He’s still standing on the porch like he owns the place. My muscles flex like I’m bracing for a fight, which sends a shot of pain through my bad hip. I take the few stairs up to the porch and hold out my hand. “You must be Mark.”
“I am. And you’re the fireman?”
“Brady Wilkinson. I’m part of the fire brigade.”
He shakes my hand with the firm businessman’s grip, and I give it right back. “I heard you used to play for the Sharks.”
“I did a while back.”
“We’re fans,” he says blandly, studying me like I’m the one person he’ll never trust. “What can you tell us about the fire?”
“I can tell you everything I know.”
“Let’s chat inside,” Sammy says and steps through the front door.
Mark and I stand there, sizing each other up. Who follows Sammy first? Or who tells the other guy togo ahead? Who’s in control?
I wait.
Mark nods at the door for me to go first.
I enter. It’s a stalemate.
Sammy takes the seat opposite me at the kitchen table. Mark sits at the end. I talk directly to Sammy. I can’t look at Mark. Our horns are already locked, and I need to stay calm and focused.
I tell her about the car fire and the spread into the woods. I talk about doing aerial drops and cutting down hazardous trees.I let her know the property took a hit. But we’re reasonably sure we’ve stopped the spread.
“The fire was no accident. We think it's time you assume the arsonist is coming after you. He had plenty of opportunities to set a fire before Tabitha left your car there. But he waited. You can’t dismiss it as a coincidence.”
“That’s it, then,” Mark says. “You and Lara need to leave. It’s not safe here.”
Sammy sighs, her gaze directed to the woods behind the house.
Mark glares at me. “Do any of your people have any idea who this guy is? And why he’s going after Sammy?”
I shake my head.
Sammy folds her hands on the table. “If this guy is after me, why hasn’t he struck here? At this house?”
I shrug. “We don’t know how he operates. We’re trying to keep you safe, and the safest thing you can do is assume he’s after you.”
Sammy holds my gaze. “But you don’t have any direct evidence.”
“A burned down B&B and a torched car should be evidence enough,” Mark says. “Dammit, Sammy. You’re a target and that makes Lara a target, too.” He drums his fingers on the table. “You’re both coming back to LA with me. Tomorrow.”
Sammy looks at him like he’s crazy. “No, we’re not. Mom and Dad will stay here with us. Or we’ll stay at their place. No one has made a direct threat against me. This has to do with the property.”
“That’s dangerous thinking. I need you two to come back with me. It’s not safe here.” The way he talks to Sammy like she's a child makes me want to lay him out with a fist. But,fuck, he’s right. She needs to be rational.
“We’ve been safe here. Both fires both took place at the B&B.”
“I get it,” he says, leaning back and nodding like he’s solved the puzzle. “You don’t want to come back to LA because of Gabriella. You can’t accept that we’re two adults with feelings for one another.”
Sammy gasps. “How dare you. You think I’d stay here and expose Lara to danger to avoid seeing you and Gabriella acting like boyfriend and girlfriend?” The venom in her voice is admirable.
“Yeah, I do.” Mark gives her a cocky smile.
I’ve got a few questions about the Gabriella situation, but if I stay here another minute, there’s a very real possibility of introducing my fist to Mark’s nose. I stand. “I’m heading out now. Sammy, feel free to be in touch with any questions you might have.”
