Page 28 of Rekindle My Heart

The guys at the table looked back and forth between them with rapt attention. Finally, Walker asked, “Okay, I’ll bite. Who you talking about?”

Larson leaned in and mock whispered, “You guys know Firefighter Randall?”

“Amy.” Ryan shot her a drop-it look. But nope, she was like a dog with a bone when she got on a subject. And he and Erica’s history was a juicy T-bone.

“The only thing going on between Erica and me is work.” He scowled at Amy. They shouldn’t be talking about anything to do with the task force, including who was on it, in front of other people.

“Yeah, you made eyes at her last summer a couple times, then again at the fire last Sunday.”

He pinched to bridge of his nose.

She must’ve gotten the clue because she changed tactics. Too bad she didn’t drop it. No, only changed tactics.

“How would you know that? You weren’t at the fire.” Ryan downed the last of his beer and waved the empty bottle at Millie signaling another round.

“You know police officers gossip more than old women.”

True. Ryan rolled his eyes.

Garrett leaned in. “To be fair, I was there and witnessed their interaction. The only eyes I saw being made were daggers being hurled by Erica. I could see she was pissed at him from twenty feet away.”

Finally. Maybe Amy would chill.

“Ooh, so there must be something really titillating between you two if she is still pissed.” Amy rubbed her hands together.

“No, I questioned her ability in front of her boss. That’s why she was pissed.” It was true. Not the whole story. He prayed it would appease Larson at least for a while. Shit, was it hot in here? Ryan felt like his feet were being held to the fire with the Spanish Inquisition Larson was throwing at him.

Amy nodded and let it go, or... she was working on a new angle.

Walker cleared his throat. “I heard there were two DBs in the fire.”

Ryan slumped in his seat and sent Evan’s a head tilt. Nice redirect.

Walker’s lip twitched in reply.

“Yeah, I’m waiting for the medical examiner’s conclusions.” The new beers were set on the table. Ryan pointed to his chest to indicate this round was on him. He owed Evans for the save. He took a swig and washed down the tightness that compressed his ribs.

“Well, I haven’t got all my test results back, but it was definitely arson, no doubt there,” Walker said as he peeled the label off his beer bottle.

Walker. Arson. Something clicked in Ryan’s two-beer brain. “You’re the arson investigator. Any news on the accelerant or when we’ll have the report?”

“Well, I have my preliminary worked up, but it could be another week before I get the chemical reports from the BCA labs.” Walker leaned back and lifted his beer to his lips. He scanned Ryan as he drank. The man wasn’t a cop, but if Ryan didn’t know any better, he’d swear the man was law enforcement. Military? He let his gaze catalog the two men in front of him. Both the men had a look about them. It was like they oozed a calm confidence.

Walker’s brow rose. “Are you working this case?”

Ryan nodded.

“You’re the one Erica mentioned.” Walker tipped his head. “Like I said, I don’t have the results, but I can tell you whatever was used to start the blaze burned insanely hot.”

“Hot? Like gasoline or kerosene?”

Walker shook his head. “Like flash-fire hot.”

Ryan made a mental note to check into that.

Walker took another swig of his beer, set it down, and looked straight at Ryan. “I’ll make sure I copy you on the report when I send it.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” He slipped a card from his pocket across the table.

“I might know someone who can give a nudge to the lab,” Amy said.

“Yeah, butter up that man and see if he can move things along faster.” Ryan didn’t want to know how she’d do it. That was a visual he didn’t need of his friend.