Spark of Desire ; All for You

by Sheryl Lister

Randi had finally gotten the information she had requested on previous construction site fires from the lead investigators and had been surprised to find three others. Although the fire reports were available on the database, oftentimes the investigators kept additional notes. She always did in case she was called to testify in a case. The earliest incident was almost a year ago, but she’d ruled that out as being connected. That fire had been caused by a space heater left on by one of the workers. Randi read through the report on a second one that happened in October and found a few similarities, but nothing concrete. Because of the timing, it could have been some Halloween prank. The third one happened around Christmas and seemed to have a few more markers, particularly the fact that it had three points of origin. She had a meeting with Brian in an hour and would update him on what she’d found.

  Randi was so engrossed in reading that it took her a moment to realize her cell was buzzing. She picked it up and saw Cedric’s name on the display. Her finger hovered over the accept button for a couple of seconds before she hit Ignore. She closed her eyes to block out the pain. She couldn’t talk to him right now. Forcing her emotions down, she refocused on the report in front of her. Or at least tried to. After reading the same sentence three times, she set it aside, got up and went outside to clear her head.

  It was eleven in the morning, but the early May temperatures had already risen to near eighty. They were going to be in for another hot summer. She stared up at the sky. She’d thought nothing could compare with last year’s breakup, but she was dead wrong. In hindsight, she realized she hadn’t really been in love back then. True, she’d experienced some level of melancholy for a short while, but nothing like she felt now. She would probably end up talking to Cedric at some point, but she just wasn’t ready because it would only remind her of a love she couldn’t have. He’d called and texted every day and she had ignored them all. She hadn’t even bothered to read the texts or listen to the messages, but she couldn’t make herself delete them, either. Randi inhaled deeply and let the breath out slowly. She repeated the process twice more. Usually, it helped, but not this time.

  Her cell buzzed again and she hoped it wasn’t Cedric calling back. She sighed in relief upon seeing Brian’s name on the display. “Hey, Brian.”

  “Hey, Randi. I know it’s a little earlier than our scheduled meeting time, but I’m just down the street.”

  “Actually, now works fine.” She needed as many distractions as she could get. “I found some information on the other fires that might be of interest.”

  “Good. See you in a few minutes.”

  Randi went back to her desk and gathered the two reports. She had highlighted the key information to make it easier to find.

  Brian arrived ten minutes later and they sat going over what she’d found. “I’d like to talk to the owners to find out if they’ve had any employee problems. Want to take a ride?”

  “Sure.” She locked her desk and followed him out to his car. As he drove off, she checked the addresses of the companies. “One is in the Del Paso Heights area and the other one in Roseville.” Her stomach clenched. She double-checked the address to make sure it wasn’t near Cedric’s office and relaxed when she realized the two offices were nowhere near each other.

  “Let’s start here and work our way out.”

  She rattled off the Del Paso Heights address and he input it into the GPS. “Have you found out anything about that letter?” Contrary to what she let on, it had rattled her.

  “Not sure how your name came up, but I think we have a leak. The only thing I’ve found so far is that someone told the media you have a critical piece of information that’s linked to the arsonist.”

  “The paint?”

  “I don’t know. They didn’t report any specifics. Apparently, the story ran on the news late Thursday night.”

  She’d missed the news that night because Cedric had come over. An image of them in her tub rose in her mind and she pushed it away. “So, if he’d seen it, he could’ve easily dropped off the envelope on Friday.”

  “Bingo. The lab didn’t find any fingerprints, so there’s not much we can do. As far as we know, he doesn’t have your home address, but just in case he does, I can see about getting a squad car to drive by a couple times a night.”

  “That’s not necessary. My complex is gated.” However, Randi would be taking extra precautions when she went in and out of her place until they caught this person.

  Brian parked in front of the first office and they went inside. He introduced himself and Randi and flashed his badge. “Is Mr. Barton in? We’d like to talk to him about the fire at his site in October.”

  The receptionist’s nervous gaze darted between Brian and Randi. “Just a minute.” She lifted the receiver and made the call. “He’ll be right with you.”

  A man came toward them shortly afterward. He was short, stocky, fortyish and balding. “I’m Craig Barton. We can talk in my office.” They followed him the way he’d come and into a cramped workspace. “Have a seat. You wanted to talk about the fire?”

  “Yes,” Brian said. “The report indicated that it might have been arson.”

  “It did, but the police haven’t been able to find out much else. Have you found something?” He paused. “Do you think it’s connected to the ones happening now?”

  “We don’t know. Around the time of the fire, had you had problems with any of your employees?”

  Mr. Barton leaned back in his chair. “Not at all. And I haven’t had any since then. I actually had to hire a few day workers to get that site back on schedule.”

  Randi listened as Brian asked the man a few more questions related to the employees and competition with other companies. In the end, they were no closer than they had been before arriving. They thanked Mr. Barton and went to the next site. She and Brian ended up having to wait twenty minutes while the owner finished up a conference call.

  “Mr. Lockett will see you now,” the assistant said, gesturing them into the office.

  Mr. Lockett stood and extended his hand. After the introductions, they all sat.

  Brian started with the same line of questioning.

  Mr. Lockett didn’t have to think long before he nodded. “There was this one guy, Tommy Glaskins. We finished a project two weeks before Christmas and I had hired some extra workers to get it done on time. They all knew there was a possibility it was only a one-job offer, but Tommy thought he’d be the exception because he’s the cousin of one of my project managers. When he didn’t get picked up, he threw a fit. Came in, started yelling, flipped a chair. Said I’d regret it. I threatened to call the police and he left. Two days later, I walked out of here late in the evening and found my car covered in paint.”

  “What color?” Randi asked.

  “Gray.”

  She and Brian shared a look.

  Brian leaned forward. “When did the fire happen?”

  “About a week later. I’d swear he set that fire, but without proof, there was nothing I could do.”

  Because there had been cigarette butts found at the site, the fire hadn’t been definitively ruled arson, but Randi’s gut was now telling her otherwise.

  “Do you have the contact information for Mr. Glaskins?” Brian asked.

  “I can ask my assistant to dig it up. Do you think he might have done it?”

  “That’s what we’d like to find out.”

  Mr. Lockett called his assistant and asked her to bring in the information.

  Randi jotted down some notes. “Mr. Lockett, has anyone called asking for references for Mr. Glaskins?”

  He drummed his fingers on the desk. “As a matter of fact, I got a couple of calls around the beginning of the year, and then another one about two weeks ago. I couldn’t tell you the names of the earlier companies, but I should have a record of that recent one because I was out of the office when they call
ed and my secretary took a message.” When the assistant came in with Tommy’s information, Mr. Lockett asked her to bring in the message file.

  Armed with the information, they left. They’d need to call all the owners of the recently damaged sites, including Cedric, and ask about Tommy Glaskins. That was one call Randi wasn’t looking forward to making.

  Chapter 17

  “Since we’re in Roseville, we can stop over at Hunter Construction and see if Mr. Glaskins’s name rings a bell,” Brian said as they got back into the car.

  Randi’s heart sank. She’d wanted to avoid seeing Cedric for as long as possible. But she couldn’t very well say that to the detective. “Okay.” With any luck, he’d be out of the office and Lorenzo could answer their questions. Then again, she knew Cedric and Lorenzo were close, and he more than likely would know what had happened between them. This is just great. Reason number two hundred and fifty why I should have just ended it after that first date. The closer they came to the office, the faster her pulse raced. Randi gave herself a pep talk. They’d be in and out in a few minutes and she and Cedric wouldn’t be alone at any point. She could do this. Only she hadn’t counted on the effect seeing him again would have on her. Cedric was talking to his assistant when Randi and Brian walked up, and when his eyes locked on hers, it took everything inside her not to launch herself into his arms.

  “Detective Warner, Ms. Nichols, how can I help you?” Cedric asked.

  Brian stepped forward. “Do you have a few minutes?”

  “Sure. Let’s go into my office. Loretta, we’ll finish up after.”

  Cedric led them inside and closed the door.

  Before Randi could sit, he was there, pulling out her chair. His body brushed against hers and the contact was just enough to remind her how much she wanted his touch.

  He rounded the desk. “Is this about the fire?”

  “Yes.” Brian’s cell rang just as he opened his mouth to elaborate. He glanced down. “I need to take this. It shouldn’t be more than a minute.” He quickly left the office.

  Randi tried to avoid looking at Cedric and pretended to focus on the notepad in her hand.

  “How are you, baby?” Cedric asked quietly.

  She lifted her chin. “Fine.”

  “I’m not.”

  She saw the pain and misery in his eyes and didn’t want to be moved.

  “I miss talking to you, touching you, kissing you...”

  “Cedric, please don’t,” she whispered, barely holding it together.

  “Loving you.”

  She was a heartbeat from breaking down and willed back the tears threatening to fall.

  “I need to talk to you, Randi. Do you know how hard it’s been not holding you in my arms? Five days is a long time to be without you. Please, ba—.”

  Brian came back into the room.

  Randi breathed a sigh of relief. Had that phone call lasted one more second, he might have caught them in a serious lip-lock. Cedric saying please had her damn near ready to jump across the desk. She was just that close to succumbing.

  “Sorry for the interruption. Mr. Hunter, do you recall interviewing a Tommy Glaskins sometime this year?”

  “Not offhand. But I did hire two people around the beginning of March.” Cedric turned toward his computer. “I can check my appointments.” He pressed a few keys and studied the screen. “Yes, he’s on here. I didn’t hire him because his reference indicated he might be a hothead. I usually make a notation on everyone I interview, in case they try to circle back around sometime in the future. Do you think he’s the one who set fire to my site?”

  “We’re not certain.” Brian stood. “Thanks for your time. I’ll be in touch if I find out anything else.”

  Cedric rose to his feet and shook the detective’s hand. “Thanks.” He extended his hand toward Randi. “Ms. Nichols.”

  Randi hesitated briefly, knowing she couldn’t refuse. “Mr. Hunter.” He clasped her hand gently and stared intently into her eyes.

  “Thanks for all your help.”

  She attempted to pull away, but he held on a little longer before finally releasing her hand. She read the plea in his eyes. “You’re welcome.” She turned and walked out without looking back.

  * * *

  Randi drove straight to Iyana’s house after work. She’d texted her sister after leaving Cedric’s office to make sure she’d be home because she needed to talk to someone. She’d toyed with calling her mother, but her mother would go straight to her father and that’s the last thing she wanted right now.

  Iyana opened the door and pulled Randi in. “I’ve got the wine already poured.”

  Randi smiled for the first time in five days. “Maybe you should bring the bottle.” She dropped down on the sofa and leaned her head back. “This has been the worst week of my life.” Everything reminded her of Cedric—a song on the radio, the hot chocolate in her cabinet, the gym—everything. Her sister came back, handed her a glass, then sat next to her. Randi immediately took a huge gulp.

  “Have you talked to him yet?”

  “No, but I had to go to his office with Detective Warner today.” I miss talking to you, touching you, kissing you...loving you. His words came back in a rush. She set the glass down and the tears she’d been holding back came in full force. “Why is this so hard?”

  Iyana hugged Randi. “Just like you told me once, it’s hard because it’s your heart. But your situation is different from mine. Cedric still loves you, sis. He’s worried about your safety and I can’t be mad at him for that. I truly believe you two can work this out.”

  “I don’t know. What if it happens again? I want to work for the ATF and I’m not going to give up my dream.”

  “Who says you’ll have to? I bet Cedric is kicking himself right now. When you saw him, how did he act?”

  Randi refused to say because she knew her sister would probably pick up the phone and call Cedric herself.

  “You’re not talking, so I guess that means he’s as miserable as you.” A smile played around her mouth. “You really ought to call him. I’ll set it up, if you like.”

  “No! There’s no telling what kind of trouble you’d start.”

  She shrugged. “Just trying to help. I want you to be happy, Randi, and I know Cedric is perfect for you.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Iyana took a sip of her wine. “I wouldn’t wait too long. You don’t want some other sister to snap him up. You’re lucky we’re sisters, otherwise I might’ve had to do a little hip swivel past him.”

  “You are outrageous.” Randi recalled the jealousy she’d felt when she thought he’d taken another woman to his cabin.

  “I know, but I’m serious. Remember how they made those pro and con lists on Why Did I Get Married? You should do the same.”

  Randi didn’t need to make a list to know the pros far outweighed the cons. She picked up the phone.

  * * *

  Friday evening, Cedric sat in Lorenzo and Desiree’s family room as miserable as he’d ever been. They had invited him and Jeremy over to cheer him up, as Desiree had put it. The only thing that would lift his spirits was getting things straight with Randi. He couldn’t eat or sleep and his concentration had dropped to an all-time low. He hadn’t made any headway on anything since she walked out of his office earlier.

  “I caught a glimpse of Randi today when she and the detective were leaving. She looks as pitiful as you. When are you going to talk to her?”

  Cedric didn’t even lift his head. “Zo, it takes two people to talk. I’ve called, texted and was this close to begging today.” He snapped his fingers for emphasis. “The detective came back before we could really talk.”

  “And her career?” Jeremy asked. “You know she’s right about your job being just as dangerous. Remember that time you fell off the ladder and fractured your a
nkle?”

  Cedric scowled at his brother. “Whose side are you on?” He didn’t need to be reminded. He’d been seventeen at the time and one of the ladder rungs had snapped. The only saving grace was that Cedric had been just four feet from the ground.

  “Yours. If you love her, you’ve got to decide what’s more important—living your life without her or supporting her career choice and having her by your side forever.”

  The thought of her being harmed in any way caused a churning in his gut. “She wants to be an ATF agent. I googled it and I’m not sure how I’d handle her basically doing what police officers do.”

  Lorenzo stretched. “Then you need to let her go.”

  Cedric stared at his cousin incredulously. Just the thought made his heart clench. “I can’t.”

  “Then you know what you need to do. Love requires risk. Are you willing to take it?”

  “Ced, Mom is crazy about Randi and she said she’s never seen you so happy. I haven’t, either.”

  Randi did make him happy. He buried his head in his hands. He couldn’t lose her.

  “When you’re ready to win her back, I have something guaranteed to help.” Desiree handed Cedric a small gift bag.

  Lorenzo chuckled.

  “What is it?” Cedric asked. He read the label. “Massage oil?”

  “Yep. It warms when you rub it in, gets even hotter when you blow on it, and it’s edible,” she added with a wink. “How do you think I got your cousin back when I almost messed up our relationship because of my fears?”

  Jeremy burst out laughing. “You think you can whip me up some of that when I find my woman?”

  “Sure. Just let me know.”

  Cedric kissed her cheek. “Thanks.” It was a nice gesture, but as it stood right now, he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to use it.

  She patted his arm and left the room.

  Jeremy pulled out his wallet. “Zo, I hate to admit it, but you were right.” He laid two $100 bills on the table.

  “Thanks,” Lorenzo said with a wide grin.