Mitch looked at the chiefs and asked, “You got any idea if it could be someone you know?”
“I’ve turned over some of our records for Baytown, North Heron, Cherrytown, and Easton to Harrison Investigations. I’ll check with them to see if they’ve noted anything.”
“Well, just to let you know, it’s probably going to be taken out of our hands,” Colt replied. “I’m sure the Feds will now be running the show.”
Zac walked back to the ambulance and drove to Baytown. As he sat in the station, writing his report, he glanced toward the door that led to his old apartment. Has it been less than twenty-four hours since I moved out? The thought of Maddie in his new house, in his bed, had him hurrying through the last of the report. For once, he had someone to go home to.
Madelyn, sitting with a small group of volunteers at a table in the fire station, glanced to the other circle of chairs filling the space. There were members of four of the fire stations present, many she recognized even if she did not know their names.
She did not see Zac, but knew he must be around somewhere. When he had gotten home in the wee hours of the morning, he showered before crawling into bed. She had tried to talk to him, but he claimed he was exhausted and so she simply wrapped her arms around him from behind, lay her head against his back and listened as his breathing slowed before following him into sleep.
When she awoke, he was gone. Charles had called her within the hour to tell her about the emergency counseling debriefing that was going to be happening at the Baytown Fire Department and asked if she would be available. Agreeing, she felt hurt that Zac had not told her what had happened. Thinking he was trying to keep her from worrying, she headed to the station, but it now became obvious to her that he was avoiding her presence.
Turning back to her group, she listened as they talked about their desire to become fire and rescue volunteers, the different calls they went on, and how, for most of them, this was the first burned body they had dealt with. Some had dealt with death before—several with car accidents or heart attack victims, and a few had seen a child die at the beach the summer before when he had a food allergy attack.
She listened, asked questions when appropriate, but mostly gave them a safe forum to talk about their feelings and fears. As the afternoon wore on, they slowly began to leave, many with hugs to each other and often hugs for her as well.
“Zac’s a good man,” one said to her, before introducing himself. “I’m Buster. I’ve been with the Cherrytown unit for a while. Zac patched me up when I got injured last month. I’m glad he’s gonna be the new Rescue Captain and glad the State finally realized we need more help.”
She nodded and made sure he knew she was available if he needed to talk more. Watching him walk away, she saw Sarah meet Tad with a hug and kiss before they walked out of the station. She viewed Roger and Greg leave as well. Emotionally exhausted, she made her way over to Charles and Bets, the part time counselor.
“I’m so sorry I had to call you,” Charles said, looking at her. “You haven’t even officially began working for us, but I knew we needed all the help we could get.”
“It’s no problem,” she assured. “These types of trauma debriefings are always so difficult, but I know how important is it to get emotions dealt with early and to let them know we are here.”
Looking around for Zac, she did not see him. “Zac left a little while ago,” Bets said. “I didn’t ask where he was going, but he looked like he needed some alone time.”
With a smile that did not reach her eyes, she said, “Well, if that’s all, I’ll head out now.” Agreeing to meet the next day at the clinic she walked out into the cloudy day, her mood as glum as the sky. Seeing Aiden walking toward her, she looked up in curiosity.
“Hey,” she said softly.
He did not stop until his arms were wrapped around her and he kissed the top of her head. “How are you?”
Leaning back, her curiosity still piqued, she replied, “Been better.”
“I’ll bet.” Aiden let go of her, allowing her to step back a foot, still peering up at him. “Listen, I wanted to see how you were, after the note, having to leave your dad’s house, and now this.”
“I’m okay,” she said, dropping her gaze to the sidewalk.
He lifted her chin with his fingers and said, “Saw Zac head toward the pier…alone. I figured he might need you.”
Tilting her head to the side, she narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure? Maybe he just really wants to be alone.”
“I’m telling you that being alone is the last thing he needs.” She remained silent, so Aiden continued. “He doesn’t need time to get inside his head and start thinking that life is safer all alone. It wasn’t easy for him to watch his dad fall apart after his mom died. So, to him, avoiding pain is to avoid love.”
“Love?” she asked dubiously, her heart pounding.
“Madelyn, he and I’ve been best friends since we were babies. And I’m telling you, he’s one hundred percent in love with you.” Grinning, he added, “He might not be ready to acknowledge it yet, and it probably scares the shit out of him, but don’t let him pull away.”
Kissing the top of her head again, he gave her a nudge toward the pier. Offering him a little smile, she began walking down the street.
Aiden watched her, leaning against the brick fire station, a smile playing about his lips as well. As he pushed off and began walking toward the pub, he was suddenly surrounded by his siblings.
“Holy shit, if I hadn’t heard it myself, I woulda never believed it,” Brogan said. “Aiden MacFarlane, a romantic matchmaker.”
Katelyn grinned, linking her arms with her brothers. “Awww, I think you’re both cute!”
The trio laughed as they made their way toward Finn’s.
Zac sat on the end of the town pier, slumped against one of the posts, the hard wood digging into his back. He rested his forearms on his bent knees, watching the gulls dip in and out of the water, calling to each other. The lump in his throat that had appeared as he moved through the station, seeing his brothers and sisters of the rescue services sitting with the counselors. Then his eyes had moved to Maddie and his heart ached that she had to be part of the group, knowing her own grief was still so fresh.
He knew he had to escape and the best place to try to wrap his mind around the swirling, tangled mess of thoughts in his head was the pier.
Madelyn walked down the long pier, with the gentle slapping of waves against the pylons, the gulls calling out over the water, and the distant shouts of children on the beach the only sounds heard. She did not see Zac and wondered if Aiden had been wrong. Maybe he went home. She continued until she was able to see to the very end and recognized him sitting with his back against one of the posts, his legs bent at the knees and his head bowed.
Suddenly unsure if she should approach, she stood still for a moment. Watching as he lifted his head, scrubbing his hand over his face, she began walking toward him once more. As she got closer, he turned his head toward her, his eyes filled with anguish.
Unheeding her concerns, she rushed forward, falling on her knees next to him, taking his face in her hands. “Oh, Zac, I’m so sorry for all you’re going through.”
He immediately curled her into his arms, pulling her body onto his lap. They sat in silence for a long time, each with their own thoughts, but hearts beating as one.
Zac finally pulled his head back from Madelyn’s neck, and held her gaze. “Thanks for coming to find me.”
“I thought you might want to be alone but Aiden told me I should make sure you didn’t get inside your head.”
Grunting, he acknowledged his friend certainly knew him well.
“Do you want to talk?”
“Are you being a counselor or my girlfriend?” he asked.
She thought before answering, “Both. I don’t think I can separate the two.”
“Fair enough,” he nodded. Sighing heavily, he said, “It just brought back memories.” When she
stayed silent, he continued, “As I walked through the burned house, even though it was supposed to be abandoned, I couldn’t help but think about a family living there at one time. A mom looking out at kids in the yard. A family sitting down to meals. When you see a house that has burned, it’s a harsh reminder that it was once a home. A living, breathing home that you hope was filled with love, but is now just a charred shell. And, if I’m honest, it reminded me of my parents’ home. When I was little, it was such a great place with Mom and Dad and me.”
She shifted slightly to the side of his legs, making herself more comfortable, her gaze never leaving his. Nodding her encouragement for him to continue, she held his hands.
“Then when I found the body—”
She gasped, wide eyed. “You found the body last night?” At his sad nod, her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, sweetie, how horrible for you. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to spare you,” he confessed. “You’ve had so much to deal with and I thought it was best to separate you from what I saw. I had no idea Charles was going to call you in today. So, of course, you found out all about it.”
She squeezed his fingers, saying, “I always want to know what happens. I want to know what you’re going through.”
Sucking in a deep breath, he said, “I’m not used to this. And it scares the shit outta me.” Seeing her head tilt in confusion, he added, “For the first time since my mom died when I was ten years old, I feel like I have a shot at happiness. With you. But, I know, so well, that life can change in an instant and everything I hold dear can be taken away. I thought I had a handle on that. Getting close to you, I knew I had to face that fear and I did. I thought I had it beat. It just kind of snuck back up on me.”
“I can’t give you any promises about tomorrow,” she said. “Like you, I know how tentative life can be. But I can promise that, for as long as I can, I’ll be by your side.”
His heart pounded in his chest as her words seeped into the cold recesses of his being. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I love you, Zac Hamilton.”
Crushing her to him, his lips landed on hers, pouring his soul into the kiss. Losing himself as he delved into her warmth, his tongue tangling with hers, he felt like a starving man desperate for a drop of her essence.
She mumbled against his lips, “Take me home.”
As the word penetrated his lust-filled mind, he leaned back slightly to peer into her eyes. Home. A home with her. Grinning, he stood and lifted her into his arms with ease. Stalking back down the pier, he kissed her again. “Yeah, baby. Let’s go home.”
29
Zac walked into the police station, not surprised to see the entire force, along with Colt and Hannah, in attendance. As he made his way to an empty chair, Roger, Greg, and Adam walked in as well.
Colt nodded at everyone before beginning. “We have the preliminary findings from the medical examiner and the state forensic office. The body found was Sylvester Mangum. He’s a longtime resident of the Eastern Shore and is well known among those who assist the homeless. I talked to them today and they said that he often would only stay a night or two in the shelters but would be gone for weeks before showing back up. It looks like he found an abandoned house to sleep in, and the arsonists never suspected someone was inside.”
“State Police taking over now?” Lance asked.
Nodding, Colt said, “Yep, they’re running the show and the FBI will be investigating as well. We are stretched to our budget limits as it is.”
“Good, then maybe the State will keep giving us the funds we need,” Roger spouted.
As the others continued to comment on the budget, the legal jurisdictions, and the investigation, Zac sat quietly, his heart aching for the man who died, alone, and most certainly without even knowing what was happening around him. So much like my dad. Looking up, he caught Mitch and Grant staring at him, concern in their eyes. His mind told him to shoot them a carefree, half-grin, but his heart stuttered. Swallowing deeply, he looked down at his hands clenched together beneath the table.
Loud voices could be heard from outside the room and he sat up straight, ready to enter whatever battle was occurring.
“Fuck,” Mitch breathed under his breath.
The door opened and in walked Corwin Banks and Silas Mills, with Mildred and Mable on their heels attempting to pull the men back.
“When are you going to learn, Corwin Banks, that you can’t go pushing your way in to a closed meeting?” Mildred said, jerking on the sleeve of his coat.
Corwin blustered, his ruddy cheeks and jowls shaking with each word. “Chief Evans, I’ve got a crowd of people at the door of my office, wanting to know what we’re doing about the dead man! A dead man! Why wasn’t I told? I had to sneak out the back way to get here to avoid the mob that’s threatening me, wanting to know why I haven’t made a statement!”
“Not your statement to make,” Mitch growled. “The fire occurred in the county, not in the town.”
Corwin smiled widely, “Well, that’s good, good.”
“You fool,” Mable said, giving his coat another tug. “Nothing’s good about a lost life, no matter where it occurred.”
Corwin had the good sense to blush under the glare of the two sisters. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that it keeps it out of our town limits, so it makes it easier on us.”
Mable’s grey curls shook as she lifted her hand to him and pointed right at his chest. “Don’t you forget an election year is coming up. You keep being a pompous ass and you might find yourself unemployed!”
Silas pushed out his chest, his eyes beady, and asked, “Who was the man killed? Someone that’s going to get everyone upset?”
Mitch stood, his gaze nailing Silas, and said, “The body identified was Sylvester Magnum—”
“Who?”
“He was a longtime resident of the county, currently homeless—”
“A homeless man? If you ask me, we’re better off without one more deadbeat in this area—”
Zac jumped to his feet, “Shut the fu—”
“Out!” Mitch roared toward the pair, cutting Zac off.
Corwin and Silas blanched in the face of his anger. “Well, I’m sure we respect all lives,” Corwin began, as Mildred jerked hard enough on his coat to pull him backwards. “I’ll give a statement to that effect and assure the public that our safety officers are doing all they can.”
Silas’ eyes narrowed as they swept the gathering, landing on Zac, whose rage was barely in check. A sneer curved his lips as he turned and walked out.
After the pair left, Mitch nodded toward Colt who concluded the meeting. As the others were filing out, Mitch and Grant stopped Zac before he could exit the room. Grant closed the door, effectively cutting off his exit.
Glaring at his friends, he said, “Not to be a dick, but I really don’t want to talk right now.”
“Just want to make sure you’re all right,” Grant said.
“This is hitting close to home for you,” Mitch added, “and we just want to be here for you.”
Scrubbing his hand over his face, he heaved a great sigh. Looking into the concerned faces of two of his oldest friends, he slowly shook his head. “Honestly? This case is pushing me to the edge, no doubt about it.”
“You need help?”
He sucked in a cleansing breath and let it out slowly. “I’ve started talking to a counselor. I realized I had become numb to my dad’s drinking…it just became the norm for my life back then. And when he died, I buried those feelings along with him. Went on with life. Navy. Firefighting. Rescue. This case has been bringing up some things that I’m getting help with.”
“Glad to hear it,” Grant said, his eyes warm on his friend.
“And Madelyn?” Mitch asked. “Her dad’s death and then the fire at her place?”
Nodding, he said, “Gotta admit, becoming involved with her has probably had more effect on me than the case, but I think in a good way. Because o
f her, I’ve been getting a handle on what I need to face. Some things are just going to take longer than others.” He turned his tired face to his friends, a small smile on his lips. “But, with her in my life now, it makes going home a lot less lonely, so I’ll be okay.”
His phone vibrated and he glanced at the screen. “Gotta go. Gareth wants to meet so I’m hoping he and Katelyn have had a chance to analyze our reports to see if they can spot any patterns.
A few minutes later he sat at the worktable at Harrison Investigations with Gareth and Katelyn, leaning forward in eager anticipation of what they had found.
“You were right,” Gareth began. “I’ve gone through the reports and, while we can find some coincidences, there was nothing conclusive. This doesn’t include all the applications that were turned down.”
“I put the reports in a spreadsheet and then pulled data from that,” Katelyn explained. She scooted papers toward him before continuing. “With your station, some of your volunteers arrived in their own vehicles, several of them making it to the fires before the trucks arrived. Tad, Joe, Connie, and Chuck were at the top of the list. With Cherrytown, they’ve got Cathy, Rick, and Buster at the top of the list for arriving first in their own vehicles. And with Easton, most of their volunteers arrive in their vehicles but, then, Easton is so small that it makes it simpler for them to do that.”
He looked over the list, recognizing all the names as men and women he had met, many he had personally worked with over the years at fires or accidents.
“With North Heron, they’ve got more, of course, with a larger area to cover. Looks like the very top of the list is Helen, Stan, Lashawn, and Joseph.”
Zac shook his head, amazed at what they had been able to discern, but frustrated at the lack of a clear-cut possibility.
Katelyn said, “Considering that the profile is generally white male, age seventeen to twenty-four, that narrows the list to Tad, Chuck, Stan, and Lashawn. Buster is right there, at twenty-five.”
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