Into the fire, p.15
Into the Fire, page 15
Bri perched on the arm of the couch and folded her arms. “I see our dear brother has been telling tales out of school.”
“No. He’s been keeping me informed. Which is more than I can say for my dear sister.”
“I would have told you about it on our call this morning.” Probably.
“A toned-down version, no doubt. Like when you called after your parachute accident and told all of us you had a few minor injuries.”
Bri shifted. “That was before I had the full diagnosis—and what happened this week wasn’t anywhere close to the scale of the Idaho catastrophe.”
“Then why is Jack worried?”
“Jack worries about everything.”
“Not true. He worries about the people he cares about—like his sisters. He said you were fine, but I wanted to see for myself.”
Bri held out her arms. “Satisfied?”
“On that score, yes.” She continued to study her with an appraising expression. “He also said the ATF agent you’ve been working with on the case you mentioned last weekend came to your rescue with the tree.”
Well, crud.
Knowing Jack, that’s not all he’d said.
“For the record, I called Jack first.” She tried for a nonchalant tone. “He didn’t answer. My ATF colleague was my second-string choice. Luckily, he came through. I needed to consult with him on the case anyway.”
Cara smirked. “That’s what Jack said you’d say.”
“It happens to be true.”
“You don’t have to get all flustered about it.”
“I’m not flustered.”
“The flush on your cheeks says otherwise, but hey. I think it’s great if you’ve got a hot guy in the wings. It’s about time one of the Tucker kids found someone interesting to date.”
“I’m not dating him.”
“Yet. Jack thinks it’s only a matter of time.”
“Since when has our brother’s romantic radar ever been dependable? Remember that colleague of yours he predicted you’d fall for after you brought him to the wedding we all attended last summer? The business school professor who spent the entire evening talking about supply chain disruptions during the COVID crisis and how that would affect global macroeconomics?”
Cara winced. “Yeah. Mr. Snooze City. That was our first and last date. Fine. I’ll concede Jack’s call on that one was out in left field.”
“I rest my case.”
“However . . . I do trust my powers of discernment, and I saw how ruffled you got while we talked about your ATF guy at Jack’s. So I’ll reserve judgment.”
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
“It’s not my hopes that are at stake.” She waggled her eyebrows.
Bri held on to her cool. Barely. “Can we move on to a different subject?”
“Sure. How about food? I’ve got a hankering for an almond croissant from Nathaniel Reid bakery.” Cara stood. “Unless you already ate, which wouldn’t surprise me, early riser that you are.”
“Not yet. I had a late night at a fire scene and managed not to beat the sun up this morning.” She rose too. “Give me ten minutes to change. Make yourself a cup of coffee while you wait.”
“Don’t mind if I do. After my almost predawn start, a caffeine infusion would be welcome—and the watered-down brew I got when I stopped for gas doesn’t come close to the decadent Kona coffee you buy.”
“One of my few indulgences.”
“Trust me, I know.” She started toward the kitchen.
“Cara.” Bri touched her shoulder, waiting until her sister turned. “Did you really drive up here just to see me?”
“The truth? I have a list of errands I’ve been saving up for my next trip to the city, and Jack’s news gave me an incentive to tackle them sooner than I’d planned. I do have to be back in Cape by one for a special session with one of my doctoral students, though.” She played with the zipper pull on her jacket, faint creases marring her forehead. “Before we leave the subject of this week’s incidents behind, is there anything to worry about?”
That was a tricky question—and too direct to dodge.
Until the email from Crystal had activated her yellow alert, it would have been easy to reassure Cara. Despite Jack’s concerns and Marc’s suspicions, the episodes had amounted to nothing more than aggravation. Expensive, yes, but not dangerous.
If Travis was involved, however—and if he had other tricks up his sleeve—one of them could have more serious consequences. Fury that hadn’t dissipated in close to three years could be a potent and perilous force.
“Bri?” A hint of anxiety sharpened Cara’s prompt.
“I don’t think so.” That was all she could offer without telling an outright lie. “But I can promise you this. I’ll be watching my back, and I’ll carry on and off the job if that will ease your mind.”
“It would help.”
“Done. Now let’s think about more pleasant subjects. Like those sin-on-a-plate almond croissants.”
The taut line of her sister’s shoulders relaxed a hair, and her mouth flexed. “I’m ready whenever you are. Those alone are worth the drive up from Cape.”
“Aha! The real reason for your trip comes out.” Bri called up a grin.
“You know better. Go change. I’m starving.”
“I’m on it.”
While a mollified Cara continued toward the kitchen, her peace of mind somewhat restored, Bri headed to her bedroom.
Sad to say, her own peace of mind remained wobbly.
Why, oh why, couldn’t Crystal have confirmed that Travis was in Idaho, where he belonged?
Still . . . pinning her woes on him seemed like a stretch, even if he was a vindictive jerk.
Bri pulled off her ratty sweatshirt and threw on a sweater. Proceeded to the bathroom to add a modicum of makeup.
If only she had someone to discuss this with. Someone impartial.
Certainly not Jack or Cara.
But what about Marc? His critical-thinking and deductive skills were sharp, and he’d be far more capable of putting aside his personal feelings than either of her siblings.
She pulled out her mascara. Rolled the tube between her fingers as she mulled that over.
No. If she wanted to keep him at arm’s length, seeking his counsel on this wouldn’t be smart. She’d already let too much slip about her past, thanks to the case of motormouth that plagued her in his presence. He was much too easy to talk to.
And for a woman who’d claimed she wasn’t ready to dip her toes into romance again . . . who’d vowed not to get involved with a professional colleague . . . Marc was a clear danger zone.
She leaned forward and began stroking on mascara.
So who did that leave? Crystal, perhaps? They’d been simpatico back in Idaho, and she did know Travis.
But her fellow female smokejumper had a set-in-stone negative opinion about him, so she wasn’t impartial, either.
Maybe she could—
Her phone began to vibrate, and she pulled it out of the pocket in her jeans.
Alison.
Bri finished her mascara and capped the tube. “Hey, girl. What’s up? I thought your sister was in town.”
“She is. We’re going to brunch soon, but while she’s in the shower I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing after the taxing week you had.”
“Hanging in—and playing with sort of a bizarre theory about the source of my problems.”
A few moments of silence ticked by.
“Does that mean you don’t think they were accidents?”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but I did get a piece of unsettling information this morning.”
“Now you have me intrigued. And more than a little worried.”
A voice spoke in the background as Bri tucked her makeup bag back in the vanity. “Sounds like your sister’s ready to roll. I don’t want to keep you.”
“Give me one sec.” After a muffled conversation on the other end, Alison was back. “Listen, if you want to bounce ideas off someone, I’ll be cooling my heels for forty-five minutes later this morning while Sophie gets the manicure I scheduled for her. I’d go too, but as you know, fancy fingernails and firefighting don’t mix. If you want to get together for a quick chat, I could also introduce you to Sophie after she’s done. I’ve been wanting the two of you to meet.”
Alison’s offer of an impartial, willing ear was too providential to pass up.
“Name the time and place.” Bri crossed to the nightstand and pulled a pen and pad of paper from the drawer.
“Her appointment is at eleven, and there’s an ice-cream shop next to the salon if I can tempt you to indulge.”
“Count me in. If they have butter pecan, I’ll be in heaven.” Bri jotted down the name and address as Alison recited them. “Got it. I’ll be there. Thanks a bunch, Alison. Your call couldn’t have been better timed.”
“Must be fate.”
“Must be. See you soon.”
Bri tucked the slip of paper with the meeting information into her pocket and pulled her belly band holster from the closet. After fastening it around her waist, she fitted it into her jeans, slid her compact Sig into the slot, and secured it with the snap.
Thanks to her promise to Cara, she’d be carrying for the foreseeable future.
But truth be told, it was a prudent tactical strategy. Whether Travis was behind the incidents this week or not, strange vibes were in the air.
Hopefully, Alison’s read on the situation would be helpful. Her new friend appeared to have sound judgment—except with her own husband, perhaps—and it was possible she could offer a useful insight or two.
Yet as Bri flipped off the light and hurried toward the kitchen to join her sister, she couldn’t help wishing she was meeting a handsome ATF agent instead.
Because much as she’d welcome Alison’s input, Marc’s steady presence and mellow baritone voice would be even more reassuring than the Sig she would continue tucking into her concealed carry holster until whatever latent threat she might be facing was neutralized.
FOURTEEN
THIS WAS NOT HOW HE’D PLANNED to spend his Saturday.
From fifty feet inside the police tape cordoning off the scene, Marc surveyed the popular mid-county restaurant crawling with law enforcement personnel from various jurisdictions. Typical when a fire resulted in multiple deaths, involved more than a million dollars in losses, and had potentially been caused by explosives.
While County was in charge, the request for ATF assistance wasn’t surprising for a blaze of this magnitude.
“I’m gonna run out for a burger. You want to come?” The second ATF agent who’d been dispatched to the scene joined him, keeping his back to the crowd gathered on the other side of the tape.
“No thanks. I don’t want to have a microphone shoved in my face.” Marc hooked a thumb toward the large media contingent milling about, jostling for the primo filming position and waiting to pounce on anyone who ventured within badgering range.
His colleague grinned. “I hear you, but hunger is a powerful motivator. I’m going to try to sneak out the back. You want me to bring you anything?”
Marc surveyed the scene again. Could be a long day. “Yeah. Whatever you’re having is fine with me. I’m not picky.”
“You got it. I’ll be back in thirty minutes.” The other man began stripping off his gear as he walked away.
Marc turned back to the restaurant—or what was left of it. Now that the fire was out, the bodies of the two victims had been removed, and the injured were being transported to hospitals, the investigative work could begin.
It was a shame Bri hadn’t been called in for this one. Not that she didn’t deserve a day off after the week she’d had. But it would be far more pleasant to work with her on this case than the two older guys who’d shown up from the Regional Bomb and Arson Unit.
Oh well. It was what it was.
Hard hat under his arm, he struck off toward the remains of the building, where his County fire investigation counterparts were continuing to do a preliminary walk-through of the scene, trying to nail down the point of origin. Once they had that, it would be—
“Marc Davis?”
He stopped and swiveled back. A sandy-haired thirtysomething guy, almost as tall as he was, stood a few feet away.
“Yes.”
“Our arson guys pointed you out.” After motioning toward the two men Marc had been working with for the past hour, he moved closer and extended his hand. “Jack Tucker. Homicide.”
It took a few seconds for the name to click into place.
Bri’s overprotective brother.
Why had the man sought him out?
Marc returned his firm clasp. “Nice to meet you. I know we haven’t met, but your sister told me you were with County.”
“That’s why I wanted to introduce myself. Bri’s mentioned you to me too.”
Mentioned?
Considering how her brother was sizing him up, she’d done more than that. Like, given him the impression she was interested in a certain ATF agent on more than a professional level, perhaps?
That was encouraging. Assuming he was interested too, of course.
Give it a break, Davis. You’re interested.
Okay. Fine. He’d admit that—even if their meeting hadn’t fallen within his timetable for reentering the dating world. And starting today, he was going to begin actively exploring that interest.
But what exactly had Bri said to her brother?
As Jack continued to study him, Marc put on his hard hat and searched for a diplomatic approach to uncover the answer to that question.
Jack saved him the effort.
“In case you’re wondering how much Bri told me, she’s been very closemouthed. The only personal detail I could pry out of her was your first name. After our arson people passed on your full moniker, I put two and two together.”
Marc’s spirits nose-dived. If Bri hadn’t bothered to tell her brother his whole name, she must not be—
“Her reluctance to talk about you was telling.” Jack angled away from the bright sun. “Whenever she clams up, it means one of two things. She’s in trouble, or she’s interested in someone. I’m assuming with you it’s the latter. At least it better be.”
Marc squinted at Bri’s brother.
That sounded almost like a threat.
Apparently she hadn’t been exaggerating about her brother’s über protectiveness.
But what had prompted it? Normal sibling loyalty, or something more?
“I’m in Bri’s corner—always.” Marc dodged the sun’s piercing rays too. “I’d prefer to save her from trouble rather than cause her trouble.”
“Good to know.”
“Also, just to set the record straight, we’re not dating.”
“So she said.”
“Then why the subtle threats and third degree?” Two could play this in-your-face game.
Jack regarded him in silence for a few beats. “She tell you her history?”
“She shared some of her work background. Not much on the personal side. What should I know?”
“That’s for her to decide. But she’s had more than her share of tough breaks. All three of us have. So we watch out for each other, like the Three Musketeers. One for all, all for one.”
And don’t even think about doing anything to hurt either of my siblings or there will be consequences.
Jack didn’t have to say that for the warning to come through loud and clear.
“Understood—and admirable.” He folded his arms and adopted the wide-legged stance that was useful in situations where he needed to communicate strength and authority. “So do you want to tell Bri we had this conversation, or shall I?”
An important question, now that he’d decided to follow Nan’s advice and walk through the door that appeared to be opening. Relationships should be based on trust and openness, and keeping this encounter with her brother secret wouldn’t advance his cause.
Jack flicked a speck of ash off his jacket. Pulled out his sunglasses and slipped them on. Transferred his weight from one foot to the other. “There isn’t much to say. It was just an introductory chat.”
Marc waited him out.
When the silence lengthened, Jack cocked his head. “You think I came on a little too strong?”
“I’m more interested in what Bri would think.”
Jack snorted. “Nothing complimentary, that’s for sure. She thinks I overplay the protective brother role, and she isn’t afraid to tell me to butt out if she thinks I’ve overstepped.”
Yeah. That sounded like Bri.
But it was hard to fault a caring brother.
“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t I say we met at a crime scene and gloss over the protective part?”
“That works for me. I’d like to stay in her good graces. The three of us are pretty tight, and I wouldn’t ever want anything—or anyone—to change that.”
Marc flicked a glance at the empty ring finger on the man’s left hand. “No spouses?”
“Not yet.”
“Marriage will alter the family dynamics.”
“We can always add a Musketeer or two, as long as they live by the code.”
“Naturally.”
Jack gave an approving dip of his chin and planted his fists on his hips. “So are you planning to ask my sister out?”
This was not a man who beat around the bush in the name of diplomacy. At least if people he loved were involved.
Also admirable.
But Marc wasn’t going to be railroaded into answering. When he decided to ask Bri out, she should be the first to know.
“She hasn’t given me much encouragement.”
“There are reasons for that.”
“I assumed as much.” Maybe her brother would offer a few insights if he provided an opening. “She mentioned a bad experience with a guy out West.”
Jack’s forehead bunched. “That didn’t help, but there’s a lot more to her story. If you stick around long enough, she may decide you’re worth trusting with it.” He pulled out his cell. Shifted his attention to the screen. “I have to run. But I’ll leave you with one thought. Nothing worth having comes easy.”
