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Dialing, I cleared my throat.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Mr. Long, this is Rory Adams.”
“Yes, hello, Ms. Adams. How are you?”
“I’m doing well, thank you. I was wondering if you might be available for lunch today? I was wanting to go over some things with you and ask a few questions.”
He sighed, and I knew this guy was over being asked questions. “I promise I won’t take up much of your time, and I’ll even pay for lunch.”
“I don’t know what more I can tell you. Between the police and your law firm asking me a million questions, I doubt I have anything new for you.”
Reaching for my purse, I stood. “I know it’s frustrating, and if I thought it could wait until next week I wouldn’t be bothering you. But this is rather important.”
“Okay, well, I’ll need to cancel lunch with my fiancée.”
“There’s no need to do that. Tell me where you guys are meeting and I’ll meet you there, as long as you’re comfortable talking in front of her.”
“Yes, totally.”
Robert gave me the address. They were meeting in less than thirty minutes, which meant I needed to hustle. As I made my way out of the building, I couldn’t help but notice Russell standing at the security desk flirting with one of the interns. I rolled my eyes and kept walking.
Hailing a cab, I ducked inside and said, “Dillon’s restaurant, please.”
It wouldn’t dawn on me until the taxi driver pulled up that I was next to Engine 33. My father’s…and Finn’s station.
When I stepped out of the taxi, I glanced down to the firehouse and took in a deep breath. What I wouldn’t do to be able to just walk in and see him. Tell him how sorry I was for leaving like I did.
Pulling my phone out of my purse, I pulled up Finn’s name while walking toward the restaurant.
Me: Hey. I’m really sorry for taking off like I did. I kind of got a bit freaked out.
I held my breath as I waited for his response. When nothing came after two minutes, I walked into Dillon’s and looked for Robert and his fiancée.
“Excuse me, are you Rory Adams?”
I turned to see a young blonde grinning at me. “I am, yes.”
“Your party is up on the patio. Please follow me.”
Taking one more look at my phone, I sighed when I didn’t see a response from Finn. My heart hurt just a little as I followed her up the stairs, and each step felt a bit heavier.
When we got to the top of the stairs, I heard a familiar voice.
My eyes widened when I saw my father sitting at Robert’s table.
“I see them, thank you,” I said to the hostess as she nodded her head and headed back down the stairs.
Lifting his head, my father brightened when he saw me. “Rory, sweetheart.”
He stood, as did Robert. “Hey, Dad. What are you doing here?”
“Came in to grab a quick lunch and saw Robert and his beautiful girl, Rochelle, waiting on a table. He told me he was meeting you, and I thought I would hang out for a bit to say hi and to catch up with Long here.”
I knew my smile was forced. I wanted to get this lunch over with and get away from the station. The risk of running into Finn was growing by the minute.
“It’s great seeing you, Dad.” Turning to Robert, I reached for his hand. “Mr. Long, it’s a pleasure seeing you again.”
“Please, call me Robert.” His face lit up as he pointed to his fiancée. “This is Rochelle.”
Reaching for her hand, I gave her a warm smile. “It’s a pleasure.”
“Same here. Thank you so much for helping to clear Robert’s name.”
A sinking feeling hit me in the chest. This girl was counting on us to keep her future husband from going to jail.
My father pulled out a chair for me. “Here you go, sweetheart.”
I thanked him and took a seat. “Dad? Are you staying here during lunch?”
“I invited him, if that’s all right? Captain Adams was one of the first captains I worked under.”
I shrugged. “If you don’t mind him being here while I ask questions, then neither do I.”
Pulling out my notebook and the few files I had, I’d just started to talk when the waitress showed up. “Hey, Captain Adams! How’s it going down at the station? Haven’t seen you guys in here in a while.”
With a huge grin, he replied, “It’s going good. Yeah, the boys have been keeping busy.”
She chuckled. “Well, tell Colton and Finn that Kate said hi.”
Instantly I froze.
“Colton and Finn, huh?” my father stated. “Them boys hang out here a lot?”
The waitress shrugged. “They’ll usually come in when their shift is over, either to grab a drink or some food. They haven’t been in here in a few weeks, though.”
