Page 73 of Love, Untangled

“Yeah. I had about this many guys under me.”

“Being the boss is different. I have the responsibility of sending them to a fire…but you know all about that. What’s up?”

“Well, first I need to apologize for not doing more to save that girl and her friend.”

Adam’s expression shifted to one of sadness. “I was in an accident a couple of years ago. My best friend, Gabe, died in that blaze. A beam…” He trailed off.

Carlo winced. Yeah, he knew exactly what had happened. “I’m sorry, man,” Carlo said.

“Me too. Gabe was a wonderful man. A good friend. And what you just said? That’s how I know you’re a good man too. But you can’t take their deaths on your shoulders. It’s not your fault.”

“Maybe not, but I feel like it is.” Carlo sucked in a long breath. “That’s why I’m not going to continue to work with Blazers. Not on active duty.”

Adam nodded. “With a past like yours—like mine—it’s hard to keep going out there.”

“Yeah, but that’s not the reason. I lashed out at Penelope because I didn’t handle the situation well.” He pressed his lips together. “At all. That wasn’t fair to her. And it wasn’t fair of me to think that my fighting fires would make me the man I used to be. I’m different—changed by Cora’s death.”

Adam nodded. “Yeah, yeah. I understand.”

Carlo slapped his hand on the side of his thigh. “What you guys do here, it’s important.”

“It is.” Adam glanced down at his desk. “I get not wanting to be out in the field, being actively involved with fighting fires. But you have some background in arson, right?”

“Some,” Carlo hedged.

“Would you be interested in helping us investigate that fire at Penelope’s?”

It was an excuse to be near her. She might not like it. In fact, she might be angry. But if it would ensure her mother went to jail, it would be worth her additional displeasure.

“Yeah, that’s something I’d be happy to do.”

Chapter 38

Penelope

As soon as Pen left Carlo’s house, she searched out her alpacas. They’d taken shelter in the shed behind Carlo’s house. When she walked by the door, Alpaca Man trotted up to her, looking over his shoulder to make sure Lydia joined them. Pen gave them both good scratches before heading back to her place. Alpaca Man and Lydia had the good sense not to follow.

The devastation from the fire and subsequent fight to protect the house left her speechless, unable to move. Tears filled her eyes as she stared at the charred and warped boards, the trampled grass, the deep muddy ruts that had once been her yard. Pen lifted her chin, causing her to wince, and blew out a breath.

“First things first.”

She went inside the house, phone clutched in her hand, heart pounding. Once she was certain her mother wasn’t there, waiting for her, Pen relaxed as she stepped back outside, needing the space and fresh air, and dialed the hospital.

She strode through the grass as she identified herself. “Leon’s my uncle—great-uncle—and he was injured while protecting me.” All the same details she’d shared with the police. Thankfully, Leon wasn’t in trouble—all charges would be against Serena, as they should be.

“I can’t tell you much, miss,” the woman who answered the phone said.

“Well, can you tell me which room he’s in? He’ll want to hear from me.”

He might very well not, but Pen refused to believe that.

“Um…sure. Let me connect you.”

Pen sighed as she waited for the call to go to Leon’s mysterious room.

“What?” came the gruff grunt.

“Uncle Leon?” Pen asked.

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