Page 56 of Slow Burn
“This what?” His demand cut sharp through her words.
She pretended not to hear him. “There can’t be any more kissing.”
His jaw clicked shut, then he exhaled through his nose. “Fine.”
She studied him, suspicious. “You agreed quick.”
He scowled. “The investigation’s what matters, isn’t it?”
“Yes…”
“Then there’s nothing to think about.” He held the door for her, surly but resolute.
They decided to drive separately, the tension between them loud as thunder as they got into their vehicles. Jocelyn replayed their conversation over and over, wondering if the regret she felt stirring was from letting him in or putting up such strict boundaries.
The Hollow Inn came into view, leaving no more room to analyze.
On the outside, little seemed damaged. But inside, with the tarp covering the ruined wing and the smell of smoke clinging to every surface, Jocelyn stumbled under the weight of old memory. Cole seemed to falter, too, but he recovered quicker as they approached the front desk, where Sally and Heath’s daughter Remy sat. She looked older than her seventeen years at the moment.
“Your mama around, Rem?” Cole asked. “Jocelyn’s here to see her.”
Jocelyn tried not to be annoyed at his take-charge attitude as Remy nodded. Her blonde ponytail bobbed as she slipped from her stool to head into the back, returning a moment later with a frazzled Sally Anne in tow.
“Oh, Cole, am I glad to see you,” Sally Anne said. “Heath said you’d be by. He’s off that way with the insurance man.”
Cole nodded at her gesture and tossed Jocelyn one last look before he went in search of Heath.
“Let’s talk in my office,” Sally said, brushing loose curls from her face. “Oh, Jossie, it’s so awful. I’ve been canceling reservations all morning, rearranging accommodations, and refunding all the guests stayin’ in the right wing. Oh, I need to refund you for your stay!”
Jocelyn waved her off. “I used the room, didn’t I? I’ve got a place to stay from here on out, so you just worry about everyone else.”
Sally Anne eyed her as she led her into the cramped office, its walls crowded with family photos, licenses, and awards. “I heard you went up to Joe’s.”
Of course she had. Jocelyn squeezed into the lone chair, knees bumping the desk, while Sally Anne slid behind it, her hands lacing neatly together.
“It’s amazing what he did with the place,” Jocelyn said.
“It is.” Sally’s smile was faint and brief. “So, what is it you wanted to talk about?”
Jocelyn took the hint. “Any guesses how the fire started?”
Sally Anne’s mouth flattened. “Electrical’s what they’re sayin’. But they’re still lookin’ into it.”
“Electrical,” she repeated. “Does that sound right to you?”
Sally Anne hesitated, wary. “When we renovated, we redid everything—wiring, plumbing, the works. Paid special attention to it because of the buildin. But the fire started in a utility roomwhere all that’s hooked up. Could’ve been something we missed. Modern don’t mean perfect.”
“Who was the last person in there?” Jocelyn pressed.
“We got a maintenance guy, but Heath’s just as nosy about that stuff as anyone.” Sally Anne tilted her head. “Why are you askin’ me this, Jocelyn?”
Jocelyn made a face.
“You think it wasn’t an accident,” Sally Anne said flatly.
“I don’t think anything yet,” Jocelyn deflected, though they both knew it was a lie. “But it’s suspicious this fire happened now. In the hotel where I’m staying.”
Understanding dashed across Sally Anne’s face. “That’s why you were askin’ about Ned. You really don’t think your mama’s death was an accident, either.”
