Chapter 43 Beau
BEAU
“Can I see you in my office for a minute?” The chief holds his door open.
I follow him in and sit after he motions toward the chair parked in front of his immaculate desk. “What’s up?”
“We got the lab tests back from the Halloween fire.” He opens a file and turns it to me. “You were right to be suspicious of the markings on the rug. An accelerant was used. Good catch.”
“Damn. I was hoping I was wrong.” The room was waterlogged, so it’s a miracle I noticed the weird black marks on the ground.
But since sixty percent of fires in schools are deliberate, it wasn’t a stretch to think it was about more than overcooked bacon.
Plus, who cooks bacon after school like that? It was too odd.
“You weren’t on the team that put out the fire, were you?”
“No, sir. But after we evacuated everyone, I went in to check to make sure they didn’t need assistance.” That’s when I noticed the marks.
“I’m going to forward the results to Police Chief Reynolds. The school submitted a list of teachers there that night. I was thinking Reynolds should cross-reference that with the teachers there the night of the shed fire in the back lot. Unfortunately, everyone was there for the stink bomb.”
“Do you really think a teacher did this?”
He tilts his head. “Either that or a student. But I suppose it can’t hurt to ask if there are any pissed-off parents running around.”
“Given the new labs, can’t we get some emergency funding for cameras? Because what if this person strikes again? There are a lot of people who could get hurt.” The thought of anything happening to Honey makes my blood run cold.
“I’ll check with Reynolds to see if he has any ideas about that, but I know funds this year are tight.”
Leaning forward, I run a palm over my jaw. “The best way to catch an arsonist is if they don’t know about the cameras.”
He nods. “I’m not sure what the laws are regarding cameras in schools, but I agree. If we’d had cameras in the hallways, we could narrow down the suspects.”
“And the trash fire in the bathroom? Did we hear back about that?”
“Looks like it was just a cigarette. The preliminary labs showed no accelerant.”
I consider the other problems they’ve had at the school. “Think it’s the same person who let off the stink bomb last week?”
“Anything’s possible at this point.”
“They seem to want to create maximum chaos. Because it’s not just about the destruction of property.”
He shakes his head. “Maybe it’s some messed-up kid. Who knows?”
“Well, thanks for letting me know.” I’m about to get up, but the chief holds up his hand.
“The reason I want to keep you informed is because you’ve become a damn fine firefighter. I was wondering if you’ve considered putting in for the lieutenant position that’s opening next month.”
Stunned, I stare back at him. “I’m honored you thought of me, sir, but I’m not sure I can juggle any more responsibility. The ranch keeps me busy on my off days.”
“Figured you’d say that. But if you change your mind, let me know.”
“Thank you, sir. I will.”
As much as I’d love the promotion, I can barely keep up with everything as it is. It never used to bother me that I had no free time, but now that I’m seeing Honey, I’d like to be able to hang out with her a few times a week.
I was busy all weekend on the ranch, and now I’m on another three-day shift, an extra one I picked up before I started dating her. I thought it might be helpful to have extra funds for the holidays.
After I leave his office, I try calling her, but she doesn’t pick up, so I leave a message.
“Hey, princess, it’s me. I hope you’re having a great day.
It’s been busy, but maybe we can catch up later.
Oh, and Paige asked if you could pick up a pie for Thursday.
If you can’t squeeze that in, let me know, and I’ll track one down. Talk to you soon.”
Turning around, I almost run into Melissa, whose eyes are narrowed at me. “You never left me sweet messages like that when we were dating, asking if I’d had a good day.”
We never fucking dated. In fact, I triple-checked that we were on the same page about that before we ever got involved. I blow out a breath. “We shouldn’t talk about this here. We’re at work.”
“But we could fuck at work. You were okay with that.”
I knew we never should’ve gotten involved. “It happened one time, and it was a mistake. Not to mention highly unprofessional.” We don’t have a “no fraternization” policy, but the chief prefers we keep the drama out of the firehouse.
And Mel is definitely drama.
She folds her arms. “We need to talk. I have some personal things I need to tell you.”
Great. Exactly what I need right now. “Fine.”
“After our shift tomorrow?”
Super looking forward to it.
Except when our shift ends, she’s out on another call, and I don’t have the patience to wait around. I have a list of things I need to do at the ranch before our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.
Mel and I will have to talk another time.
I’m all broken up about it.