by Dani Pettrey
Gabby had been so sweet to invite her to join her family at their mom’s home.
Noah dipped his head as he stood at parade rest. “Sorry to be seeing you under these circumstances.”
“It was very kind of you to come over so late at night, but I don’t want to put you out.” Or explain that she had a restraining order on her ex for harassment. Heat flushed her cheeks. It was mortifying.
“You’re not putting me out,” Noah said. “We only recently left the office after dealing with the helicopter crash. Thanks for your part in the recovery.”
“Sure. It’s my job, but I was glad I could help.”
“And I’m happy to help you while Finn and Gabs are out of town.”
“Thanks.” She rolled her right foot in, shifting into her comfort stance. Tonight, she needed all the comfort she could get. Someone had been in her home. The eeriness of it still clung to her.
“Noah, I’m going to drop the evidence samples at the station on our way to the airport,” Finn said. “I’ll text Emmy and explain what I need her to do.”
Noah nodded.
A man of few words, at least when he was in work mode. The only time she’d seen him even slightly unrestrained had been while he was horseplaying with his niece and nephew. Talk about melting a girl’s heart. A six-three muscular man on the floor having a tea party with his four-year-old niece was absolutely adorable.
“I hope I’m not out of line,” Finn said, looking at Brooke with kindness. “But I think there’s someone Noah should interview.”
She cringed. Here it came. Mortified, she looked up at Noah and cleared her throat. “Finn’s talking about my ex.”
“Oh?” Noah’s voice remained even.
Brooke intertwined her fingers behind her back, her right foot rolling farther in. “His name is Brodie O’Connell. He’s a firefighter over at the Wrightsville Beach station. We broke up about a month ago, and he didn’t take it well.”
“Why don’t we sit down, and you can tell me what happened.” Noah gestured to her front-room sofa.
“Good plan,” Gabby said. “And I’m so sorry, but we have to leave.”
“If we don’t go now, we’ll miss our flight,” Finn added.
“Of course.” Brooke hugged Gabby. “Thanks for everything.” She stepped back and smiled at Finn.
“Of course,” he said.
Gabby looked at Noah. “My brother will take excellent care of you. You call him if you need anything.” She shifted her gaze to Brooke, narrowing her eyes. “You promise you will?”
Of course Gabby would make her promise. “Okay, but—”
“I know you think it’s not necessary.” Gabby waved her comment off. “But it is. Right, Noah?”
“Gabby is right.” He looked at his sister. “Don’t let that go to your head, Miss I’m Always Right. But this one time you are.”
He looked to Brooke. “Don’t worry. We’ll sort this out and make sure you’re safe.”
Gabby hesitated at the door.
“Love,” Finn said, tapping his watch, “I hate to leave, too, but she’s in the best possible hands.”
After Finn finally coaxed Gabby out of the house, Noah again gestured to Brooke’s couch. “Shall we?”
They sat—one on either end of the sofa—and shifted to face each other. “You were telling me about Brodie.”
She exhaled. Here went the most embarrassing conversation she’d ever had. Noah was such a good man. His reputation was stellar on base, in his career, and in his personal life. Though, outside of friends and family, he didn’t seem to have much of a personal life. No rumors about him dating ever swirled around base. She wondered why. He was about to learn everything about her life for the past few months. It’d be nice to learn at least a little bit about the handsome man sitting across from her.
She relayed the details as quickly she could, then sat back, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she awaited Noah’s response.
“Thanks for explaining. I’m sure it wasn’t comfortable, but it’ll be helpful when I talk with Brodie. Do you know if he’s working right now?”
“I have no idea.”
“Okay, I’ll track him down.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Now?” she asked. At 0310?
“It’s always best to talk with a suspect as close to the crime as possible. If they’re guilty, they’re usually jumpy.”
“Oh.”
“I’ll call over to the fire station and ask.” Noah pulled out his phone. “But could I get his address from you in case he’s off shift?”
She read off Brodie’s address, and into Noah’s phone it went.
He looked up at her. His brown eyes had flecks of gold she’d never noticed before. “You have an alarm system?” he asked.
“Yes, but I haven’t used it yet.”
“Use it from now on. When you leave and when you’re home.”
“Okay.” She nodded, sleep tugging at her adrenaline-riddled body.
He stood, tucking the phone in his pocket. “I’ll make sure you’re locked up tight before I leave. You have your service weapon?”
“Of course.”
“Keep it on you at all times.”
“You don’t think . . .” It wasn’t that serious, was it?
Darkness surrounded Noah as he headed for the Wrightsville Beach fire station. He tapped the steering wheel of his Jeep while he waited for a light. Brooke had looked so embarrassed every time Brodie’s name was mentioned. It was clear in her voice, in her word choices, that she was beating herself up over what happened. But there was no need. Brodie was the jerk. There was no proof that he broke into Brooke’s home, but his past actions definitely made him a suspect.
Learn from bad choices, or choices that turned bad on you, and move on. Brooke was a smart, brave woman. She deserved to be treated with love and respect, not Brodie’s rage-infused tantrums.
Noah’s limbs heated, his muscles growing taut. He despised men who preyed on others with fear and intimidation. Despised bullies, period. Inhaling the crisp night air, he released it in a stream. He needed to keep a cool head when he talked to Brodie, despite the anger boiling inside.
TWENTY-ONE
Noah entered the fire station through the open bay doors. The engine in front of him was being restocked, as if it’d recently been out on a call. A man in fire pants, black T-shirt, and yellow suspenders rounded the corner. He greeted Noah as he put the metal first-aid kit into a cubby on the engine. “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Brodie.”
The man inclined his head to the door at the rear of the fire truck. “We just got back from a call, so they’re all in the mess hall. He has curly blond hair. You can’t miss him.”
“Thanks.”
The guy nodded and went back to work.
Noah moved toward the rear of the engine and for the door. Since his earliest memory of his dad putting his black firefighter’s helmet on his three-year-old head, he’d been in awe of firefighters like his pop.
He’d seriously considered becoming one, but his love for the sea had led him to join the Guard and then CGIS to pursue justice for a living. He loved what he did, but he still admired the firefighting heroes who risked their lives to save others.
Entering through the doorway, he heard voices down the hall. He followed the chatter to the second door on the left.
Poking his head in the mess hall, he spotted Brodie O’Connell’s blond curly hair across the table. All guys at the table looked up as he entered.
“Hi, I’m Noah Rowley.” His gaze fixed on Brooke’s ex. “Brodie, could we chat a minute?”
Brodie raised a brow. “What’s this about?”
“Brooke Kesler.”
Brodie sat back. “We aren’t together anymore.”
“I know, but I have a few questions for you.”
Brodie’s shoulders squared as he set his fork down. “Who are you again?”
“Noah Rowley.” He pulled his badge. �
�I’m with the Coast Guard Investigative Service.”
Worry creased Brodie’s brow. “Is Brooke okay?”
“A little shaken, but otherwise all right.”
“Shaken?” He frowned. “What happened?”
“Could we talk in private?”
“All right.” Brodie stood and strode toward him. “Follow me.” Leading the way to an empty utility room, he flipped on the lights.
Noah stepped in, closing the door behind him.
Brodie’s brow furrowed, and he crossed his thick arms. The guy definitely could bench-press some serious weight. “What happened with Brooke?”
“Someone broke into her house.”
Brodie’s jaw tightened. “Did you catch the guy?”
“Not yet, but I’m investigating it.”
Brodie’s blue eyes narrowed. “Which brings you here, why?” There was an edge to his tone that hadn’t been there a moment ago.
“What time did you come on shift?”
Brodie released a huff. “You can’t seriously think I had anything to do with that?”
“I’m just being thorough, so if you could answer the question.”
Brodie shook his head. “You’ve got to be kidding.” He took two strides toward Noah. “Did she send you here?”
“Word is that you weren’t happy with the breakup, that you’ve been harassing her.”
Brodie’s hands curled into fists at his side. “Trying to win my girl back isn’t harassing.”
His girl? That’s not at all how Brooke or Gabby had painted it.
“What time did you come on shift?” He repeated the question with a tad more edge to his tone.
Brodie whistled, taking a step back. “Well, don’t this beat all. She seriously thinks I’d break into her place?” He raked a hand through his hair. “I’m not some lunatic.”
“Then answer the question.”
“I came on shift at 1900.”
Noah arched a brow. “And before that?”
“I was asleep until 1700. Ate dinner. Got ready and came in.”
“Anyone to vouch for you at home?”
“Other than my dog, Duncan, no. Look, I hope you find whoever did this, and I’m glad Brooke’s okay, but we’re done here.”
“I have a few more questions.”
“Dude.” Brodie stepped backward to the door, his hand wrapping around the handle. “I’m done.”
Noah kept his voice even, though he felt anything but. “Refusing to answer a few simple questions doesn’t look good.”
“I didn’t do anything, man. Unless you can prove otherwise, we’re done here.”
Noah’s jaw shifted. Unfortunately, he had no grounds to bring Brodie in for questioning. No grounds, yet.
Brodie smiled. “I thought so.”
Noah stepped for the door, pausing in front of Brooke’s ex. “I’ll be seeing you.”
It’d taken hours and a slew of other crew member interviews in the interim, but Peter finally sobered up enough to answer Rissi and Mason’s questions. They didn’t learn much that they didn’t already know, with the exception of how freaked out Peter was by the curse. He’d drunk himself into a stupor because he feared he’d be its next victim. Ironically, with his fall overboard, he nearly had become the next victim, but because of his own foolishness—not some ridiculous curse.
“That was interesting,” Rissi said after Peter had left the interview room they’d been given.
Mason exhaled, stretching out his legs. “That’s one way to put it. This curse nonsense is growing with each incident.”
“Of which, there are too many ‘coincidences’ for my liking.”
He nodded. “Especially given the short time frame.”
“Knock, knock,” Ed said from the doorway. He held two cups. The scent of sweet maple syrup, sizzling bacon, and yeasty batter wafted in behind him. “Figured you could both use a cup of joe.”
“Thanks.” Mason relieved Ed of the cups and handed one to Rissi. She inhaled the roasted smell of coffee swirling out of the plastic lid’s opening.
“Breakfast is on,” Ed offered. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“Thanks,” Rissi said, looking at Mason. “I am pretty hungry.”
“Then it’s time to eat.” Mason followed her to the door and paused in the corridor. “Do you want me to take care of the last interview while you eat?” She’d clearly been putting it off, pushing it to the end, but time was running out.
“No, it’s best that we both are in on it. Let’s eat quickly, and then we can grab Lucas,” she said.
“Okay.” He was the new guy on the team—it was her call. And honestly, he understood her reluctance. It had to be awkward interviewing your teammate’s family. Not to mention Caleb’s romantic interest in Rissi was clear. The big question dancing in Mason’s mind was what level of feelings she held for Caleb.
TWENTY-TWO
After a hearty breakfast, Mason followed Rissi back to the interview room, which consisted of a table and chairs, two desks along the aft wall, and maps and charts plastered from ceiling to floor on the stern. Two small windows lined the starboard side of the platform but other than yellow pipes, not much could be seen. Mason supposed a view of anything was better than a windowless room.
“Hey, Lucas,” Rissi said as a five-eleven, early-twenties guy trudged into the room.
With tousled blond surfer-style hair, he had a different vibe than straight-laced Caleb, but his brown eyes and features were the same.
“Hey,” Lucas said, giving Rissi a loose-armed hug. “I heard two CGIS agents were on board and one was hot . . .” He cleared his throat. “I mean . . . good-looking . . . but didn’t realize it was you.”
“It’s me.” She shrugged, turning to Mason. “This is my colleague Mason Rogers.”
Lucas lifted his chin. “What’s up?”
“How ya doing?” Mason said.
“Ready for bed.” Lucas yawned as he lounged back in one of the chairs, his legs splayed out in front of him, his orange jumpsuit partially unzipped. “My shift just ended, so as soon as we’re done, I’ll grab some grub and crash until it starts all over at 1900.”
“I’m assuming you heard about Greg Barnes,” Mason said, not a fan of Lucas’s casual attitude when a man was dead, but at his age most thought death couldn’t touch them.
“Yeah.” Lucas straightened, hunching over and clutching his hands. “Dude, it’s awful.” A depth of maturity Mason hadn’t expected settled in Lucas’s eyes. “I can’t believe that happened. Can’t believe he’s gone.”
“Did you know him well?” Rissi asked, pulling up a chair and sinking into it.
“Greg? Nah. He worked first shift. I’m on second. Other than being on the same transport copter a time or two, I rarely saw the guy.”
“What were you doing when the fire alarm went off?”
“Working below in the storage facility. They were having trouble with one of the motors.”
“Then what happened?”
His brow furrowed. “The fire alarm went off, and I followed protocol. Went up on deck to the port side above the lifeboats.”
“Can you tell us what you saw, heard?”
“There was a lot of commotion. None of us were sure what was going on. We figured just a drill, but then I saw Garrett and Jayce heading back to the tower with ash on their faces. Their expressions were . . .” Color drained from Lucas’s tan skin.
Maybe he wasn’t as flippant as Mason first thought. Maybe he was just putting on a tough-guy front. “Did you talk to Garrett and Jayce?”
“Me?” He shook his head. “Nah.”
“Did anyone?”
“Yeah. A couple guys asked them what was going on. I couldn’t hear what they answered, but the guys started murmuring there’d been an accident.”
“Did you know who was in the accident?”
“I think . . . maybe someone said Greg’s name, but Adam cleared the deck right away, sent us back to our stations—except
the separator guys.”
“Why them?”
Lucas shrugged. “How would I know?”
“No one talked about what happened with the fire?” Mason asked.
“Nah.”
Mason took a chair, flipped it around, and straddled it. “What’d you do at that point?” He rested his hands across the back.
“I went back to work.” Lucas shifted his gaze to Rissi. “Why’s he riding me?”
“He’s just being thorough,” she said.
“Whatever.” Lucas rolled his eyes. “Can I go eat now?” He started to stand.
“We’re not quite done yet,” Mason said.
Lucas huffed as he flopped back down.
“What happened between when you went back to work and when you walked in here?” Rissi asked.
“I did my job.” An edge cut into his voice.
“We’re just trying to place everyone, see where everyone was at the time of the fire,” Rissi said, her voice tighter than it had been.
Lucas’s sandy blond brows furrowed. “Why?”
“It’s our job. We need to get the full picture.”
“Whatever.” He drummed his fingers along his knees. “What else do you want to know?”
“How long have you been working here?” she asked. “Last I heard you were starting your senior year at UNCW. Marine biology, right?”
“Yeah.” He looked to the door, then back at Rissi. “I needed a break. I was making good money here over the summer so I stayed on. Wanted to try out something else for a while, figure out what I really want to do.” He sat forward, his voice dropping a register. “Don’t tell Caleb. He’ll freak.”
“I can’t lie to your uncle,” Rissi said.
“It’s not lying. It’s just . . . retaining information.”
“A lie is a lie,” Rissi said.
“Seriously?” Lucas shook his head. “I should have known you wouldn’t be cool.”
“Cool?” Rissi’s shoulders grew taut. “Your uncle cares about you, paid for your tuition.”
“Here we go,” Lucas said.
“You can call and tell him.” Rissi stood, gathering her notebook. “Or I will.”
“What a—”
Mason stood as Lucas got to his feet. “I’d think very carefully before finishing that sentiment.”