Page 61 of Fear of Flames
“Research.” She inhaled. “I can do that.” She narrowed her eyes. “You promise there’s no physical test.”
“I promise, but...”
“But what?”
He arched his eyebrows and a gleam returned to his eyes. “From my experience, I’d say you’re very fit.”
She felt the heat rise beneath her skin.
“And endurance,” he went on, “you have that.”
Michelle smiled, walked to the bed, and sat on the edge with a sigh. “I was afraid he’d say no.”
Fletch crouched near her knees. “I was prepared for his answer to go either way.”
“This is what you do. You believe in it. I could never ask you to leave it behind.”
He cupped her cheek. “You didn’t ask me, Chell. I know I have marketable skills.”
She leaned into his touch and smiled. No one had ever called her Chell before, just Michelle or Shelly. Staring into Fletch’s dark eyes, she liked the way it sounded coming from his lips.
“Beyond the gate isn’t safe for you. Until it is, I want to know that you’re not in danger.”
“What’s behind the gate? Are there stores or restaurants?”
Fletch shook his head. “We need to go into one of the nearby towns for those things. There’s a cafeteria, but the food we picked up from convenience stores tastes better.”
“Did you get pizza from there?” When he didn’t answer, she added, “I found some in the refrigerator. It was rock hard.”
“Don’t eat it. You might break a tooth. But if you do, we do have medical and dental services in the complex.”
Michelle shook her head. “I don’t mind cooking.”
“If you make me a list, I’ll go shopping this afternoon.”
“I can go with you.”
“There’s an APB out on you. The complex is safest.”
“I’ll wear your hat,” she said with a hopeful grin.
“Leo sent me some information I asked for. Now that I’m home, I can search the internet to find out what your status is.”
“Fine. I need the Wi-Fi password.”
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Ali cautiously drove away from Iron Falls. “What a dick.”
Kenzi laughed. “It started when he called us girls.”
“Patronizing.”
Kenzi agreed. “That was the highlight. It went downhill from there.” She turned to Ali. “Do you think Dennis Holdcraft committed suicide?”
“First, the Sheriff told IMPD he wanted to speak to Michelle about possible involvement. Now he’s saying suicide. What is he covering up?”
