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“Oh, okay,” I answer. “Why?”
“Because this is the second large fire in less than a month in Birch County, and Birch Harbor especially. Even if you tell me there aren’t any casualties in this one, it’s too suspicious. I’m already investigating reports of arson on the other fire. So this one will automatically be investigated.”
“Oh. Good. I’m glad. If you need anything, let me know. I’ll get you set up with a desk or whatever if you’re going to investigate from here.”
“Yeah, that sounds good. I think I’ll stick around there for a bit while I investigate. Maybe I’ll be able to convince Poppy to give me the time of day, finally.”
“Good luck with that.” I laugh into the phone. “I don’t think she’ll ever give you another chance after you left her on prom night.”
“Hey! How do you know about that? You didn’t go to our school.” He laughs. “Is that the rumor now?”
“Logan.” I shake my head like he can actually see me. “Poppy told me the day I started working with her how her high school sweetheart left her on prom night to get a blow job on the baseball field. But she was being sarcastic the entire time. I don’t know if anyone knows what really happened between the two of you.”
“Margot, that’s the point. It’s how we can work together after all this time. We’re keeping the mystery alive, at least for all of you.”
“Well, like I said, good luck with that. I’ll see you when you get here. I’ll let the chief know not to touch anything after they clear the scene.”
“Thanks. See you soon.” We disconnect the call, and I laugh to myself at the ridiculousness in the other man.
God help Poppy if Logan decides that he is going to try for a second chance with her. No one ever talked about what really happened between them. Whatever it was, was bad. It crushed her, and she refused to let anyone get too close ever again.
I’ve always figured that the rumor must not be true, because the way the two of them are around each other doesn’t add up to a cheater or the woman he cheated on being hurt. It’s more like star-crossed lovers who can never be together.
What I do know is that Poppy deserves to have happiness. If Logan hurts her, then I’ll bury his body out in the woods where no one will find it.
* * *
Jake
I watch her from across the room, standing with Logan and smiling. He’s a friend. Former military, and a man I’ve worked with since our days at the police academy straight out of school. The taller man looks like a bear next to her tiny frame, but I know that Logan isn’t a threat to me. He has been in love with Poppy for years. The guy has it bad and he has no one to blame but himself.
The fire marshal’s office will be investigating the arson, without a doubt. That’s why Logan’s here. He’s been loaned out to the fire marshals for the past six months, and he’s been talking about switching departments.
Two fires within a month of each other and we all know what will be coming. There’s a firebug somewhere. Whoever it is, is trying to hurt people by intentionally starting fires in buildings where there are people working.
Brian and I share a look, both of us worried about what we’re going to face in the coming days.
“What do you think?” Brian’s words drag me out of the reverie in which I find myself.
“I’m sorry.” I grunt and turn to my friend. “I wasn’t paying attention. What do I think of what?”
“What do you think of them together?” Brian nods toward where Logan and Margot are now laughing about something.
“There’s nothing going on there.” I speak with a confidence that I’m not sure I truly feel. If there is anything that I have learned in the lifetime I have known Margot, it’s that I’ll never be able to predict her reaction to anything.
* * *
Three Years Ago
“What do you mean? I thought the plan was for you to go to college? Isn’t that what you want to do? You’ve busted your ass to graduate with two years’ worth of credits already.”
Margot stared at me like I was the reason for her pain. Which we both knew was the truth. I was.
“No. You don’t know the plan because you’ve been avoiding me like the plague. I was afraid that you wouldn’t even make it here for my mom’s birthday. Why would I tell you anything?” She looked up at me with hurt in her expressive eyes. Her hair was still the same midnight black it had always been because she colored it. Once when I asked her why she did it, she said it was because she wanted to be different.
None of that mattered. She would always be my Lilly-girl. She could have bright-orange hair and I’d still smile, knowing she owned every part of my soul.
“Why, Jake?” I didn’t know how to answer her, and even if I had the words, I didn’t think that she’d be able to handle the truth.
