Christmas Up in Flames

by Lisa Harris

  “No, but it looks like you did.” Claire shot him a huge grin. “Don’t tell me you went by Fiona’s.”

  “I told you I was going to go grab something, and if I remember correctly, you used to love sausage biscuits for breakfast.”

  She smiled at him. “And I still do.”

  “Good. Because Fiona still makes the best biscuits in town.”

  “You’re doing a good job of reminding me of everything I loved about this place.” Claire opened the bag and took in a deep breath. “You know exactly how to make me feel nostalgic. I don’t think much has changed in this town since I was here last.”

  “I don’t know about that. The mayor just had all the streetlights downtown replaced.”

  She let out a soft chuckle. “Like I said, not much has changed.”

  “How are you feeling?” he asked as she unloaded the bag and split the food between them.

  “Are you speaking to me as a friend or my bodyguard?”

  “It is my job to make sure you’re okay.”

  She caught his gaze and frowned. “I’m fine, Reid.”

  “Just following the doctor’s suggestions. Any coughing...shortness of breath...headache?”

  “No. No. And...no.”

  “Good.”

  “But...” she prompted. “I know there’s going to be a but in there somewhere.”

  “I might still think you should bring in someone else to take over the case so you can take the next few days off and rest.”

  She took a bite of the sausage biscuit, ignoring him for the moment.

  “Claire.”

  She shook her head. “Do you really think I’ll be able to rest after what happened? Just sit around for the weekend, twiddling my thumbs and wondering what’s going on down here? If you do, then you don’t remember how determined I can be.”

  “Okay.” He held up his hands in defeat and laughed, but his smile quickly faded. “I just know how close you came to succumbing to those fumes.”

  “I’ll concede to one thing,” she said. “I could have lost my life last night and that isn’t something I’m taking lightly. I promise. But neither am I ready to simply walk away. I’ve been working on this case for six months, ever since I made the connection between the fires. I know it better than anyone else, which is why I’m determined not to just walk away. You have to understand that. Two men are dead, and I could have been a third victim. We have to find this guy.”

  Reid grabbed his breakfast sandwich and started to unwrap it. “You know, you haven’t changed at all, and yes, I do remember how stubborn, I mean, determined you can be.”

  “I suggest you tread carefully, Reid O’Callaghan.” Her tone was serious, but she was still smiling.

  “All I’m saying is that not only were you always good at whatever you did, you were never one to simply walk away when things got hard. It was one of the things I used to love about you.” Reid felt his jaw tense, realizing he’d trod smack dab into the middle of a minefield. He did not need to be flirting with her. “I’m sorry...that didn’t come out the way I intended. I meant—”

  “Forget it.” She took a sip of her orange juice, not missing a beat. “I know what you meant, and I appreciate it. Really. But let’s try to avoid any awkwardness between us. We were a long time ago. And I’d like to think that we are both professional enough to do our jobs without letting the past get in the way. And even that maybe we could be friends again.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Me too.”

  But just friends had never been a part of their relationship.

  He took a bite of his sausage biscuit, then washed it down with some coffee. “So tell me, did you find anything else in the footage while I was gone?”

  “Unfortunately, no.”

  A knock on the door drew Reid’s attention behind them.

  “Shawn...” Claire rolled her chair back a couple of inches.

  “Sorry to interrupt. The captain asked me to print out some still shots from the security footage from the night of the fire for you, including a few spectators who showed up at the scene.”

  “Perfect. Thank you so much.”

  “Of course.” Shawn set a manila envelope on the desk. “Is there anything else you need? I could help you go over them if you need an extra eye.”

  “I think Reid and I have it covered at the moment, but this is going to help. A lot.”

  “I hope so. I still can’t get over how close that fire came to destroying that house.” Shawn shoved his hands into his back pockets. “Anyway, if you don’t need anything, then I’ll leave you to it.”

  “Sounds good. And thanks again, Shawn.” After he left the room, Claire reached for her orange juice and took another sip. “Want to go over these with me?”

  “You know I need to be useful. I have no desire to simply be a bodyguard.”

  Claire laughed as she spread out the photos in front of her. “We are inside the sheriff’s office, so I feel pretty safe.”

  “That was the point. You’re staying safe. If you’re a target in this, we can’t let this guy get close to you again.”

  “I agree, though don’t think you can keep me here indefinitely. I still need to go see the site of the other fire.”

  “We’ve got photos of that fire, as well.”

  “Good try. For now, though, let’s try to identify everyone in these photos.”

  “I can probably do that pretty easily for you.” Reid grabbed one of the photos. “Looks like most of these are neighbors and familiar faces. For instance, this is Carly Bridges. She lives next door to the Grahams.”

  “Perfect. I’ll start a list of names we know, and then we’ll flag any you might not know.”

  Reid held up a different photo. “Sid Benson lives across the street. He used to work for the post office, but retired about a year ago. Spends most of his time growing orchids in his greenhouse and visiting his kids in Denver.”

  “Also sounds like an unlikely suspect.”

  “Agreed,” He pointed to another photo. “I’m not sure who this couple is.”

  “I am. They were guests of the B&B. Flew in from Virginia two nights ago for a long weekend in the mountains.”

  “So we can cross them off the list, as well.”

  “Look at this guy, behind them.” Claire tapped on the photo. “He’s in the back of the crowd, and he’s wearing a hoodie. Does he look familiar?”

  “No... I’ve never seen him before.”

  “I think I have.”

  “Where?”

  “One of the other fires.” She pulled up a separate file on her computer, then clicked through some photos until she stopped at one and enlarged it. “It’s hard to tell, but look in the back, left corner. Seems about the same height, same hair color and a possible tattoo on his left hand.”

  Reid let out a sharp huff of air. “The resolution is a bit blurry, but I think you might be right.”

  “Then we need to go through all the photos again and see if we can find a clearer one. We need a positive ID on this guy.”

  FIVE

  Claire’s mind was still racing as Reid drove down the narrow two-lane road that led to the large O’Callaghan ranch, but there was nothing more she could do that night. They’d spent three hours going through photos while IT worked to get a higher resolution frame of their possible suspect, hoping they’d eventually be able to search for a match in the federal database.

  For now, all they could do was wait and enjoy the view of Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountains. The familiar ranch, with its acres and acres of blue spruce and Douglas firs, brought with it a flood of memories. And almost made her feel as if she’d never left Timber Falls.

  How many times had she gone fishing with Reid or snowmobiling on this very property and hiked in the hills to the south? They’d even
ice fished one winter, then spent the rest of the evening huddled in front of the fireplace, drinking hot chocolate and laughing.

  But in reality, that had been a lifetime ago. Something she couldn’t forget.

  Marci O’Callaghan was sitting in a padded chair on the wraparound porch with a blanket covering her as they pulled up to the two-story house.

  Claire’s stomach clenched at the sight of the woman who’d been nothing but kind to her.

  Maybe coming had been a mistake.

  “You okay?” Reid asked as he shut off the engine. He seemed to sense her mood, something he’d always been good at.

  She let out a nervous laugh. “It’s a little too late to turn around.”

  He reached out and squeezed her hand, then pulled away, as if he realized he was triggering yet another flood of memories.

  She took off her seat belt, then reached for the car door handle. “I’ll be fine. Just a little nervous.”

  “You have nothing to be nervous about. You were always my mother’s favorite.”

  Seconds later, Marci was wrapping her arms around Claire in a huge hug. “It is so good to see you. It’s been way too long.”

  Claire caught the older woman’s gaze and smiled. “It’s good to see you, as well.”

  And it was. Claire just wanted to forget that she’d never told the woman she had a grandson.

  “I hope you don’t mind my inviting you over,” Marci rushed on. “I just thought it might be nice to catch up.”

  “It will. I’m looking forward to seeing your growing family.”

  “Two, soon to be three, daughters-in-law and two grandbabies.” Marci laughed. “I don’t think it gets much better than that.”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “Thank you. Reid told me you’re working in Denver as an arson investigator.”

  “I am. It’s not the same as fighting fires, but I love what I do.”

  “I’m not surprised.”

  Marci turned to Reid, who was standing beside her, looking as awkward as Claire felt. “Listen, dinner’s in the crockpot, and all I have to do is take a couple pies out of the oven in fifteen minutes. Why don’t the two of you go for a ride and catch the sunset. The rest of the family won’t be here for at least thirty minutes.”

  Claire glanced at Reid.

  “If you’re too tired...” he started.

  “No, it’s not that.” She glanced down at the nice, black boots Tory had loaned her. “I’m not really dressed to ride.”

  “We’ve got plenty of boots and a heavier coat if you need them. What you’re wearing is fine.”

  She hesitated again, but riding a horse wasn’t what had her stomach tied up in knots. What worried her the most was Reid. She’d somehow convinced herself, when work had brought her to Timber Falls, that she wouldn’t have to interact with him. That she might see him, but she definitely wouldn’t spend time with him. Nothing more than a courtesy how are you, it’s been a long time.

  So how had she agreed to dinner with his entire family?

  “A bit of fresh air will probably do both of you good,” Marci said, interrupting her thoughts.

  Claire nodded, realizing she was probably going to have regrets no matter what she did here, but at least the weather was perfect and the views stunning.

  “Great.” Marci waved her hand, then started toward the house. “I’ll see you both back here in an hour.”

  “Is it as beautiful as you remember?” he asked, as they headed for the barn.

  “Even more so,” she said, willing her mind to focus on the landscape that still had patches of snow from the last storm left in the shadows beneath evergreen trees.

  “Sounds like you need to get out of the city more.”

  Claire breathed in mountain air. “You’re right. I probably should. Everything is just so...busy. It’s hard to find time.”

  “That’s why I don’t think I’d ever leave here again. It’s as if life has slowed down a few paces from the rest of the world out here, and I can’t imagine trading that for traffic jams and all the noise.”

  “It has its benefits, though. When’s the last time you had street tacos from that food truck we used to eat at or went to the theater?”

  “You do have a point.”

  She laughed, trying to let herself ease the tension between them some. Still, he was close enough that she could smell his familiar cologne and see the gold flecks in his eyes when he looked at her. Which shouldn’t matter. She’d worked too long to guard her heart against him. In another couple of days, she’d be back to her life where things were predictable and she didn’t have to worry about running into Reid O’Callaghan. The way it should be.

  Ten minutes later she was wearing a pair of cowboy boots, and they were saddled up on two mares and heading toward the trail they always used to take to the lake. Reid was right about one thing—she did need to get out of the city more, especially with Owen. They went hiking occasionally, but there was something about being here, in the middle of God’s creation, that helped tug away the layers of stress that had been pressing on her.

  “I wanted to apologize,” he said, glancing at her.

  She tightened her grip on the reins. “Apologize? For what?”

  “You are perfectly capable of doing your job, and I might have come across a bit...”

  “Overprotective.”

  “I was thinking simply protective, but yes. You can say overprotective. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and I don’t ever want you to think that just because—”

  “I’m a woman?”

  “Putting words into my mouth again?”

  She pressed her lips together. “I tend to speak too much when I’m nervous.”

  “I remember.” He shot her a smile. “And for the record, you’re not just any woman, as far as I’m concerned. Our history might have ended years ago, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about you, hoping you’re doing okay. Are you happy?”

  “I am,” she said, surprised at his question. “I live close to my mom and see her a lot. I enjoy my job. Life is good.”

  “And you’re still okay about seeing my family tonight? It’s bound to be a bit chaotic. You remember how my brothers were, and now with the family growing... I just don’t want you to be overwhelmed.”

  “I’ll be fine, and besides, it will be nice to catch up. I’ve missed your parents and will enjoy the fact that there’s finally a few more women in the mix.”

  “I’m pretty sure my mom enjoys that too.”

  Claire kept her eyes focused on the horizon where the sun had begun its drop behind the mountains. Soon the temperature would fall, but for now, the crisp air felt perfect. Being here was only for tonight. She could handle that. They’d share a few old stories, laugh and then she’d go back to her world where Reid was nothing more than a distant memory. A place where he needed to stay.

  “How long do you think you’ll be in town?” he asked.

  “Just until I can get some answers about this case. I feel like I’m always one step behind in finding our arsonist.”

  “Tomorrow’s another day. We can go out to the Reynolds farm tomorrow so you can see that scene, though I know you have all the photographs of it.”

  “I’d still like to see it in person.”

  “Can I give you some advice?” he asked.

  “Okay.”

  “Forget about the case for the moment and enjoy the view.”

  He was right. She pulled slightly on the reins to slow down the gait of the horse, wanting to slow down time for a moment. It had been too long since she’d enjoyed scenery like this. The sun cast streaks of yellow and orange across the horizon and filtered down across the lake in front of them.

  “Wow...this is still so stunning. It’s as if nothing has changed in all the years since I’ve
been here.”

  “I remember how much you loved this spot.”

  She felt her hands tremble against the reins. He remembered too many things about her.

  Reid leaned over to steady his horse, which had suddenly become agitated.

  “Reid...what’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know.” He started turning the horse in a slow circle. “Did you hear that?”

  “Hear what?”

  “It sounds like bees.”

  She could hear it now, and smelled a tinge of smoke in the air. A streak of orange shot out in front of Reid, jerking her attention back to the left.

  “Reid...”

  “Head to the tree line. Now. It’s some kind of drone.”

  A drone?

  Whatever it was, it was shooting fire at them.

  She tugged on the reins and tried to steer her horse away from the potential danger out in the open. Firefighters often used drones to show heat signatures, locate a victim in a fire or even determine exactly where the fire was. Flame-throwing drones could be used to clear power lines and agriculture burns. But this...this was clearly an attack.

  She could hear the crackle of the flames as the drone shot out another long stream of fire behind her, this time hitting inches to the left of Reid. Orange flames crackled behind her. A row of bushes caught fire.

  “Whoa, boy...you’re okay.” She worked to calm down her own agitated horse, while trying to keep her balance on the saddle as she studied the scene, now from the tree line.

  The buzzing drone swooped down again as Reid raced toward her. Another ball of flames shot out from the spider-like contraption. A second later, Reid lost his grip and was thrown off his horse.

  * * *

  Reid hit the ground with a hard thud at the edge to the clearing, then moaned as his horse galloped away. He fought to catch his breath, then tried to sit up. Something was wrong. The buzzing sound of the drone had been replaced by the hissing noise of a fire. And that terrified him more than the flame-spitting robot. While winter weather tended to put an end to wildfires, snowfall didn’t completely eliminate the threat. And a fire out of control would devastate the ranch.