Fire and Obsidian

by Andrew Grey

  “And did you try to help her?” James asked.

  Mattias nodded. “Let’s leave it at that, okay? I owe her quite a bit for helping me put my life on a different track. She helped hold a mirror up in front of my face. And she always had her ears to what was happening. Her son had moved here after college, so when she was able to retire, she came here and opened a small shop in Carlisle to supplement her Social Security.” He shook his head. “I meant it when I said that thieves steal people’s lives. I’ve seen it.” He grew quiet.

  “Okay.” James turned in the seat. “But was she able to help point you anywhere?”

  Mattias sighed. “She didn’t know a great deal other than what I already told you. This isn’t like television, where someone always knows what’s going on. Carrie did confirm that the people we’re looking for have children. Remember how we found the toy?” Mattias paused and his eyes widened. “James, can you take us back to the station? I need to get to the reports and the computer.”

  “You have an idea?” James asked as he backed out of the parking space and drove as fast as he dared toward the station. “What are you thinking?” he asked once he was on the freeway.

  “What if the kids aren’t just the kids? What if they’re the thieves? What if this whole thing is some kind of family affair? Houses aren’t easy to break into.”

  James wanted to hit himself on the side of the head. “You mean like Fagin in Oliver Twist?”

  Mattias nodded. “I’ve known people to use kids to get into homes. They can crawl through much smaller spaces, through tiny windows into basements, through doggie doors. People don’t think of things like that. And then once inside, the kids unlock the doors and the adults take over.” Mattias snapped his fingers. “Who would think of young kids, or even look twice at them?”

  “Jesus….” James drove faster and got them to the station. Mattias was quiet, and it was dark when they arrived. Mattias followed James inside and went right to the spreadsheet they had created.

  “Yes…,” Mattias said. “Look at the times of all the robberies. All of our witnesses put the robberies either first thing in the morning or in the evening. Now, there are some that aren’t specific, but they could all have happened at those times.” Mattias looked at him, and James shrugged, not making the connection. “They’re happening before or after school.”

  “Holy shit…,” James breathed.

  “Yeah. It’s frightening.” Mattias leaned back.

  James got on the phone, called the sheriff, and explained they had a theory. Solly came right down and closed the door.

  “What have you got?” he demanded.

  James explained what they thought. “It’s got merit. And we found a new witness who said the woman passing off the stolen goods had a southern accent. Maybe we can contact the schools and see if any kids match the description.” His heart raced with the challenge of the chase.

  “You’re sure about this?” Solly asked.

  “I don’t think we can be sure of anything,” Mattias said. “But I think this has the potential to be a good lead. The times all match, and we did find a child’s toy at the scene of one of the robberies, as well as information that there was another person and a child when someone tried to sell some of the stolen property.” Mattias explained what was being sold and how distinctive it was. “This is worth taking a chance on.”

  Solly nodded. “Talk to the various principals, but to no one else at the moment. I don’t need every teacher in the county coming after me.” He wiped his forehead. “Follow this lead, but tread a little lightly.”

  James agreed, and after Solly left, he sat down to draw up a list of schools and people they needed to speak with. It was quite a list, and James divided it among other officers on the team.

  “What about me?”

  “I think the school contacts are best left to us. I know you want to help, but since you aren’t a parent and don’t have specific business with the schools, they aren’t going to let you in. Security is tight.” James leaned closer. “Do you want your name logged in as a school visitor?” He wasn’t being a dick, just practical. “Do you want anyone looking into your background that closely if something should happen?” James didn’t think Mattias would, and after he shook his head, he finished up the task. “We might as well go on home for the evening. We need to get here early so everyone can start making calls and setting up appointments.” Maybe he could get a few additional deputies to fan out and ask questions. This was going to be a bigger task than he’d originally thought, but it was a lead. And with the right questions, they might be able to make some progress. Kids talk to one another and to adults. They say things they don’t mean to. It would only take one suspicious teacher or principal to put them on the right track, and James needed to find them if they were out there. “Are you ready to go?”

  Mattias nodded and gathered his things. “I’ll meet you at your house.” He smirked, and James wondered just what he had in mind when they got there.

  Chapter 7

  MATTIAS DIDN’T like lying to James. Well, he hadn’t been lying exactly, but he’d left out a number of things from his conversation with Carrie, including asking her a favor. He’d also bypassed the fact that Carrie’s real business was information. She was expert at procuring it and at selling it. That was what she’d always done and why Mattias had called her. The rest of what he’d said had been true. He’d really felt bad asking, but James was very conflicted regarding his dad, so Mattias had inquired about any information regarding James’s father that she could dig up to see just how bad things were.

  “Do you think he’s involved in what you two are working on?” Carrie had asked.

  “No. I don’t think so. But he’s up to something, and James is worried about it. I get the feeling it’s that one last big score, and you know how things like that usually turn out.” Mattias had seen it more than once. Overreach and desperation to set themselves up for retirement often led people to do things they normally wouldn’t and to take unnecessary risks. Mattias didn’t think James would be able to take his father getting caught and ending up in jail once again.

  She’d clicked her tongue lightly. “I see.” Carrie patted his cheek once again. “Of course I’ll see what I can find. The usual price?”

  “I’ll have the chocolates sent over.” She loved Lindt truffles, and her family seemed to think them a wasteful indulgence, so Mattias sent them to her. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek before letting his gaze wander across the parking lot to where James waited, leaning against the car.

  “He has great energy,” Carrie said. “If I were younger….”

  Mattias smiled. “It’s a good thing you aren’t—otherwise I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

  She snickered as she opened her car door. “Somehow I don’t think that man is ever going to be interested in me, but he can’t take his eyes off you.” She smiled once again.

  “He doesn’t trust me,” Mattias said dismissively.

  Carrie nodded. “Or maybe it’s himself he doesn’t trust.” She slowly climbed into the old car and closed the door. Mattias backed out of the way and watched as Carrie drove off, before heading over to where James waited.

  “ARE YOU still with me?” James asked, pulling Mattias out of his daze. “I’ll meet you at the house.”

  Mattias blinked as he looked around, realizing he’d sort of zoned out. “Yes, I’ll meet you there.” He thought of just telling James what he’d asked, but decided not to. It was a long shot that Carrie would be able to come up with anything about James’s dad anyway. Mattias left the station right behind James.

  He got in the car and followed James to Mechanicsburg, a drive that was becoming quite familiar now. He parked and paused at the front door, not sure if he should knock or not. James opened the door before he could knock, and Mattias went inside.

  “I thought we could order some takeout,” James said. “It’s been a long day, and I’m tired.” He led Mattias throug
h to the kitchen and handed him a menu.

  “No problem.” Mattias sank into one of the kitchen chairs, looked at the menu, and chose the sweet-and-sour chicken. Then, while James placed the orders, he went upstairs and changed into some more comfortable clothes. He hoped James didn’t mind. And judging by the way James stared when he returned in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, James didn’t mind at all. Maybe Carrie was right.

  “Ummm… do you want something to drink? I have soda and sparkling water. After last night, I figured it’s best if we stick to soft drinks.”

  “Whatever you’re having is fine.” Mattias went to sit in the living room, waiting for James to return. But he seemed content to fuss in the kitchen, and when he did come in, he brought Mattias’s drink and left again.

  “I’m going to go get the food,” James called in.

  Mattias brought his drink into the kitchen once James was gone, and got out plates and silverware. It seemed so domestic. Mattias could get used to this kind of life. He’d been alone for a long time. Hell, in one way or another, he’d been on his own for much of his life. He hid behind a wall of snark and a disarming smile, but they were only defenses, and he was well aware of it.

  James returned with two plastic bags, set them on the table, and went upstairs. Mattias got out the food, and when James came back down in a T-shirt and sweatpants, dinner was ready.

  James sat down, dished up his food, and began to eat right away.

  “You don’t like to talk about things, do you?” Mattias asked after he swallowed.

  “And you seem to want to talk about everything,” James snarked in return, then sighed. “If you want to talk about last night, then talk.” He rolled his eyes, and Mattias stifled a snort. Dang, he was cute when he got frustrated. James could take charge of a crime scene instantly, but when it came to the mention of things between them, he could only look at his plate, occasionally glancing up, probably to see if Mattias had melted into the floorboards.

  “Why are you so repressed?” Mattias asked.

  “I am not!” James protested more loudly than needed.

  “Sure you aren’t.” Mattias leaned over the table. “We had sex last night. Hot, sizzling, groping, mind-blowing sex that rocked my world,” he said breathily.

  “We did all that?” James whispered, and Mattias chuckled.

  “Well, you were an animal for about fifteen minutes, and then as soon as the deed was done, you fell asleep.” Mattias rolled his eyes. He loved getting under James’s skin.

  James’s cheeks reddened. “I don’t remember anything, other than a few vague recollections.”

  “And you’re acting this repressed?” Mattias teased. “You have nothing to be ashamed of… believe me.” He smiled, hoping James would see the humor in the situation. “It happened, and you can ignore it if you like. But not talking about things isn’t going to make them go away.”

  “And you want to talk about it?” James mumbled. Mattias took another bite and figured he could wait James out. Eventually he’d want to say his piece. “Dammit. Last night shouldn’t have happened. You’re staying here in my house, and we work together, and….” His thoughts fell off.

  “You’re really grasping at reasons.” Mattias nodded. “That’s fine. I can definitely take a hint. And I won’t pressure you into anything. You can be sure that I’ll be able to keep my hands off you if we happen to meet in the hallway during the night.” He shook his head and did his best imitation of James, eating and growing silent.

  “Jesus, you’re snippy,” James retorted. “I never said any of that. I just don’t know how to talk about things like this.”

  “Haven’t you had a relationship with anyone?” Mattias asked.

  “I’ve had sex, if that’s what you’re asking. But no real relationships. I fell in love with this guy after I left the academy. He was really kind of sweet, but he began pressuring me to meet my parents and that I should meet his. I couldn’t do that. How was I supposed to explain what my dad does and equate that to my job as a police officer? ‘Oh, by the way, I’m a cop and my dad is a thief. Yes, it’s weird, but my family is just that way. I ignore what he does, and he does the same for me.’” James’s fork clanged on his plate. “It just wasn’t going to work.”

  “Jesus,” Mattias breathed. “Your father’s profession affected you that much.” He could see pretty clearly that James’s dad had done more than steal jewels. He’d taken his own son’s peace of mind along with everything else. “But you’re safe with me. I know, and I don’t look at you differently.” He reached across the table to tap James’s hand lightly. “You can talk about anything you want. It isn’t going to shock me.”

  “Yeah… well. That’s easier said than done.”

  “Okay. Then how about if I ask the questions. Did you like what happened last night?”

  James seemed to think for a few seconds and then nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Do you want it to happen again?”

  “Yeah. But it probably shouldn’t. We work together, and things could get weird.” James finished the last of his dinner and took his plate to the sink.

  “Weirder than they are now?” Mattias pressed.

  James set his dishes in the sink, turned around, and began laughing. Finally he saw the humor in the situation.

  “See?”

  “Sometimes you’re a giant pain in the ass,” James told him.

  Mattias shrugged. “I’ve been told that before. But seriously, just sit down and tell me what’s going on in your head. What is it you think you want?”

  James pulled out the chair and sat down. “I don’t know. That’s the problem. Since you got here a few days ago and have been staying here, I’ve liked it. It’s been nice having you here, and the house doesn’t seem so empty.”

  “So this is a generic person staying here because you’re lonely,” Mattias said. He could live with that as long as it was honest.

  “No. I’ve had people stay with me before, and I never wanted to take them to bed.” James grew fidgety. “I find you attractive… like, you push all my buttons, okay?” He huffed and leaned forward, holding his head in his hands. “You’re smart, funny, and you don’t take any shit.” He slowly raised his head so Mattias could see his eyes. “And you see through all my shit. No one has done that before. Not even my mom and dad ever seemed to see through to the real me.”

  “Okay. So why are you so scared of that?” Damn, Mattias sounded like a shrink, and he hated that. “Forget I asked that stupid question.”

  “Why?”

  “Because being vulnerable is scary as shit. I know that. I don’t go around sleeping with people, and I don’t get close to people very easily. I had to learn to rely on myself, and others… well, they screwed me over—or they tried to. I could tell you stories, but maybe those are for another day.” Mattias paused as James leaned forward. “Because they’re not pretty, and you aren’t going to like it, and, well, I want you to like me.” There, he’d said it. Wanting someone’s approval gave them power over you, and admitting it to them only added to that. “So I guess I get that you’re scared, because I’m scared too. This seems like new territory for both of us.”

  James swallowed but didn’t argue. Mattias didn’t think James was the kind of guy to admit fear, and that was okay. Sometimes admitting you were afraid allowed the fear an entrance and the chance to take over. So many times, Mattias had survived difficult, nearly compromising situations by keeping a clear head and talking his way into an out. Fear was something that had to be managed; it could help keep you sharp and on your toes. It could also petrify you into inaction.

  “Is that enough talking?” James asked.

  Mattias laughed. He couldn’t help it. “Yes. That’s enough talking.”

  James turned away. “I hate talking.”

  “I think I got that.” Mattias tried not to smirk, because James seemed dead serious. Their banter back and forth was cool, but with the stone-cold expression in James’s eyes, someth
ing had definitely changed, and it concerned him.

  James leaned over the table. “When I was a kid, my dad… he used to talk all the time. It was what he did, and whenever things didn’t go his way, he talked and weaseled his way out of it worse than a crooked politician. It got so that I didn’t listen to what he said, and then to what other people said. I tend to judge people by their actions.”

  “I see,” Mattias said. He tended to do the same. He had spent years in a business where lies and fraud were normal and expected. Everyone had an agenda, and rarely was it fully understood. Cross the wrong person and you could end up with a knife in your back even as they smiled at you. “Playing things close to the vest is a good thing for a lot of situations, but I can’t read your mind.” Mattias took care of his dishes and threw away the containers. Being useful was the least he could do, given that James was letting him stay here with him. “Though I try to watch your expressions.”

  James’s chair scraped on the floor as he pushed it back and turned it. “How so? I’m pretty good at schooling myself.”

  Mattias didn’t want to start an argument, but this was too good to pass up. “Okay. Right now, you have your lips pursed slightly, so you’re defensive and you think you can intimidate me. Why, I don’t know, considering what happened the day we met. When you’re happy, you have this smile that doesn’t go to your eyes, but it makes a little line appear right here.” He ran his finger over James’s upper cheek. “And when you get excited, you practically bounce on your heels, which is what happened when we figured out that the kids might lead us to the thieves.” Mattias leaned a little closer. “And when you get really excited, your eyes get wide and your mouth parts just a little, as though you’re surprised that you could feel that damn good.”