Page 53 of Big Daddy Firemen

Compared to Big Cedar, it was a bustling metropolis.

“How many people live around here?” Walker asked as they walked into the small brick building in front of them.

“Oh, about twenty thousand, I reckon,” Theo answered. “It’s a college town, you know. So that population might dwindle a little in the summer.”

They went inside to be greeted by a heater that clearly worked. If anything, it was a little warm in there for Walker’s tastes. He was glad he’d left his coat back at the hotel. Despite it being winter, and barely over thirty degrees outside along with dark clouds overhead pregnant with snow, he still only wore a black t-shirt along with his jeans and boots. He didn’t like to be hot, so he never layered up. Except when fighting a fire, of course.

Maybe that’s why I hate to be hot,he thought with a grin.I’m surrounded by enough heat in my line of work.

Who knows?he thought. It didn’t really matter, so he turned his attention to the building they’d just entered.

It was one big room, with a high ceiling made of stamped tin that features intricate designs. He loved that old style of architecture and he wondered how old the place was.

A tall, lanky man with a protruding Adam’s apple looked up from a desk deeper in the large room and smiled as he stood up.

“Theo!” he said.

He didn’t stick out his hand as he approached, instead wrapped his long arms around Theo and the men embraced tightly.

“How long has it been?” he asked.

“A year. At least,” Theo answered. “Thanks for seeing me. I know you’re busy.”

“Hey, I’ve always got time for you.”

Theo smiled as he turned and said, “Boys, meet Scott Keyes. We served together.”

Walker was a bit surprised by the revelation. Scott was so thin that Walker couldn’t see him fighting alongside the Marines. Of course, it was possible he’d lost some bulk since those days. But he was a stark contrast to the hugely muscled Theo.

“Nice meeting you,” Walker said, thrusting out his hand.

Scott shook it, followed by Cane, Austin, and Quinn.

“Have a seat. We can round up enough chairs,” Scott said as he spun around, looking at the chairs that were scattered around the small waiting area and an empty desk.

The men got enough, positioned them around Scott’s desk, and then waited as the guy sat.

“It sure is good to see you, but I take it this isn’t a social call.” Scott grinned.

“Yeah. We have some questions and thought maybe you could help,” Theo said. “I’ll let the firefighters here explain all of it.”

Walker smiled. “We’ve had some fires around Big Cedar.” He went on to tell Scott of the forest fire, grass fire, and the old store—along with the suspicious man caught on the game cameras.

“Man, that sucks. But I’m not sure how I can help you,” Scott said. “Unless you’re wanting to move that land now. I can survey it and get all the specs to you.”

“Well, not exactly,” Walker replied. “You see, we did some digging. It turns out, some of the land around those lots has been bought up by a corporation called Southeast Development. We don’t know anything about them. Not even who owns them. They’re sort of hidden behind a lot of legal jargon.”

“That’s not unusual,” Scott said. “Most of the buyers of the land down here are companies from Texas trying to make a killing on the tourism industry that’s exploded in the mountains.” His smile grew. “Of course, we get their money back at the casinos. You know, most of the folks that come in town for the resort are Texans.”

Walker didn’t doubt it. With Durant being so close to the border, and Texas not having tribal gaming the way Oklahoma did, it stood to reason that people crossed the Red River looking to have some fun and possibly strike it rich.

It was Cane who spoke up next, explaining things to Scott. “Well, we were able to dig into some files and find that you did the surveying and even some of the procurement work for this Southeast Development company. And when Theo said he knew you, well, we thought maybe you’d have some intel that might be useful.”

This is where Quinn came in,Walker thought.

And right on cue, the lawman spoke up. “We don’t have a warrant. And I know I’m out of my jurisdiction down here. But it would sure help us if you gave us any information you have.”

Scott’s smile disappeared. He shifted in his chair and let out a loud whistle through his nose as he exhaled. “You think this company might be the one behind the fire?”

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