Page 71 of Never Forget
"Yeah."
He didn't push. That was Danny. He knew when words weren't going to help.
We went back inside. Megan was still unpacking groceries, filling my cabinets with things I'd never think to buy. Juice boxes. Goldfish crackers. The kind of cereal with cartoon characters on the box. Rosie watched from the couch, clutching Biscuit, her eyes tracking Megan's movements with quiet interest.
Before they left, Megan turned to Jamie. "You know Danny and I have a guest room. It's small, but it's yours if you need it."
"We're okay here. Really."
Megan glanced at me. Then she crossed the kitchen and pulled me into a hug. I wasn't expecting it.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For getting them out."
I didn't know what to say. I just nodded.
She pulled back and held my gaze. "You take care of her, Sam Reeves."
"I will."
Danny shook my hand at the door. "Call if you need anything. I mean it."
"Thanks."
The day had been long even though we'd barely left the apartment. First the fire marshal, then Megan and Danny. Jamie was on the phone for hours talking to people who needed to be notified of the situation.
Rosie was finally asleep in my bed with Biscuit tucked under her arm. Jamie and I sat in the living room with the weight of the day settling around us.
My mind kept circling back to the same question. Who would do this?
Guys might grumble about change, but they're not killers.
Danny was right. It couldn't be someone from the fire department. But if not them, then who?
"Maybe they're right."
I looked up. Jamie was staring at her hands.
"What?"
"The note. 'Go back to New York.'" She didn't meet my eyes. "Maybe I should. Maybe whoever did this will stop if I just leave."
I didn't say anything.
"I still have my apartment. My job." Her voice was quiet. "Rosie could start fresh somewhere safe."
I wasn't sure New York qualified as "safe," but I kept that to myself. I wanted to tell her to stay. That I'd protect her. That we'd figure it out together.
But that wasn't my choice to make.
"Someone burned down our house." Her voice cracked. "With Rosie inside. What if next time you're not there?"
The question hung between us.
I was quiet for a moment. "Whatever you decide, I'll help you. I just want you and Rosie to be okay."
Jamie looked at me. Something flickered in her eyes—gratitude, maybe. Or something harder to name.
She nodded. "We should get some sleep."
