Page 75 of Ink and Ashes
It’s only been a week and a half since I finally gave in to trusting her, but in that time—and even before, if I’m being honest with myself—she’s wedged herself under my skin. My mind is full of thoughts of her.
“See you later,” I say to the guys as I hop into my truck. They wave goodbye back, then I drive away in the direction of the inn.
Holland is eating dinner with Mary and Emmett when I arrive, so I take a quick shower then join them for the remainder of the meal. When we finish eating, Mary and Emmett excuse themselves to clean up, and I waste no time turning to Holland. Her expression during lunch told me she knows something, and I can’t wait any longer to learn what it is.
“Did you find anything new today?” I ask.
She swallows. “Yeah, actually. I do have another theory about who the arsonist could be…” she trails off, as if she’s unsure about this one. But something is better than nothing, and every lead is worth following at this point.
“What is it?”
She meets my gaze, a war waging in her chocolate eyes. “I have to warn you… I don’t think you’re gonna like it.”
That sentence makes me wonder if she had the same idea I did. That maybe this could be a cop. Which is why I say, “Rhodes, I don’t likeanyof this very much. I can handle whatever it is.”
She rolls her lips together, fidgeting with her fingers. I placemy hand over hers, letting my thumb rub soft circles over it. She inhales sharply at the contact, but she stops fidgeting.
“What is it?” I repeat when she turns her attention on me.
She blows out a breath, then after another beat of silence, she spits it out.
And the words shock me to my core.
“What if the arsonist is a firefighter?”
CHAPTER 27
Holland
Colson stares at me with hurt written on his face, and it immediately makes me wish I could take it back. But I can’t, and more than that, I shouldn’t. He needs to be aware.
“What did you just say?” Colson asks, his voice rough.
I exhale shakily. “I know this isn’t the kind of thing you want to hear. But I think we need to consider the possibility that the arsonist is a firefighter.”
“No. There’s no way. That’s impossible.” He stands from his chair and begins pacing the dining room. I don’t say anything more for a moment, giving him a chance to process. After a beat, he pauses, looking directly at me. “Isn’t it?”
I blow out a breath. “I don’t think it is. I didn’t want to tell you this without ruling out all other options first, but it’s been on my mind for some time now. There are too many precautions being taken—too many aspects about the fires that only someone who sees them day-in and day-out would know. Whoever this person is, they know fire well enough to start them without drawing attention. This has likely been going on far longerthan anyone realizes. They’ve been smart about covering their tracks, in a way only someone who studies fire could. Which leads me to believe it’s one of your guys.”
He looks at me, anger written clear on his face, but I don’t think it’s directed at me. I think it’s directed at the idea that I could be right, and that someone he knows well, someone he’s close to, could be responsible for them.
“I spent some time watching them today during lunch. There are a few who strike me as potential possibilities. Namely Ray, Travis, and Ollie.”
“Fuck!” Colson shouts, and I flinch. He must notice, because his shoulders fall, and he makes his way over to where I stand. “I’m sorry. I’m just… I don’t know what to think about this.”
“I know.” I roll my lips together. “Is there any chance you would be able to get me the files for everyone at the station? And possibly for past staff too?”
His brows pull together, and I read the question on his face before he has a chance to ask it.
He’s wondering why I want the files for everyone.
“I want to look mainly at Ray, Travis, and Ollie, but I still think it’s worth it to look at everyone else too. Just to make sure we aren’t missing anything.”
“I don’t like this, Rhodes,” he rasps. “I don’t know how I wouldn’t have seen it.”
“I know. And it is still possible I’m wrong about this,” I say in an attempt to reassure him. “But until I learn more, we won’t know for sure.”
“I can’t get the files of the full-timers. They’re in Chief’s office. It isn’t any of us anyway.”
