Page 20 of Scorched Secrets

He frowned but didn’t argue. He made the call while she listened. When he gave his name and credit card number, she put her hand on his arm and rummaged in her purse with the other. He shook his head and continued providing the information.

“We’re all set.” He pulled out of the parking lot and headed downtown. She didn’t usually hang out down here. Her world pretty much consisted of work and being home. The area appeared busy, likely due to the summer tourist season. She was surprised the hotel had a room available over the weekend on short notice.

“I can pay my own way, Colin.” She wasn’t happy that he’d put the room in his name. “I’m accepting enough hospitality by you carting me around. I’d rather foot the bill for the hotel room. And why did you ask for a weeklong stay? I told you this was only for the weekend. I need to be closer to the hospital come Monday.”

“We’ll see how it goes.” His noncommittal response irked her.

“No, Colin. I’m telling you that’s what I want to do.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I can’t imagine anyone will find me there.”

“We didn’t think anyone would find us in the park either.” His tone held an edge of stubbornness.

Talking to him was beginning to feel like talking to a rock. It was taking more energy than she had to spare after being up all night and getting only three hours of sleep. The adrenaline rush she’d experienced while trapped had faded, leaving her feeling sick and worn out.

“Whatever.” She hated being crabby, but it was partially his fault. She closed her eyes and strove to relax. Stress was never good for the body. Or the soul.

When the car stopped, she opened her eyes, realizing they’d arrived. Had she dozed for a few minutes? She must have. He turned in his seat to face her. “If you want to pay for the room, I won’t argue, but it’s a two-bedroom suite because that’s all they had left. I’ll gladly pay half, and I would also ask that you work with me on the best way to keep you safe. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I’ll try.” She could be noncommittal too.

Colin shrugged, grabbed her bag from the store, and escorted her inside. The two-bedroom suite was on the third floor. Faye provided her credit card to pay for the room, then followed Colin to the elevator.

She unlocked the door and pushed it open, relieved to note the room was neat and clean. The only bad scent was coming from her, so she held out her hand for the bag. “I’m going to shower, change, and get some rest.”

“Sounds good.” Colin handed her the bag. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Oddly, she was touched by his statement. Considering she hadn’t wanted him to stay, she was selfishly glad not to be alone.

Maybe she was the rock because her brain wasn’t making any sense. A long shower helped ease her discomfort while also getting rid of the smell of smoke. Wearing fresh, clean clothes felt amazing.

She crawled into bed and closed her eyes. Being targeted by an arsonist was frightening, but it was her conflicted feelings for Colin that remained front and center in her mind as she drifted off to sleep.

A thudding noise woke her from a sound sleep. Fear lanced deep. She slipped out of bed, tugging the T-shirt she wore as sleepwear down, and crept to the door, listening intently.

Raucous laughter from the other side of the apparently thin wall made her relax. The sound was nothing sinister. Just other guests enjoying themselves.

Yawning, she peered at the clock. Two hours had passed. She was still exhausted but knew she couldn’t sleep any longer. Getting back on a regular sleep schedule was necessary since she was scheduled for another string of four twelve-hour day shifts starting Monday.

She dressed in navy-blue capri pants and a matching green-and-blue short-sleeved blouse, ran a brush through her hair, then opened her door. She paused, hearing Colin on the phone.

“Are you sure Owen isn’t involved?” Assuming he was talking to Mitch, she stepped forward to join him. He caught her gaze and smiled, his gaze lighting up with appreciation. She had to remind herself he was just being nice and willed herself not to blush. “He may have paid someone to do this.”

“He wouldn’t spend his money on getting back at me,” she protested in a low voice.

“Hang on, Mitch, I’m putting you on speaker.” He set the phone down, hit a button, then continued. “Faye is with me now.”

“Hi, Mitch. I am positive Rory wouldn’t spend a dime to get back at me. He’d either do something himself or do his best to ignore me altogether.”

“I tend to agree with you, Faye,” Mitch said. “I interviewed him for twenty minutes. Sorry to say, he came across as a self-centered jerk with nothing good to say about you. But he claims to have an alibi for the time frame of the first two fires.”

“Let me guess, is her name Tiffany?” She met Colin’s gaze. “Last I heard, he was seeing his yoga instructor.”

“That’s correct.” Mitch agreed. “He said they were in an early class that started at six thirty, then went out for breakfast afterward. I’m verifying that now, but I don’t think he’s our guy.”

“He doesn’t sound smart enough to be an arsonist,” Colin drawled.

“Not smart enough and not willing to get his manicured hands dirty.” Mitch sighed. “I’ll look into his financials, but I don’t see him paying an arsonist either.”

“He wouldn’t waste the money.” She never really considered her ex to be a viable suspect, but even less so now that she knew he had an alibi. “Money is important to Rory. So much so I’m a bit surprised he’s still with Tiffany.”

---