Before the Dawn

by Gail Chianese

  No one had to tell the detective twice. As Kat started to go down, Daines grabbed her and they ran for the front door, reaching it just as the local fire crew went in. Lexie and Rafe rushed up to meet Daines and Kat, but were pushed out of the way by the EMTs.

  As the EMTs went to work on the arsonist, Shawn took Kat from Daines and carried her to the ambulance where she could be put her on oxygen. Daines stood guard over their guy. He was now the cop’s problem. All Shawn cared about was Kat.

  She smiled up at him as he sat her down in the back of the ambulance. “You came back. Why?” she asked around the mask.

  “Gut instinct. I couldn’t get you out of my mind. Then this little voice in my head kept telling me you were in danger.” It sounded a little crazy when he said it out loud, and as Kat glanced at Lexie, he was pretty sure they thought so too.

  She pulled the oxygen mask off. “How did you know to come here?”

  “You’ll have to ask Lexie. When you weren’t home, I headed into town thinking you’d gone to the diner. Those two,” he pointed to Lexie and Rafe, “were just coming out of the office when I arrived.”

  “Thank you for coming back, and for following your instinct.” She glanced to Lexie, her brows scrunched together, then releasing like everything suddenly made sense. He was glad it did to someone. He was still confused as all get-out.

  Daines called him over to the now conscious man and Rafe followed, leaving Lexie to watch over Kat.

  “He’s claiming he doesn’t know how the fire started.” Daines crossed his arms and glared at the man the EMTs were still treating. “That you rescued him, but he doesn’t remember Kat being in the house.”

  “Yeah, right. He was attacking Kat when I found him. I’m betting you’ll find gasoline on his hands and probably some of his clothes. He’s our guy, but you can talk to Kat and get her statement.”

  “How’s she doing?”

  “Better than him, but at minimum she’s got a cut lip, what looks like a bruise on her face, and she inhaled a lot of smoke. She’s being checked out by the other crew,” Rafe said. Neither he nor Daines had jurisdiction in Norwich, but since their guy was wanted in several cities, Shawn would guess the local department would work with them.

  “Give me a minute to bring the locals up to speed. Make sure this guy doesn’t go anywhere without an escort.”

  Shawn hesitated. Now that the danger to Kat had passed, all the pent-up anger and frustration he’d been locking down came rushing out. His hands clenched as he stepped toward the bastard that had caused so much damage, who had stolen a life, and almost taken Kat from him not once, but twice.

  Rafe’s hand clamped around his arm. “Don’t. He’s not worth it.”

  Shawn glared at the man, but Rafe didn’t give. He was right. Shawn wasn’t letting this dirtbag ruin anyone else’s life. He wasn’t taking Shawn’s dignity.

  “You’re right. He’s nothing and he’s going to find that out when he’s sitting behind bars for a long time.”

  Together the two men walked back to the ambulance. Lexie and Kat were deep in conversation, not noticing them. She’d taken the oxygen mask off again, but someone had wrapped a thermal blanket around her shoulders.

  “Thanks for having my back, Vinnie,” Kat said.

  Shawn and Rafe turned to look at each other. “Did she just call Lexie ‘Vinnie?’”

  “It’s what it sounded like to me. Did she hit her head?” Rafe whispered.

  “Not that I saw, but she might have before. She does have a bruise on her face.”

  Rafe walked up to the women, and bent down in front of Kat. “How are you feeling, Jones?”

  “Fine as wine, Barandas. Tired and thinking I need a shower. That place was nasty. And I broke three nails.”

  “You’re lucky that’s all,” Lexie said between gritted teeth.

  Kat held up her hand to stop anyone from saying anything else. “I know and I’m sorry. I should have called you this morning, had you come with me. It was stupid. A rookie mistake.”

  “Kat, that doesn’t matter right now. We got the guy, but we’re more concerned with your health.” He sat down next to her and looked into her eyes. “You took in a lot of smoke. You might have a concussion too.”

  “I’m fine,” she protested.

  “You’ve got a bruise on the side of your face and you called Lexie ‘Vinnie.’” Didn’t sound fine to him.

  Her gaze shot to Lexie, as the other woman gasped. “No, I didn’t.”

  “Rafe and I both heard you. It’s okay. Getting confused is understandable after what you went through.”

  “I’m not confused.” Kat stood up and took the blanket off. “I’m fine and I didn’t call Lexie by some other name.”

  “Then who were you talking to?” Maybe he’d hit his head when he’d tackled the guy.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Kat, maybe we should tell them?”

  “Are you crazy? They’ll think we’re nuts.”

  Rafe stood up, crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared at the women. “All right, Smith and Jones, it’s time to spill your guts. What are you hiding? And Lexie, try to remember I’m the man you promised to love and obey.”

  Lexie snorted. “I never said anything about obeying, but I did promise no secrets between us.”

  “Fine.” Kat walked a few feet away from the ambulance and the EMTs and firefighters. The three of them followed. “But remember, you asked. I was talking to a ghost. His name is Vinnie.”

  Rafe snorted and laughed. “Right.”

  Lexie glared at her husband, and Kat turned to Shawn. “He’s been watching over me and Lex our whole lives. Something to do with him dying at the same time as we were born. He’s like our guardian angel.”

  “Except he’s no angel,” Lexie said. “But he’s always got our backs.”

  “Is he here now?” Shawn asked.

  “Yes, he’s standing next to Rafe,” Kat said.

  “What?” Rafe Barandas, badass detective, jumped and looked around, paler than the first winter snow.

  “Relax, honey. He’s a friendly ghost, unless you’re trying to hurt one of us.”

  “Is he with you all the time?” Rafe asked.

  “No. But he does help us out at the agency. He’s our intern. And sometimes he’s with his girlfriend or hanging out at strip clubs.”

  Shawn chuckled. “Nice.” He could like this ghost.

  “Can he do anything? Like move stuff?” Rafe asked.

  “He did knock down Benjamin when he was chasing me that night,” Lexie said.

  “It takes a lot out of him though,” Kat said.

  “Can anyone else see him besides you two?” Shawn asked as he glanced around, looking for some wisp or something.

  “People who are sensitive, and if Vinnie lets them.” Both women turned to look at . . . air or the ghost, Shawn wasn’t sure. He just knew both looked like they were listening to someone. “By the way, he said that was him whispering in your ear this morning. It was him telling you to come back and that I was in danger.”

  “Thanks, man,” Shawn said. He wasn’t sure if he believed in ghosts, but Kat did and he respected her. Besides, he had no other explanation for the voice in his head that morning urging him to return. Believing in spirts was better than going crazy. So yeah, maybe.

  “Yeah, thanks,” Rafe muttered. “That definitely explains a lot of strange stuff that has happened over the years, especially when we were younger.” Rafe’s eyes were wide and his gaze kept shooting back and forth. Lexie slipped her arm through his and assured her husband she’d explain more later.

  After everyone gave their statements, and promised they’d go down to the station later to handle the paperwork, they were released by the local cops. Peter St. Pierre, as they had learned his name, was being transported to Backus Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and possible injuries before being taken to the police station. Daines offered Rafe and Lexie a r
ide, and Shawn had insisted on Kat being checked out. Afterward, when they were back at her place, with clearance from the doctors, they sat on the couch with her cat curled on her lap. Purring away, and glaring at him.

  “I’m sorry about today,” Kat said. “If you hadn’t come back, though, I might not be here.”

  “Don’t say that. Besides, it doesn’t matter because you’re okay. St. Pierre is behind bars and you’re safe.” She snuggled into him, exhaling deeply.

  “Now we can get back to our regularly scheduled lives, and you can leave.” She tried to sound happy, normal, but the words fell flat.

  “Let’s not worry about tomorrow. Let’s focus on the time we have and make the most of it . . . again.”

  Chapter 20

  Friday rolled around, but as the release bell loomed closer, Kat couldn’t find her weekend joy. There would be no hot firefighter waiting for her in the parking lot. He had left late Sunday morning after another amazing night of saying goodbye.

  Her students lined up at the door, excited to go home, Kat clapped her hands three times to get their attention. She walked down the line to make sure everyone had their backpacks and coats. It was raining and cold.

  “Before you go, I wanted to share that we have a special guest coming to visit us on Monday.”

  “Is it Marshal Shawn?” Frankie asked.

  All the other children cheered at the suggestion.

  “No, it’s someone new.”

  “Aww.” Frankie’s face fell with disappointment.

  Totally get it, kid. “Hey, no sad faces. I think you’re going to love our new guest just as much because it’s Heather Miller and she’s the author of The Monkey in the Middle.” Some of the kids clapped, but little Frankie remained unimpressed. Kat didn’t say more as the bell rang.

  Dismissal was crazy and chaotic, leaving Kat drained and looking forward to a quiet weekend of nothing. She closed up her classroom, grabbed her bag and headed home. As she stepped back out into the now empty parking lot, she smiled.

  “Lex, what are you doing here?” Her best friend was parked in front of the door with the car’s engine running. Secretly, she’d hoped that Lexie had come to her with a new case. Capturing—and living to tell the tale—of St. Pierre had reminded Kat of why she’d chosen to become a private investigator. It had also restored her self-confidence.

  She held up a square takeout box. “I’ve come to kidnap you and I even have pie to entice you into my car.”

  Kat laughed and walked to the passenger door. “Say no more.” She was happy to spend time with her friend, but a slight disappointment filled her that the visit wasn’t work related.

  Lexie pulled out and headed toward the shoreline. “Rafe’s working, so it’s just us girls tonight. I thought we could enjoy dinner on the deck and watch the sun set over the sound.”

  “Wait. You’re cooking?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I picked up dinner along with dessert. Marriage hasn’t made me that domestic.”

  “Good, because for a minute there, I was wondering where my best friend had gone.”

  Lexie reached over and squeezed her hand. “Right here. Smith and Jones together forever. Well, Smith-Barandas and Jones.”

  “Doesn’t have the same ring, but I’ll take it.” They’d parked in front of Lexie’s, now Lexie and Rafe’s beach cottage. Someday it would be too small for a family, but until then the couple had decided to live in Lexie’s house instead of Rafe’s bigger home, where Kat was still staying, which was fine with Kat. She had no desire to move back to the apartment complex. Too many bad memories, while Rafe’s place held happier ones. Maybe she’d just rent it long term?

  Lexie grabbed the bags from the back seat and they headed inside where they were greeted by Lexie’s big, goofy, sweet furball, Bear. In tandem they worked to let the dog out, fill his dish, and grab wine and glasses before settling under the covered deck.

  “I’ve got news for you about the case,” Lexie said.

  Kat set her takeout carton down and picked up her wine. “Okay, hit me.”

  “Peter St. Pierre has been charged with arson for all three clinics, your apartment, along with the abandoned restaurant, and more importantly in the death of Samuel Oakheart.”

  A huge sigh of relief escaped. She’d been afraid that since St. Pierre had set his own home on fire, any evidence would have gone up in flames. “That’s good news.”

  “He’s also being charged with attempted murder of you. He’s not going to see this side of freedom ever again, Kat.”

  The news hit her like a ton of bricks, releasing a pent-up dam of emotions and tears. “That’s three. Three times in less than a year that I’ve almost died.”

  “But you didn’t. You’re too stubborn and strong to go. Besides, I think Vinnie has put a word or two in for us. You know, to keep us on this side of the light.”

  “You may be right. Although, if I die before he crosses through the light, I’m so haunting him.” Kat wiped the tears away and sobered up. “I thought after the accident it was a sign that I needed to rethink my life. Change my career. Be more careful.”

  “And?” Lexie held still as she watched Kat for a clue.

  “Well, there was the whole almost dying twice part after I changed jobs.” She took a long swallow of her wine. “Clearly, that didn’t work. Maybe it was a sign to remind me of how precious and fleeting life can be.”

  Lexie lifted her glass and tapped hers. “To sisters. Know that whatever you need, I’ll be right here for you.”

  There wasn’t a time in her life that the two of them hadn’t stood together. Through thick and thin, boyfriends, broken hearts, fights with parents, college, and life in general, they’d always been a pair. But things had changed between Lexie getting married and Kat leaving the agency. Or at least, it had felt like it until now. With a few words, Kat felt back in sync, or almost. But she would fix that soon enough.

  “Back to St. Pierre. Were you able to find a connection between him and Stephen Bolds?” Ever since Kat had seen those initials on the bag in St. Pierre’s car, it had been bugging her.

  “Our little firebug isn’t doing a lot of talking. He claims he torched the clinics as an act of revenge against Dr. Selena Walker. An old grudge from high school. Apparently, she snubbed him or something, made a fool of him at a dance. But,” Lexie held up her hand. “In reviewing his phone records, he made several calls to a Boston burner phone. And we’re able to put him at a restaurant a block away from Bolds’s office.”

  “Are you still working that lead, then?”

  “We’ve also been able to trace the physician’s assistant, Lenore Orwell’s activity and can also place her in the same general area in Boston. Detective Daines thinks she was working with Bolds, crossed him, and he hired St. Pierre to torch the clinics in retaliation, knowing she’d be implicated. It’d also teach anyone else a lesson not to mess with him.”

  Kat picked up her takeout carton and forked a bite of grilled chicken from the salad. She pointed it at Lexie. “That makes more sense than some old high school grudge.”

  “The crazy part is that the two, St. Pierre and Walker, did go to school together.” Lexie poured more wine in their glasses. “Since the crimes cross state lines, it’s been turned over to the feds. Bolds has been on their watchlist since before all that stuff with Holly and Alan went down last summer.”

  They dug into their salads for a bit, quietly enjoying the view.

  “So,” Lexie hesitated. “You haven’t said anything about your hot fire inspector since he left. Have you guys talked?”

  Kat swallowed the wine in her mouth and set her food down. “He made it safely to his grandmother’s house on Thursday.”

  “And?”

  “And, nothing.” She wasn’t going to mention the long conversations they’d had each night when Shawn stopped to rest. Or the sexy text messages he had sent each morning. She shared most everything with her best friend but some things weren’t meant to be sha
red.

  “You’re just going to let him walk away like that?”

  “What do you want me to do? He lives on the other side of the country now. My life is here.”

  Lexie leaned forward, agitation and excitement making her eyes shine bright. “But what if he’s the one?”

  “Are you suggesting I move across country for some guy I’ve only known for a month? To dissolve our partnership?” Kat jumped up and walked to the uncovered edge of the deck where the wind whipped through her hair and rain splattered in her eyes. The weather fit the emotions roiling inside her. “My contract with the school ends next month. I was going to come back to the agency full-time then, but if you’d rather I didn’t . . .”

  If Lexie dissolved their partnership, Kat didn’t know what she’d do. It was the only thing she had left. Sure, she and Shawn had this thing going on right now. But how long until he got bored with long distance? Phones, video calls, texts could only do so much. They couldn’t keep you warm at night and they definitely couldn’t scratch an itch. She gave them another week, two at tops before the relationship started to fade and he moved on to greener, available pastures.

  Lexie walked up to her, got right in her face. Tears at the corners of her eyes. “Why would you even think that? I mean, Ashley’s great, although Vinnie doesn’t trust her. But she’s not you. We’re in this together. But what change your mind? I thought you loved the kids.”

  Kat thought of her students, how they kept her on her toes and made her laugh throughout the day. “I love being a teacher. Kids are refreshingly honest, but . . . This is going to sound bad.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I don’t get the same thrill teaching that I do when we solve a case. When I was lying there in that disgusting house, tied up, I didn’t think about how it was a mistake going after St. Pierre. I thought how great it would feel to see him behind bars. To know one less dangerous person was on the loose. I knew when I walked out of there, that I’d made a mistake taking the substitute job.”

  “I wouldn’t say a mistake. You learned a valuable lesson, that you being a PI was the right career path. And being my partner is the job for you, that is if you’re not leaving me.”