Page 54 of Backdraft
I thought about the guy I’d mentioned to Taylor earlier. I hadn't seen him since dinner with Shannon, and to be honest, I was glad. He gave me the creeps.
"What do you think about me talking to the fire chief about that guy?" I asked Taylor.
He glanced up. "The one that you saw here?"
"Yeah, there is something off, and I've been to a couple of fires since arriving here that were suspicious. Just old, abandoned barns where there was no reason for them to go up unless it was arson." I swirled a piece of bacon in a puddle of maple syrup and went over those fires in my mind.
"Maybe you should, especially if you think there is a connection to him and the fires." He paused with the fork almost at his mouth. “Trust your gut.”
"That's just it. I don't know if there is a connection, but my gut is telling me something’s up."
Yes, I could tell the fires were suspicious. No, there were no suspects. Yes, I was starting to suspect we had a serial arsonist. I'd made reports to the local police and the chiefs. Everyone was on alert and prepared. Once final reports came back on a few pieces of evidence, I'd have a better idea of the cause.
"Penny for your thoughts," Taylor said and put his napkin on his plate, sat back, and nursed a second cup of coffee.
"Just thinking about those barn fires."
"I don't think I heard about them,” he said and lifted his mug.
"Hmm, there really isn't much to say. I think it's an arsonist, but we don’t have any suspects. We’re still waiting on evidence,” I told him.
"Well, I'm sure he'll eventually make a mistake and fall into your lap."
"I hope so. But there's something about it that's really bugging me. You know, like when you can't quite remember something."
I reached for my mug and tilted it to see how much was left. A last gulp. "I should go through some of my case files and see if there are any similarities to the previous fires."
Taylor frowned. "How could there be similarities?"
"I meant cause, what started the fire. I’d also like to cross check fire causes in Oak Creek and some from my previous job as well." I gazed out the window and glanced up briefly when the waitress filled my mug. Just as I was turning to thank her, I saw a face out of the corner of my eye that made my blood run cold. I froze, afraid to turn and double-check.
"What?" Taylor leaned forward, and I swiveled my gaze to him.
My mouth was dry, and I gulped some coffee to unstick my tongue from the roof of my mouth. I slowly turned to look out the window, afraid of what I might see.
"What's wrong? What do you see? Drea, tell me." Taylor reached over and touched my hand, making me jump.
"Ah, I think I saw s-s-someone outside who reminds me of…"
I faced Taylor. I didn't want him to be concerned. I didn’t want to be responsible for someone else worrying over me, so I played it down.
I knew what it was like to love and lose. But I had to remind myself I wasn't the only person in the world who had.
Alarm was etched on his features, and I knew since arriving in Oak Creek, my feelings for Taylor had grown. Last night and this morning proved it. We were more than fuck buddies from Denver.
He reached over and took my hand. "Okay, whoever you saw, they're gone now." He gazed in the direction I had been looking, and of course, there was no one in sight. "Okay now?"
I met Taylor's eyes. I wanted to say no, it's not okay, but I couldn't bring myself to. If I did that, I would drag Taylor into it, because I knew he wouldn't let it go.
The parking lot was full, just as it was inside the restaurant. I searched everyone's face to try and jog my memory and see if I was being watched. Nothing.
Drawing in a deep breath, I gave Taylor a tremulous smile. I didn't want him to worry.
I wasn't positive about who I just saw. It couldn’t be him anyway, because he's in jail.
After we got home from our breakfast, I pulled out the banker box I'd brought. It held notes from some of my files. They weren't originals. Those stayed with my previous employer. These were my personal notations for some of the bigger cases as well as copies of some images that would be a valuable reference for future investigations.
If I wanted more detail, I'd have to reach out to my old boss for access. For now, I'd stick with these, and if it became necessary, I'd send an email.
