Fire Games

by Lorana Hoopes

  After a quick stop at a local pizzeria, Jordan parked in front of the old building. The windows were still boarded up as Graham had suggested they fix the inside before the outside, so as not to attract vandals or thieves.

  “Looks lovely,” Al said in a teasing tone as she opened her door.

  “Yeah, well, I told you. The inside is worse.” He opened the door for her as she carried the pizza box.

  “Late again, I see….” Graham’s voice trailed off as he spied Al behind Jordan.

  “Sorry, but we brought food. Graham, this is my partner Al. Al, this is Graham.” Jordan took the box from Al as he made the introductions in case she wanted to shake hands.

  “This is your partner?” Surprise and just a hint of disbelief filled Graham’s voice.

  Al leaned back and crossed her arms. “Is that a problem?”

  Jordan squeezed his lips together and watched the scene unfold. Al’s defensive posture was up and when she felt threatened, or in this case slighted, she was like a cornered raccoon who could claw your eyes out before you expected it.

  Graham must have sensed it as well because he stumbled over his next words. “No, it’s just he never mentioned you were a woman. With the name Al, I assumed…”

  “Al is short for Alayna, and that’s what you get for assuming.”

  Jordan chuckled as Graham’s mouth fell open. Al might be small and look young – in fact, she had posed as an underage girl in more than one sting – but she was tough as nails and not afraid to speak her mind.

  “I… I’m sorry.” Graham stuttered over the apology trying to recover.

  “It’s cool. I guess Jordan doesn’t talk about me that much.” This time she turned her penetrating eyes on him.

  With a shrug, Jordan brushed her accusation off. “To be fair, I don’t tell Graham much about work. Now, I thought you said you were starving. How about we eat?”

  “Yes, let’s eat.” Graham’s face told Jordan that he would have questions to answer later, but right now he was glad to be out of the hot seat.

  Chapter 8

  Cassidy grabbed her bag and headed for the door. Though there were showers and beds in the firehouse, nothing replaced the feel of her own pillow-topped bed, and after three days on shift, she was ready to be home and curl up in her own bed.

  “Cass, wait up.”

  Cassidy turned to see Ivy hurrying her direction. Her pixie face sported a mischievous smile. “Hey, I met the nicest doctor at the hospital today. Tall, dark, and handsome. I think he’d be perfect for you and he’s free tonight.”

  Cassidy tried not to roll her eyes as she sighed. She knew Ivy meant well, but her bruised ego was still healing from Tyler’s rejection, and set up dates were usually worse than regular ones. Friends always meant well, but the added pressure just made the dates even more uncomfortable. “Not tonight, Ivy. I’ve been on shift for three days. I want a real shower and decent sleep in my own bed.”

  “Okay, but soon, right? You need to get Tyler out of your head and start dating again.”

  “I will. I promise. Just not tonight.”

  Ivy crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Cassidy. “All right, but I’m holding you to that promise.”

  Cassidy had no doubt she would. The girl was tenacious like a dog who wouldn’t give up a bone. It was one reason she loved her. Most days. “I’ll see you in a few days, Ivy.”

  The air was cool as Cassidy stepped outside the firehouse, and the last of the sun’s rays stretched across the parking lot. Twilight was her favorite time of day as the colors reminded her of a fire, but a peaceful one.

  “Hey, I was hoping I would see you again. I was just about to knock.”

  Cassidy jumped at the voice and clutched her bag tighter, her body tensing as it decided whether to fight or flee. To her right, a man stepped out of the shadows. The Clark Kent whose car she had jumpstarted.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I wanted to bring you these as a thank you.” He held out a beautiful bouquet of flowers as he stepped closer. “Thanks to you, I didn’t miss my meeting.”

  “Oh, you didn’t have to do that.” Cassidy took a step back. He had to be her stalker. Why else would he have shown up again so soon? She ran through her options. There was a small can of mace in her bag, but she’d never get it out in time. She could throw her bag at him in distraction, but she doubted she could make it to her car before he caught her. Screaming was an option, but would they hear her inside the firehouse?

  “I know I didn’t have to, but it was an important meeting. Thanks to you I didn’t lose the client. I was hoping maybe I could take you to dinner.”

  Dinner? There was little doubt in Cassidy’s mind now. What would he do if she said no? Would he go crazy and attack her? He didn’t look as if was carrying a gun or a knife, but that could be part of his ruse – look normal and unassuming to lure women into a sense of safety and then turn on them and take them down before they could run.

  Cassidy wished she had a panic button on her phone that would alert someone, but there was no way she could make a move without arousing his suspicion. “I just got off shift and am pretty tired,” she began, but she didn’t get to finish because Ivy burst out of the front door excited and out of breath.

  “Cassidy. The woman from the fire...” Her voice trailed off as she caught sight of Scott. “Oh, sorry I didn’t know you had company.”

  Ivy wasn’t Bubba or Deacon or even Luca and she certainly couldn’t take this guy down, but at least there was safety in numbers. “Ivy, this is Scott. I helped him jump his car the other day and he was just stopping by to say thank you.”

  “And to ask you to dinner,” he piped up.

  Ivy’s eyes widened as she looked from Scott to Cassidy. “Right, well, I’m sorry to interrupt.” She stepped back as if she were going to re-enter the firehouse, but Cassidy wasn’t about to let her do that.

  “No, it’s fine. I really have to go anyway, but why don’t we exchange numbers and get in touch soon.” Cassidy had no intention of giving him her real number, but she hoped she might get his. Maybe Jordan could run it through some system and let her know if he was legit or dangerous.

  “Uh, sure.” He pulled out his cell phone and tapped a few buttons. “Okay, go ahead.”

  Cassidy rattled off a number close to her own hoping Ivy wouldn’t rat her out and then put his number in her contacts.

  “At least take these,” he said handing her the flowers, “and thank you again.”

  When he was out of earshot, Ivy tugged on her arm. “Do you think he’s the stalker?”

  Cassidy shook her head though she wished she knew. She didn’t like thinking the worst about someone she didn’t even know. She’d worked hard after David dumped her to focus on seeing everyone as God did instead of seeing them through the burning hatred she felt for David. “My guess is yes. He comes out of nowhere asking for a jump and then shows up with flowers and a dinner invite?”

  “Or he could just be a nice guy who is attracted to you,” Ivy said playing the Devil’s advocate, “but he probably won’t be when he tries your number and finds out you gave him the wrong one.”

  Cassidy watched the car pull out of the lot and resisted the urge to shiver. “Just seems too coincidental to me. Plus, he gave me the creeps the day I helped him. He asked a lot of questions and stared at me.”

  “All things guys do when they’re interested in you,” Ivy said. “Maybe it has been too long.”

  “It didn’t feel like interest,” Cassidy said with another shake of her head, “but look, I’ll see if Jordan can find anything out on him. If he’s not my stalker, I have his number and can contact him and explain.”

  “If he listens long enough to hear your explanation.”

  Frustration exploded inside Cassidy, and she turned on her friend. “Whose side are you on anyway?”

  An expression of hurt clouded Ivy’s face. “Yours, of course, I just hate seeing you like this. You’re scared, I get it,
but not every new man you meet is your stalker. There are good guys out there, you know?”

  “So, you keep telling me.” Cassidy looked down at the bouquet of flowers in her hand. She hadn’t wanted them in the first place, but after this conversation, the mere sight of them brought a sour taste to her mouth. “Here, enjoy these.” She shoved them in Ivy’s hands knowing she would have to apologize later but unable to deal with it right now. “I’ve got to call Jordan and get to the hospital.”

  Before Ivy could protest, Cassidy hurried to her car and started the engine. As she drove out of the lot, she dialed Jordan’s number. “Jordan? Meet me at the hospital. Our woman is awake.”

  Jordan found Cassidy waiting at the nurse’s station for him. “She’s able to talk? Does she remember anything?”

  Cassidy chuckled and shook her head sending her dark hair swishing against her shoulder. She wore it down today, and it looked like chocolate silk. “I don’t know. I waited for you before going to see her. Ivy asked them to call her when she woke up and she told me right before I called you.”

  “Okay, well, let’s go see if she can help us.” Jordan followed Cassidy down the hall to room 108 trying to keep his focus on the case and not the woman in front of him which was becoming harder with each moment he spent with her. They knocked quietly on the door before pushing it open.

  A frail looking woman lay on the bed. Burns covered her face and arms, but though burns weren’t his expertise, Jordan thought she’d been lucky. They didn’t look like third degree burns.

  “Ma’am?” Cassidy’s voice was soft beside him.

  The woman opened her eyes and stared at them. “Who are you?” she asked in a hoarse whisper.

  “My name is Cassidy and this is Jordan. I was one of the firefighters who rescued you from the fire, and Jordan is a police officer.”

  Jordan stepped closer to the bed. “We need to ask you some questions about the fire. Did you know the man in 2D?”

  “I can’t say that I knew him, but I saw him a few times when his mail would get delivered to my apartment – 2B.”

  “Did you ever see him with a child?” Cassidy asked. “A girl maybe?”

  The woman appeared to think for a minute. “No, I never saw a child, but I suppose there could have been one living there. The mail I got had at least three different names on it. I just figured he was scamming the welfare system especially when I asked him about it and he told me to mind my business, but I suppose it could have been mail for other people who were living there. Never saw any others though.”

  Other names? Could they be lucky enough that he would have used his real name on one of them? “Do you remember the names?” Jordan pressed trying to keep his tone even.

  “No, but I had just gotten some mail for him that day. I was on my way to give it to him when I realized I had forgotten a few other pieces that were sitting on my table. Before I could go back to get them though, something hit my head and the next thing I knew, I woke up here.”

  “Do you think the pieces would still be there? On your table?” These names would help them. Jordan was just sure of it.

  “If the fire didn’t get them. You’re welcome to go in my apartment and look.” She turned her eyes to Cassidy. “I didn’t even know there was a fire. Do you know if my apartment was damaged?”

  “Most of the fire was in his apartment. You might have smoke damage though. If you want, I can come back after we grab the letters and let you know.”

  Tears filled the woman’s eyes. “Thank you. I don’t have much, but a lot has sentimental value, you know?”

  Cassidy nodded as if she understood, and Jordan realized she most likely did. Dealing with fires every day, she probably saw this reaction quite often from people.

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Jordan said as he stepped back. “You’ve been extremely helpful.”

  Cassidy followed him out of the room and fell into step beside him. “So, are we going back to the apartment?”

  “We?” he asked. “No, I am going back to the apartment. You are going back to work or home or wherever you need to go.”

  Her jaw tightened and she pulled on his arm with a grip that was surprisingly strong and halted his step. “This is my case too. I’m the one who found the doll and the hole and called you.” She ticked the items off on her fingers for emphasis. “I want to see this through.”

  Jordan thought about fighting her, but something flickered in her eyes. A defiant spark, and somehow, he knew she wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Fine, you can come with me to the apartment, but then your job is done. The rest is on me, got it?”

  She narrowed her eyes at him as if debating whether to push it further, but in the end, she agreed.

  “Let’s take my car there. No sense in taking two,” he offered as they exited the hospital.

  “Fine with me.”

  Jordan watched Cassidy as she climbed into the car and buckled her seatbelt. He’d assumed she was a diva when he first met her, but now he was seeing a whole new side of her. One that intrigued him but scared him as well. Especially because in small ways, she reminded him of Jasmine. That sense of confidence had been what drew him to Jasmine in the first place, but it had also been what tore them apart.

  Now, here was Cassidy inserting herself into his life without even meaning to but making an impression nonetheless. However, he needed to keep those emotions locked down. He didn’t need romance right now and certainly not with someone who ran head first into danger. No, if he ever dated again, he needed someone with a quiet job who was content to avoid danger. Someone he wouldn’t have to constantly worry about and who could be content being married to a cop. A woman who was a firefighter was about as far from that as you could get.

  The parking lot of the apartment was still deserted when they arrived. “I guess it will be awhile before they re-open this,” he said as he turned the engine off.

  “If they ever do,” Cassidy said. “Fires like this often destroy the structure and then it’s not safe to just apply cosmetics and go on like nothing happened.”

  “So, where are all these people living?” Jordan glanced up at the building as they approached the yellow caution tape and pictured all the people who must be displaced right now. Having rarely investigated a fire scene, he had never thought about the aftermath for those who might live there.

  “Who knows? Hotels probably or with relatives. Sometimes they never recover and take to living on the streets. Those are the hardest ones to watch.” She ducked under the tape as he held it up for her.

  “I can imagine. You still like it though? Firefighting, I mean.”

  A crooked smile played across her face as he pulled open the door. “Yeah. I like helping people. Isn’t that why you became a cop?”

  “Uh, not really.” Jordan debated telling her a story. One that didn’t involve his troubled past, but he didn’t want to lie to Cassidy. “I became a cop because my dad was an alcoholic who used to beat my mom. When she finally got the courage to take us and leave, I swore I would join law enforcement so I could stop men like my father in the future.”

  Cassidy’s face folded in compassion. “I’m sorry to hear that. That must have been rough.”

  Jordan shrugged and turned away. “We all have our scars.” He shouldn’t have told her because now she was looking at him the same way everyone did who knew. With pity. He hated that look and decided to change the topic to get the attention off of himself. “What about you? Why did you become a firefighter?”

  “A bet,” Cassidy said with a chuckle as she followed him up the stairs. “You may not have figured this out about me yet, but I don’t like being told I can’t do something.”

  He snickered to himself; he had certainly picked up on that trait of hers. “I bet you were a handful for your parents.”

  A delightful laugh escaped her lips. “I was. My mother said I used to stick my tongue out at her with my lips pursed together. Said she could tell by my eyes.”

  Jordan
tried to picture Cassidy as a young girl. Had she been a tomboy or more of a girly girl?

  “Anyway,” she continued jolting him out of his imagination and back into the present, “I dated a guy in college who told me I couldn’t, so I decided to prove him wrong and fell in love with it.”

  And there was that hint of Jasmine again. Not so much what Cassidy said, but the way she said it. As if it was the most natural thing in the world. Jasmine had been confident like that. So confident in fact that she had even convinced herself she could be a cop’s wife until the day of the wedding hit, and she’d realized she wanted more. More security, more time, more something that he evidently couldn’t give. Was that why he had stopped dating confident women?

  “Here it is, 2B. Let’s hope her apartment wasn’t too badly damaged.” Jordan pushed the past from his mind as he opened the door to the apartment and stepped in. There was some charring from the heat on the walls and the items closest to them, but thankfully the fire had been stopped before it destroyed this apartment.

  The only issue was the woman who lived here was a clutter freak, not quite hoarder level, but papers lay everywhere as if they had fluttered down from the sky like snowflakes. “She said the table, right?” Jordan asked.

  A look of disgust crossed Cassidy’s face as she nodded and took a step toward the kitchen table. Papers covered it completely acting as a makeshift tablecloth. “How did she eat in here?”

  “Maybe she cleaned it off with each meal?” Though he doubted it from the look of the apartment. The place didn’t look like it had seen a broom or a vacuum for quite some time.

  “That seems like a lot of work.” Cassidy picked up a piece of paper with her fingertips. Some orange stain covered it. “Or maybe she just ate on top of them.” With a shudder, she dropped the paper to the floor. “I wish I had brought gloves.”

  Jordan did too. He had no idea what might be in all these papers and while he wasn’t squeamish, the thought of a roach crawling across his bare hand sent a shudder down his spine. “Just be careful and look for anything with a male name on it.”