Someone to Trust. Ginny Aiken

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СКАЧАТЬ waves. “Dad says it wasn’t just a fire. He says a meth lab blew up.”

      Nose for trouble? His was dead on.

      From the moment he’d arrived at the theater, his instincts had begun to alert him and not just to the scent of crime. They had tipped him off to something he hadn’t expected. He’d come home looking for a more peaceful, less stressful work environment. As an arson investigator, he’d had his fill of arsonists, a unique kind of thief and killer who took pleasure from the destruction they caused. And now, after the first serious fire he worked for the Loganton Fire Department, it turned out the thrill of the hunt still gave him a charge.

      He stood. “Meth’s a killer—in more ways than one. Any idea who might be behind it?”

      She shook her head and arched her brow. “Here I thought the answer to that question was what an arson investigation was all about.”

      He conceded her point with a nod. Then he spun and headed out to find his answer. His mind whirled with the new information. What Cate had just told him colored the fire at the theater in a whole different palette.

      There was a killer out there. He hadn’t killed Joe or Wilma, but anyone who cooked meth had blood on his hands, the blood of those he had hooked.

      Rand realized he would have missed solving arson cases had there really been a difference between a small town and a large city. But people were people. A kaleidoscope of memories swirled through his head. Loss, injury, death—and the cesspool where arsonists lived and where he’d had to swim all those years to catch them. And yet, here he was, treading that same water again.

      The constant contact with the worst side of society had nearly stolen every last drop of humanity he’d possessed. That’s why he’d come home…

      …never thinking he’d wind up right back in the thick of it.

      TWO

      At six the next morning, Zoe Donovan, Cate’s best friend since kindergarten, finished her shift at the hospital blood lab. She marched right up to the ICU and insisted Cate leave with her. Cate tried to argue.

      Zoe countered. “I’m not listening. The kids will be up any minute now and you know they’re going to squabble. Think of poor Miss Tabitha, all alone with the three darlings.”

      Cate glared. “They do go at it with all the gusto of sibling rivalry, but Miss Tabitha is wonderful with them and I just checked in with her forty-five minutes ago. She said she had everything under control and I shouldn’t worry. She’s such a sweetheart. They’re always on their best behavior for her. This is Dad—”

      “And he would want you home. His medical team’s fabulous—you know he’s in excellent hands. Tell me I’m wrong. Go on.” The light of challenge shone in her green eyes. “Besides, just think of all the times you and your dad have had to referee the trio just to wind up with something that might remind you of peace.”

      “Fine. I’m a realist. They’re wonderful individuals, but perfect? Uh-uh. Especially not during the morning routine.”

      Cate tugged her jacket tighter around her middle when they stepped out into the cold fall morning. “So how am I going to tell them their gramps is in critical condition? They’ve already gone through so much. First they lost their parents, then their grandmother three years later. Now this.”

      “The Lord will find a way—or in this case, a word. Ask Him. He won’t let you down.”

      “But this is Dad.” She closed her eyes, shook her head, took a breath. “The kids are little and he’s the only stability they’ve ever known.”

      “That’s probably why he asked you to move back in a couple of years ago.”

      Cate snorted. “You know he doesn’t need my help. And all that babble about my youth helping him parent them better than he would alone is just that: babble.”

      Everyone in town had commented on his apparent lunacy. Predictions had hovered somewhere between the kids’ certain ruination and their imminent stints in the juvie system.

      Their perceptions of Cate hadn’t changed much over the years. Even if she had. Or she thought she had.

      “What if…what if all the people who said I couldn’t cut it were right? What if I blow it with them and something awful happens?”

      “Come on. Look at your day care center.”

      “That’s different. Parents know I hire only the best. They know their kids are safe with my teachers, some of whom they’ve known for years. I’m mainly the administrator. But Lindsay and the twins? Dad’s always been there to keep me from messing up too badly.”

      Zoe brushed imaginary lint off Cate’s shoulder. “Dust that junk off, sister. I remember how scared you were, but it didn’t take you long to get into a family groove and you’ve done a great job, if I do say so myself.”

      They crossed the parking lot, heading for Zoe’s yellow subcompact. Cate loved the tiny car, especially since she had to tool around town in a massive green minivan.

      Zoe pulled out her keys and zapped the lock gizmo. “Hop in. I’ll give you a ride back to your car.”

      They pulled out into the light early morning traffic in silence. A moment later, Zoe piped up. Again.

      “What’d you think of your dad’s newest hire?”

      Rand’s features flew into Cate’s thoughts, vivid and strong. He’d changed, but not so much. He still reminded her of her dad’s protégé, the guy who could never do wrong back in high school.

      Only better looking.

      But she couldn’t let Zoe know she thought of Rand that way. “Eh…not much. He’s still Rand Mason, you know?”

      “He did come to see about your dad. He cares.”

      Cate shrugged. “He’s always cared about Dad. Of course he’d come see how Dad’s doing.”

      At the light, Zoe shot her a sideways glance. “Hm…just to see about your dad? Didn’t look like it to me.”

      Intense blue eyes materialized in Cate’s memory. “Um…yeah. He gave me the third degree about the kids. He doesn’t think much of me.”

      Zoe gunned the pedal. “Coulda fooled me. He looked pretty interested when he was talking to you right before I got there.”

      “No way! Not Rand. He’s not interested in me. He doesn’t like me. Trust me. A woman can tell when a man can’t stand her. He can’t stand me.”

      “Uh-huh.” Zoe chuckled, and Cate’s frustration grew. Rand had made her uncomfortable. But arguing with Zoe was a no-win situation. Besides, she had three kids waiting for her. And Cate knew all about the weight of parental responsibility. The fire had made hers even greater.

      Cate glared at her friend. “Just drive, will ya? I’ve had a horrible night, my dad’s in the ICU, and the three kids are probably driving Miss Tabitha nuts by now. That’s the only thing I can do anything about right now, so let me get going to do what СКАЧАТЬ