Chapter 28
Marissa sat in a small room at the firehouse with Metcalf. They were discussing the case, hoping a brainstorming session would trigger something.
Marissa tapped the notebook in front of her. “I was thinking about what was found in the first set of arsons. The fires were set by the gas line, but the gas line wasn’t damaged,” she stated.
“Yeah, not that we could find anyway.”
“Whoever is setting the fire now doesn’t know that fact. And I’m assuming only someone with access to the case might.”
“Exactly.”
“Still think it’s Chelsea?”
“She’s still a suspect. But I think Madison is using the investigation and a few pieces of information to cast suspicion on her, hoping to push Carson into dumping her.”
“What about Old Man Tombs? There hasn’t been another incident since he was admitted to the hospital.”
“I haven’t removed anyone from my list. I’m even paying attention to Brad and Josh, who are the least likely.”
“Why?”
“Brad was standing in front of me when the bar blew up. Plus, he was out of the state on vacation the first two fires. Josh was in bed with his wife’s sister during two of the fires.”
Metcalf’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“April is leaving him. Her sister swooped in.”
“Wow…that’s not what I expected.”
Marissa shrugged. “It makes them happy. Who are we to judge?”
“True, and they don’t have kids to mess up with the scandal.”
“Ashton isn’t a mess. I’m impressed with how he’s taking everything.”
“You really don’t mind taking him tonight? I have Mitch’s funeral, and I really don’t want to bring him. He didn’t know him, but I need to be there with the rest of the firehouse.”
“Go. You need to be there. I have Ashton covered. I’ll take him to the appointment. Then I’m taking him to Rio Del Dora.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing you when I get home.”
“I’ll be there. I know you have the wake after. I imagine you’ll be there late. If Ashton wants to stay up, should I let him?”
“If he wants to.”
“If you want me to come with you, I could see if Estevan would take him. I’m willing to bet he would. And he can relate better than I can.”
“No. I want the time with the guys. And Ashton wants you with him. You went through the same, even if things were different.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Stay the night, and I am.”
“I’ll be there.”
* * * *
Later that day, Marissa waited outside Ashton’s class. He lit up when he saw her. “You’re here.”
“Told you I would be.”
His face scrunched up a bit. “Brett would say that, then wouldn’t come. I’d have to call Mom to get me.”
She took his hand and looked him in the eye. “I’ll make you a promise. If I say I’ll be there, I’ll be there unless I’m stuck at work and I’ve already made other arrangements beforehand.”
“I believe you.” He took her hand, and she led him back to her car.
“So, you get to hang out with other kids like you. Then we’ll go to dinner. Then do your homework and maybe watch a movie.”
“The Goonies?” he asked excitedly.
“Sure. I love that movie.”
“It’s my favorite.”
“Then it’s a plan.”
In no time, Marissa had him settled in the session, and she walked across the street to go through her notes on the case. The rain made it ugly out, but they didn’t get enough rain.
A white van stopped outside. She couldn’t see the driver, but she took the license plate number. There were a few streaks where the white had washed away in the rain to reveal a darker color.
She sent a text to Brian, who was still working. She’d gone in early and taken part of the day off to make sure Ashton was okay with the group therapy. And now she was glad, because if this van checked out, she might have her answer.
He came back with, Thought you were taking a kid to therapy?
She replied, At the coffee shop across the street. Saw the van outside. Check it. I want to see who it belongs to. Find the supposed color if you can. Then we need to get a warrant.
He answered, I’ll keep you posted.
She sat back and watched the van drive away. A splotch of white paint dripped onto the street. Luckily, she had some sample bags in the car and hurried to take enough residue to send to the lab. She had it ready by the time Ashton’s session ended. She hurried into the building and walked up to the door.
He’d been crying again, but looked relieved. She put her arm around his shoulders and led him back to the car.
“How was it, Ashton?” Marissa asked.
“I want to come back.”
“Good. One of us will get you here.”
He nodded. “Are you hungry?”
“Yup, I promised you dinner. Mind if we make one quick stop at the police station?”
Ashton perked up. “Can I come in?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t dream of leaving you in the car.”
* * * *
Metcalf came home to find Ashton asleep with his head in Marissa’s lap.
She sat on the couch, reading a book, and smiled up at him when he walked in. “How was the funeral and wake?”
He rubbed at his chest and sat on the coffee table in front of her. “Felt like we lost both of them. And everyone kept looking at me like they were waiting for me to have a meltdown. I hate that look.”
“Hey, I don’t look at you that way.”
“You never do. Even when you know I’m heading there, you catch me and pull me back, reminding me why it’s not my fault.”
“That’s what you do for someone you love. You pull them up when they start going down.”
He took her hand. “I love you. Thank you for being here with us.”
“Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
He looked down at his boy and smiled. “How was your day?”
“He likes the group.”
“Good. And it seems he’s tuckered out.”
“Yeah. But I figured this way you get some time with him tonight.”
“Thank you. I’ll get him settled, then head to the bedroom. You going to be there?”
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“I ate at the wake. You were going to dinner, and I didn’t want to waste time eating here.”
Her smile lit up. “I’ll be in bed.”
Metcalf put his lunch bag on the counter before scooping Ashton up and carrying him to his room. Ashton woke up when Metcalf laid him down.
“Hey, Dad.” He wore a sleepy smile.
“How was your day?”
Ashton tipped his head side to side. “Mostly good. How was work?”
“Paid my respect to a fellow firefighter today. And I missed Gavin the whole time. And you know what I thought about?”
“Hmm?”
“You and Marissa. How much I’m glad I have both of you.”
Ashton wrapped his arms around Metcalf and squeezed. “She hugged me when I cried. She really listened. I don’t want her to go away.”
“She’s not. She likes being with us.”
“Good night, Dad.”
“Night, kiddo. And if you need to come in, you can at any time.” He kissed his head and rubbed his back. Ashton fell back asleep in seconds.
Dave found Marissa lying on his bed in sweats and a tank, reading on a tablet. She set it aside with a smile. “There you are.”
“You don’t seem so worried.”
“I’m not. Though I won’t sleep naked when he’s here.”
He laughed. “Neither will I. I told him he could come in if he needed.”
She sat up and lifted her shirt over her head. “Then I guess we better make love now.”
“Mmhmm.” He stripped down a
s she lifted up and scooted the sweats off. God, she was gorgeous. Long, toned, with an ass he could worship.
He crawled over her, placing kisses as he went. She sat up and pulled her shirt over her head. He licked her navel, looking up her body as he circled her clit with his thumb. She bit her lip, gripping his hair and pulling gently.
Following her silent command, he scooted up and took her mouth in a kiss as he kneaded one breast. “I missed you,” he whispered.
“Missed you more.” She hooked her leg around his hip and pulled him into her. “You feel so damned good, Dave.”
He didn’t have words, so he claimed her mouth as he made love to her.
Chapter 29
Monday morning, Marissa sat down at her desk and picked up the folder Brian left. The van belonged to one of Madison Charles’ companies. Apparently, it had been in the shop for three weeks.
Josh Manning was back on the suspect list because he was a manager at the company.
Shit, she wanted less options, not more. She pushed away from her desk and leaned back. Something solid would be appreciated at any point. But no, she was working off theories and sketchy video.
She didn’t have the warrant to search the van. Not yet. Hopefully, the judge would get it to her soon, since the lab already confirmed the white substance was a type of temporary auto paint. Only reason she could think to use temporary paint on a work van was to disguise it.
A coffee appeared before her. “How’d Friday night go?” Brian asked.
Smiling, Marissa sat back and lifted her gaze. “Other than a little detective work while Ashton was in his session, the night was fun, easy.”
“So, stop stressing.”
Dipping her head, she smirked. “I’m getting there. Now we need a warrant.”
“Think it could have been Josh?”
“My gut tells me no. But he does have access to the van.”
Zerr walked over and dropped the warrant on her desk. “You’ve got it. Now get to work, Cortez, Cox.” She ducked back into her office, and Marissa hopped up, ready to go.
“Don’t forget your lifeblood,” he teased.
She snagged the cup and the warrant and started for the door. “Thank you. I owe you big.”
“Nah, you keep me sane on the daily. Now let’s get this van and find out what we’re dealing with.”
* * * *
They walked up to the garage the van was parked in and saw someone scrubbing white paint off it. Marissa ran the rest of the way. “Stop right now. You’re washing away evidence. We have a warrant for the van.”
The guy dropped the hose and backed away with his hands in the air. “I’m only doing what the boss told me to.”
Marissa shut off the hose. “Call the tow company. I’ll stay here to make sure no one touches the van again until then.”
“Why the warrant?” the guy asked.
“You can tell your boss that we have reason to believe the van was involved in a hit and run.”
He backed up, his face paling. “A hit and run?”
“Yeah. Which is why we’re taking it as evidence.”
“I’ll let him know.” He started to walk away.
“Wait. You know what this van has been used for recently?”
He nodded. “We used it to haul parts back and forth, until it started having engine trouble. It’s been in the shop for weeks. I picked it up yesterday.”
“Why the white paint?” Marissa asked.
“Something about making the logo pop, but then they never put the logo on, and I was told to wash the white away.”
“Who told you?”
“Josh Manning.”
Her gut wrenched. Josh was a manager, not the owner. But was the owner that damned crazy? And they hadn’t shared that they knew what kind of vehicle had been used. Were they covering their tracks?
Brian came back. “Walt will be here in ten minutes, then our people can go over every inch.”
Marissa pulled a pair of gloves on and held her hand out for the keys. “I need to look in the back.”
He handed over the keys. “Here.” He scooted toward the door. “Can I go now?”
“What’s your name?”
“Pete West.”
“Detective Cox, take his number in case we need it.”
Brian nodded. “Sure thing.”
She opened the back and found cans of paint thinner, canisters of gasoline, and kerosene. “What did you say this was used to haul?”
“High-end car parts.”
“How long ago?”
“Month or so ago.”
“You ever drive this vehicle?”
He shook his head. “Nope. I do the detail work at the shop. That’s why they sent me to wash the van.”
“Got it. If we need you, you may have to answer a few more questions. Okay?”
“Yeah, you got it. I don’t want no trouble.”
She nodded.
Josh Manning walked into the garage. “What’s going on here?”
She held up the warrant. “Need to take the van. We suspect it was the same one used in a hit and run.”
“What? When?”
She told him the date.
“I already told you where I was.”
“Yeah, and I still believe you. However, the van is still evidence for the time being.”
“Yeah, got it. Whatever you need from me, you’ll have it.”
“Thanks. When was the last time you drove it?”
“Not in a couple months. Mrs. Charles was going to replace it. Said it didn’t send the proper message for the custom work we do on fancy cars. She’s such a damned snob.”
Brian laughed. “Yeah, well, she won’t have to worry about it if it was the vehicle. Think we can see the video surveillance for the property that night? Might help us determine who drove the vehicle.”
“That’s not my department, but I know they’ll want a warrant for that.”
“I’ll have that next.” She stepped outside and made the call for the warrant for the video. Things were finally turning. She just needed the final pieces.
A car tore out of the parking lot as the tow truck pulled up. “That Pete?” Marissa asked.
“Yeah,” Josh answered. “What the hell is going on?”
“Does he limp?”
“Yeah. Dog mangled his leg when he was a kid.”
Marissa turned to her partner. “Shit. Brian. Call in his plates. He’s running for a reason.”
“What do you need me to do?” Josh asked.
Marissa answered, “Pull any information you can on him. I should have a warrant shortly.”
Brian started for the car. “I’ll pick it up. You stay here. Make sure no one does anything to those videos.”
“I’ll be in the main office while Walt hooks up the van.”
“Thanks. Please, don’t erase anything.”
He held up his hands. “I don’t even know where they keep that. I’ll make sure no one is going where they shouldn’t.”
She called Bridges to let her know what was going on, in case she wanted to get down there for the hit and run. She had no problem sharing as long as it got the arsonist caught.
* * * *
While Ashton was at school, and Marissa was at work, Metcalf drove out to the airport. Brett wasn’t coming at all. He was moving on with his life.
A relief, but he didn’t get it. The bastard was skipping his wife’s funeral. The woman who’d moved across the country with him. And instead of honoring her life, he was letting her go without saying goodbye. Such a heartless bastard.
As much as he was over Jeanette, he was still taking the time to go. Even if Ashton wasn’t going, he’d still attend. She was the mother of his child, and it hadn’t been all bad with her.
Waiting patiently, he stood in the baggage claim. He thought about calling or texting Marissa, but she’d seemed anxious to get to work. She’d found new evidence, which moved the case forward.
God, was it weird he was
almost happy he would see his ex-mother in law?
He considered her a friend a hell of a lot more so than Jeanette. He’d never imagined being in this situation. Mara was always the one to fly with Ashton, and things had been pleasant. But now, he’d be alone with his ex-mother-in-law. He felt for her, he really did. She’d lost her only daughter at such a young age.
The only family she had left was Ashton. But as long as she accepted Marissa in his life, he had no problem including Mara in family events. Ashton did love his grandmamma.
Mara appeared before him. “Hello, David. You look well.”
“Thanks. You do too. How was the flight?”
She shrugged. “I lost myself in a book. I’m all cried out and needed to escape into fantasy.”
He gave her a quick hug. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
She smiled and patted his shoulder as she stepped back. “I want to thank you for picking me up. You didn’t have to, and I’m sure most wouldn’t in this situation.”
“Hey, you were never the problem. Jeanette and I were two very different people who wanted separate lives.” He shrugged. “I never hated her.”
“I wish she had your strength.”
Shaking his head, he took the suitcase she pulled off the belt. “That it?”
“It is. Lead the way.”
He took them to his car, trying to come up with something to say. Nothing seemed appropriate, and reminiscing about the good times didn’t feel right. He’d rather be working, getting this case solved, so it was over and behind him.
“What’s going on? How is Ashton?” Mara asked.
A smile appeared on his face. “He’s doing great. Surprisingly, better than I imagined.”
“And Marissa?”
Metcalf pulled in a breath and let it out. “What did Jeanette tell you?”
“Doesn’t matter. I know it was all out of jealousy. My girl knew she messed up by leaving you the first time. She knew she broke your relationship beyond repair, and you found something special with Marissa. Something she never did.”
“You don’t wish things were different?”
She laughed softly. “Sure, I wish things could have been better between the two of you, but you weren’t meant for Jeanette. Question is, after all this time away from Marissa, is it as good, or better?”
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