Firestorm - Ellie Masters Page 0,80
shit if I don’t.
“I’m not following.”
“The plane crash?” He looks at me like I know what he’s talking about. “It killed everyone on board except for her. She’s the sole survivor. Her entire family was on that plane.”
And I bet her fiancé was too. Shit, the grief she must be dealing with has to be intense.
“This may be a third attempt on her life. I need more information, but I’m concerned.”
He’s concerned. My entire world feels as if it’s been turned upside down. Someone is hell bent on killing Evelyn? I can accept one fire. But two? And a plane crash on top of that?
“Grant…” Not sure exactly what it is I want to say, I let my words trail off as I try and absorb what this means.
“I know.” He gives a shake of his head. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“What about Pete’s report? The fingerprints and the receipt?”
“It muddies the picture, for sure, but…”
“I want to help.” Then it hits me. “That receipt. It has the name of the store where the accelerant was purchased, right?”
“I don’t know.”
“If it does, it’ll have credit card information. That should help.”
“Unless cash was used.”
“Then we go to the store and see if there’s any record of Evelyn even being there. If she wasn’t, it should clear her of the arson charge…right?”
Grant gives a slow nod. “Definitely. It’s a place to start.”
“We shouldn’t have to do anything. That was Pete’s job. He’s a fucking slacker.”
“I hear you. Let’s get through tonight. I’ll come by La Rouge tomorrow and we’ll figure out our next step. In the meantime, I’m going to look at the report.” He places his hand on my arm and gives my bicep a squeeze. “We’ll figure this out. I know you were pissed with the arrest—I’m sorry for that, but my hands were tied. Now that we know more, we’ll get to the truth. I need to question her further, establish a timeline, but I don’t think bringing her to the station is the best thing for her right now.”
“She’s coming home with me.” Evelyn’s not leaving my side until I sort shit out and get answers.
“I’ll give you a call and arrange for a time to come over. I’m also going to call a few people and see what we’re missing. Everything about this feels wrong.”
I cock my head, interested in what he’s saying. For the first time since arriving, I don’t want to punch Grant in the face. He’s not out to arrest Evelyn, or pin this fire on her. He’s doing what he does best, looking to solve a crime; perhaps multiple crimes.
“Is that it then? We’re free to go?”
“As long as the paramedics clear her, but I’m done with her for now.”
Cage is quiet during our entire exchange. His supportive presence is the only thing keeping me from losing my shit. So many questions tumble in my head, things I need answers to, but they’ll have to wait until I get Evelyn alone.
“Let’s go.” My comment is for Cage. I spin my heels and march back to the ambulance.
With soot and grime covering her face, and that god-awful robe wrapped around her body, she looks like she’s been through the ringer. Brody sees us and helps Evelyn down to the ground.
She folds into my arms and ducks her head beneath my chin. I look to the paramedics. “Is she cleared, or does she need to go with you?” Please say No.
“Her vitals are stable. There’s no sign of residual smoke inhalation. Of course, we recommend she be seen at the hospital—”
“No hospital.” Evelyn clutches my shirt. “I don’t want to go back there. Can you please just take me home?”
I like the way she says home.
We pile into my truck. Cage takes the wheel again, and this time Brody sits up front in the passenger seat. I’m in the back with Evelyn clutched tight against me. She huddles in my embrace, keeping her head down, and alternating between soft sobs and unintelligible muttering.
It takes twice as long to get home as it did to get to her house. I didn’t realize how fast Cage had been driving. When we pull up outside the house, mother is there. Her little red corvette is parked off to the side and she waits on the porch.
Brody helps Evelyn out of the truck, then hands her back to me after I get out. When we climb the few steps up to the porch, I’m blown away when Evelyn practically