Firestorm. Kelly Riley Ann

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      Tanner reappeared from the shadows. “I apologize for the misunderstanding, Miss McGuire.” He snapped his fingers. The growling ceased, and the dog sprang to Luke’s side.

      “A misunderstanding?” Kitty sputtered, following them around the corner of the house. “That’s the understatement of the year. Tell me something, Tanner, where in your job description does it say a fire chief is supposed to be out patrolling for burglars, or in this case, jumping defenseless females?”

      Tanner paused at the fuse box, then the kitchen flooded with light. “I’m a neighbor. I was out for a run, minding my own business, until you decided to wake the whole forest by smashing a window. File a complaint against me if you wish, but the fact is, you still broke into town property.” His gaze sifted over her, making her skin prickle. “And I wouldn’t call you defenseless either. You managed to get your claws into me, but I guess I can’t blame you for defending yourself.”

      He flipped on the porch light and brushed back his black hair, sending up a puff of white before he entered the cabin. “Be careful,” he warned. Glass popped under his shoes. “Jack, stay.”

      She stepped cautiously around the dog that had halted in the doorway. The narrow, outdated kitchen looked even worse in the dingy light. Flour coated the countertops and floor like a fine snow. “What’d you mean when you talked about me returning to the scene of the crime? What happened?”

      Tanner brushed his hand along the counter, and flour cascaded to the floor like a waterfall. “Someone broke in here yesterday. Third burglary in town this week. Jimmied the back door open, but at least there wasn’t any major damage. Just a few drawers tossed around. I live up the hill, so the town council hired me to oversee this place. I put in deadbolts this afternoon. You may want to check to see if anything’s missing.”

      Kitty nodded as the hairs on her arms stood up at the thought of a stranger pawing through her father’s things.

      “I filed a report. You would’ve been contacted soon.” Tanner’s military-straight posture exuded self-confidence, even streaked with flour. Kitty’s insides relaxed some. Maybe he wasn’t as incompetent as she first thought. Maybe she could reason with him.

      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. СКАЧАТЬ