Firestorm. Kelly Riley Ann

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СКАЧАТЬ 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.

      Her reaction toward Tanner disturbed her. Unfortunately, he hadn’t fit the profile of the inept dolt she’d imagined on the long drive up here. This man wouldn’t be easily swayed. His eyes held an unusual intensity and worldly intelligence that intrigued her but also warned her to be cautious. She couldn’t let a physical reaction cloud her judgment. She’d use him just like he’d use her to get the job done. Past experience had taught her well. Rule your life with your brain, not your heart. It was safer that way.

      It was a mistake, Luke Tanner told himself for the tenth time as he charged up the steep, rocky hill. No doubt about it, he was slipping. How else could he have let the McGuire woman and her sick grandmother get under his skin so easily?

      Three months retired from the Bureau and he’d already lost his objectivity. His research revealed Sam McGuire’s mother still lived in a nursing home, but Kitty, despite her innocent-looking blue eyes, could be lying through her pretty, pink lips. Her eighty-four-year-old grandmother might be senile and not even know McGuire had died. He’d been fooled before, and the process nearly cost him everything he loved.

      He sprinted for the steps to his porch and leaned over, his hands on his knees. Living at seven thousand feet above sea level had some disadvantages—like less oxygen. If he hadn’t spent so much time in the Sacramento office the last couple months wrapping up loose ends, maybe he’d be acclimated by now. Jack panted beside him. Luke rubbed the dog’s soft ears. “Come on, let’s check on Michael.”

      The dog raced ahead as Luke deactivated the alarm and climbed the stairs to the attic bedroom. The glow from the night-light illuminated the peaceful expression on Michael’s face, so unlike the surly one dominating it most days. Jack sniffed the boy from head to foot, and then lay on the rug, apparently satisfied no harm had come to his young charge.

      Luke untangled the quilt from around the lanky ten-year-old body, gently tucking the ends under. “Thank СКАЧАТЬ