Students, professors, and police officers were waiting to hear any news. Hell, the lovely older woman from Maggie’s diner had opened up early, bringing coffee, water, and pastries. That had inspired other small food businesses in town to do the same.
I certainly couldn’t say I was alone.
Darlene had come with me, Cassie and Tammy heading to my house to walk and stay with the dogs. I’d never realized just how many friends I had until now.
Especially when several locals had learned that I was friendly with Viper, a man already considered a hero. There was so much support that I was almost suffocated in well wishes and concerns.
“Drink the water, Grace,” Darlene told me as she shoved a bottle into my hand.
My teeth were still chattering, maybe from the moisture left by the storm. “I’m fine. Just fine.”
“I didn’t ask, but that’s the fiftieth time you’ve said that. You’re not fine and it’s perfectlyfinenot to befine.”
It took me a few seconds to realize she was trying to joke with me. When I stared at her, she rolled her eyes. The buzz had continued to heighten about the fire being purposely set. I could see fear in several pairs of eyes.
“See. You’re not. Come sit down.” She tried to pull my arm but I froze.
“The bastard loves this. He is loving that people are suffering.”
“Who are you talking about,” she pressed. “The killer?”
“Hell, yes. That asshole must be found.”
“Just calm down. Okay? I will help you. I’ve already made a couple calls. Yes, I know it’s the middle of the night, but the lighter you found means something. Maybe that’s why he or she returned to the site of the crime. To find it.” She squeezed my arm again as she yanked hair from her face, scanning the crowd like I was doing. It was better than staring at the black blob of the mountain, shadows creating ominous monsters. “Oh, shit. I think you’re about to become famous.”
“What are you talking about?”
The reporters were tenacious. Within two seconds, I had three microphones in my face, the same reporter who’d interviewed the captain right in front of me.
My body stiffened, my throat threatening to close.
“You’re Grace Monroe,” she said as if I didn’t remember who I was.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“I understand you’re a local veterinarian, also the daughter of two recent murder victims as well as the girlfriend of Viper Locke, the smokejumper trapped on the mountain. True?”
Well, what a charismatic way of putting the worst pieces of my life together in a neat little package.
I tried to turn and walk away, but I was completely surrounded. “Yes, I am all three and in my off time, I ride horses and like to read kinky shit. Although you can call meDoctorMonroe. What else would you like to know?” My flippant answer might not obtain me a winning position on the city council, but I wasn’t interested in playing the martyr for anyone’s fifteen minutes of fame.
While the lead reporter was none too happy with me, the other two were fighting to hide their amusement.
“Doctor Monroe. I know this is an incredibly difficult time for you, but can you tell me what kind of man Viper Locke is, so we all have a better understanding of the man behind the hero?”
At least the second reporter’s question held some respect and I didn’t mind answering her question. “Viper Locker is an incredible human being. On his way into town, he saved a starving dog he found on the side of the road, choosing to adopt him rather than to hand him over to animal control. He’s kind and loving, thoughtful in every way and I can tell you in allhonesty, that he’s one of the bravest men I’ve ever met. He’s just… perfect.”
“Wow. Perfect. That’s a glowing testament, especially for a man recently released from prison.”
“For protecting his sister, who was physically and sexually abused by a monster. While I don’t condone his actions, I do understand and I think all of us who have a family do. He gave me the strength to demand justice for my parents.” I took the opportunity to speak to the bastard who’d killed my parents. Why not? I’d never have another chance like this. “The killer will be found. Just like Viper will walk out of this nightmare alive. So do me a favor and back off.”
There were more reporters who’d caught the tail end of my speech.
When the group began to barrage me with more questions, one coming right after another, my limited resolve began to crumble.
“That’s enough. No more questions.” Darlene pulled me away, even nastier to the reporters when they pushed. When I was several yards away, she turned toward me. “You can’t threaten the killer like that. You do understand you could place yourself in danger.”
“I don’t care, Darlene. If this fire was intentionally set, he must be stopped.”
