Firestorm

He glanced around the kitchen. “Broom?”

“There used to be one in here.” She opened the closet door and handed it to him. He swept the flour into piles as Kitty scooped up glass fragments with the dustpan.

“Why didn’t the sheriff take me in?” she asked. “Johnson loved to make my life miserable when I was a kid.”

“Since the property is in legal limbo and no real harm occurred, we’ll forget about the incident if you do. I’ll get the window fixed tomorrow, and you can retrieve any personal things you want to take before I lock up. I can ship the rest to you later.”

Kitty bolted upward, dropping the dustpan. “It’s two in the morning. Where am I supposed to sleep? The hotel burned down. Even if I decided to go, I’m not driving seven hours back to L.A. tonight. Besides, I can’t leave until this stupid accusation about my father is cleared up, and I get my cabin back from those thieves on the council.”

Tanner stopped sweeping and scrutinized her. “I suppose there isn’t any harm in you staying here until morning.”

“You’re not listening,” Kitty said with a steely edge to her words. “I’m not leaving Pine Lake until my father is off the suspect list. He’s not an arsonist any more than you are.”

“I’m sorry, but the evidence suggests differently.” The bristles from his broom hit the linoleum with such force, clouds encircled her boots.

“What evidence? I have a right to know!”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Miss McGuire, go back to L.A. and let us do our jobs.”

“Not when you aren’t doing your job right!” Her frustration boiled over. Tanner eyes narrowed as he towered over her. She fought the compulsion to retreat and lifted her chin to glare at him.

Tanner sighed. “Look, I know it’s difficult, but this isn’t just about your father. Two other people died too. I can’t compromise the case.”

“I already know some of the details. The two construction workers were trapped in the hotel when the firestorm hit, but my dad was miles away and already…gone.” She took several deep breaths, fighting the mental image of her father’s battered body lying at the bottom of Wildcat Falls. “He had nothing to do with it.”

“Even if he was at the fire’s origin before the fire started?”

Kitty gasped. “How do know you that? Everyone just assumed he saw the smoke and went to investigate.”

Tanner turned his back to her. “I’ve said too much already. The details will be available when the investigation is concluded.”

Kitty bit her lip to keep from screaming. “I can’t believe this. He was the fire chief for fifteen years and an honorable man. You of all people should understand what he stood for. He protected this town.”

Tanner spun toward her, a raw emotion resembling anger or maybe pain flicked across his features before the professional mask settled again. “Just because someone wears a badge doesn’t mean they always uphold the vows that go with it,” he said in a low, controlled tone. “If your father was involved, as we suspect, then his being the fire chief for fifteen years doesn’t matter.”

“I’m going to prove you wrong.”

Tanner snorted. “How? Word has it you haven’t been in Pine Lake for more than three years, except for the funeral. What’s motivating you, Miss McGuire? Remorse? Guilt over neglecting your family?”

Kitty’s cheeks flamed. “I don’t have to answer to you or the sheriff. My relationship with my father is none of your business.”

“You’re right. My business is to protect the people in this town. I don’t have time for this nonsense.” Tanner tossed the broom into the closet and the floor shook as he strode to the door. “I’ll nail plywood over the window before I go. There are scraps in the shed.”

“I can do it.”

“Fine. Just make sure you close and lock the door this time.”

“Yes, sir.” Kitty rolled her eyes. As if she’d forget after her encounter with Fangs tonight.

“If you have a cell phone, keep it handy in case there’s trouble. I’ll be back in the morning to fix the window and help you move out.” He issued a command to the dog, and they disappeared into the night.

Kitty ran to the door. As much as she despised the idea, she needed his cooperation. “Tanner,” she called, racing across the moonlit clearing and into the dark woods behind him.

“Wait. I apologize for making you angry.” She gasped, her lungs burning. “And I’m sorry I scratched you, even if it wasn’t exactly my fault. Please wait.”

His steps slowed and then stopped on the narrow trail zigzagging up the hill. He turned to face her. “Look, Miss McGuire, I’m sorry I can’t help you. I understand how hard this must be. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about you and your father. I’m sorry for your loss, but for your sake, just go home and leave the investigating to the experts.”

“I—I can’t.” A knot rose in her throat as she struggled to find her footing on the rocky incline. “What you said about me not being around lately for my dad is true. We had … problems, but he was a good man. He doesn’t deserve to be remembered for a crime he didn’t commit. Besides, this isn’t just about me not wanting his memory tarnished. There’s more at stake.”

Tanner waited, tall and still against a starlit sky.

She bit her lip. How much should she tell this stranger who might hold the key to clearing her father’s name? People twisted the truth for their own means all the time. She should be cautious until she got all the facts. But when she opened her mouth, the words gushed out like the thaw cascading over Wildcat Falls.

“My grandmother is in a nursing home and the only family I have left in the world. Nana is fragile and Dad’s death threw her into a deep depression. I—I thought I’d lose her too.” She swallowed hard. “As the fire chief, he was a hero in her eyes. Her belief that he went up on that mountain trying to save lives and died honorably in the line of duty gave her comfort. Now you’re claiming he committed arson. Maybe even murder. The shock will kill Nana if she hears that.”

“I’m sorry, but the facts—”

“He didn’t set that fire. I know he didn’t. I feel it in here.” She thumped a fist over her chest as she moved closer to him. “Let me prove it. I’ve taken classes in arson investigation and might provide some insight, unofficially of course. Plus, I grew up here and know this valley like the back of my hand. And despite what the sheriff may have told you about my absence, I still know more about my dad’s habits, his friends and activities than anyone else. I can be very useful to you.”

Her heart thudded in her ears as she stared into his eyes, willing him to believe her. His granite expression softened and he sighed, his breath tickling her lips. She became aware of how close they stood. She stepped away and her boot slipped on the trail’s sheer edge. Arms flailing, she pitched backward.

“Watch it!” Tanner grabbed her shirt and yanked hard. She slammed against him, her lungs letting out a whoosh of air. Stunned, she didn’t move in his embrace. The world stilled as heat radiated off his skin. Chilled with expended adrenaline, she longed to stay enveloped in his sturdy warmth. For a brief moment, she envisioned what it would be like to have someone’s strong arms around her like this, assuring her she wasn’t so alone in the world. Uneasiness rolled over her. She didn’t want to need anyone. After Jordan left, she’d promised herself never to be so vulnerable again.

“You can let go now,” she said, her voice muffled in his shirt, but he didn’t loosen his hold until she stood firmly in the middle of the path.

“Watch your step. I’m not really in the mood to fill out medical paperwork tonight.”

“I’m fine—thank you. Sorry about that…” She stepped farther away, embarrassment heating her cheeks.

She glanced at Tanner. He watched her with an amused tilt to his mouth. “Come by the station in the morning, and we’ll discuss your father’s case. There are questions you may be able to answer.” He turned and resumed his hike up the hill.

“Thanks, Tanner. You won’t regret it.” Her voice bounced off the massive boulders on the hill. His tall profile melted into the shadows as she rubbed her arms in the brisk air. Her heart still thudded painfully, but something told her it wasn’t just from the altitude. This tiny bubble of attraction to the man could be a problem. She should hate his guts for destroying her father’s reputation and memory.

The moonlight shone bright enough she found her way easily down the trail back to the cabin. Heeding Tanner’s advice, she found a plywood plank and nailed it over the broken window. She’d never been afraid to be alone in the cabin before, but tonight the shadows and quiet seemed ominous. After checking all the locks, she wandered into the living room and sank onto the sofa, too weary to attempt a shower. A cricket sang within the ancient log walls. Was it welcoming her home or warning her away?

She leaned back and studied her parents’ portrait over the fireplace. She’d never understood why her father kept the painting after the divorce. But then, she’d never understood a lot of things about Sam McGuire. Like what he’d been doing at Wildcat Ravine before the fire started.

She blinked rapidly as a fresh wave of grief engulfed her. She wasn’t going to cry. Tears didn’t do any good. She needed to concentrate on the case so she could leave the harsh memories behind and return to her real life. Not only would she run out of vacation pay, but she’d lined up job interviews for a position in arson investigation. A breakthrough here might help her chances to move up in rank.

A scratching noise drew her attention to the hole in the corner where her dad had designed a makeshift pet door to the crawl space under the cabin.

“Max?”

A soft meow answered, and the pet door flap lifted, revealing yellow eyes. The cat sprang through the opening and scampered to the couch. Kitty buried her face into the purring white fur. “I’ve missed you.”

The cat’s rough tongue swiped Kitty’s chin. Oh, how she’d wanted to take Max to the city with her after the funeral, but she knew he’d be miserable in a tiny apartment. Max was born a mountain cat and enjoyed roaming the woods. Thankfully, her neighbor Mrs. Oakley lived across the meadow and graciously offered to adopt Max and keep him fed. Apparently, he still liked to visit his old home.

Kitty pulled one of Nana’s knitted afghans over her legs. Max circled in her lap and settled into a vibrating tubby lump. Kitty rested her head on the cushion, but sleep evaded her as troubled thoughts swirled in her mind.