“Hey,” he greeted her, frowning at her obvious agitation. “What’s up?”
“Miller is champing at the bit to hold a press conference. He thinks if we put the heat on the arsonist, he’ll move on.”
“Genius,” Jared muttered. “Make our torch someone else’s problem.”
“I reminded him—firmly—that this is our case and we’ll decide how to proceed.” Her pretty face was hard and her choice of attire betrayed her determination to establish her control of the situation. Usually a jeans and blouse sort of gal, she was wearing slacks and a blazer today.
“How well does he listen?”
She shrugged with a wry smile. “Well, he called me to give me a heads-up. That’s something, at least. I’m going to head into the station and keep an eye on him. You heading out to the other two sites?”
“Yes. I’ve got the inspector’s files for you to run through while I’m out. You’ll find she’s very thorough.” He glanced at Darcy and gestured for her to join them. “We also need to follow up on the vacation homes. There’s a steady stream of seasonal residents and rental transients running through the town. The full-time residents aren’t the only ones who know the ins and outs of the area.”
“I like your jeans, by the way,” Trish said, as Darcy unfolded from behind the wheel. “They looked good on you yesterday, too.”
He shot her a withering glance, to which she laughed. When Darcy came up beside him, he introduced the two.
“Can you pass the files on to Morales while I get what I need?” He moved on without waiting for an answer.
Entering his room, Jared unzipped his as-yet unpacked suitcase and pulled out a change of clothes. When he was done, he grabbed his laptop case and the sunglasses he’d left on the dresser the day before, then headed back out to the parking lot. He found Darcy and Trish standing with their heads bent over the front end of the Marshals Service’s SUV he’d driven to Lion’s Bay, discussing a file they had spread open on the hood.
Darcy glanced up when his room door shut. The way she looked at him was like a physical caress, and his heartbeat quickened. Her feminine hunger was a drug he couldn’t quit. Even knowing it was fucking him up, he couldn’t stay away.
Trish straightened, frowning at him. “I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts when you get through surveying all three scenes. On paper, I’m missing the connection. I find it odd that the subject would be so meticulous in his timing and the creation of the incendiary devices, and yet so random in his location choices.”
“Join the club.” Jared pushed his shades onto his face. “Once we find the connection, we’ll crack this case wide open.”
Darcy said good-bye and moved back to her car. He was right behind her. They headed to the fire station to change vehicles. It was just Jared’s luck that the guy he least wanted to see approached Darcy the moment they entered the building.
“You didn’t have to come in on your day off,” Ralston said as she searched the rack on the wall for the keys to the department’s truck. “I can help Deputy Cameron with whatever he needs.”
Jared smiled grimly. The easiest card Darcy could have played to gain some distance was one she hadn’t used—she wasn’t working today. He took it as a good sign, as far as signs went.
“Actually, Inspector,” Jared replied, “we could use your help reining Sheriff Miller in. He’s pushing for a press conference, which will either feed the ego of our subject, run him off, or both.”
Ralston sighed. “The last thing we need is media scrutiny. We’d never get anything done. We know that all too well. Don’t we, Darcy?”
“He’ll listen to you, Jim. You have a way with people.”
“Chris will listen to you, too. He’s still got a soft spot for you. Don’t suppose you noticed that he keeps a picture from prom in his office.”
“Oh, God. I didn’t want to know that. I’m going to take Deputy Cameron up to the Animal Friends site, then back around to the Sweet Spot.”
Stepping closer, Ralston lowered his voice and said, “Let me take care of the one for you. You shouldn’t have to go up there again.”
She exhaled harshly. “It’s okay. You’ve got to deal with Miller, and Deputies Cameron and Morales need to make as much progress as possible before we have another blaze. The sooner we get through the sites, the better. I’ll be all right.”
“You keep saying that, darlin’, but sayin’ it doesn’t make it so.”
Jared took a step forward, reminding the other man that he was there. He did nothing overt, didn’t reach out to Darcy or make any proprietary moves. He didn’t have to. The look he shot the inspector said it all and more—evolution hadn’t altered the silent communication between males.
Ralston sized him up again. There was no challenge in the once-over he gave Jared. Just quiet, calm curiosity.
“I can do this,” Darcy said, oblivious to the exchange taking place over her head. “I probably need to.”
Ralston glanced at her again. “Okay. I just don’t want you pushing yourself into something you might not be ready for.”
She responded with more assurances, then asked, “Do you know where the truck keys are?”