27. No Right To Judge #2
She nodded. “Then we can just have dinner and talk about whatever you want to. It doesn’t have to be about family, you or me. And if in a few months or years you want to try again, I’ll be here.”
“Maybe that is for the best,” Sean said quietly. Like he was embarrassed to extend that olive branch, but she’d take it.
Somehow they got through dinner. Kind of in record time.
She was home in less than ninety minutes from when she’d left and happy for it.
If she was looking for something more with Sean, she had to tell herself that, if it happened, it was just going to take time.
Sara seemed nice and supportive, and that was all that mattered. If Sean was happy in his life, he didn’t have to be happy with her.
Skye had a good thing and she knew it. She refused to let herself feel any more guilt over it.
Especially after Keegan and Tate gave her shit this morning when they found out she’d gone home alone. Which meant that only Ash could have told them.
What a rat.
She wrinkled her nose and went to her computer. Might as well go back to her book now that she knew she could reach out to Rory Connors.
Good lord, she didn’t know if she had the courage to do that.
Though she had to tell herself that it was her boyfriend’s future brother-in-law. It wasn’t like he was a complete stranger.
Not really.
She flipped the lid on her laptop and got to work, then remembered to check her email quickly and felt the dread fill the pit of her stomach over the email waiting there for her.
Why? How? It wasn’t even a fire this person started.
But yet, there it was, flashing at her to open and read it.
She took a deep breath and didn’t do it.
Instead, she picked up her phone and called Tate first, then Detective Brown on the case.
Like she expected, she was told right away to bring her laptop back to the police department.
And of course, there was Keegan right there with Tate waiting to find out what it said when she walked in.
“I can’t get away from this,” she said to Tate and Keegan.
Her new family. Those who knew her well and supported her.
Better than Sean, who she’d just left.
“We’ll catch the person, Skye,” Tate said. “Right, Dan?”
Detective Brown nodded. “Hopefully sooner rather than later.”
The email was opened: I don’t like someone else getting the attention. That doesn’t seem right. Maybe it’s time I change it up and give you something to really write about.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Keegan asked, reading the open email.
“Maybe he’s pissed off that I wrote another article about a fire and it wasn’t about him? How the hell should I know?” She threw her hands in the air.
Kyle had been all but salivating over these stories. The more she submitted, the more people read. This was big news for the area and the paper. Big for his job also.
“Looks like another burner,” the tech said. “But he was connected to WiFi this time and I’ve got a location.”
“What?” she asked. At least this was more accurate than pinging off towers.
“Where were they?” Keegan asked, his fingers flexing.
That wasn’t what she needed. Her brother ready to fight.
“At a gas station. I’m willing to bet they didn’t even realize that happened,” the tech said. “It looks to be offline again. We couldn’t get that lucky, but maybe they’ve got cameras and we’ve got a time to look.”
“What gas station?” she asked, looking at the map he had on his screen. “Oh, my God. I was at the restaurant right next to it when this was sent.”
“You’re joking, right?” Keegan shouted.
“I don’t remember exactly when I got home, but I don’t think I was home over thirty minutes and that was sent almost an hour ago, when I was there.”
“Were you with Ash?” Tate asked. “Did you see anyone that you’ve noticed at the fires?”
“No. I was with Sean.”
“Sean who?” Keegan asked.
“My other brother, Sean,” she mumbled.
“What the fuck!” Keegan roared.
Keegan was mean and scary but rarely let people see his anger.
Not like now.
“Since when have you been talking to him again?” Tate asked. “And why didn’t we know it?”
“Whoa,” she said, putting her hand up. “That’s a conversation for another time.
I saw him weeks ago, we’ve had a few texts and his girlfriend wanted to meet me.
It was the three of us. It was a fast dinner and not very comfortable for anyone, but that’s not the point.
Let’s focus on what is the point.” This time she was pointing at the computer.
“This person right here. Is he following me now? He sounds pissed off that someone else got a story over him.”
“Yeah,” Tate said. “He does and that is making this all the worse.”
“I’m going home with you,” Keegan said. “Or better yet, you can stay with me.”
“No, no, no,” she said. “I don’t need a keeper.”
“I think you do,” Tate said. “So if you don’t go home with one of us, then you’re going with Ash.”
Ash would be her first choice, but he was pissed at her.
“Neither,” she said. “No one is going to get me. They can’t even get in the building. Relax. I’m sure it’s a coincidence.”
Though she didn’t believe it.
“Wonder how much Skye is scrambling now with that message?”
It was pretty brilliant if he did say so himself.
And the fact that someone else was getting attention? Yes, that was part of it for his message.
But he was trying not to be stupid.
He wasn’t ready to be caught. It was best to take some time off and let things simmer.
Besides, inspiration had struck again.
Why repeat yourself when variation kept people guessing? There were faster ways. Messier ways. He already knew exactly where he’d go when the time came.
Fire on a rag in a bottle full of gasoline? Sounded like a great way to send something up fast.
“Who are you talking to up there? Our movie is starting soon, and we’re waiting for you.”
Fuck. Stupid woman, couldn’t even give him peace to enjoy a little bit of fun.
“Just talking to myself. Coming.”
He tucked his burner phone away with the others and left the room, smiling like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Because he didn’t.