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Pushing his concerns aside, he grabbed his badge, his gun, clipping the holster to his belt, hopped in his truck and drove off. He took out his cell and dialed dispatch over at the Laramie PD.
“Hey, this Detective Brian Bradshaw. I received a report about a fire at Detective Seth Olsen’s place over on—”
“Already got it, Bradshaw. Seth’s brother phoned in something about hearing a huge boom. Then he saw a fire.”
His gut tightened. “There was an explosion?”
“Apparently.”
Things had gone from horrible to worse faster than he had expected.
“Station twenty-four is there now putting out the fire,” the dispatch said.
Brian did a quick calculation in his head, factoring in the location of the fire station from the ranch. “How did they get there so fast?”
“They were already in the area responding to another incident. The one over at the Olsen ranch took priority, with the explosion and fire.”
Brian peered through the windshield in the direction of the ranch. Smoke billowed in the night sky. The scent was carried on a breeze through his rolled down window.
Charlie.“Were any bodies found on-site? Anyone injured?”
“No casualties yet,” the dispatch said, andyetechoed in Brian’s head. “They’ve requested canines to go through the place and look for remains once the fire is out.”
“Any idea what caused the fire or the explosion?”
“Haven’t heard. The new fire marshal is out there, too. I’m sure he’ll report back soon as he’s had a chance to properly investigate.”
Brian had heard a new guy had taken over the position. “What’s the name?”
“Powell. Sawyer Powell.”
He wondered if he was related to Holden Powell, the chief deputy of the sheriff’s department. “Okay. Thanks.” He disconnected.
Change of plans. Slowing down, Brian made a U-turn and headed toward Charlie’s house instead. No one was found at the scene out at Seth’s. Investigators had the situation in hand. There was nothing for him to do at the ranch now besides get in the way. Not to mention that his presence would only have others questioning why he was there.
Finding Charlie and getting details firsthand was the best way for him to start.
She was only a couple of miles away. He’d had no idea that she lived so close to him until the day he’d spotted her on this road with a flat tire. Meaner than a rattlesnake, she had made it crystal clear that she didn’t need his or anyone else’s help. End of discussion.
Hopefully there had been a tectonic shift in her perspective in that respect since then.
It only took Brian a few minutes until he pulled into her driveway alongside her Hellcat. Nothing sexier than a strong, beautiful woman behind the wheel of a sleek muscle car. Even the color suited her. Frostbite blue.
She didn’t have much land. About an acre and a half, maybe two. Neighbors had plenty of breathing room, not on top of another. The house was set close to the road, which he didn’t care for, with most of the land behind it.
Grabbing his cowboy hat, he climbed out of his truck. He smoothed his hair back before putting on his Stetson. As he passed her car, a twinge of jealousy zipped through him over all that speed and torque. But nothing offered a better view of the road or more rugged protection than his F150.
He strode up to her porch, wondering what kind of reception he’d receive. Cold or lukewarm?
Brian hoped for the latter. For once.
The curtain in the front window closest to the door was yanked aside. Charlie appeared. She glared at him, shook her head as if exasperated, and stormed away.
The welcome was going to be icy.
As usual.No big surprise there.
Footsteps pounded inside, drawing closer. The door flew open. Charlie put a fist on her lean hip, cocked her head, and up went those eyebrows. He met her striking green eyes, a volatile color he could never forget no matter how hard he tried. As he drank in the sight of her, it was as if the world dropped out from under him.
