fault. In fact, because you acted so quickly, you saved my motel from further damage.”
Arlan wanted to sag with relief. He wasn’t going to lose his job or home. Going back to his brother’s wasn’t an option. He’d rather be homeless—though that would suck since the weather had gotten chilly—than have to deal with Chloe again.
He was still pissed at Lewis, though. Was this all a joke to him? Was he being too uptight? Maybe Lewis was trying to reduce the tension, but Arlan was still too wigged out about what had happened to find any humor in the situation.
“I’ll put you in a room that’s far enough away from the destroyed room,” Mike said to Arlan. “After you’ve spoken to the sheriff.”
Arlan wasn’t sure he’d be able to go back to sleep. His adrenaline was still pumping after discovering the dead body.
“Look,” Lewis said when Mike disappeared into the back room, “I wasn’t trying to make light of any of this. It’s tragic when someone loses their life. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
That took some of the wind out of Arlan’s sails. He still didn’t trust Lewis, not fully. The guy just happened to be in the office when Arlan ran in. For all he knew, the killer could’ve used the office as cover.
Lewis could be the killer.
He could have “rescued” the dead body to throw people off his scent. Arlan had seen enough movies to cast doubt on the sexy beast.
Mike came from the back and handed Arlan a keycard. “This is for Room One.”
Arlan took the card, refusing to look at Lewis. “Thank you. What time do you want me to start?”
“I’ll let you know. I’ll be busy assessing the damage,” Mike said with a weary sigh.
“If you need my help, just say so.” Arlan headed for the door, forgetting that he had to talk with the sheriff. As soon as he stepped outside, the chill reminded him that all he had on were boxers and a T-shirt.
He instantly shivered as Sheriff Copache headed toward him.
“Can we talk in my room?” Arlan rubbed his arms. “I’m gonna catch pneumonia if I stay out here. That’s if I haven’t already made myself sick.”
Sheriff Copache, the handsome devil, nodded. He was sexy for a silver fox, with those dreamy gray eyes. If he hadn’t been in a committed relationship with Moose, Arlan would have… He wouldn’t have done a damn thing because the sheriff somewhat intimidated him.
When Arlan entered his room, he threw on a pair of jogging pants and socks, along with a long-sleeved sweater. He cranked the heat in the wall unit before turning to Sheriff Copache and told him everything.
“And you didn’t get a look at his face?”
Arlan contemplated all of five seconds about whether he should tell the sheriff his suspicions about Lewis but decided against it.
What if he were wrong? An accusation like that could ruin a man’s reputation. He would let the sheriff do his job and catch the culprit, and Arlan would do his job while keeping his nose out of any further trouble.
Arlan had too much to lose to get involved. He just needed to concentrate on his job and keep to himself.
“Hey.” Lewis knocked on the open frame of Arlan’s door. Damn it. How had he forgotten to close it? As cold as it was, that should have been the first thing he’d done.
“I need you to come down to the station first thing in the morning and fill out a report,” the sheriff said to Arlan.
“Sure.” Arlan nodded.
The sheriff walked out, leaving Lewis standing there. With a tight smile, Arlan went to the door, thanked Lewis for his help, and closed the door in the guy’s face.
If Lewis was the killer, Arlan didn’t want to end up dead, too. He would get a few hours of sleep, go to the sheriff’s station, and then return to the motel to do his job, forgetting all about the death and fire tonight.
* * * *
Did he just… Lewis stood there looking at Arlan’s door. Had his mate just closed it in his face? Was that something Arlan did all the time, or was Lewis a special case?
Now that was downright rude considering Lewis had jumped into action when Arlan had run into the office in a panic.
Lewis tried not to take this personally. Arlan was rattled and needed time to process what had happened. That was what Lewis kept telling himself as he turned away and started down the walkway.
“How’s he