Secret Agent Under Fire

by Geri Krotow

  “They weren’t mine to prosecute, charge or set free. The city and county could follow through, and in fact the county pressed charges. The couple agreed to share what the cult had told them if the county dropped the charges, so they settled out of court. They said they’d been brainwashed but there wasn’t any substantial evidence or proof. It doesn’t matter. They were crazy, hoodwinked by the cult. That’s pretty clear. The True Believers, New Thought, whatever their name is today, wants nothing less than to destroy the nature of a place like Silver Valley. The members have to buy into the fact that the local community—in our case, Silver Valley—is doomed. Planting an awful mayor, targeting the LGBT club at the high school, starting fires—it’s all part of the plan to control folks with fear. Leonard Wise is a megalomaniac waiting to implode. Fortunately SVPD and the FBI are standing by to move in the minute he makes a misstep.”

  She slowly shook her head. “It’s not fair that you were a target, that anyone has to suffer because of people like Leonard Wise. And local government should have protected you from all of it.”

  “Look, I know you used to work for the Department of Justice, and that you probably think every case has a right or wrong, a definitive line that proves who wins or loses. But Silver Valley isn’t DC, Abi. I know and have lifelong relationships with the people I work with. To file against Silver Valley or the county would be like suing my own family. I trusted SVPD to get to the bottom of it, and I was right to trust them.”

  She pushed off the car, bringing her a half step closer to him. Her hips were within reach of his hands and if she upturned her face one more inch, it’d be easy to think they were any old couple standing on a driveway next to a car.

  “Trust all you want, Keith. Good on you that it’s worked for you in the past.” She pointed at her chest. “Me, I’m going to trust after I get all of the facts.”

  “That makes no sense, Abi.” Neither did the way being this close to her was making him hard.

  “Sure, it does. Are you going to just trust that the original investigative work on all of the arsons in Silver Valley over the past year and a half was done correctly? That no smidgen of evidence was overlooked?”

  “SVPD has one of the top forensic teams in the state. We’ve worked hand-in-hand through many fires and emergency situations. I have complete trust in them.”

  “Don’t be so defensive. I’m not poking holes at SVPD or Silver Valley in general. This is a great place—you saw me sign a rent-to-own lease! I’m on your side.” She paused, eyes reflecting the morning light, as if thinking about what she’d just said. “As far as the case goes.”

  He drank the remaining water in his bottle before crushing it. “Are you saving this to recycle or do you want me to?”

  “I’ll take it.” She tossed both of their empty bottles into the backseat of her car, where he noted several large bags that appeared stuffed with clothes.

  “Run out of moving boxes?”

  “What? Oh, those aren’t clothes.” She hit the lock on her key fob and smiled. “Let’s get back to work, Keith.”

  * * *

  She didn’t care if Keith thought she was some kind of hoarder. He said nothing more about her huge black plastic bags. They filled her trunk, too. Since she’d only just started to realize that she might want to explore making a living out of her love of being outdoors, she wasn’t ready to share with him or anyone else what was in the bags, or that she’d gone back to Alexandria on a quick day trip to get what was turning out to be the tools of her new trade.

  All kinds of camping, hiking, rappelling gear filled the bags. Scuba and snorkeling equipment, several sleeping bags and cushions. She’d already moved her two kayaks and paddleboard to the barn last weekend. She needed to order more equipment for the business but there wasn’t time. Not yet.

  When she and Keith finally finished with the third and last warehouse of the day, they agreed to meet again in the morning at the first of five abandoned residences the arsonist had torched.

  As she drove through central Silver Valley she smiled. She had another hour to work on what might be the next step in her staying in this town permanently. Her new business.

  Her head wanted her to believe it was only her new business, but her heart was the wiser. She couldn’t keep from smiling as she thought of Keith’s expression when she’d told him she was thinking of staying in Silver Valley. As if it mattered to him, too.

  * * *

  When Saturday morning dawned on the first weekend Abi didn’t have to go to her place in Alexandria, she decided to take Kayla up on her invitation to early morning yoga class. She’d agreed to meet Keith later, at noon, to walk through another site or two. It was work, nothing more, but she couldn’t escape the giddy feelings akin to knowing the man you cared about was coming to take you on a date. And Keith was becoming more than a date or romantic interest. It seemed impossible in the short time she’d known him, but it also felt as if he’d always been a part of her life.

  She should be scared at the enormity of her emotions but instead was buoyed by them.

  Claudia and Colt had encouraged her to take the weekend off but she couldn’t. Not when the arsonist was still out there.

  The yoga studio door chimed like a gong as she opened it. Long chains of brass bells and glass beads hung from the door and windows, soothing her eyes in the early hour. She smelled jasmine incense and immediately thought of the backyard she’d played in as a kid in Philadelphia. Small, closer to tiny, by central Pennsylvania standards, but her mother had used every square inch to grow flowers.

  “Hi. I’m Charlotte. Welcome.” A spritely woman with curlicued hair smiled as Abi signed in and paid.

  “Thank you. I hope it’s okay that I’ve never taken a class before.”

  Charlotte shook her head. “No problem. I’ll show modifications for each pose, so just do what your body tells you to. There are mats in the corner, next to the cubbies and hooks.”

  “Thanks.” Abi had meant to get her own yoga mat but had forgotten as she’d been more focused on finding a mattress to sleep on and soap.

  “Abi?”

  She turned toward the voice and saw that Kayla had a mat laid out in the center of the studio. “Hi, Kayla! Nice to see you here. I decided to take you up on your suggestion.”

  “I’m surprised you’re awake this early. Rio wouldn’t even budge this morning. Here.” Kayla patted the ground next to her mat. Abi unrolled a mat from the bin next to Kayla. “A word of warning—don’t follow my moves. Charlotte will keep you on track. I’m more of a walker or runner.”

  “Will do. I’m sure I’ll find this challenging. I’ve never done this before.” She stretched by touching her toes as Kayla was doing. “I’m not surprised Rio’s sleeping in. He’s been really busy.” They’d stayed late at the station last night, trying to predict when the arsons would next hit. The past two weeks had remained quiet after the house fire where she’d met Keith.

  Had it only been two weeks?

  “You all have been busy. It’s nice that you’re taking some time for yourself, and a yoga class is perfect. It must drive you nuts to have to work with all those men. You’re going to love this class. We all go out for coffee afterward, if you’re interested. Or tea—Charlotte doesn’t drink coffee.”

  “That sounds really nice! I haven’t had much time to get to know anyone here yet. As for guys at the station, I don’t mind working with men, not at all. I’m kind of used to it.”

  “From the FBI?” Kayla lowered her voice as if it were classified that Abi had worked for the government; it wasn’t. So Rio had told his girlfriend where she’d worked before. Nothing classified in that; the Trail Hikers was far more secretive. And her FBI background added to her cover of being an investigative contractor with the police department.

  “No, more from how I grew up. My dad was a firefi
ghter and I was always around him and his department, from the time I was very young.”

  Kayla nodded. “I get it.”

  “How’s the flower business?”

  Kayla’s eyes lit up. “Wonderful! We’re headed into the busiest season with all the proms, weddings and graduations. As crazy busy as it gets, I’ve no complaints. I love the fact that I get to make people happy with something as simple as flowers. How about you? Are you enjoying the contract work with SVPD?” Kayla’s eyes reflected innocence but Abi had a feeling Kayla knew damned well she wasn’t just a contractor. Rio and Kayla had worked together on a case involving the criminal mayor and Kayla had helped bring down a small part of the cult’s initial dealings in Silver Valley. Abi had read the reports.

  “It’s fine, but I think I may be onto something more along the lines of a career change.”

  “Really?” Kayla’s eyes grew big. “Care to share?”

  Abi wanted to tell Kayla, as she was very excited about her new business, but Charlotte walked to the front of the studio class.

  “Time to get settled, everybody.” Charlotte’s voice ended their conversation. For the next hour Abi found herself in positions she didn’t know she was capable of. She had solid core strength and any move requiring muscle wasn’t a problem. Trying to “ease” into any move wasn’t natural for her, as her FBI and Trail Hikers training had been physically robust and encouraged heavy exertion. Still, she gave it her best shot.

  The class came to an end and she had almost two hours before she had to run home, grab a quick shower and then meet Keith at the next arson site on their list. Definitely enough time for coffee with Kayla and the girls. As she shrugged her sweatshirt over her tank top, her phone alerted her.

  Keith Paruso.

  “Good morning, Chief.” She was half teasing him, as he’d repeatedly told her to call him “Keith.”

  “Abi, we’ve got a problem.” Humor was crushed by the gravity of his tone. “We had a fire overnight at the elementary school.”

  Children. They’d done the practice run as she’d predicted, and the next time school could be in session.

  “Where are you?”

  “At the school.”

  “I’ll be there in five.”

  Chapter 8

  The elementary school building appeared intact as she drove up the wide road to the front, but when she turned into the back parking lot she was greeted by one large fire engine and a group of firefighters in various states of taking off their gear. Two SVPD units were near the fire truck and she caught sight of a few officers stranding crime scene tape around the back entrance to the building. She parked her car and ran up to Keith, who stood with one man off to the side.

  “Chief Paruso.” He turned and looked over his shoulder.

  “Abi.” As soon as she was even with him and the other firefighter, he nodded. “Tiger, this is Abigail Redland, with SVPD. Abi, this is Andy Gregory. We call him Tiger for short.” Both men laughed before Tiger turned incredibly turquoise eyes on her.

  “Weren’t you at the fire the other day? On Wertzville Road?”

  She looked at Tiger, then Keith. Abi didn’t want to say too much. “Yes, I was there.”

  “You weren’t in uniform then, either.”

  “I’m not SVPD. I’m a private contractor working on these arson cases with them.”

  “Abi, Tiger’s my assistant fire chief. He ran the department while I was on administrative leave last year. I trust him with my life, needless to say.”

  “I’m sure you trust all of your fighters with your life. Isn’t that part of the job?”

  “What I mean is, Tiger knows what’s going on with the arsons in detail. I went over what we’ve found so far.”

  “Oh.” Abi wasn’t sure whether to smack Keith upside his head now or to wait for privacy. What was he thinking, telling someone else about the case particulars?

  “Abi?” Keith stared at her, his genial expression morphing into concern.

  “I’ll, um, talk to you later, boss. Nice to meet you, Abigail—Ms. Redland.” Tiger gave a quick hand salute and walked away.

  “Abi, what’s this all about? I think you’ve scared Tiger away.”

  “Scared Tiger away? No, I didn’t do that. You did. You are the reason I’m ready to clock someone.”

  “As long as it’s not me. Why are you so upset?”

  He stood in the morning sun, bright blue sky and white puffy clouds framing his face as she looked up at him. The man looked genuinely puzzled. “What is it, Abi? Say something.”

  “Call me after you’ve dealt with whatever’s happened here.” She waved at the school building. “You haven’t even told me what’s going on—and want to explain to me how anyone got past our watch?” Between SVPD and the fire department splitting duties and patrols, they were supposed to be closely monitoring the elementary school. “And you’ve discussed a very sensitive case with one of your team. All of the Silver Valley Police Department doesn’t know the details of the arson cases!”

  Comprehension flashed into anger in his eyes. “Are you questioning my judgment, Abi? Because I’ve been in Silver Valley a hell of a lot longer than you have. If anyone needs to be vetted, it’s you. How the hell do I, or Tiger, or Rio, or Colt, or anyone, know that you’re trustworthy, save for your résumé? It’s my understanding that FBI agents don’t just ‘leave.’ Were you asked to leave? Fired?”

  “Are you freaking kidding me? I don’t work for you, remember? You’ve been at the arson sites when I go through them at my invitation. It’s not your right to be anywhere except putting out a fire!” She tried to force her breath to slow down with no luck. The last time she’d been this steamed... She’d caught Fred in bed with another woman.

  Great. Freaking great. She was acting like Keith was a personal acquaintance instead of purely a professional one. While she tried to get her thoughts together and put her personal thoughts about Keith back in their box, Keith stared at her like she was a woman possessed.

  “I didn’t have time to reach you. I asked SVPD to contact you as soon as I heard. When you didn’t show up, I called you, personally, as soon as I had a spare moment.”

  Her phone. She’d turned the ringer off during yoga, and at some point it had ended up on the studio floor under her sweatshirt, which was why she’d noticed Keith’s last call—she’d just uncovered the phone at that point and saw his call light up the screen in the dark studio.

  Abi swallowed. “You might be right. I may have missed some calls earlier, before your last call.”

  “As for the more important point, whomever I deem worthy of my trust is good enough. Is that clear? I don’t report to you or SVPD or even the goddamned FBI!” As he spoke he kept his hands on his hips, his arms still. Everything he needed to say, he did with his voice and his eyes. His eyes were on fire, his focus so totally on her. Where was the usual fire she should be digging deep for to hurl at him? Where was her mettle?

  It’d migrated south, apparently. Because she was at once so contrite yet so hot for Keith. He was everything she usually avoided—too muscular, too bold, too confident, bordering on arrogant. Yet on Keith, it was a potent mix. A great mix.

  She broke eye contact and looked over his shoulder. “I’m sorry about my phone. I won’t miss another call. Want to fill me in on what happened?”

  Keith continued to stare at her. Obviously he’d expected more of a fight from her.

  But as she looked at the remaining crew, her thoughts honed in on the case. There had been a fire in the elementary school this morning. Thank God it was Saturday during summer break.

  “Let me talk you through what my fighters and I found when we got here. I was here while it was still smoking pretty bad, right after they put the flames out. It caused a lot of smoke, but fortunately the fire wasn’t an
issue.

  “It ended up being a very amateur fire, probably intentionally so, set in a metal wastepaper basket and placed atop a stone countertop in the art room. It was meant to burn out, but it was enough to set off the sprinklers and alarm.”

  “Art room? Near paints and other combustibles?”

  “Yeah, but like I said, they’d made sure it was going to burn out quickly. What I’d be more concerned about if I were working this from the police angle is how the hell they got into the building without an alarm going off.”

  “Show me where.”

  She followed Keith through the entrance doors, noting the digital keypad to the right of the entry. “Do all faculty need a key to enter?”

  “Yes, they all have to swipe their fob each morning, whether the janitor has unlocked the doors already or not. This being a Saturday, the doors were locked. Whoever broke in had to have a key fob.”

  “No signs of B and E? Broken windows, door frames?”

  Keith raised a brow at her. “I know what breaking and entering is, Abi.” He paused in front of what she saw were the cafeteria doors. “Are you okay, Abi? You really flew off the handle there.”

  “I’m fine. Let’s stick to the case right now, okay?”

  “Whatever you want.” He led her to the art room, where the SVPD forensic team still worked. Rio stood in the midst of it all, taking notes.

  “Hey, Rio.”

  “Abi! I just spoke to Kayla. She said you were on your way.”

  “I’m sorry I turned off my phone and missed your initial calls. Thanks for being persistent.” For not giving up on her.

  “It’s not a problem. This was still going to be here when you got done. Did you enjoy your class?”

  She felt Keith’s gaze on her.

  “Yes, it was a very welcoming group.”

  Rio shook his head. “I have no idea how Kayla wakes up for it on a Saturday. She has to get up so early for her flower orders in Baltimore during the week that you’d think she’d want to sleep in. She’s devoted to Charlotte’s class.”