“I’ve been hearing the women around town talking about him. I gathered he’s considered very attractive.”
“That helps. But it’s not everything.”
“That’s true.” He tipped his bottle back and took a long drink, the muscles of his tanned throat working with each swallow.
She looked away. The sky was deepening into shades of pink, purple, and navy blue. The breeze grew in strength, cooling slightly and carrying a tinge of salt from the nearby ocean. “We’re due for another fire, aren’t we?”
“Yeah,” he said. “And we’re just sitting here. Makes me so goddamn mad that we know he’s out there and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“Deputy Cameron thinks Dani’s murder and the fires are connected.”
Jim froze, his green eyes going wide. “What? Why?”
“He can explain it better than I can, which is why he wants to hook up with you tomorrow, I’m sure.”
“Wow.” He shook his head. “I’m speechless. Not a conclusion I would’ve jumped to.”
“I know, right?” Darcy took a pull on her beer. “Fucking insane. All of it.”
Reaching over, he set his hand on her bent knee. “I’m sorry. This has got to be really tough for you.”
She looked at the spot where her car had been and thought about Jared. Knowing he was working on Dani’s case was keeping her grounded and, for the first time in a long time, optimistic. Placing her hand over his, she squeezed. “I’m okay. Been a long time since I was able to say that and mean it.”
Her smile faded as the sheriff’s vehicle pulled up in front of her house. She watched as Chris got out and put his hat on his head, his gaze holding hers as he shut the door of his cruiser and rounded the front end. “Hey, Darcy. Jim.”
Jim returned the greeting, but she waited until Chris joined them on the porch, his boot-clad feet thudding heavily over the wooden planks and his leather holster creaking.
“What brings you out this way?” she asked.
“I need to speak to Cameron.”
“He’s not here.”
Chris cursed under his breath. “Where is he?”
“With his partner. Working the case.”
“Fuck. Did you know he thinks Dani’s murder is related to your arsonist?”
“Yes.”
“He’s in town two damn days and he’s going to wrap up a cold case along with the arsons? That’s bullshit.”
Her brows rose at his vehemence, but she wasn’t overly surprised. Chris didn’t like others digging into his cases and she couldn’t blame him. She knew how she’d feel in his shoes. “It’s an angle, but it’s not his only angle. I watched him compiling information—he’s covering a lot of bases.”
Leaning forward, Jim set his elbows on his knees, holding his beer in both hands. “Chris.”
Something about the way Jim said his name had Chris stiffening. Darcy frowned.
“What?” Chris snapped.
Jim stared at him.
“Don’t look at me like that, Ralston. You don’t know shit.”
Darcy’s gaze shot back and forth between the two men. “What doesn’t he know, Chris?”
Chris glared at Jim. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”