Page 9 of Ink and Ashes
I grit my teeth together, interrupting him. “Don’t care. Even if they aren’t all out for blood, they are all a distraction. One that none of us need right now.”
“I saw the way you were looking at her last night.” Beau smirks. “I think Holland Rhodes is exactly the kind of distraction you need.”
“Get out of here,” I tell them with an eye roll as I stand from my chair. “We have work to do.”
Beau stands and taps me on the shoulder before the two men leave my office, both of them laughing. I shake my head as I follow behind them to the bay, letting a light chuckle fall from me too. I know they were just busting my balls, and truth is, if not for her profession, I might actually go for it.
But as it stands, Holland Rhodes is the thing I hate most in this world, and I’ll be hard-pressed to find something to make me change my mind about her.
CHAPTER 4
Holland
Ilay the map of Ember Grove and its surrounding forests out on the bed to examine the locations of the fires that have happened so far. According to the map, all the fires have occurred within a 2,000-hectare radius, with Ember Grove landing right in the middle. 2,000 hectares is a big area to cover, but considering the Monashee forests span over 7,000, the fact that they’ve all been isolated to one general area raises a red flag for me.
I’m sure Lieutenant Killjoy will have an explanation for it; based on our interaction a few days ago, it seems he’d do anything to avoid questioning why the fires have been running rampant this year. I, however, am not willing to brush it aside. Something’s going on in this town, and whether they want me to or not, I will figure out what it is.
I didn’t bother hanging around the station after he basically told me to go to hell, and I haven’t been back yet. His response was pretty much exactly as I expected it would be, and I doubt his—or anyone else’s—opinion of me will change until I find some hard evidence about what’s really causing the fires.
ButI will find some. Because despite the unfriendly welcome I received that night, one man’s opinion isn’t going to stop me from figuring this case out.
No matter how alluring said man is.
Even in my four-inch heels, his six-foot frame loomed over me. His sandy-brown hair was tousled, shorter on the sides and slightly shaggy on top, while a five o’clock shadow dusted his sharp jaw. His piercing green eyes locked onto me, as if he could uncover every one of my secrets without effort.
That’s not going to happen, though. I’d gladly let a man like him tell me what to do in the bedroom, but he has no right to boss me around career-wise. I’ve never been someone who gives up easily, and I’m determined—maybe more than I ever have been before—to see this thing through.
I know sooner or later I’ll have to head down there to try to talk to some others on the crew, but I’m hoping to have more to support my theory before I do.
I take a photo of the map, sending it to my computer so I can refer back to it in my research today. Once I’m ready, I pack up everything I need and make my way out of my room, locking the door behind me.
I’ve spent the past few days at Grove Gazette doing more research, and today I plan to head to the library to see what I can find there. Often, the local paper is the best place to find news on past events, but unfortunately, Grove Gazette has been stingy with their records. It’s clear no one has bothered to keep the storage room organized, so it’s impossible to find anything relevant.
Either that, or they just don’t bother reporting on the fires because they’re nothing new. Maybe both. Nonetheless, I’m hoping the library archives will have more information on Ember Grove. I’ll be grateful for anything at this point.
I poke my head into the dining room, finding Mary and Emmett sitting in silence together—Mary reading what looks to be a romance novel while Emmett works on the crossword puzzle in this week’s newspaper.
I’ve eaten every meal with them since I arrived a few days ago,and thankfully the reason I’m here hasn’t been brought up again. But I still feel like I’ve been walking on eggshells around them, and while they’ve been nothing but welcoming, I haven’t missed the skeptical looks they send my way every so often.
Not that I blame them, or anyone else I’ve encountered so far. I’m not sure I’d trust the random stranger with zero credibility who showed up out of the blue claiming that there’s something suspicious happening in their town, either.
But like I’m determined to solve the mystery of the fires, I intend to ensure people learn to trust me, maybe even like me. I’ve never been one for making friends, but considering where I currently stand, not much in my past life worked out for me. If I’m making changes, I feel like that should be one of them.
Besides, killing people with kindness is the best way to get them to open up, and I need people to talk to me.
“I’m heading to the farmer’s market. Do you want me to pick anything up while I’m out?” I ask the couple.
Mary casts a soft smile my way. “Oh, thank you, Dear. Would you mind getting some more fresh fruit? It would save me a trip to the store tomorrow.”
She glances at her husband, who stares at me with a hint of mischief in his eye. “I’d sell my soul for some of them pastries Cedar Lane sells at the market. Snatch me up a few, would ya?” he asks, his smile glinting in the light.
I chuckle. “Of course. Any requests for flavours?”
He lists off his favourites.
“Sounds good. I’ll be back in a bit,” I tell them before making my way out the front door.
Warmth engulfs me the moment I swing it open. It’s only late May, but the temperature has already shot up to the mid-twenties. An orange hue colours the sky, a constant reminder about the fires burning throughout the province, but the sun is still shining through the smoke, and that gives me hope.
