Liam dialed the supervisor’s number.
Supervisor Howard answered on the second ring. “Howard.”
Liam pulled the SUV into a spot and shoved it into Park. “Supervisor Howard, this is Liam Roberts. I need to speak with you about the Williams sisters.”
“I’ve got five minutes before my next meeting. That enough time?”
“It will have to be.” Liam rubbed the back of his neck. “It turns out that my niece and Isabella Williams aren’t just gettinginto random trouble. The people they’ve been hanging with could possibly be related to the arsons around Renegade.”
Supervisor Howard whistled. “I’m going to guess that’s not the only reason you called.”
“Both girls received threatening text messages yesterday from said people. I’ve already been in touch with Renegade Police Department and the fire marshal.”
“Good. Do we have reason to believe that the group is responsible for the Williamses’ house fire?”
“I don’t have anything to confirm or deny. Personally, I don’t think they are related, but I’m not going to discount it.” Liam tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.
“Good idea.”
“Samantha is worried about all of the attention she has been getting from me. In a professional capacity, that is. Between the fire at her house and the girls getting into trouble, she’s afraid her friends and coworkers are going to start asking questions and her cover will get blown.”
Now for the tricky part. “We tried to come up with some explanations last night. Everything I can think of doesn’t lead to long-term contact between us, or as much as we would need to ensure their safety. Then she mentioned a fake relationship.”
Yep, he’d done that. Thrown her under the bus. Actually, ithadbeen her idea. He was just running with it.
Supervisor Howard exhaled into the phone. “As in dating?”
Liam leaned his head back. “Yes. I know the rules frown upon getting personally involved with a witness, but we won’t actuallybeinvolved with each other romantically.”
But they would be spending a lot of time together.
“I don’t know. That’s a fairly thin line you’re suggesting you dance on.”
“I know, sir, but it makes the most sense. It can easily be explained. We met because of the girls. We hang out becausewe like each other and the girls are friends. It doesn’t raise any suspicion with the people she’s around. I can keep an eye on them and dig into what could be going on. Everyone wins.”
Supervisor Howard was silent.
He was going to nix the idea.
“I’ll green-light this for now. But if anything happens—I mean anything—it’s your career that’s in jeopardy.”
Liam swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yes, sir.”
“This conversation never happened.” His tone left no room for argument.
“Understood.” Liam gave a curt nod, even though Supervisor Howard couldn’t see him.
The weight of the situation settled heavily on his shoulders. There was so much riding on this. The safety of his witnesses, his niece, and his heart.
Lord, am I doing the right thing?
Peace settled over him. Whatever happened, good or bad, God would be with him.
He opened the SUV door and made his way to Timberline Toasties.
Being new to the area meant he didn’t know much about the local cuisine outside of the major food franchises, but Sam had raved about the sandwich shop known for its variety of grilled cheese options and paninis.
Liam’s mouth watered as garlic, butter, and roasted chicken wafted from the door of Timberline Toasties as customers came and went. Sam and the girls were waiting for him outside.
