“Why do you think he didn’t send the letters?” The detective asked.
She shrugged, and her voice filled with sarcasm. “Have you read them? It sounds like it’s a lover…a wannabe lover. My father wouldn’t send a letter like that to me.”
“How do you know?” Colfax asked. “You haven’t talked to him in many years.”
Now she had two men scrutinizing her, and it made her twitchy. “All right. I don’t know him that well anymore. I was a young child when he went to prison.”
Colfax exchanged glances with the detective who said, “Your reluctance puts you in a suspicious light. If you’re innocent of any wrongdoing, you have nothing to lose by cooperating.”
She wanted to tell him to go to hell. “Ask me anything you want to know.”
“Did you start the fires?” Detective Morrison’s question shot out.
She laughed, but it contained no humor. “No. But I get where you’re heading with this. My father’s an arsonist, so therefore I must be.”
The fire marshal shrugged. “It’s happened before. Firefighters going bad.”
Cranky and growing hungry, she stalked to the window and looked out at the storm. “The guys are getting soaked. Let them come inside.”
That wasn’t her only motivation for wanting them inside—she needed Okono, Jeeter, and Mark to hear the bullshit the authorities were dumping on her.
The detective waved one hand. “Go ahead.”
She opened the door. “Come on in.”
The three men blustered a bit as they shook off the rain and entered. She offered them hot tea or coffee but they declined. Mark settled his back against the wall again, while Okono and Jeeter resumed their posts by the door, caution written all over them.
Juliet settled on the couch, tired and wanting the questioning to be over. “They’re suspicious of me because of my father. Maybe I’m an arsonist, too.”
“That’s bull,” Jeeter said, stepping forward. “Juliet would never do anything to hurt other people or burn property. Never.”
Jeeter’s slightly raised voice and vehemence caused Juliet to peer at him.
Silence settled in the room a moment before the fire marshal said, “Does your father have your cell phone number?”
Although his voice sounded calm, Juliet’s tension rose at the dumb question. “No. Like I said, I haven’t talked to him and he hasn’t called me on the cell phone. I’ve only received the one call.”
Mark walked to the couch, sat beside her, and directed his unyielding gaze toward the fire marshal and detective. He didn’t say a word, but she felt his warm support. It gave her strength.
“That’s why you told Chief Krisky I shouldn’t volunteer at the fire house,” she said to Colfax. “You believe I’m an arsonist.”
Colfax held his hands up. “I didn’t say that.”
“You told him it was better if I didn’t volunteer.”
Colfax shrugged. “It makes sense. You’re getting letters from someone saying they’re burning Buckleport for you. Most of firefighters at your station are probably afraid to be around you for that reason.”
Okono held a hand up. “Now wait a minute. I never heard anyone in our firehouse say that. And we all know she got the first letter.”
Okono’s support threw her off, but she acknowledged it. “Thanks, Okono.”
The former SEAL continued with, “Damn straight. I may not be hot on women being firefighters, but I don’t believe you’re an arsonist.”
She snorted softly. “Thanks, I think.”
“She’d never hurt anyone.” Jeeter’s voice was quiet. He stood to the side with an almost dejected expression.
“Thanks, Jeeter.” She glanced at her watch. “Are we done here? I’m about ready to pass out from hunger.”
“Where are you staying?” Detective Morrison asked.
“Sentry Security.” Juliet stood slowly. “You can find me there.”
“Fine,” Morrison said as he and the fire marshal headed for the door.
The detective paused with his hand on the doorknob and gave her a half smile. “This is going to sound trite, but don’t leave town.”
She leaned back on the couch. “No plans for that.”
After the detective and the fire marshal left with the letter, the other men looked at her as if she might fall apart, and she sensed it.
“I’m fine. I think I’m done here for the day,” she said.
As if sensing she didn’t want to talk, the men didn’t speak. She didn’t feel like jawing over what had happened, and Mark kept quiet the entire trip back to Sentry Security. Juliet stayed alone with her thoughts, wondering and worrying about what the world held for her next.
* * * *
Back inside the compound, Mark asked if she had enough energy to meet General Graham, and she agreed she’d better take the opportunity.
Before Mark knocked on the door, he cupped both her shoulders. His deep eyes, thickly lashed, drew her in with the concern she saw reflected inside them.
“I’ll make sure if you want to be alone for the rest of the day that no one bothers you.” He gently pressed her shoulders. “If you need anything you can call me, okay?”
His reassurance took away apprehension. “Damn, O’Day. You should bottle this.”
“Bottle this?”
She smiled and placed her palms on his solid chest. “This calm demeanor you have. Your sense of humor. Your…I dunno…your way of calming people down.”
Before he could reply, she stood on tiptoes and kissed his chin.
“What was that for?” he asked softly, his eyes hot.
“Because you’ve helped me when you didn’t have to.” Low in her belly, a new desire grew. “For being really sweet.”
He groaned, and the heat didn’t leave his eyes. “I’m not feeling sweet right now, and if we weren’t out in the hallway in full view, I’d show you.”
Oh. Desire spread across her body, a flash fire of want that made her long for a small piece of what he promised. She couldn’t recall a sexual need as powerful as this before. As much as she longed for connection, caution reined her back. What did they know of each other in such a short time? Jumping into a sexual relationship without a basis for emotional connection never appealed to her. In this world, a relationship must be forged on trust. On mutual need and desire to help.
“Mark…”
The door opened so fast they almost jumped back. A man who was six feet tall at least, but shorter than Mark, stood at the door. His broad shoulders, gray hair and rough-looking face gave him a stereotypical presentation of a high-ranking military man. A Patton-like character in a war movie, perhaps. His eyes had an intensity to them, and he glanced back and forth between her and Mark.
“O’Day.” The man’s voice held a soft, deep tone with no-nonsense gravity.
“General Graham, this is my friend Juliet Van Pelt.”
She held her hand out to the General. “General Graham, pleased to meet you.”
He nodded, and his handshake was firm. “Alexander Graham. Pleased to meet you.” The General opened the door wider. “Come inside and debrief me.”
Mark followed her and the General let him, which relieved Juliet. Graham’s office reflected what she imagined a general’s office would contain. Certificates, degrees, acknowledgements and medals from a long career. He sat behind a massive dark wood desk with a large leather chair. Juliet and Mark settled into padded chairs across the desk. Step by step they explained everything, down to the last nut and bolt.
When they finished, Graham folded his hands over his stomach. “This keeps getting better and better.”
She frowned. “Better and better?”
“He’s referring to everything that’s happened over the last few months here at Sentry Security. Penny and Ian getting together, and Adam and Mally,” Mark said.
The General grunted. “It must be something in the damned water. Maybe volcano ash causes men to lose their minds. All of my men are lovesick.”
<
br /> Her face went hot, and she didn’t dare look at Mark. “Oh, Mark isn’t lovesick. I mean, he’s just doing the Good Samaritan thing.”
Mark cleared his throat. “Are you hungry, Juliet? I’m starving. Let’s go up to the apartment and make lunch.”
She shifted to the end of the chair. “It’s been a long day and we didn’t eat. But first I’d like to thank you, General, for allowing me to stay here. I’ll be out of everyone’s hair as soon as I can.”
“No rush. I’m happy to help.”
His nonchalant statement surprised Juliet. “Thanks anyway.”
The General’s half smile said he understood their discomfort. “Get outta here then.”
Chapter 8
Back in the apartment, the heaviness of what transpired that day weighed on Juliet. They sat on the barstools at the kitchen counter with sandwiches and bottles of water.
Mark polished off his sandwich in record time. “You’re quiet. What are you thinking?”
She finished a bite before answering. She patted her lips with a paper napkin. “I hate that Morrison and Colfax are suspicious of me. It annoys me that anyone would think I’m an arsonist. At the same time, if I was them I’d probably think the same way.”
Mark nodded. “That’s why I didn’t react like Jeeter. I understand why they did what they did.”
A tiny fear invaded her mind, and the rest of the sandwich sat in her throat like a rock. She wanted his trust, and that bothered her, too. “You don’t believe I have anything to do with the fires, right?”
As he turned toward her, his leg bumped hers. He leaned forward slightly, his voice a soft rumble. “Hell no.” He shook his head. “Your father, though…that gives me pause. It seems too coincidental that he’s out of prison, he’s an arsonist, and he called you. He could have something to do with it. It wouldn’t surprise me if the detective follows your every move.”
She rubbed one hand over her face. “The timing is strange. I can’t blame the authorities for looking sideways at me.”
“I’m impressed,” he said.
“By what?”
“How you’re handling stress. Many women would be a puddle right now.”
“Just women?”
He drummed his fingers on the counter. “Hell no. People in general. I’ve seen men in the military crumble under less pressure. You’re a strong woman.”
When she gazed into his eyes, she saw admiration. “Thanks. I do my best.”
“Your best is pretty hot.”
She laughed, a short, surprised sound. “Flattery, sir?”
“No. Truth. You’re strong, and I like that in a woman. It’s a turn on for me.”
His approval made her tingle in all sorts of girly, forbidden parts. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
He smiled. “Yeah, right. I’m nothing to look at.”
She rolled her eyes and snorted. “Give me a break, O’Day. Do you ever look in the mirror?”
He shrugged. “Usually to shave and that’s about it. I’m not interested otherwise.”
“I’m not sure you’re for real.”
“I’m nothing but real. I spent too much of my life when I was a kid pretending to be something I’m not. Since the day I went to basic training, I’ve been as genuine and honest as I could be right up front.”
She leaned one forearm on the counter and tilted her head to inspect him. “How come some lucky lady hasn’t snatched you up? You’ve never been married?”
“Nope.”
“And?”
“I never let myself get close. It’s been too tough to keep a long-distance relationship together, and most of the women I ran into wanted marriage and babies. When I was in the army I was in it. I didn’t play games, and I worked hard. It was my life.”
Disappointment threatened to derail her light-hearted feelings. Oh, please, Juliet. Just because he’s a nice man doesn’t mean he’s marriage material. You don’t want marriage and babies any more than he does.
“And now?” she asked.
He leaned toward her a bit, and she caught his fresh and clean scent. “I’m working hard for Sentry Security because I’ve got a strong work ethic and I like the work. Especially since Long Valley erupted.” He looked around. “I’m blessed. Good work, excellent pay and great digs. What else is there?”
Something drew her closer to him. That slight edge forward. “Companionship.”
His mouth twisted a little. “I haven’t had time to date since the volcano erupted.”
“We had a date.”
“True. First time in a long time I’d enjoyed myself like that. But you’re a special lady.”
“O’Day, you’re laying it on thick.”
“Nah. I’m telling it how I see it.”
God, he was delicious in so many ways, she was having a hell of a time believing this wasn’t some dream she’d awaken from soon. If he’d used false modesty, and if she’d seen deception, she would’ve called him on it. Instead she saw sincerity in his eyes and heard honesty in his voice.
“We need to spend a day somewhere without a bunch of people around. Somewhere we can talk,” he said.
“We’re talking right now.”
“I’m thinking like a park or somewhere secluded. So there isn’t the city distraction. I’ll see what I can think of.”
“Well, that would be a miracle since I’ve been told not to leave town.”
“Maybe someone has a secluded garden we can borrow.”
Her mouth popped open. “A secluded garden?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry, I’ll look into it.”
“Okay…I’ll go with you to this secluded garden if you can find it. But I’ll make you a bet. You won’t be able to find one.”
His grin produced a hint of dimples, and her attention snagged on how his eyes sparkled with amusement, and the way he was checking her out. Mark O’Day had a way of paying attention to a woman. Her female bits were taking notice with three-alarm bells.
“You’re on. But if I win, I’ll make you pay up.” The teasing tone in his voice contrasted with the heat in his eyes.
“Oh?” she asked.
“Yeah. Maybe a kiss or two.”
“Oh, well. That doesn’t sound too bad.”
“Too bad? Too bad?”
They laughed, and she caught herself staring at his mouth. Oh, a kiss would be good. So good right now.
He sobered. “Look, if you need to talk more, you know you can, right? I’m a good listener. In the Army other soldiers asked for my advice.”
“They trusted you?”
“Yeah.” He gestured toward his face. “Must have been this ugly mug.”
“Or maybe they could tell you’re a good guy.”
“I don’t know. People have always asked me for advice.”
Impressed again, she asked, “It doesn’t suck you dry?”
“When I was a kid it used to. I learned boundaries.”
“It’s an extraordinary man who can get through a war and escape the other side without scars.”
He held up his hands. “Who said I don’t have scars?”
“Do you ever confide to anyone?”
He stared into space before meeting her gaze. “I haven’t for a long time. Until you.”
“Why?”
“Why haven’t I confided? Or why you?”
“Both.”
“Maybe because discussing war with anyone is heavy. Sometimes what I’ve seen is so dark I want to pretend I haven’t seen it.”
“Let’s make a deal right here.”
He nodded. “Okay.”
“I’ll be a good listener for you if you’re a good one for me.”
He put out his hand for her to shake. “Deal.”
The caress of his palm over hers made her skin tingle, and she drew her hand back. She groaned. “All of this is distracting me from my accounting work. I need to contact my clients, let them know what’s happening and get some work completed.”
“Are your cli
ents in Maine?”
“Two are in Bangor, the rest are in other parts of New England.” Another pause started between them, and she felt the need to fill it. “We know so little about each other.”
“But we’re learning. Slowly and surely.” He didn’t sound worried. “I already know a lot about you.”
“Oh? How do you figure?”
“By what I’ve seen you do and say.”
“Such as?”
He crossed his arms. “You’re strong. A very strong woman with a lot of convictions. Yet you’re open to learning things, to exploring. You aren’t certain you’re the one with all the answers. Haven’t you noticed that when shit hits the fan a lot of people come out of the woodwork to tell people the answers?”
She smiled. “Oh yeah. The “end of the world” people since Long Valley. They conveniently forget this has happened before and the world didn’t end.”
“Yep. That’s a good example. Even in smaller ways there’s a lot of people trying to control others. Then the people who allow tragedy and deprivation turn them into animals.”
“I’ve been lucky. I don’t want for much.”
“I’ve been fortunate, too. We have to keep on striving. Living. It’s all we’ve got.” His eyes held intelligence, and not a hint of wariness when he revealed his thoughts.
She shivered. “This world is…it’s scary and there’s so much going on.”
“The world has always been scary.”
He meant war of course. How could she have forgotten? “I’m sorry. I’m thoughtless.”
Quirking an eyebrow, he leaned forward, eyes intent on her. “Thoughtless? How?”
“You lived through war. This volcano disaster must seem like peanuts.”
He shook his head. “Hell, no. It doesn’t. I’ve seen other countries torn apart by war. War that maybe could have been prevented if humans weren’t…who they are. This…this disaster just is. We couldn’t do a damned thing about it. Nothing. Mother Nature, if you’ll pardon the expression, doesn’t give a fuck. She does what she does. We couldn’t control it, so now a lot of people want to control everything that happens after. They want the market on certainty, even if they have to make stuff up to get that certainty.”
“Now that’s scary.” She drew in a slow breath. “It’s hard seeing our town struggle. Seeing our country struggle. People want answers when there are none.”
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