Page 120 of Ink and Ashes
“I heard you on the phone,” he says. He takes a step closer, forcing me to take a step back. “You said you know who the arsonist is. Who is it?”
“Um…” I hesitate, glancing around the room for something to use as a weapon, spotting only my laptop, a pen, and a stack of papers sitting on the table.
He takes another step toward me.
Exhaling deeply, I force myself to remember who I am. I’ve been in situations like this before, and I know how to handle myself. I’m not going to let another man walk all over me.
“Sir, you’re making me uncomfortable, and I need to ask youto leave before I call the police.”
He laughs, taking another step closer. I inhale sharply, my back pressed against the window overlooking the bay, praying the crew will drive back through the doors.
“Who. Is. The. Arsonist. Rothwell?”
Hearing my given surname on his lips has every alarm going off in my head. There are only three other people here besides Colson and Dom who know what my true identity is—Mary, Emmett, and the arsonist, seeing as they’re the one who left the articles in my room at the inn.
Which only confirms my suspicion that it’s the man standing in front of me.
“Don’t make me ask again,” he growls. “Say it.”
My tongue darts out over my lips as he moves closer to me, and panic begins to set in. I curse myself for allowing him to have power over me. I curse myself for getting into this position. I curse myself for my inability to keep my mouth shut.
Because unless the crew drives through the door in the next thirty seconds, something bad is going to happen.
And yet, I don’t stop myself from whispering, “You are.”
A wicked smile creeps onto his face, and before I can even blink, I feel a sharp pinch—like a needle.
The last thing I see are icy blue eyes as mine fall shut.
CHAPTER 43
Colson
It doesn’t take long for us to get the fire put out. Like the last few calls we’ve received, this one was small and contained, as if it was called in right after it was set. Which means it was likely called in by the arsonist, trying to throw us off their path.
I blow out a breath as we make our way back to the trucks. I still haven’t told the rest of my crew apart from Beau, Dom, Liv, and Cass that it’s a firefighter, but considering this is our seventh decoy call in the past four days, I think is time they learn all the details.
“Alright, good work, guys. When we get back to the station, I want to meet with you all. We have some things to discuss,” I tell them as we finish loading up the trucks, locking eyes with Beau and Dom as I do. Beau nods in my direction, assuring me that I’m doing the right thing.
“Everything okay, Lieutenant?” Ace asks as he loads up a hose.
I grit my teeth. “Let’s talk when we get back to the station.”
“You got it.”
The crew finishes packing up and we all pile back into the trucks. Once inside, I dig my phone out of my pocket to send Holland a text letting her know we’re on our way back, only to find a voicemail from her already waiting.
Putting my phone to my ear, I give it a listen.
And my stomach drops as I do.
Because after months of fighting these fires and four potential suspects so far, that wasn’t anI think it might be so-and-socall; that was anI’m certain it’s this personcall.
Holland has figured it out.
Holland knows who the arsonist is.
I spot Dom glance at me out of the corner of my eye. “You good?” he asks.
