Page 56 of Saving Her Heart
"This is inadmissible," Declan mutters. "They've contaminated everything."
Captain Ramirez appears, overhearing. "The evidence is compromised, but it gives us probable cause for warrants. We'll get clean versions legally." He looks at the Walking Ladies. "Ladies, your information is invaluable, but please don't touch anything else. We need pristine evidence for court."
"We were helping," Gladys protests.
"And you did. You've given us the roadmap. Now let us follow it legally."
"Then get it legally," Florence suggests. "We're just concerned citizens sharing our observations."
My phone buzzes. It's Eli who drew protection duty this morning.
Eli: Kendall's heading to Building 3 for inspection prep. Her boss just showed up. Tried to stop her, but she insisted she's fine. That woman of yours is more stubborn than a mule.
My stomach drops. Building 3—the one that was vandalized, still empty of residents while repairs are being made. Morrison alone with Kendall in an empty building sets off every alarm in my head.
"I have to go," I tell them, already grabbing my keys.
"We're coming with you!" Gladys announces.
"Absolutely not?—"
"We're FBIs! We have badges!" Betty waves her plastic badge like it's real.
"Those are from Party City!"
"They were on sale because they were going out of business. We got them two-for-one," Florence says proudly. "Very economical."
I don't have time to argue. Every second Morrison is alone with Kendall is a second too long. "Fine. But you stay in the car."
"Of course," Gladys agrees, and I already know she's lying.
Declan follows in his patrol car while I drive like a maniac toward Building 3.
Twenty minutes later, we pull up to Building 3. Eli's patrol car is here, but I don't see him. Then the Walking Ladies' Buick pulls in behind us, and Florence has the window down, making siren noises with her mouth.
"WEEE-OOOO-WEEE-OOOO!"
I wave frantically for them to stop. "Stay here," I tell them. "And stop making that noise."
"We couldn't get a real siren in time, and you wouldn't let us use one of the police cars, so we had to improvise," Florence argues.
"It's very authentic," Betty adds supportively.
I shake my head and head towards the building with Declan, hands on our weapons. The front door is ajar. Inside, I hear voices—Kendall's confused, Morrison's different. Harder. More threatening than I've ever heard him.
"—told you to take the week off," he's saying.
"I wanted to check the damage before the insurance adjuster arrives," Kendall responds. "Where's Officer Martinez?"
"I sent him for coffee. We need to talk privately about your future with the company."
That's when I notice the smell. Gasoline. Strong enough to make my eyes water. This whole place could go up in flames any second.
Through the doorway, I can see Morrison standing too close to Kendall, blocking her path to the exit. She's backed against a wall, phone in her hand, and the look on her face tells me she's finally sensing danger.
"Mr. Morrison, what's going on? Why does it smell like?—"
"Gasoline? Yes, that's unfortunate. Old building, you know. Electrical problems. Could go up any minute." His voice is casual, but there's something dark underneath.
