Blazing Summer (Darling Investigations Book 2)

by Denise Grover Swank

  Tears stung my eyes. “I feel the same way.” I tugged his mouth to mine, and he spread my legs apart, pressing his body into mine. His hands tangled in my hair as his lips became more demanding.

  I heard his phone ringing, and at first I thought he was going to ignore it, but he pulled away with a groan of frustration and glanced at his screen. His face went blank, and he answered in a somber tone. “Montgomery.”

  He was silent for more than half a minute, his face giving nothing away, which was my clue that this was serious and probably not news I wanted to hear.

  “I’ll meet you there,” he said, then hung up, lifting his gaze to mine.

  My stomach churned, and I felt nauseated. This was about Dixie. I knew it in my gut. “What happened?”

  “Deputy Dixon found Dixie.”

  Relief washed through me, but then I realized that Luke wasn’t nearly as relieved as he should have been.

  Horror washed through me, and I felt faint. “She’s dead.”

  “What? No!” He shook his head and grabbed my upper arms. “Oh, God, Summer. No. I’m sorry.”

  “Then why do you look so upset?”

  “He found her in her car in a picnic area.”

  “What? She didn’t have her car with her today. And what do you mean found her?”

  “It was definitely her car, but she was totally out of it. There’s more.”

  I forced myself to settle down and concentrate. “Okay . . .”

  “They found a needle and syringe on the passenger seat. And he found a handgun, an empty gasoline container, and a lighter in the trunk.”

  Dixie had been set up. Again.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  I shook my head. “No. She didn’t do it.”

  “I know she didn’t do it. We’ll find out what happened and clear her of it, but they took her to Sweet Briar Hospital, so we’ve got to get over there.”

  “Teddy.”

  “I’ll go in and tell him, and I’ll tell Bill too. You just wait here and ride with me to the hospital.”

  It would be so easy to let Luke handle it all, but I couldn’t be that woman. I needed to take care of my own shit. “I’ll tell Teddy. You tell Bill. But I’ll ride to the hospital with you.”

  Uncertainty wavered in his eyes, but he said, “Okay.”

  He grabbed my waist and slid me off the seat, then wrapped his arms around my back and pulled me close. “I’m here for you, Summer, no matter what you need, okay? Don’t shut me out.”

  “Thanks.”

  He released me, and we headed for the front of the bar. I opened the door to go inside, but Teddy was on his way out with a wild look in his eyes. “Summer. They found Dixie.”

  “Luke just got a call. I was on my way in to tell you.”

  “We need to go to Sweet Briar Hospital.”

  Teddy looked so upset, I couldn’t possibly let him go alone. I glanced back at Luke.

  Luke gave me a reassuring nod. “Go with Teddy. I’ll meet you there.”

  Teddy was holding his keys, so I took them from him and grabbed his hand, linking our fingers. “What else did you hear?”

  “Everything.” He sounded devastated.

  I should have gathered that by his reaction.

  “She didn’t do it, Summer. She would never kill April Jean, let alone shoot herself up with heroin.”

  “I know that. You don’t have to convince me of anything.”

  “But the sheriff’s department is fallin’ for it hook, line and sinker.”

  Luke was telling my crew about Dixie while Teddy got into the passenger door of his truck. I climbed up into the driver’s side, and Luke glanced over at me, mouthing It’s gonna be okay.

  I bit my bottom lip and nodded. I sure hoped he was right.

  I backed out of the parking space, then turned onto the highway. “The sheriff’s department may have bought it, but we know it’s not true. We’ll prove she didn’t do it. Now focus. What did Garrett tell you?”

  “Uh . . .” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “The last fire was completely different from the ones at April Jean’s and Bruce’s.”

  “How so?”

  “April Jean’s and Bruce’s fires had one point of ignition, while the fire at the thrift store looked like it had been doused with gasoline.”

  “Like the fire that killed your parents.”

  “Yeah.”

  “But Troy’s dead,” I said. “And we know Dixie didn’t do it, so obviously someone was trying to mimic the barn fire.”

  “It could be anyone,” Teddy said in frustration. “Everyone knows the barn was doused with gasoline.”

  “Did he say anything else?”

  “That it looks like the arsonist today was trying to mimic the previous fires but didn’t know anything about them.”

  “So we’re lookin’ at two different arsonists,” I said. I turned and cast him a glance. “Which means there goes our theory that the murderer tried to kill April Jean by burnin’ up her trailer.”

  Teddy groaned in frustration. “We’re no closer than we were before.”

  “I know it feels like it, Teddy, but we’re gettin’ there, bit by bit.”

  He reached over and captured my hand in his. “I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here, Summer.”

  “Good thing you don’t have to find out. I’m not goin’ anywhere anytime soon.”

  We were silent for a minute before Teddy said, “I take it you and Luke kissed and made up.”

  I wasn’t going to admit that it was true in a literal sense. “He admitted that he screwed up.”

  “Well, that’s something, I guess.”

  I shrugged. “We can’t help who we love.”

  “Do you love him, Summy?”

  I realized what I’d just said. “Honestly? I don’t know. I know I’m still hung up on him. We agreed we’re gonna give this a real try . . . no runnin’ when things get hard. So I guess we’ll see.”

  He was silent for a moment. “He still loves you. He always has, but you’re right. You’re different people now. Just know it might end badly.”

  “I know.” I couldn’t see us ending things and staying on good terms.

  “But if it does,” he said, “ask yourself if you’re gonna run away and leave me and Dixie behind. Because it’s going to be awkward as hell with the two of you in the same town.”

  I hoped it never came to that.

  I pulled into the hospital parking lot, and Teddy was out of the truck before I was finished parking. I chased after him, coming to a full stop in the ER waiting room. Two deputies had blocked Teddy’s admittance through the door to the back.

  “Is she under arrest?” Teddy demanded.

  “No, but—”

  “But nothin’,” Teddy said. “She’s my sister, and I want to see her.”

  “Sorry, Teddy,” one of the deputies said in a sympathetic tone. “We have orders to keep you and your cousin out.”

  “You can’t keep me out,” Luke said from behind me.

  The deputies straightened as Luke walked across the room. “Chief Montgomery,” they said in unison.

  Luke stopped next to Teddy. “Where’s Deputy Dixon?”

  “He had to step out for a bit.”

  “Then get out of the way, Keith. I’m goin’ back to see one of my citizens.”

  “We’re not supposed to let anyone back, Chief.”

  “This is my damned town,” Luke said, his voice calm but direct. “And I’m goin’ back there.”

  The deputy scowled, but he stepped to the side. Luke pushed the door open, then glanced back at my cousin. “Teddy, my department’s short an officer since Sterling’s on leave. Mind fillin’ in for a day or two?”

  Teddy perked up when he realized what Luke was up to. “Not a problem.”

  “Deputies,” Luke said, “I’m going to need Special Officer Baumgartner to accompany me to the back.”

  “That’s bullshit, and you know it,” the other deputy s
aid.

  Luke moved closer and looked him in the eye. “In case y’all have forgotten, we are in Sweet Briar, and Dixie Baumgartner was found within city limits. I’m the damn chief of police in this town, so I’ll go back and see the suspect if I damn well please, and I’ll bring my staff with me.”

  “But, Chief . . .”

  Luke ignored him, pushing the door open wider. “Teddy, let’s go.” Just when I was starting to think I’d have to stay behind, Luke shifted his gaze to me. “Summer, as special consultant, you need to come back too.”

  The deputy started to protest, but Luke silenced him with a dark look. I followed them back and down the hall. Luke studied the doors and opened the one at the end of the short hall, holding it open for me and Teddy to enter first.

  Dixie was on a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown, and one wrist was handcuffed to the metal rail. She looked terrified.

  “Dixie,” Teddy said, rushing to her side.

  I hung back against the wall at the foot of her bed. She looked so tiny and helpless, and I was overwhelmed by the thought that getting her out of this rested on my shoulders.

  She scanned the room. “What happened?”

  “They found you in your car,” Luke said, moving to the end of her bed. “Dixie, you overdosed.”

  Her eyes flew wide, and she shook her head vigorously. “No. I didn’t take anything.” She looked up at Teddy and started to cry. “I didn’t do it, Teddy. I swear.”

  He ran a hand over the top of her head. “It’s okay, Dix.”

  “But I didn’t do it!”

  “Dixie,” Luke said, his voice gentle, “what’s the last thing you remember before you woke up?”

  She started crying. “I don’t know.”

  “I need you to think about it, okay?” he asked, continuing to be sweet with her as he moved to the other side of her bed. “You were heading to Connor’s office and never made it. Do you remember what happened next?” He pulled a chair up to her bed and sat down, then leaned closer.

  “I was walking toward his office, and I heard someone call my name as I was crossing Willow Street. I walked toward the voice, and then . . . nothing.” Her gaze found mine. “What happened after that?”

  “Male voice or female?”

  “Male.”

  “Dixie,” Luke said, “do you remember seeing anyone as you headed toward the voice?”

  She shook her head.

  “Do you remember anyone hitting you over the head or covering your face?”

  “No. Last I remember, I was walkin’ past the dumpster.”

  “Until you woke up in your car hours later?” Luke asked.

  “Yeah. Deputy Dixon was there shakin’ me and yellin’ at me.”

  “Did he ask you questions?”

  “I think so, but I was so tired, I kept fallin’ asleep.” Her gaze landed on me. “What happened, Summer?”

  “You’ve been missin’ for hours. We’ve been lookin’ for you.”

  “I don’t understand what happened . . .”

  Luke stood and moved closer to me. “I’m gonna go talk to the medical staff and let you two have a moment alone with her.”

  He headed out the door, and I followed him into the hall. Grabbing his arm, I whispered, “Why is she wearing handcuffs?”

  He looked guarded. “They think she’s a flight risk.”

  “They said she hasn’t been arrested yet.”

  “But she’s in custody,” he said with a frown. “I suspect they’re waiting for toxicology results to arrest her for drug possession and possibly driving under the influence. They’ll want to keep her locked up until they can build the murder and arson case.” He shook his head. “But it’s already pretty damning. They’re tryin’ to make sure the charges stick.”

  My head swam. “She’s not comin’ home, is she?”

  He paused, then said, “No, Summer. She’s not. Not yet.”

  Part of me wanted to cry and admit defeat, but the rest of me was good and riled up. I was going to save my cousin and take down whatever no-good bastard had done this to her.

  Luke tilted my head back and gave me a gentle kiss, then looked into my eyes. “We’ll do whatever we need to do to get her out of this. Now go back inside and reassure her while I find a nurse and figure out what happened. Dixie needs you and Teddy right now.”

  I nodded and started to go back in, but Luke grabbed my arm.

  Anger filled his eyes. “Summer, someone set her up, and we’re gonna figure out who. But we both know that you can do things I can’t.” He paused and dropped his hand. “We need to keep workin’ this separately, and you need to use every trick at your disposal to clear her name because I think you’re the one who’s gonna crack this.” Then he turned around and walked down the hall.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  By the time I’d gone back inside, Teddy had broken the news about April Jean and the fire. Part of me was upset with him. Dixie looked too fragile to handle the news, but she needed to know the truth, and better to hear it from her brother than Deputy Butthead.

  Her gaze landed on me, her eyes wild with fear.

  I rushed to the other side of the bed. “I’m gonna get you out of this, Dix. I swear it.”

  She nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “I need you to be straight with me, okay? I need you to tell me more about what happened at Trent’s party.”

  Her eyes shuttered.

  “Don’t you dare shut down on me.”

  She jolted at my harsh tone.

  I continued, even though I could tell Teddy thought I was pushing too hard. “I talked to Trent tonight. I know you know the truth about Troy setting the barn fire.”

  Her eyes flew wide with surprise.

  “What can I say?” I said flippantly. “We had a really great chat, but I need you to fill in some of the blank spaces. When did he tell you about Troy?”

  She was quiet for a few seconds, and at first I didn’t think she was going to answer. “Before everyone showed up at the party. We were in the kitchen.”

  “How did you take it?”

  Anger flashed in her eyes. “How do you think I took it? I told him I was gonna tell Luke and that he was an accessory to murder and who knew what else, but he begged me to stay quiet. He offered me money to keep it to myself.” She shook her head in disgust. “But first he asked me to run off with him, can you believe it? He let the whole world think I killed Momma, Daddy, and Pawpaw—even though he knew I was innocent—and then he had the nerve to expect I’d run off into the sunset with him.” Her face fell. “Besides, I knew he didn’t mean it. I think he thought that’s what I wanted, and suggestin’ it would keep me quiet.”

  “Why didn’t you call me to come get you?” Teddy asked. “Why in God’s name did you stay?”

  “Because I was still upset over dinner. And people had already started arriving for the party. In fact, April Jean was standing at the back door after I told Trent what he could do with his offer to run off together.”

  “Wait,” I said. “Do you think April Jean heard Trent’s admission about his brother?”

  Confusion washed over her face. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  I sat down on the chair Luke had used and grabbed her hand, careful not to disturb her IVs. “Think, Dixie. Did she say anything to make you think she did? I know you two got into that argument. Maybe she let something slip then?”

  She thought it over for a moment before shaking her head. “I don’t think so. Although I heard her say my name when she was talkin’ to Rick Springfield in the house.”

  My eyes flew wide. “What? When was that?”

  “When I went in to use the bathroom.”

  “Did you set your Coke down when you went to the bathroom?”

  She hesitated. “Yeah . . .” Her body stiffened. “April Jean and Rick saw me put it down. They stopped their conversation to wait for me to walk down the hall.”

  My gaze lifted to Teddy. “We have to find Rick S
pringfield.”

  He gave me a sharp nod.

  “You think the two of them drugged me?” Dixie asked.

  “Rick was seen at the house while you were in the bathroom. He left the party at around that time, but when Gabby left with Mark, she thought she saw Rick in the house.”

  “What if Rick took her?” I asked Teddy.

  “And then what?” He turned to Dixie. “Did he and April Jean look angry with one another? Were they arguin’?”

  “No, they looked like they were cookin’ up a plan.”

  “I think Rick took her,” I said, getting excited. “His cousin recognized her when we did that shoot at Rick’s house, and he looked nervous. I think he saw her with Rick.”

  “Only no one seems to know this mysterious cousin,” Teddy said. “Where do we find him?”

  “Why don’t we ask Rick?”

  Fresh tears filled Dixie’s eyes. “Thank you for believin’ me.”

  I gasped. “Why wouldn’t I believe you?”

  “Because everyone else is so eager to believe I did it. And it looks pretty bad.”

  The door opened, and Deputy Dixon said, “You have no idea how bad this looks.” He stopped at the corner of the bed. “You two need to leave. Now.”

  Fear filled Dixie’s eyes.

  Teddy grabbed her hand. “It’s gonna be okay, Dix.”

  The deputy stood at the end of her bed. “Dixie Baumgartner, you’re under arrest for possession of a controlled substance.”

  Teddy jumped to his feet. “You can’t arrest her for OD’ing. What about the Good Samaritan law?”

  “That only applies if the suspect calls 911 seeking medical attention. Your sister did not. I found her unconscious behind the wheel of her car. Not only that,” Deputy Dixon said, sounding a little too smug for my liking, “we found a stash of heroin in the glove box.”

  “It was planted,” Teddy said, puffing out his chest.

  “Face it,” Deputy Dixon said. “Your sister has always been a user. All your parading around at the sheriff’s department couldn’t save her sorry ass.”