Page 60 of Rescued Heart

A wrinkle creased across Conroy’s forehead. “Sorry to put this on you, Rice. We’re being pressured by the mayor to find answers yesterday. And quietly. Currently, you have a special position beside Bia that helps greatly, and apparently Gregory likes you.”

Eddie’s mouth hung open. “He sure has a funny way of showing it.”

Conroy rested both of his feet back on the ground. “I understand. Trust me. Between the movie and protests over that and the resort, my guys are stretched. I appreciate your sacrifice on this.”

Not that hanging out with Bianca had been too much of a hardship.

Macon clicked the pen in his hand. “If for some reason something comes up where you can’t make it to a run, then I’ll take your place. The last thing I want is to jeopardize Rescue. But I also need to offer what’s best for our town too. And if that means one of my firefighters has to pretend to be an undercover officer, so to speak, I think you’re a great man for the job.”

Eddie pulled his collar away from his neck. There seemed to be far too much pretending in Last Chance County.

Conroy’s phone vibrated. “What about with Bia? Anything out of the ordinary since the car incident?”

Eddie picked a piece of lint off his pants. “Other than me being stupid and practically blaming her for Scout breaking his pinkie?”

Macon set down his pen. “Scout broke his finger? How did that happen?”

“A minor hairline fracture. He and Tank slid down a blow-up slide Bianca sort of arranged to cheer up the kids after Roger Pointe let slip that the mayor originally denied the grant for their youth center.”

Conroy released a heavy breath. “I’m ready for this election to be over.”

Macon did not have the same sympathetic expression on his face as Conroy. He frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me about the grant’s denial?”

Before Eddie could come up with an answer that didn’t sound like he was failing Macon’s team, Conroy’s cell phone buzzed again. He narrowed his gaze at the screen, and then his brows rose. “Looks like a deceased male has been found on the set.” He looked over the screen at Eddie. “Either of you wouldn’t currently be free now, would you? Take another look around the collapsed site while I tag along with my officers?”

Eddie rose to his feet. “Was it an accident or…”

“All I know is he was found in the trees between the parking lot and the sidewalk beside the smoking area.”

Macon stood as well. “Rice, take a radio and your gear with you in your truck. I’ll have another with me packed in the chief’s truck too, in case a call goes out. I’ll be praying things start getting back to boring around this town.”

After Conroy left, Eddie grabbed his turnout gear. As he headed for his truck, his phone rang. He shuffled his gear to read his screen. The name “Mary” made him hit the ignore button. It was never good when his mother tried to call.

He really wished his grand-ma’am hadn’t given Mary his number before she passed.

Eddie turned onto the road with the security gate to the film set. Normally there were tourists or fans standing around trying to get a peek at the actors, and a few protestors planted at random corners around the set. But today the entire sidewalk overflowed with angry faces.

Rows of people holding signs with the wordmoviewith a red line crossing it out raised their posters and shouted, “Stop the show! Protect our home!”

Thad came out of the security booth and waved Eddie forward.

Finally, the line of protesters snaked to the other side of the road, and Eddie rolled down his window. “You all right?”

Thad wiped the sweat off his brow. “I think my mom was right. I should have been a doctor. At least then I wouldn’t have to listen to them holler the same six words.”

Eddie turned down his radio. “It isn’t even that catchy a tune. When did the protestors arrive?”

Thad’s focus remained through Eddie’s window and on the protestors. “I haven’t been on the clock long. Can you believe it about that body? Riley found him. Poor new girl. About fainted away.”

Eddie nodded toward the set beyond the gate. “Glad you guys are getting some more security help. Sounds like you might need it.”

“She’s not with us.” He pointed to his chest where his badge sat. “She’s the newest makeup person. I forget her actual title. They all have one, these fancy movie people. I’m only the security guy. Pretty sure Riley replaced Tiff, who had a family emergency. Tiff is a real sweetheart. Brought me a soda once. Gave me glitter makeup for my granddaughter too.”

The protestors pivoted and turned back toward Eddie’s truck.

Thad groaned. “Better lift the bar for you to enter before the protestors circle around and try to get in again.” He deadpanned, “It’s sure fun having them around.”

“Thanks, Thad, for your hard work. Just think of the stories you’ll have to tell the grandkids.”

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