Brave The Storm (Storm Warning Series Book 6)

by Geri Foster

  Unloading the groceries, she noticed Lonnie Bissett driving by in his old, beat up Honda. He didn’t bother to glance her way, but she wondered what he was doing in her neighborhood when he lived on the other side of town.

  Closing the garage door, she went inside and put the food away. After a few minutes, she called Griff and asked him to join her and her dad for dinner. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell her dad about their engagement just yet. There wasn’t a ring or anything and maybe it was too soon to announce it to the world given everything that was going on. On the other hand, maybe her dad could use the good news to give him something to be happy about.

  She was mulling it over as she made dinner, when a loud splash drew her attention outside. When she glanced out the kitchen window, she was horrified to see her neighbor’s dog in her pool, floundering and frantic. Dropping the potato peeler in her hand, she rushed out the back door. Without thinking, she jumped in the cold water and reached for the panicked dachshund, affectionately referred to as Mickey. Grabbing him, she swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out, both of them shaking.

  “What happened?”

  She looked up at the shout and saw Griff running toward her. “I don’t know. I was starting supper when I heard a splash and looked out and found Mickey thrashing in the pool.”

  Helping her from the ground, he put his arm around to usher her into the house. “Let’s get him home.”

  “His owners are still working. They don’t come home until after five.”

  Changing directions, he led her to her open back door. “Take him inside and at least dry him off then.” Rubbing her arm to warm her up, he asked, “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she assured him, knowing she must resemble a half-drowned cat.

  “Why did you leave the front door open?”

  She stopped dead and her heart began to race. “What? The door was closed and locked.”

  “When I drove up, I found it wide open so I came looking for you.”

  Concern etched his face as they went into the house. He checked every room before joining her in the bathroom, where she knelt on the floor with Mickey wrapped in a towel, trying to warm him up.

  Walking over, he stared down at her. “What happened here? How did that dog get over an eight-foot fence and into your pool?”

  “I don’t know. He can’t jump like that and there’s no place he can crawl under the fence either. I think someone threw him over and he was just lucky he landed in the pool.”

  “That’s pretty brutal. They could’ve easily killed that little dog.”

  “I know, and Mika would’ve been devastated. She loves Mickey.”

  “Did you see or hear anyone?”

  “No,” she said, trying to avoid Mickey’s licks. She paused as something odd occurred to her. “Lonnie Bissett drove by today, which is pretty strange since he doesn’t live in this area. My dad always said he was a good kid, but troubled.”

  “I’ve heard some things about Lonnie myself today and my own experiences with him haven’t been great. Holly Hayfield told me she thinks he killed her cat.”

  “Marybelle?” she looked up at him with surprise. “Why would she think that?”

  “He just gave her some trouble and she put two and two together. She doesn’t have any proof.”

  “Well,” she cuddled Mickey to her, “it is a weird coincidence that I saw him not too long before Mickey was thrown over, but that doesn’t mean anything.” Looking up at him, she asked, “Is everything okay with the house?”

  “Yeah. I didn’t notice anything. The door is new. Maybe it just blew open. I’ll have it checked out.”

  She nodded, biting her lip.

  “What’s that look?”

  “Well,” she put Mickey down and stood up, putting her hands on his chest. “After I left the station today, I felt like I was being followed. I know it sounds silly, but a whole afternoon of that, then this, it kind of spooked me out.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. “It’s okay now. We’re fine and Mickey is fine. I’ll have a talk with Lonnie tomorrow and see what he has to say.”

  She snuggled into him and held tight. “He’s no kid, you know. I mean, compared to my dad he is young, which is why he calls him ‘kid’ all the time, but he’s in his early thirties and has never had a real job.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who is willing to put in the hard work to get what he wants out of life.”

  After calling Mika to tell her about Mickey, she was finally able to put on some dry clothes and get warm. It wasn’t too long before Mickey was picked up and her dad showed up for dinner, right on time.

  After the meal, while she was serving dessert, Griff turned to her dad and asked, “Have you thought of a person who’d want to torch your house?”

  He shook his head. “No, and I’ve been racking my brain. I know Clint Butler isn’t too happy with me or David because he’s convinced we ruined his life. And Ross Kelley is making it no secret that he wishes he had your job. But other than them, no one.”

  “What about Lonnie Bissett?” she asked. “You’ve always said he had a way of getting into trouble. I’ve been noticing him hanging around more and more lately and he always looks like he’s up to something.”

  “He’s never done any real harm,” her dad said. “He’s just lost, that’s all.”

  “When do you think he might find himself?” Griff asked bluntly.

  Theo gazed at him, his eyes sharp. “What do you mean?”

  “He’s been hanging around long enough. He doesn’t belong at the station. We’re in a crisis situation and we don’t need a loner in the way, taking up the guys’ time and eating our grub. There’s no reason to have a thirty-year-old man who doesn’t contribute at the station and that’s the truth.”

  “He wants to be a fireman,” her dad defended.

  “Even if a miracle happened and he passed the exam, I wouldn’t hire him and he needs to understand that. It’s time to cut the strings, Theo. You’ve babied him long enough.”

  “I haven’t babied him. He’s a kid without a dad.”

  “He’s an adult who doesn’t want a responsible job so he can help out his mom by paying his own way.”

  Her dad remained quiet for a while then lowered his head and placed his napkin on the table. “I guess you’re right. He’d never make a good fireman. I just wanted to give him some guidance, but I don’t think that’s worked very well.”

  Griff glanced over at her then back to her dad. “I don’t either.”

  Chapter 22

  Griff’s phone rung and as he removed it from his pocket, he noticed Olivia’s dad appeared deep in thought. No doubt he’d awakened him to some of Lonnie’s shortcomings and he was re-evaluating the past few years.

  Putting the phone to his ear, he answered, “Hello.”

  “Lucas, here. You find out anything today?”

  Standing, he moved away so as not to be overheard. “Two names kept coming up— Butler and Lonnie Bissett.”

  “Huh, Lonnie. I didn’t consider him. He never seemed ambitious enough to commit that many fires.”

  “You think he’s too lazy?”

  “Yeah, in a way. The guy’s never accomplished anything.”

  “I know he wasn’t happy to see me.”

  “Well, he probably knows you’re not going to be as lenient as Theo. He treated him more like a son than a questionable character who liked to hang around the fire station.”

  “That’s the impression I got, too.”

  “What points you in Lonnie’s direction?”

  “I spoke to everyone and they all had minor problems with him. They also had bigger situations with Butler but, as much as I don’t like him and I’d like to be childish enough to kick his ass, I’m not convinced it was him.”

  “You sure about that?”

  Rubbing his hand over his face, he sighed. “Maybe not. I could be completely off
base.”

  “Well, I think tomorrow we need to call Butler and Lonnie in for a little talk.”

  “You get a warrant?”

  “We don’t need one just to ask a few questions. I can’t force them to come in, but they’re smart enough to know that refusing is highly suspicious.”

  “Okay, let me know what time.”

  “Griff, what makes you think Lonnie would torch Theo’s home? That part doesn’t make sense.”

  “I know. But I can’t ignore that he’s on everyone’s radar.” Looking over his shoulder at Theo, he confessed, “I think Theo is holding something back.”

  “You think he knows something that might give Lonnie away?”

  “I’m almost positive. I just have to get it out of him.”

  “Do it sooner rather than later.”

  They hung up and he moved to the living room, where Theo had moved to sit in the recliner. He had the news on and seemed to not want to be disturbed. That didn’t matter. Lives were at stake.

  He clicked off the television and stood facing Theo, looking at him intently. “You going to tell me or not?” he asked quietly, not unkindly. He understood this would be difficult. Lonnie was kind of like a son to Theo. He’d been looking out for him for a long time.

  “What’s going on?” Olivia asked, coming in from the kitchen.

  “You want to answer that, Theo?”

  Theo closed up tighter than a beggar’s purse. “I have nothing to say.”

  “You know this is going to get worse,” he said gravely. “You know it. It’s already been you. It was almost me. What if Olivia is next? What about David? He has a wife and child at home.”

  “Griff why are you badgering Dad?” Olivia asked worriedly, coming up to him.

  “Tell her,” he nodded at Theo.

  “I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Theo said stubbornly, though his voice was a little choked.

  “Yes, you do. And if you’d have come clean days ago, we might’ve had less damage done to the citizens of Rainwater’s property. To your own property.”

  “Griff stop talking to my dad like that,” Olivia demanded. “Dad tell him he’s wrong here. Tell him you don’t know anything.”

  “I...I.” Theo jumped out of the recliner and paced the room.

  “Dad?” Olivia asked, less sure now. Taking a step towards Theo, she looked back and forth between the two of them. “What’s going on here. Why are you and Griff arguing?” She turned to him. “What do you expect him to say?”

  “What he’s been wanting to say for a long time. It’s the reason you chose to retire now, isn’t it, Theo? Because you couldn’t fight it anymore.”

  “Stop it, Griff!” Olivia shouted. “You’re making it sound like my dad’s guilty of something.” She balled her fists. “He’s not.”

  “Theo, you want to continue this? Tomorrow Lucas and I will be questioning Butler and Lonnie. You know he can’t stand up under a tough interrogation. He’ll fold like a paper airplane.”

  Theo wrung his hands, his face contorted into a mask of misery. “I tried my best. I really did. And for so long I had it under control. Nothing happened. But when I gave up my position, he didn’t think he had to listen to me anymore.”

  “Lonnie is an arsonist, isn’t he?” he asked calmly, but sternly.

  “What?” Olivia shouted. “No, no. Dad wouldn’t let someone like that around the station.”

  “Yes, he would, because there he could keep an eye on him. Keep him under control.”

  Olivia grabbed her dad’s arm and begged him. “Please, Dad. Don’t let this be true. Don’t tell me that you’ve been protecting the man who ruined so many people’s homes and livelihoods. Who blew in my door. Who tried to kill Griff. Who tried to kill you!” She began to cry. “No, no I refuse to believe it.”

  Theo lifted his head and their gazes clashed. “I knew once he started, he wouldn’t be able to control himself. He won’t listen to me anymore and he’s refused to speak to me.” Theo’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ve been to his house three times. I told him to stay away from the fire station. He burned my house because I threatened to tell you, Griff. That was my warning. He said if I opened my mouth Olivia’s house is next. And he’d do it. You know he would. So I stayed quiet.”

  Nodding, he turned away and called David, Austin and Lucas on a conference call. “I think you need to get over here right away.”

  * * *

  Olivia felt like she’d been stabbed in the chest with a sharp knife. How could her dad be so careless, so protective of a man out to destroy his own family? He was trying to explain himself to her but she couldn’t hear it through the rushing in her ears. What was going to happen to them now?

  Overwhelmed, she dropped on the couch as limp as a rag doll. So much had happened tonight, she no longer felt like the same person. She’d been angry that Griff was badgering her dad, but he’d been right to do it. Lonnie told her dad he wouldn’t hurt her if he didn’t say anything, but hadn’t she felt like she was being watched all day? Her door had been blown open last night and, if Griff was right, had been broken into again today. Lonnie was a liar and he couldn’t be trusted. He was out to prove something and there was no stopping it.

  Boots entered her vision and she looked up as Griff knelt in front of her. “I’m sorry for this, sweetheart. I know it hurts. It hurts me and it’s going to hurt David too, but I have a town to protect at all costs.”

  “What will happen to him? To my dad?” she whispered. “He won’t go to jail, will he?”

  “That’s not in my hands. David might be more help there. The thing you need to realize is, your dad needs you now more than ever. I can’t really blame him for what he did. To prove someone is an arsonist is tough and for God only knows how long, he’s been able to control Lonnie. Perhaps he hoped he’d change. Maybe being around firemen did tamper down Lonnie’s temptation. I don’t know.”

  She flung her arms around him and cried on his shoulder while he held on to her with all his strength. She didn’t understand or really hear the words of endearment he spoke, just knowing he said them meant more to her than understanding them.

  Soon, Lucas came in the door, David and Austin right behind him. “What’s going on?” David asked. “Dad, why are you so upset?”

  “Wait,” Griff said to her, before kissing her forehead and releasing her. “Go over to my house. I’ll be there in a few minutes. You don’t need to hear this a second time.”

  Numb, she stood, walked over and hugged her dad. “I love you, no matter what.” Then she walked out the front door.

  Chapter 23

  “Well?” Lucas asked. “Why are we here?”

  Griff looked over at the man he’d admired and respected most of his life. “I think Theo has something to say.”

  “Dad?” David asked, his brow furrowed.

  Catching Austin’s eye, they shared a knowing look and backed away. He knew the less they said the better. He wanted Theo to feel free to say whatever needed to be said. Austin, ever perceptive, must’ve felt the same way.

  Having already confessed to him and Olivia, Theo started talking without hesitation. He knew David well enough to know he was a lot more shocked at what he was hearing than he was letting on. As for Lucas, he had to be struggling with the fact that there’d been an arsonist in his town for years that he knew nothing about. It had to hurt that a man he’d trusted betrayed the whole town by keeping that kind of information to himself.

  When Theo was finished, Lucas just nodded and said. “David, take your dad to your house tonight then join us at the station.”

  Troubled, David took Theo’s arm and let him lean on him, clearly exhausted from the stress. “Come on, Dad, let’s get you some rest. Amelia was getting ready to make her and Leah some hot chocolate. You love that stuff.”

  Theo went willingly, leaving the rest of them standing in the middle of Olivia’s living room.

  “What do you think?” Austin asked Lucas. “We
go after Bissett?”

  “Yes, and we do it tonight. For all we know, he could be setting a fire right now.”

  Lucas looked at him. “Theo just confessed to you? No questions, no denials?”

  “When I got off the phone with you, I noticed the difference in Theo’s face when I mentioned Lonnie. He grew white as snow. I went with my gut and pushed him on it. Since getting here and these fires starting, something always felt like it was missing. I suspected Theo was the only man who could answer that question but when he continued to tell me he was just as lost as the rest of us I started to think he knew more than he was willing to say.”

  “How did you figure that?” Austin asked.

  “I’m brand new to the job. I have a lot to learn. Most chiefs hang around giving advice, helping sort out the facts, pushing the Fire Marshall. Theo didn’t do that. Often, he didn’t even show up at a fire. That’s unusual behavior for a man who’s been around heat most of his life. I know I wouldn’t have stayed away.”

  “Good observation, Griff. I knew we hired the right man,” Lucas said. “Now we just have to find Lonnie Bissett and put his ass in jail. Then the courts can figure it out. Let’s go to the station and wait for David, then we’ll hit Bissett’s house first. If he’s not there, we start combing the town. I’ll call in the deputies.”

  “I’m going to run over and check on Olivia. She took this pretty hard. After all, Lonnie went after a lot of us and still her dad said nothing.”

  “Okay, we’ll meet you outside.”

  He went to his house and found Olivia sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of hot coffee.

  “You know that’ll keep you awake tonight,” he teased softly.

  “I don’t think I’ll be getting much sleep, do you?”

  He smiled sadly then said, “I’m going with the guys to arrest Lonnie Bissett. Hopefully we won’t be long.”