Firestorm - Ellie Masters Page 0,39
my bones and I’ve seen it in her eyes. She’s not capable of such blatant disregard for life. Her heart is too pure.
“Who am I?” Shock fills his words and his indignation spills through the line. “Who are you?”
“I’m the one looking out for her and I’m not interested in getting into a pissing contest. Evelyn asked me to call you. I gave my word I would, but I need to know who you are to her before I tell you what’s going on.”
“Son.” His tone is disparaging, but full of protective male instincts. More than anything, that tells me all I need to know to trust this man, “I don’t know who you are, or what your relationship is with our Evie, but if she asked you to call me, I can only assume she needs my help. Evie never calls, she’s too damn independent. That she asked a stranger tells me something is terribly wrong. As far as who I am, Gracie and I are old family friends. Now, how about we get down to business?”
There’s silence on his end while I absorb what he says. I sense a deep connection between him and Evelyn, one steeped in the weight of years, something I’d be wise to acknowledge and respect. He calls her Evie and she said it was a childhood nickname. If I want Evelyn in my life, and I’m pretty damn sure that’s what I want, this man will be a part of that future.
“Evelyn has been arrested for arson. The preliminary investigation implicates her in starting the fire.”
“Arrested!” The protective growl which follows silences any doubts I have about who this man is to Evelyn. He wants to protect her too. This makes us allies. “And what are your thoughts on this?”
“She didn’t do it.” The words tumble out with zero hesitation. “I believe her innocence and I’ll prove it.”
“Good. She needs someone on her side.” He says something to someone else, covering the mic so I can’t hear anything but muffled sounds. A few seconds later, he’s back. “Tell Evie, we’ll be there in the morning.”
“She needs an attorney.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“No.” My response is as immediate as it is visceral. “I’ll take care of her.”
My reply silences him for a moment, but then he’s back to business. “Who’s holding her?”
I give him the name of our local sheriff’s department.
“I’ll call the judge. Gracie and I’ll be there first thing in the morning.”
Call the judge?
Like anyone can pick up the phone and make that call.
“Sunnyville is a small town. I can recommend a few places.”
“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. Please tell Evie we’ll be there in the morning.”
“I have her phone. Until they let her out, she won’t be able to contact you.”
“That won’t be a problem, son.”
My shoulders bunch when he calls me son. It borders on being derogatory, as if he’s an old dog letting a young pup know his place. I’m cool with that, because I know exactly where my place is in all of this.
“As soon as her bond is posted, we’ll sort this out. In the meantime, please let her know Gracie and I are on our way.”
“I will.”
Our call ends and I stand in the parking lot unsure about what to do. I should leave.
Grant told me he’d do what he could, but the thought of leaving Evelyn all alone is too much.
Then an idea hits me. Prescott mentioned calling the judge, like it’s nothing, but what if I visited the judge?
I’ll need an introduction, and I know exactly who to call. If Grant can’t help, maybe his father, our ex-chief of police, can. I hop in my truck and head to the Malone’s. I spent a fair amount of my childhood in their house.
When I knock, Mrs. Malone answers. “Why, Ace, how are you doing?”
“I’m good, ma’am.” I give her my best smile. “I was wondering if Chief is home?”
I’m certain the man has a first name, but all the kids called him ‘Chief’ growing up, and Mr. Malone just sounds plain wrong.
“He’s out back by the grill.” She doesn’t ask why I want to speak to her husband, but there’s curiosity in her soft gaze. “Come on in. We’re making hamburgers and hotdogs. Do you want to stay for dinner?”
Mrs. Malone never fails to welcome anyone. With three sons, her house was always filled with kids when we were growing up. I’m sure most of that has changed, although Grayson has a kid