My mind drifted back to my earlier conversation at the police station with Chief Robson. It was probably a good thing I wasn’t on the force anymore because I probably would’ve been fired for the way I spoke to him. My hands tightened into fists at the memory of his words.
“Dylan, calm down. If we have leads we have to follow them, even if they implicate someone you love. Hell, we all love Cami, but you need to step aside and let us do our investigation.”
“I’m trying to,” I replied hotly. “But it’s a little difficult when all I see is a bunch of incompetent assholes pointing fingers at my wife!”
“That’s enough, son. You need to leave before I’m forced to put you in the holding tank to give you some time to chill out.”
I wanted to punch something. I felt desperate, not knowing how to make him understand. “Just try to find out who’s doing this. It’s not Cami. And you need to stop whoever it is before someone gets hurt or killed.”
“Dylan, you okay, man?” Russ spoke up from a chair across the room, calling me back to the present. “You look a little pissed, right now.”
I took in a deep breath, trying to relax. “Just have something bugging me, tonight. Trying to figure it out in my head.”
The rest of the guys on the crew exchanged furtive glances. “We heard about your dog from Chief Daniels,” Wilson spoke up. “That’s rough.”
“Anything we can do to help you out?” Charlie asked.
I shook my head and gave them a wry smile. “Not that I can think of. I guess I’m just going to have to sit back and let the police try to figure it out.”
“Any leads yet?” Ron asked.
“None,” I replied abruptly. There was no way I would ever tell anyone about their suspicions of Cami. “How’s your new girlfriend, Russ?” I asked, deliberately knowing it would switch attention from me to him.
“Yeah, Weston. How’d your date with Daphne go?” Charlie asked. “Did you get lucky?”
“He better not have,” Wilson piped up. “That girl’s young enough to land him in jail if he did.”
“That’s not fair,” Russ said, shaking his head. “She’s not that young.”
“Are you going to Prom with her?” Wilson asked, and everyone burst out laughing, even me.
“You guys are douches,” Russ replied, picking up his soda and taking a swig.
“Ah, come on,” Charlie piped up. “We’re just messing with ya. All of us would love to the chance to go back and have high school sex, again.”
Everyone laughed again, and then grew quiet. I watched them for a moment before I chuckled. “Every single one of you just went back to your first time, didn’t you?”
“Her name was Sarah,” Ron said with a nostalgic look. “I was seventeen and she was at my house for a slumber party my sister was having. She snuck into my room in the middle of the night. I woke up to her kissing me.” He sighed and then laughed. “It was over quick, but it was awesome.”
“My first was Candy,” Charlie spoke. “I was sixteen and so was she. We were out at a bonfire party; but after making out for a while, we moved our party to the back of my pick up.”
“I was sixteen,” Wilson said. “Her name was Lori and we were also at a party, but it was at her house while her parents were gone.”
“Wait. Your first time was with a girl?” Russ asked incredulously.
Wilson nodded. “Yep. That’s when I officially knew I was gay. I kept staring at the picture she had of her and her brother on a nightstand and I wasn’t looking at her. How about you, Dylan? Who was your first?”
I sighed, giving a half chuckle at the turn of the topic. “I was fourteen—,”
“Woe ho!” Charlie called out. “Lucky bastard.”
“I was playing Varsity football and all the senior guys dared me to go kiss one of the senior cheerleaders at a party. I did. She liked it and dragged me off into one of the bedrooms. She was a little loud, so yeah, everyone knew what was going on.”
“And I bet you had all the girls lining up for their turn after that, didn’t you?” Charlie asked.
I shook my head, laughing. “Well, let’s just say I never lacked company and leave it at that.”
“I knew it. You’re that guy—the one we all wished we were.”
“Hey now,” I said. “We haven’t heard Russ’s story, yet. He may have us all beat.” The attention shifted back to Russ once again. “Come on, Russ. Spill it.”
“I pass,” Russ replied, drinking another swallow of his drink.
“He’s still a virgin,” Wilson said and we laughed, again. “I knew it.”
“Whatever,” Russ said rolling his eyes.
“Then tell us about your first time,” Ron said.
He sighed heavily. “You guys don’t know what you’re asking.” He glanced up, locking eyes with me and looking worried, causing me to wonder what was going on.
“Come on, we all told,” Wilson said. “How bad can it be?”
“It wasn’t bad. Not at all,” Russ replied, suddenly fidgeting restlessly.
“And . . . .” Charlie prompted.
“I was seventeen, almost eighteen, and it was at a party I went to, as well.” He sighed again, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out was wrong. He continued, never taking his eyes off me. “The girl was hitting on my new best friend, but he left the party; so she came looking for me.”
Realization hit me. I was going to be sick. “You’re not telling me your first time was with Gabrielle Martinez, are you?” I asked, but I already knew the answer. “That girl was a friggin’ slut.”
“I tried to tell you—in my own way.”
“When?” I asked, not caring that the rest of the crews’ heads were bobbing back and forth between us like they were watching a volleyball game.
“I told you the reason she wanted you so badly was because no guy had ever turned her down before—I meant, including me.”
Shaking my head, I stood and walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, suddenly wishing I could have a beer. Russ appeared at my side.
“Don’t be pissed, bro. You said you didn’t want anything to do with her; and that was well before we knew she was involved with everything surrounding Cami.”
“I’m not mad,” I replied, shutting the fridge and sitting down at the table. He pulled out a chair across from me and sat, as well. “I’m just trying to get over the fact that my best friend slept with a girl I absolutely despise.”
He didn’t say anything, instead just stared down at his fingers.
“Please tell me it was only once,” I added and he slowly shook his head, again.
“We hooked up a lot for a couple weeks after that. She kept asking me about you though; and I got tired of it, so I told her to take a hike.”
I snorted. “You know she was banging Clay that whole time, don’t you?”
“I do now.”
“I hope you got tested for disease. If you were going to catch something from anybody, it’d be her.”
“I was careful—always used protection.”
Giving another grunt, I stared at him, crossing my arms across my chest. “If it were me, I’d still get tested. That girl got passed around more than a joint at a party.” I sighed, again. “Why her?”
He laughed. “Dude, she was a horny girl and I was a guy wanting to experience it. How many girls have you hooked up with?”
He had me there. “Point taken. Seriously though, Russ, get tested. I’m not joking. Gabby was bad news. Who knows what else she could’ve been involved in?”
“I will,” he replied. I hoped he was serious. “Now, tell me, what’s going on with you and Cami?”
Leaning forward I rested my arms on the table, so we were closer together. I didn’t want anyone hearing what I had to say. “Someone is stalking us. I have no idea who, or why.”
“What do you mean, stalking you? Like are they following you around or something?”
“No. Maybe terrorizing is a better term. I ca
me home one day and I found my pillow shredded in the hallway and all the French doors to the patio were open. At first I thought the dog had done it, but when I examined it closer, I realized someone had sliced it up with a knife. I found the knife in our kitchen.”
“Wow. That’s insane. Where was Cami?”
“That’s what scares me. She was asleep in our bed with the dog. She claims she’d put the dog in his kennel and laid down for a nap.”
“So, someone was in the house with her?” I loved Russ a little more in that moment, just because he didn’t think Cami was involved.
I nodded. “When we left the barbecue early, it was because the police had called and said the alarms were going off at our house. They found signs of attempted entry at the back door—there were some scratches. Once we got inside, we noticed the power was off to the house. I called the service provider and they said someone claiming to be Cami had cancelled our service.”
“Seriously? That’s insane.”
“Yeah, then there was this whole thing with the dog. Whoever killed him made a bloody mess out of it. They wrote the words ‘Still Here’ in blood on the patio.”
“What the hell?” Russ exclaimed looking horrified. “Do the police have any suspects?”
Gritting my teeth, I had to pause to get my anger under control. “Chris called for a crime scene investigation. He came over this morning to tell me the findings.”
“Which were?”
“They think Cami is doing it.” I watched him carefully. He snorted. “Come on, man. Quit messing with me. What’d they say, really?” I stayed silent, simply staring at him, waiting for him to figure it out. His eyes widened astronomically. “You’re not joking, are you? They really think it’s her.”
“That’s the direction they’re leaning.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s bullshit. Cami would never do anything like this. Why would she?”
“They asked me if her pregnancy was making her seem weird at all.”
“You need to go talk to your old chief and tell him what’s what. There’s absolutely no way she’s responsible.”
“Already done. I even punched a hole in their theory, but they won’t let it go.”
“And how’s Cami taking all this? Is that what started her contractions this morning?”
“Yeah, plus a combination of stress and dehydration. She’s barely been eating and drinking through all of this. I’ve been worried about her.”
“I’m assuming she’s at your parents’ house?”
I nodded. “Yep. Chris is there with her.”
“Well, that makes me feel better, at least. I know he’ll keep a good eye on her while you’re not around.”
A loud series of tones came through the speakers and our radios, simultaneously. “General page, general page. Engine nine dash three. We have reports of a large structure fire at 8725 W. Goldenrod Avenue.”
I felt the color drain from my face and Russ snatched his radio off his belt. I watched as the rest of the guys ran for their turnouts, almost as if everything were happening in slow motion.
“Engine nine dash three copies the structure fire,” Russ responded. “Can you please repeat that address?”
“8725 W. Goldenrod Avenue. We have calls reported both from people on the scene and a security company.”
Russ looked at me, his eyes wide and he swallowed hard. “Dylan, your house is on fire.”
***
I stared at the smoldering remains of what had once been my home. Everything was a complete loss, the baby’s room, wedding pictures, clothing, and furnishings. It was all gone, everything from the first two years of Cami’s and my life together. Unable to move, I stood rooted to the spot as crews rushed around me, gathering hoses and equipment.
A hand rested gently on my shoulder, and I glanced to the side, finding Chris standing beside me.
“Where’s Cami?” I asked flatly.
“She’s with Sheridan at the house. I told them I needed to run to the station for something. I didn’t have the heart to tell either of them.”
Turning back to look at my destroyed home, my vision blurred slightly, a tear escaping over the rim to fall down my cheek, before I blinked the rest away. “Do you think the police will believe me now?”
“I do,” he replied softly.
Chapter Eleven
Cami-
The smile slid instantly from my face as Dylan and Chris entered the room where Sheridan and I were watching television and Chrissy played on the floor with her toys. Dylan was supposed to be at work; yet here he was, blackened and covered in soot, still in his dirty turnout pants and boots. Both of their expressions were grim and I could read sympathy in Chris’ eyes as he stared at me.
“What’s happened?” I asked, suddenly feeling paralyzed. My hand drifted protectively toward my stomach.
Dylan kept walking, grabbing me up in his arms and hugging me tightly to him, burying his face in my hair. “I love you so much,” he whispered.
Gripping the back of his shirt in both my fists, I hung onto him, knowing he was going to tell me something bad. “What is it?” I whispered, again.
He moved his head so he could look in my eyes and I saw his mouth quiver. “Cami, our house burned down tonight.”
“What!” Sheridan shouted, grabbing Chris by the arm.
Shocked, my knees started shaking and I reached for the chair behind me. Dylan held onto me, lowering me so I could sit. He crouched in front of me, holding my hands as I tried to process the news. “How?” was all I managed to say.
Shaking his head, he frowned. “The investigation stage of it is just beginning. Witnesses claim seeing smoke and then hearing some type of explosion shortly afterward. Early signs are pointing to arson with possibly some sort of explosive device.”
“If you’d been home tonight, you’d have been killed,” Chris said. “You were with me the whole time this evening, so no one can question your innocence. The police agree that someone is targeting one or both of you.”
I couldn’t even begin to wrap my mind around all this and I started shaking uncontrollably.
Dylan rubbed his hands over mine. “Goody, they’re sending a squad car for us right now.”
“Why?” I asked, and he sighed heavily.
“They’re going to put us in witness protection while they try to figure out who’s behind this.”
“Witness protection?” The words seemed so foreign to me. “So, I need to go pack?”
“No,” Dylan replied. “We are leaving everything behind. Everything. Clothes, cars, personal belongings.”
The reality of what he was saying began to sink in. “What about our families? Russ? What do we tell them?”
“Russ already knows. Chris will tell our parents we are safe; but as of this moment, we aren’t to have any contact with them.”
“But the baby? My mom will want to be there when I deliver.” I glanced frantically between Dylan and Chris.
“Hopefully we’ll be home long before then, honey. But for now, it’s just going to be the two of us in a new place, okay? This is the best way they can protect us, for now.”
“If the person terrorizing you was trying to kill someone, they’ll realize soon enough that they failed,” Chris said. “They could’ve even been watching the fire to see what would happen. We need to get you both to someplace safe before another attempt is made on your lives.”
I nodded, still feeling numb and confused. “Okay. I trust you, both.”
The Wilcock’s house manager, José, entered the room followed by a uniformed police officer. “Mr. Wilcock, the squad car is here,” he said.
“Thanks, José,” Dylan replied, glancing over at the officer. “We’ll be right out, Nicklaus,” he added, acknowledging his old friend.. “Give us a minute to say goodbye.”
Officer Nicklaus nodded. “Sure thing. I’ll be waiting by the front door.” He left the room with José escorting him.
“Come on, Goody. We need to go.”
Dylan stood, pulling me after him.
Sheridan hurried over, her face still looking as stricken as mine probably did. “I love you, Cami. I’m so sorry this has happened. Please be careful and hurry home to us.”
“Thanks. Love you, too,” I replied, hugging her back before turning to Chris.
“I’m coming with you to the station,” he said. “So you can wait to tell me goodbye.”
Nodding, I moved to where Chrissy was playing. “Come give Auntie Cami hugs, bye, bye, pretty girl.” She ran over and threw her arms around my legs, squeezing me tight. Dylan came over and picked her up so we could both hug her properly.
“Be good for Mommy and Daddy, okay, kiddo?” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll see you again, soon.” He kissed her cheek and put her back down.
I watched as he hugged Sheridan tightly, tears filling my eyes. “Be careful, and try to keep Mom from having a heart attack when she hears about all this.”
She gave a choked laugh. “I’ll try.” She was crying when he pulled away.
“Let’s go,” he said, brusquely, his voice deep with unshed emotion. Taking my hand, he led me out the door and down the hall. Pausing briefly, we both hugged José and then hurried to the waiting police car under the watchful eye of Officer Nicklaus.
I stared at the house for as long as I could, before turning to Dylan and leaning against him as my silent tears fell. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me tighter against him. “Was it really bad?” I asked, needing to know.
He kissed the top of my head and I knew the answer before he spoke it. “Really bad,” he confirmed. “We lost everything.” I could hear the sorrow in his voice.
“Not everything,” I whispered. “We still have the most important things.” Lifting my head to look at him, I stared in his eyes and he gave me a small smile.
“You’re right. That is the most important.” Lowering his mouth, he pressed his lips to mine.
***
The police station was abuzz with activity when we arrived. Dylan and I were immediately shuttled into the building through an entrance hidden from public view. I quickly realized this was where they brought people who’d been arrested. We passed several rooms with big metal doors that had small windows in them. I didn’t want to see who might be in there; my nerves were frazzled enough.
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