by Vella Day
Chapter Two
“Lily?” Alea Crowley, her boss at Avonbelle Insurance, stepped in front of Lily’s desk.
She looked up and instantly sat up straighter. Lily tried to smile, but her lips refused to cooperate. “Oh, sorry. I guess I was off in my own little world.”
Try another realm. She’d been daydreaming about Birk again. Even after a restless weekend, her guilt over her attitude with him still hadn’t calmed down.
Alea placed a folder on her desk. “We have another case. A warehouse on the west end of town burned down last night. The fire department was called right away, but by the time they arrived, most of the building and its contents were gone.”
Lily’s heart broke. She picked up the folder and opened it. Inside were photos of the disaster. “What did the arson investigator say?” A lightning strike was one kind of claim, whereas arson was another. If the owner set the fire himself, he’d get nothing.
“He’s still investigating.”
Lily caught sight of the premium they’d have to pay if it wasn’t the owner’s fault. “That must have been one valuable warehouse.”
“Yes. All of Thresh Toma’s construction supplies were inside. The marble may be salvageable, but not much else. Talk to the arson investigator and see if he’s learned anything new.”
“Sure.” The investigator was Josh Gerrard, an old friend of hers who was a super nice guy and extremely thorough at his job.
“Just so you are aware, Toma had another claim a few years back, and while we paid, I always believed something was fishy about it, so don’t be too quick to believe everything he tells you. Go by the facts, and don’t let him sweet-talk you into believing him. I’m asking you to take the case because I trust you to do the right thing.”
Relief and pride filled her. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
Fires were painful for her to investigate. Almost three years ago, Lily had taken a leave of absence after Nelor had burned her back. That incident had almost cost her the job she loved. It wasn’t until Alea spoke to the head of the company that she was assured they’d keep her on during her convalescence.
As soon as Alea left, Lily called Josh.
“Hey, Lily.”
She hadn’t realized he’d put her number in his phone. They had worked together before, and he’d asked her out a few times, so she supposed it made sense he had her contact in his cell. “Do you have time to meet me to discuss the Toma case?”
Her boss was a big believer in face-to-face discussions.
“Sure. Actually, I’m on my way to lunch. How about meeting me at the Hillside Café?”
It was halfway between her office building and the firehouse. “Sure. I’ll see you there.”
Lily grabbed her purse and pushed back her chair. Once outside, the clear blue skies helped boost her spirits, and she certainly needed the mood elevator. Ever since Landry Madison, her brother’s prior assistant and another dragon shifter, had decided he wanted revenge against his former girlfriend Nessa, now Kyle’s mate, Lily’s life had gone downhill once more.
Landry had fooled her brother into thinking he wasn’t capable of harming anyone. Boy, had they both been wrong. She’d met the assistant many times, and he seemed like a nice guy. Clearly, her ability to judge a person’s character needed some work too.
That whole incident with Madison was one of the reasons she didn’t want to go out with Birk. Yes, when she needed help the most, Birk had been there for her. Hell, he’d taken her and her brother, Kyle, to the mine’s safe house, and then he’d watched over her day and night for weeks. Never once did he act inappropriately. So why did she keep turning him down? Deep down, she believed he was an honorable man.
After many sleepless nights of self-examination, Lily finally had to admit the truth to herself—she was falling for him. Hard. If she continued to be near him for any length of time, she feared she’d be a goner. Hell, she would even admit that her girly parts got up and cheered every time he came near her—even now. A part of her longed for the intimacy, but if she gave in, they’d be naked, and then he’d see her scarred back. Birk’s look of horror when he saw her would be too much to bear, so she had to be strong.
At one time, she had thought Nelor was a great guy and look what he’d done. Same with Landry Madison, who appeared to be a decent person. To think the asshole tried to kill her brother and had ordered two men to beat her. Obviously, her good guy o’meter was busted. No way would she risk trusting her instincts again. Thank heavens her brother had been able to kill the jerk in a to-the-death fight.
After the short ten-minute walk to the Hillside Café—which wasn’t situated anywhere near a hill—she stepped inside and was relieved to see Josh already there. Even though she’d told Birk she liked being by herself, that wasn’t entirely true. Sitting home alone was fine but going to a restaurant where everyone might pity her terrified her.
With the insurance folder in hand, she strode up to his street side table and slid into the booth across from him. She liked sitting by the window because she could watch the people go by and make up stories about who they were and what kind of lives they led.
“Hey, Lily. Mind if we order first and then talk business? I’m kind of on a tight schedule today,” Josh said.
“Perfect. I know what I want. I order take out from here weekly.”
The server stepped over to their table and took their drink orders. “What can you tell me about the Toma case?” Lily asked. “Do you think it was arson?”
“It was definitely arson, since we found evidence of an accelerant, but we have no idea who set the fire.”
That eliminated some random dragon shifter walking by and deciding to scorch the place. “I see. That will cost the company a lot.”
“Not necessarily. Mr. Toma gave me a list of all of the items that were inside his warehouse. Fire destroys a lot of things, but it doesn’t make piles of shingles or bags of cement evaporate.”
She leaned forward. “What are you saying?”
“What was on his list didn’t match what was inside.”
Her mind spun. “Meaning we only should pay for the loss of the building and not for much more—assuming he wasn’t responsible for setting the blaze?”
Josh smiled. “Exactly.”
She’d need more details in order to inform Mr. Toma why the insurance company wouldn’t pay as much as he’d hoped. “Can you tell what wasn’t there?”
He sucked in a breath. “Yes. We compared the list Toma gave us to the ash residue.” He slipped a piece of paper toward her. “I’ve circled what I can guarantee had been in there before the fire. You might want to ask him about these other items. I suspect he might change his story once he learns we’re onto his little scheme.”
“Thank you.” For the first time in weeks, Lily was optimistic about life, and Alea would certainly be happy about not having to pay out such a large settlement. Lily wouldn’t call Mr. Toma a liar to his face until she gave him the chance to correct his statement.
Even after Birk’s days off, his head was still messed up. Out of options, he had to hope that with time Lily would develop a new perspective.
Needing to keep busy so he wouldn’t dwell on the hopelessness of his situation, Birk volunteered to head into town to check on something for Declan. Half way to his destination, Birk stopped in his tracks. Lily was sitting in the Hillside Café with Josh Gerrard. Actually, it was his dragon who had screeched and clawed at him to attract his attention. Only then did Birk see his mate, and his hormones had instantly soared and nearly incapacitated him.
He wished like hell his animal would stop fucking with his body and mind. Birk needed to think clearly and have his reflexes in top shape for when danger neared.
Lily was with the arson inspector, so she probably was working on a case—or at least he hoped that was true. He had heard about Thresh Toma’s warehouse fire and suspected she’d been given the case to investigate.
As much as he wanted to ap
proach her and ask if this was a date or work related, Birk had already made a fool of himself too many times. He decided it would be best to see if she went back to the office or did something with Josh—from a place where she wouldn’t spot him, of course.
Workwise, Josh was known as one of the best arson investigators in the field. When they’d shared a few beers together, Birk quickly learned Josh was a very private person. He was also a great guy, but few humans knew he was a dragon shifter, which meant Lily might have no idea he was one either.
Lily laughed—something Birk had never seen or heard before—and it sent a bolt of jealousy straight through him. Had he looked in the mirror right then, Birk was positive he would have seen his eyes turn turquoise—and it wouldn’t have been from sexual excitement either.
Not wanting Lily to spot him lurking, he ducked into a store across the street. He was close enough to keep an eye out for her but far enough away where she wouldn’t notice him.
Less than fifteen minutes later, both she and Josh left the restaurant and headed back toward the fire station. Only when she waved goodbye to the investigator and continued on to her office did Birk breathe a sigh of relief.
He followed at a distance to make sure she entered her building where she’d be safe. Unfortunately, she slipped into her car instead. Damn. If she had caught the Thresh Toma case, Birk definitely needed to watch over her. He’d dealt with that panther shifter a time or two, and the guy couldn’t be trusted. Not only did he have a temper, he was a loose cannon.
If she were headed someplace else, he’d let her be. Before Birk rushed to the SinCas building to check out the fire at Toma’s place, he stopped at the bank and spoke with the manager about some errant payment for the mine. Once done, he charged over to the SinCas roof and flew to Toma’s property located on the outskirts of town. For no other reason than curiosity, Birk wanted to check out the fire. If Lily did show up, he’d be there to make sure nothing happened to her.
Not wanting her to spot him should she arrive, he landed about a mile from Toma’s property and then cloaked himself before heading closer to the scene. Once hidden at the edge of Toma’s property, Birk shifted into his human form.
Five minutes later, when Lily drove in and parked in front of Toma’s construction office a few hundred feet from the burned out warehouse, his gut clenched, and his pulse soared.
Birk wanted to join her when she interviewed the man, but because she was an independent woman, she wouldn’t appreciate the interference.
Once Lily stepped inside Toma’s office, Birk snuck closer to what was once the warehouse. Even though he wasn’t an arson investigator, he studied the rubble. Only when the front door to the office opened did Birk return to his hiding place—close enough to hear the conversation and intervene if things turned dicey but far enough away to keep out of sight.
Lily had to admit she was a little nervous visiting Mr. Toma. People who had lost a home or a business were often irrational, bitter, and angry. If they had been responsible for the destruction, they could be a lot worse.
She wouldn’t complain since this was what she’d signed up for when she applied for the job, but telling Mr. Toma he might not receive as much as he thought he deserved was always tricky. Desperate people often didn’t think before they acted. So far, Lily had never been attacked like a few of her other colleagues had, but there was always a first time. Fingers crossed.
With her folder in hand, she strode up to his office, which was an isolated building in the middle of about ten acres. Because she’d called ahead, he’d be expecting her and her barrage of questions. As soon as she stepped inside, a man jumped up from behind a desk. He was of medium height, about fifty or so, and had a bit of gray at the temples.
He smiled. “You must be Lily.”
“Yes.”
He came around his desk and held out his hand. “I’m Thresher Toma, but my friends call me Thresh.”
She shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.” Not really, but she didn’t want to antagonize him if she didn’t have to. That would come soon enough.
Shaking his head, he gave her the once over and smiled. “I have to say, I didn’t expect an insurance agent to be so pretty.”
Normally, she would have been flattered, but with the way he was eyeing her, it came out a bit creepy. It was almost as if he believed he could sweet-talk her into writing up the insurance claim in his favor—just like Alea claimed might happen.
Lily might only be thirty-two, but she’d met his type before. The laugh was on him. She was extremely stingy with Avonbelle Insurance Company’s money, meaning she’d cut him no slack—unless he deserved it.
“Thank you. I’d like to see the warehouse first before we talk about your claim.”
“Why, of course.” Outside, on the side of his office, sat an electric cart. “We’ll take this. With all the water from the fire trucks, the area is a bit muddy. Don’t want your pretty little shoes to get dirty now do we?”
Seriously? Lily couldn’t even answer the man’s obvious attempt to manipulate her. She slipped in next to him, and because the ruts were rather extreme, she held on tight. The area behind his office was devoid of trees and now lacked one warehouse. She decided not to ask her questions until he stopped the cart.
Toma drove close to the burned out shell of a building. “Bad, huh?” he asked.
“It’s a shame.” She meant it. Lily stepped out, and her foot immediately sunk into the mud. Ugh. What was wrong with her? She’d completely forgotten to put on the boots she kept in her car for this very purpose. It was all Birk’s fault. Or at least, it was her confusion about him that caused her to forget.
She pulled out the folder that Josh had given her. “Can you tell me what was in the warehouse at the time of the fire?”
“I gave the fire inspector a list.”
“Do you always keep such detailed inventory?” Or were you expecting the building to burn?
He glanced down to the side. “I had purchased items for a new construction job, including some expensive equipment, so I had all of the receipts in my office.”
She’d definitely check it out. “I see, and where is this new site?”
He spun to face her. “What difference does it make?”
She smiled sweetly at him—or as sweetly as she could muster. “All the difference in the world.”
“Is that how it’s going to be? Fine.” His flirtatious attitude evaporated. “It’s a condominium over on DeKart and Trensor Street, if you must know. I can show you a copy of the invoices.”
“That would be helpful in assessing the loss. The arson report says the fire started around ten p.m. Is that right?”
“I think so. I wasn’t here.”
“Where were you?”
Mr. Toma puffed out his chest. “At the Hog’s Head Bar. I have plenty of witnesses to prove it too.”
She made a note in her tablet. “Given the presence of an accelerant, arson is suspected. Do you have any idea who might want to do this?”
While it wasn’t her job, per se, to find this person, her company needed to know if he’d paid someone to torch his place or if this was some vendetta.
“Fuck yeah, I do—my ex-wife.”
Chapter Three
Lily hadn’t expected that answer. “Why would your ex-wife want to destroy your property?”
Mr. Toma’s lip curled. “I’m guessing it’s because I’m not always on time with my alimony payments. How the hell do I know what’s going through her bat shit crazy head?”
“Burning down your warehouse might cause you to become even more delinquent in your payments.”
“Yeah, well Marla is a vindictive bitch—and a not very bright one to boot.”
Lily made a note to speak with the wife. “Your daughter, Anita, called in the fire. I’m guessing she was at your house at the time?” His home sat less than fifty feet to the west of his office. If any of the windows had been open, she would have smelled the smoke.
; “Yeah. Anita and my two-year old granddaughter, Monique, moved in with me last month when Anita’s no-good husband landed in jail. She said she was watching television when she smelled something burning.”
Maybe he wasn’t as rotten as she first thought. “After she called the fire department, did she notify you at the bar?”
“She texted me, but my eyesight was a little blurry at the time. I had to call a cab just to get home, and by the time I arrived, the warehouse was gone.”
“I’m sorry. Where is Anita now?”
“She works at that titty bar on Derlorn Avenue. She’s a stripper. My daughter wants to go back to school so she can raise her kid right. She says the pay’s good over there.”
Lily didn’t want to know what she did with her child while she was at work. Maybe the crazy mom watched her. “Did Anita hear anything before she smelled the fire?”
“If she did, she didn’t tell me.”
He wasn’t being cooperative. “I have one more question. It says you had a room full of shingles stored in the warehouse, but the arson investigator said he found no trace of them.”
Toma’s mouth opened. “Then he’s a goddamn liar. Did it ever occur to him that they burned up?”
Lily hated bullies so she didn’t answer. Josh had explained that the tar from the shingles would still be there. “Tell me about the Cantoron stone you claimed you had in the warehouse. According to the inspector, the fire didn’t burn hot enough to cause it much harm, yet it’s not here, just the marble.”
He moved closer and glared down on her. “Then whoever set my warehouse on fire must have taken the goods first and used the fire as a cover up.”
“That’s a nice story, but can you prove it?”
Toma grabbed her arm, and the pain had her letting out a gasp. She struggled, but Toma kept his hold and shook her. “I didn’t take pictures of it, if that’s what you’re asking.”