Page 28 of Race to Save Her

“What, like I was giving myself an alibi?” He softened his demeanor. “Detective, you are welcome to check out my house, what I was wearing, the station, whatever you want to that will help you see I’m not involved.”

“Thank you,” was all that she managed to say. “Why was there blood?”

Ames pulled up a sleeve to reveal a mess of scabs and scarring on the arm with a bandage. Katie assumed they were from burns and decided not to ask. It might be a difficult incident that he might not want to share.

“In my line of work you get injuries all the time—and sometimes worse. It was part of the job before I became an arson investigator.”

Katie felt a twinge in her gut. She almost felt bad. But she had to check out every single clue. “Okay.”

“Another please,” said Ames to the bartender. He looked back at Katie, studying her. “You look like you run.”

“Yes.”

“Come on my run with me and you can time how long it takes to get from the firehouse to the crime scene.”

“I don’t know if that would be necessary,” she said.

“And I’ll do you one better. See this watch?”

Katie knew it was an advanced fitness watch—it recorded all sorts of information and was fairly accurate.

“I have my miles, destination, and my physical responses recorded for that day. I’ll download that day’s data and email you the results. Sound good?” he said.

Katie nodded. “That would be great.”

Ames grabbed the fresh beer and took a long drink. Katie wasn’t sure if he was angry, concerned, or even annoyed. Either way, she would be able to cross off the arson investigator once and for all.

“When’s the next time you run?” he said.

“I try to run every day—work and weather permitting.”

“I’m off for the next twenty-four hours. Meet me at the firehouse and I’ll take you on the run I did on Saturday. You can verify the information from my watch.”

“I don’t⁠—”

“C’mon, Detective, you run anyway—this time it’s part work.”

“Can Cisco come?” she said.

“Your war dog?”

“Yes.” Katie thought it was strange he knew Cisco was with her in the military.

“Of course. If that makes you feel safer,” he said, showing a boyish and almost mischievous smile.

“Firehouse 0700,” she said.

“Affirmative, Detective.”

Katie didn’t want to run with Ames, but anything for the case. She could handle an hour in his company.

“Goodnight,” she said.

“Sleep well, Detective.”

Katie left the bar and walked to her car. She couldn’t place why she felt a pit in her stomach. She wasn’t typically anxious, but she had a sense she was waiting for the sky to fall. Or tomorrow to throw up another body part.

TWENTY