Page 43 of Scorched Secrets

“I can’t believe Daniel is dead.” She swallowed hard and set her empty coffee cup aside. The young man’s suicide bothered her. “Do you think Jayson knows? Maybe that’s why he packed up and left town.”

“No idea.” Colin sipped his coffee, his expression thoughtful. “Daniel and Jayson are friends on social media, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re close. Our theory was that they were working together, yet for all we know, they didn’t talk much. Jayson is quite a bit older than Daniel, and they worked out of different firehouses.”

“Does my father know?”

“Yes, Mitch filled him in.” Colin rose to his feet. “Are you ready for breakfast?”

“You firefighters are obsessed with food,” she teased.

“Hey, we eat when we can.” Colin arched a brow. “I would think you would have the same approach considering your work is pretty much nonstop too.”

“You’re not wrong, but I make do with snacks in between patients.” She stood and gestured to the door. “I’m ready if you are.”

After tucking the computer case under his arm, he peered through the curtained window, then reached for the door. “We’ll leave the keys here since we won’t be back.”

She removed the key from her pocket and dropped it on the table. Then followed him outside. Frowning, she asked, “Where’s our car?”

“Around the corner.” He glanced at her. “You don’t remember?”

Now that he mentioned it, she did vaguely recall stumbling from a vehicle and crossing the parking lot while leaning heavily on him for support. “I guess I was pretty out of it, huh?”

“Understandable.” He unlocked the Explorer and set the computer case in the back seat. “It was a long day.”

That was putting it mildly. Still, he’d suffered the same long day considering they’d both worked night shift and had been together since seven thirty in the morning. Thankfully, getting sleep helped, and she felt almost normal as she climbed into the passenger seat.

“After we grab something to eat, we’re going to meet up with Mitch in Milwaukee.” He backed out of the parking lot and headed out onto the highway.

“Why are we meeting with Mitch? Does he have more questions for me?”

“No additional questions, but we need a plan. Hiding out indefinitely isn’t going to work.” He shrugged. “Your father is getting antsy, and frankly, so am I.”

“My dad is fine.” Or he would be, eventually. “I agree we should have a plan, though. Maybe we need to set up a trap to draw the arsonist out of hiding.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Not that we would use you personally,” he hastily added. “Your phone drew the arsonist out last night, we might be able to do something similar again, without you being anywhere nearby.”

“I like that idea.” She ignored the sliver of apprehension snaking down her spine as she considered the logistics. “I can easily buy a replacement phone from the same carrier as a way to draw the arsonist out. Do you think we also need to leak something to the press?”

“Not sure we need to go that far, but a replacement phone is a good place to start.” He flashed a smile. “After breakfast.”

She laughed. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of making you work hard on an empty stomach.”

“I’m better with food in my belly.” He glanced at the rearview mirror, then at her. “It’s a beautiful day. I’m sure the lakefront is jammed with people. What would you normally do on your weekend off?”

She was embarrassed to tell him about her lack of social life. “Hard to remember what my life was like when I still had a house and a car. But normally, I’d get caught up on chores and take a long walk.”

“You haven’t dated since your divorce?”

“No time.” It was a pathetic excuse, but she used it anyway. “The pandemic is over, but we still see patients suffering from COVID and the flu. Even in the summertime. And let’s not forget the usual knife and gun club playing on the streets of the city. Spending time at home is about all I have the energy for these days.”

“I’m sure it’s been a rough few years,” he agreed. “But you know time off is important. Everyone needs time off to recharge their batteries, to escape the rigors of the job. People like me need doctors like you to be well rested, happy, and healthy.”

Since he was right, she nodded. “I know, and you’re right. I’m overdue for a vacation, but I have time off scheduled in September.”

“Me too.” Colin grinned. “My brother Quinn is getting married.”

“I’m happy for him.”

“We are too. Quinn and Sami had some trouble in their relationship, they were broken up for two years, but they’re together now and happier than ever.”

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