partner? Could that partner be Flash?
Athena had always believed walking away from love made her stronger. She told herself it was necessary to protect her heart, to protect her career. But now she saw the truth: it wasn’t strength; it was fear. And it was time to stop running.
“If the JP Morgan Chase Tower isn’t under siege by terrorists, I’d love to meet you for dinner,” she answered, already feeling lighter. “Let’s have dinner and then decide where to go from there. Deal?”
“Deal!” Flash’s enthusiastic reply boomed over the phone, coaxing a smile to Athena’s lips. “Pick a restaurant.”
Remembering Flash’s money issue, Athena suggested, “How about that dumpling place near where you live?”
