Home Fires (18 page)

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JAMES BAY—Citizens, be forewarned! An arsonist is loose among us, wreaking havoc throughout our fair community. I myself am the latest victim, with my own vehicle destroyed by fire. When pressed by this reporter, Assistant Fire Chief Michael Gallagher, currently assigned to lead the arson investigation, could give no assurance that he was close to solving the arsons.

How much more must our community endure before the fire department solves these heinous crimes? How much longer must we wait before residents are once again able to sleep safely in their beds?

This reporter can only pose the questions. When will the fire department provide the answers?

____________________________________

“How is your mom? Did her surgery go okay? I’ve been worried, Rose. You never got back to me, and I thought something must have happened.”

Andy Sabatini’s unexpected voice—friendly but questioning—on the other end of the telephone line ratcheted Rose’s guilt up to an all-time high. She turned her back on the hallway door leading toward the sun porch, where Irene sat nibbling at her lunch. Her mother still had no idea about the career opportunities that had recently come her way and Rose was in no hurry to tell her. She had no doubt which one her mother would urge her to accept. Partnership in the firm would keep her three hours away. Andy’s job offer required a plane ticket or a two-day car ride.

But the Judge lived right next door with a downtown office merely three blocks away.

“I’m sorry, Andy. I should have called you last week. My mother is doing fine. She saw the doctor this morning. Her stats are good and they finally took out the staples.”

“Stats? Staples? Rose, what the hell are you talking about?”

Andy sounded as confused as she herself had been merely one week ago. Time changed things and she finally felt comfortable with the medical jargon, the smells and sounds of the hospital—even the sight of her mother’s wound. Being a caretaker, she had little choice.

“Mom had staples from the surgery. Sometimes they use those instead of stitches.”

“Glad to hear she’s doing well.”

She caught the tight pitch in Andy’s voice. Patience wasn’t exactly one of his virtues. “I know I should have called you, but it’s been hectic around here. But believe it or not, I
have
been thinking about what you said.”

“And…?”

She wavered slightly. “It’s a big decision, Andy.”

“Come on, Rose, you’d be perfect for the job and we both it. You’re the one I want out here with me. Remember how it used to be, the two of us working together, side by side? It could be like that again. Just say
yes
.”

For the most part, Andy was correct. The two of them had made the ideal legal team. She was methodical and precise with an eye for the slightest detail that could alter an agreement or change a stipulation. Andy was a people person, working with clients and brokering agreements that everyone could live with, leaving Rose to craft the final documents. His abrupt departure for Washington six months earlier had definitely left a hole in her life, public as well as private.

Truth? She missed him. Publicly and privately.

But not the way he missed her.

“I can’t hold them off much longer. I’m getting heat from the deputy chief. The position needs to be filled. You’re the one I want, Rose.”

“I’m flattered by the offer, Andy, truly. Thank you.” An unspoken sigh settled inside her heart. If only she had more time. It was such a precious commodity, especially in the legal field. But time was a request Andy didn’t sound particularly amiable to granting. His offer meant leaving everything comfortable and familiar behind for a chance to embrace the world. Was that something she really wanted? The idea of accepting his offer excited and scared her at the same time.

Her position in the firm was relatively safe. Granted, the partners hadn’t liked the idea of her abandoning her desk for a six-week leave of absence, but they’d had no choice. And eventually she’d be back. She would work even harder, show them that she still had the dedication, drive, determination—everything required to make partner. Life in Grand Rapids certainly wasn’t without its own complications, but unlike Andy’s offer, there were no strings attached, romantic or otherwise.

“Rose? Are you still there?”

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but could you give me a day or two? Things here are still a little unsettled. Just a few more days, Andy. I promise I’ll have an answer.”

Andy’s long, frustrated sigh sounded loud and clear all the way from Washington D.C. “If it were anyone but you…”

“Thank you.” Relief flooded through her. She’d forgotten what a good team they made. She’d always been able to talk him into nearly anything.

But paybacks could be hell.

“The end of the week, Rose, that’s all I can give you. Don’t forget.”

She set aside his words of warning as she disconnected the phone. She’d successfully bargained a reprieve for herself, and for today that was enough. She didn’t need her attention diverted. She had two important things facing her today: caring for her mother and her dinner date with Mike tonight.

“You’re all dressed up, sweetheart.” Irene’s eyes lit up in a hazy glow of maternal affection. “Lil, doesn’t she look pretty?”

Lil halted in her task, shuffling the deck of cards on the table between them. “Wow, you
are
all dressed up.” She rewarded Rose with an approving smile. “I like that dress. It’s got pizzazz.”

The sixteen-year-old buried deep inside came alive as Rose twirled before her mother and Lil. The frothy silk concoction she’d purchased that afternoon had captured her attention the moment she spied it in the window of an exclusive summer shop downtown. She’d cringed at the price tag, but female vanity won the debate that had raged in her head. Why shouldn’t she indulge herself? She worked hard, and what else was she going to do with the money, besides spend it on her mother and herself? Money was meant to spend on the people and things you loved.

And she loved that dress. Sleeveless and comfortable, it showed off her lithe figure to definite advantage. A pair of strappy fuchsia-colored sandals protected her polished toenails and feet. She drifted in an expensive cloud of her favorite perfume, one she saved solely for special occasions.

And tonight definitely was a special occasion. It was her first real date with Mike… and hopefully, their second kiss.

“Where are you going, honey?” Lil said.

“I’ve been invited out for dinner.”

“I bet I can guess who’s the lucky man.” Lil’s eyes twinkled as she peered over her reading glasses. “You’re going out with Fireman Mike, aren’t you?”

Rose smiled. “
Fireman Mike
? Is that what you’re calling him?”

“You haven’t heard the best part, Lil,” Irene said with a wicked smile. “Ask her where they’re going for dinner.”

Lil’s eyes glowed with anticipation. “Where’s he taking you, honey? Tell all.”

She felt her face redden. “Mike is cooking dinner for me.”

“Fireman Mike is cooking for you? At his house? I’m impressed! Honey, that is one man you definitely don’t want to let get away.”

Rose’s cheeks flushed a near perfect match to the brilliant sandals on her feet. Better to leave before the conversation got totally out of hand. She bent and kissed her mother, then Lil. “You two behave yourselves tonight.”

Irene’s gray curls flew in a brief nod. “Have a good time with your Michael. Lil’s going to fix dinner, then we’re playing cards all night.”

“Excuse me? Did I hear something about me making dinner?” Lil shot Rose a playful wink. “I’m no cook. We’re calling for takeout.”

“Takeout is good.” Rose zeroed in on the martini glass in Lil’s hand. “I won’t have to worry about Mike’s pager going off tonight because one of you accidentally set the kitchen on fire.”

“If you’re referring to my inability to cook, you haven’t offended me in the slightest. I’m proud of the fact that very few pots and pans know my name.” Lil shuffled the cards with an expert hand, the diamonds on her fingers flashing in the early evening sun. “So it’s settled then. Why don’t we order a pizza?”

“For heaven’s sake, Lil, I can’t eat pizza and neither can you.” Irene’s eyebrows rose with mild exasperation. “The heartburn will keep us up all night.”

“Quit being such an old frump. You said you wanted to play cards, and that’s what I’m here to do… play cards.” Lil threw a quick wink and a little wave to Rose in the doorway. “Kick back and live a little.”

“Very funny, Lil. You know I can’t kick yet. But you do have a point. When the heartburn from the pizza sets in, at least I’ll know I’m still alive.”

Rose was still laughing as she headed out the door to the narrow, cluttered garage. She edged sideways past Irene’s bicycle and took a seat behind the wheel of her own dark green sports coupe. The engine caught on the first attempt and started with a soft purr. She backed out of the garage and pointed the nose of the little convertible in the direction opposite downtown.

Mike’s house was only a few miles from the city limits. The directions he’d given her over the phone last night were simple enough to follow. The evening sun danced warm on her hair as she left the residential area behind. It felt good to be alone and behind the wheel of her own car again. She felt the wind lift her hair, blowing it in the breeze. It was like being free as a bird, soaring down the open road without a care in the world.

Her jubilant mood quickly evaporated as Rose pulled onto the highway. The last time she’d driven this stretch of road had been with Charles Kendall the night of the condo fires. Now Charles’s car was a burned-out shell of blackened steel, the latest casualty in the string of arson fires plaguing their community.

Charles could be a pest, but was that reason enough for someone to destroy his car? The irony of the situation rendered serious implications. Charles had been relentless on the Fourth of July in questioning the Judge about the arson investigation. Now Charles himself was a victim of the same crime.

Arson is a difficult crime to prove.
Mike’s words from that night pounded an insistent beat in her head. Evidence was often destroyed at the scene, burned beyond recognition.

What makes someone start a fire?
Something else Mike had said on the Fourth of July flooded back to mind.
Profit… revenge… greed…

Who stood to profit? The Judge was a victim. She’d witnessed it with her own eyes. His condo buildings had gone up in flames, brilliant against the night sky.

And the insurance money had paid off.

The tires screeched against the hot pavement as Rose hit the brakes. She’d been so consumed by thoughts of the fires, she’d nearly missed the turnoff for Mike’s road. She backed up and turned the car around, then pointed its nose down the narrow dirt road that was lined with thick evergreens and led toward a small inland lake and Mike’s driveway. Firmly she banished all thoughts of fire and Mike’s ongoing investigation. She couldn’t do anything about any of it, at least not right now, with the Judge in California. But once he returned, they were going to talk. He had made her a promise, and she would insist he keep it.

For tonight, the only thing she intended to concentrate on was having a good time with Mike. Hopefully that fire monitor of his would cooperate and remain silent.

Rose pulled in tight behind Mike’s pickup and cut the engine. She undid her seat belt, trying to quell the growing disappointment as she eyed the dark blue sedan next to Mike’s truck. She’d assumed the two of them would be having dinner alone. He hadn’t mentioned inviting anyone else tonight.

Mike and another man strolled around the corner of the cabin as she opened the car door. Rose managed a graceful exit as the two of them approached. One look at the stranger standing at Mike’s side and she knew exactly who his company was. Family.

“You must be Mike’s brother, Terry.” She extended her hand. “I’m Rose. It’s nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” he replied.

There could be no mistaking the two of them as brothers. Terry, though slimmer and with thinning hair a darker shade of blond, looked like an older version of Mike. Both brothers carried themselves with the same friendly manner. She smiled as she glimpsed another pair of twinkling turquoise-blue eyes… though not with the same stellar blue intensity she’d grown accustomed to in her fireman.

“Mike didn’t tell me you were coming for a visit.”

“That’s my fault. I got my weeks mixed up,” Mike said. “I thought Terry was coming next week to do some fishing. He showed up a little earlier than I expected.”

“Try a whole week early,” Terry said with an easy laugh. “That’s okay, Mikey. I know you’ve been busy. You ought to buy yourself a calendar.”

“
Mikey
? He calls you
Mikey
?” Rose grinned at the notion.

“He
used
to call me Mikey. Isn’t that right, Terry?” Mike threw a playful punch at his brother’s shoulder.

“Whatever you say,
Mikey
,” Terry said, jabbing back in reply.

It was hard not holding back the envy as she watched them joust in friendly camaraderie. Mike and Terry had something she’d always longed for. She’d always wanted brothers and sisters, to be part of a large family. Mike and Terry were lucky. They had each other.

Even better was the fact they seemed to actually
like
each other.

“I didn’t mean to intrude.” Terry’s face wore a frank, open look. “Like I was telling Mike just before you drove up… how about I hop in my car and go back where I came from? I can come up any weekend, and it’s obvious I’m interrupting something here. The last thing I want is to interfere with my little brother’s date.”

“Please don’t leave on account of me—” Rose started.