Page 21 of Scorched Secrets

“I hear you. Tiffany and her business partner Alicia own two studios, but while they’re doing well, they’re not raking in tons of cash,” Mitch said. “I spoke briefly to Tiffany as well. She hadn’t even heard about the fires and seemed genuinely surprised that we suspected Owen.”

“That leaves us with Jayson Sanders and the list of patient complaints against Faye,” Colin said.

“It does. Still no sign of Sanders, he hasn’t been home. The judge signed off on the subpoena for the patient complaints, so we’re just waiting for Trinity to supply the list. I spoke to a Danielle in risk management; she promised to send it via email as soon as possible.”

Since the hospital was cooperating, there wasn’t anything she could do about it. At least they were covered legally to search for suspects among her patients.

“Why don’t you head over once you have it?” Colin suggested.

“Will do. I’ll check in with you both later.”

“Thanks, Mitch.” Colin reached over to end the call, still watching her. “You look well rested. Are you hungry?”

Since the hour was going on two o’clock in the afternoon, she nodded. On cue, her stomach growled with hunger. “Yes, lunch sounds good.”

“There’s a couple of places within walking distance.” Colin stood and headed toward the door.

She snagged her purse and followed him out the door and down the elevator. As they headed outside, she hesitated. They’d assumed they were safe earlier when they’d taken a simple bike ride. What if she was found again?

“Faye?” Colin held the door for her. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” She joined him outside.

“Hey.” He caught her hand in his and turned her to face him. “I know you’re scared. But we can’t live in fear. I know for sure we weren’t followed this time. I made several turns and even backtracked before coming here. We’re going to be okay.”

“I know.” She forced a smile she didn’t feel. “Let’s go.”

Colin continued holding her hand as they strolled along the sidewalk. It occurred to her that she hadn’t shared a meal, much less two meals, with another man since her marriage had ended.

Don’t go there, she silently warned. This wasn’t a date. Far from it. Colin was a friend with an odd compulsion to protect her.

Expecting anything more was a sure path to heartache.

Holding hands with Faye as they strolled downtown would be even better if he didn’t have to be on alert for the arsonist. Not that he expected to see the guy in black riding a motor scooter or some other form of transportation. He hadn’t lied about making sure they hadn’t been followed.

Despite his career choice of fighting fires, he’d learned a few cop techniques along the way. They’d come in handy while helping his brother Quinn last month. Not that he’d been able to assist Quinn and Sami as much as he’d wanted to. His brother had refused help, not wanting to put the family in danger.

After everything that had transpired so far today, Colin understood his brother’s sentiment completely. While Faye had slept, he’d filled Rhy in on their current location. His brother was upset to hear about the fire. He’d assured Rhy that he and Faye would stay far away from the homestead until the arsonist was caught.

And he wasn’t leaving Faye alone until that happened either. Although how they’d manage to stay close once she returned to work and he was forced to return to the fire station was yet to be determined.

The perp was likely Sanders; he held the biggest grudge against the chief. If not him, then hopefully they’d find a clue on the list of disgruntled patients. If both of those turned up with nothing, he was at a complete loss as to how to find this guy.

“I can’t get over how many people are around,” Faye said, breaking into his thoughts.

He cocked a brow. “Don’t get out much, do you?”

“Not really.” She flushed and shrugged. “Especially not downtown.”

“The café is that way.” He stopped at the corner, gesturing to a café a few blocks down from the courthouse. “My brother-in-law, Bax Scala, says they have good food.”

“Why does that name sound familiar?” Faye asked as they waited for the light to turn green so they could cross the street.

“He was the prosecutor on a big case back in March.” He gently tugged on her hand when the light changed. “The musician would have been found guilty of murder if not for my sister shooting him in the courtroom after being shot herself.”

“That’s right, I remember.” Faye shook her head. “I was working that day. We received the trauma alert about multiple gunshot victims.” Then she frowned. “Your entire family tends to run right into the line of fire, don’t they?”

“Pretty much.” He didn’t mention how they all worried about Elly, their youngest sibling. So far, she seemed to be holding her own as an EMT, but they all expected her to change her mind at some point about the career path she’d chosen. She was so tenderhearted they feared the harsh reality of EMT work would get to her. “Much like you, Faye.”

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