Burn You Twice - Mary Burton Page 0,100

son.”

“Why hasn’t Ann moved back home?” Joan asked.

“I don’t delve into the love lives of other couples. I’ve got enough on my own plate.”

“You’ve known Clarke since middle school, right?” Joan asked.

“That’s right. Why the sudden interest in Clarke?”

“I don’t know. I question everything and everyone. It’s just habit. Never mind. I was just thinking out loud.”

“Are you staying at the guesthouse tonight?”

“If you’ll still have me.” She had packed her things this morning, just in case.

“You’re welcome as long as you want to stay.”

“I’ll be out of your hair by Sunday.”

“There’s absolutely no rush.”

Joan stayed behind to help Ann clean up after the boys while Gideon drove the overly sugared, rowdy kids back to town. Kyle and Nate were upstairs, excited about their sleepover. The house breathed a sigh of relief.

She pulled the overstuffed trash bag from the can in the kitchen and carried it outside to the garage, where there was a locked box for the garbage. Philadelphia had rats. Montana had bears.

Back inside, she washed her hands and wiped down the counter for the evening.

Ann filled the empty trash can with a new bag. “You don’t have to go back to Gideon’s,” Ann said.

“I want to. It’s easier.”

“Did you and Gideon start something again?” Ann asked.

“No. We’re older and wiser and both know that I won’t stick around.”

“You could stay out here. Big Sky Country had its moments for you.”

“Live here again?” Joan had not even toyed with the idea. She was here to figure out Elijah, and now the other fires. Once that was solved, it would be time to go home and face the music of her off-key life.

“Consider it,” Ann said.

“And how would I support myself?” Joan asked. “I doubt anyone in the Philadelphia Police Department will give me a recommendation.”

“Enough people know you. I would vouch for you.” Ann added, “The police department’s always hiring. I also hear the medical examiner needs an investigator.”

“I doubt I could work for Gideon.”

Ann closed the door to the utility room. “Then call Dr. Christopher.”

“Before we get carried away with ourselves, I need to get going. I want to see Elijah again before visiting hours are over and figure out how he’s doing.”

Ann’s good humor faded. “I’m sorry he was assaulted.”

“He’s taking it in stride. Though he doesn’t strike me as the type who lets something like this pass.”

“Have you ever sensed that he, well, knows?” Ann asked.

“About?” Joan did not mention Nate’s name, but they both understood his paternity was the topic. When Ann nodded slowly, Joan said carefully, “He’s not stupid, and little gets past him.”

Ann’s face tightened with worry. “Nate and I were at the university on Monday checking out his classroom. We saw Elijah.”

“Did you speak?”

“No. But I know he saw us. When we pulled away, he spotted my car.”

“What was he doing there?” Joan asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Maybe he was scoping out the school layout so he would be ready for his class.”

“I suppose,” Ann said.

“Don’t worry about him. Let me do that, okay?”

“Okay.”

Joan opened her phone and scrolled to the picture they’d found of Ann and her in Lana’s suitcase. “Gideon took the picture using Clarke’s camera, right?”

“Yeah, and he also took one of Clarke and me. Clarke keeps it in our bedroom. That’s the picture Lana had, right?”

“Yes.”

“What are you saying?”

“Clarke had the pictures and the negatives. And then Lana ends up with a copy.”

“Maybe someone else had a copy,” Ann said.

Before Joan could answer, the boys called out to Ann. “Mom, you said we could build a fire!” Nate shouted.

Ann’s brow furrowed. “Be right there.”

“I’ll give you the rundown in the morning. Go keep an eye on the boys.”

“Right.”

Joan got into her car, and in the quiet, she was able to think. Who had given Lana the picture of Joan and Ann? And how had Lana ended up with an engagement ring that looked like Jessica’s? Clarke had taken the original picture, and he had also done a fire inspection on the salon recently. Several had suggested that Lana had a boyfriend who made a point not to be seen in public with her. Clarke was separated from Ann, and if he had been seeing Lana, it would likely have ended whatever chances he’d had with Ann. Clarke was also an expert on fires.

None of these suppositions proved anything, but they also all pointed to Clarke. But something about Clarke troubled her. Sure, the two had never gotten along great, but the guy had pulled her from the College Fire