Bad Boy's Touch (Firemen in Love Book 3)

by Starling,Amy

  “So some dude's running around lighting random places on fire?” Charlie's eyes widened. “Wonder if it's the same guy. They never caught him, did they?”

  “No, never did.”

  “The places aren't exactly random,” I added. “They're related because the victims are all criminals in some way. The arsonist leaves a taunting note after each one, telling us where he'll be going next. Well, except for the most recent hit at the Ventura estate.”

  “Ventura,” Charlie repeated. “Name sounds so familiar.”

  “He killed five women in Florida, bribed his way out of jail, then set up a drug empire here in Kingston.”

  Jenna nodded. “Come to think of it, all the fires so far seem to be at places related to drugs. Meth in particular.”

  “Except for the strip club.”

  Brett cringed. “Actually, you'd be surprised. Ain't uncommon for illicit substances to trade hands there. Not that I have any personal experience with it, mind.”

  “And then there's me,” Charlie said. “You can't prove that's why the arsonist attacked us, but what are the odds?”

  The fire at our house happened almost two decades ago. Between then and now, nothing. If it was actually the same arsonist, what was his game? Why burn one house, only to pick it back up again all those years later?

  It couldn't be the same person. Probably a coincidence. Right?

  “The cop who framed you,” Brett said as he stacked the leftover chili in the fridge. “What was his name?”

  “I never found out. None of the inmates knew a thing about him, and once he bagged me, he was gone shortly after. I only ever heard the guards call him 'gringo.'”

  “What about the boy who...” I couldn't bring myself to say it. “Know anything about him?”

  “His name was Steven Nobono; apparently he'd been adopted from Africa as a child. He was a senior, on the football and swim teams. Nothing much more than that.”

  I dropped the bottle I was holding. It clattered to the tiled floor, brown, pungent liquid quickly blanketing the tiles. My heart pounded.

  No, this can't be. It's ridiculous. No way.

  Everyone gaped at me. Brett reached for my hand.

  “What's the matter, Maddie? Is something wrong?”

  I swallowed hard. I didn't want to believe it, but suddenly it all made sense.

  “Steven Nobono,” I told everyone, “was Harvey's son.”

  Chapter 19 - Madison

  Harvey kept a picture of Steven on his desk. The boy had died many years ago, as he told anyone who asked, from some foreign disease when he went to visit his homeland.

  But if what Charlie said was true, Harvey had been lying all this time. It was a drug overdose that had taken his life.

  Why hide it? And more importantly, did that mean Harvey was the one who burned down our house?

  The idea was too crazy – and too horrible – to ponder. Still, I had learned to trust nobody, not even those who I considered my closest friends.

  It was time to put my detective skills to use.

  When I got to work on Monday, there was a news crew there. They were interviewing Victor about his recent successes as police chief.

  “This is the biggest case we've solved all year,” he bragged to the reporter. “I am deeply sorry for the material and personal losses caused by the culprit, but at least the city can rest easy knowing a dangerous menace is off the streets.”

  Ugh. What I wouldn't give to see him humiliated on public TV for once. Maybe one day that time would come. For now, though, all that mattered was getting to the truth of what happened that day eighteen years ago.

  Harvey was sitting in his new office; he'd been promoted to detective in recognition for his “hard work” on the arson case. I knocked on the door and waited for him to ask me in.

  He smiled when he saw it was me. “Good to see you, Madison. I have to thank you for your help at the Ventura estate. Without you, I fear we never would have found Freddy's disgusting drug operation – or gotten that blasted arsonist off the street.”

  I crossed my arms and glared. He didn't seem bothered even a little.

  “How can you honestly live with yourself, putting an innocent guy behind bars? I hope you realize that when this thing goes to trial, he'll easily be proven not guilty.”

  “Oh, I'm not too sure about that. A squad searched James' house and found plenty of very incriminating evidence,” he said. “On his computer, they discovered plans for making incendiary devices, fuses, internet searches for flammable materials, the works.”

  How could he lie so badly with such a straight face? Whatever; time to up the ante.

  “Melody, his secret girlfriend, plans to testify on his behalf,” I informed him. “By the way, I think it's funny that Freddy's house was the one purposely burned down – especially when he's on Victor's payroll.”

  Harvey's face paled. “What do you mean?”

  “You weren't aware? Freddy pays Victor a large sum every month to ensure his operation can continue. He's being blackmailed, see. If he refuses to pay up, you can imagine what happens.” I shrugged. “You did tell me that story about him with the prostitute, remember? It's certainly something he would do.”

  He stared at the papers on his desk. “I... I wasn't aware of that. It's horrible.”

  Yeah, I bet. Because if Victor and his bullshit got uncovered, Harvey would fall eventually, too.

  “Melody has proof of all this, given that she was Freddy's girl and very close to him. Thankfully, her testimony will have Victor locked away and this city won't suffer from his corruption ever again.”

  Harvey was sweating bullets. Wouldn't be long now before his whole scam unraveled. Now if only I had some way to prove he was behind the fires. I just knew he had something to do with it.

  That photo of Steven was still displayed on his desk. There was another one, this featuring father, son, and a woman who I assumed to be his adopted mother. I gestured to the pictures.

  “You don't talk about your family much, Harvey.”

  “That's because they're gone,” he said blankly. “The squad is my family now.”

  “So Steven caught some illness, right? What was it exactly, if you don't mind my asking? My sister is traveling to Africa this summer, and I just want to warn her to stay safe.”

  Harvey seemed to crumple in his chair. I hated dredging up memories of his son, but what other choice did I have?

  Just had to remember to stay strong, to be brave, like Brett reminded me over and over. If not for his pep talk, I wouldn't have had the guts to make it through this.

  “It was, um, Ebola,” he muttered. “Horrible disease. There was an outbreak; he went back to his home country to visit family and contracted it then.”

  “What about your wife? You two adopted, right?”

  He nodded. “She couldn't have kids of her own, so she was ecstatic when we brought Steven home. Shortly after he died, she was killed in a car accident.”

  “I'm sorry to hear that,” I said, and meant it. Still, I couldn't let my emotions get the best of me. Harvey was a bastard who truly didn't deserve any sympathy.

  “Um, anyway, it was nice of you to drop in. I have to get back to filing these reports, however,” he said. “Oh, and Madison? Don't you worry about James. I know he seems innocent to you, but he's not.”

  “I guess we'll find out the truth in court.”

  I hadn't learned anything new, but Harvey's nervousness gave him away. He was up to no good, but what exactly?

  On the way out, I passed by Victor's office. The news team had gone; he was on the phone now.

  “The safe simply has to be there. His brother verified its existence and backed it up with a polygraph test. I don't care if you've combed the scene for days. Send another unit out there and have them pick apart the remains until it's found.”

  What was it he wanted from the safe so badly – the money, or evidence connecting him to Freddy?

  I was beginning to doubt
that book would be enough. Victor could easily explain his way out of it before a jury. Without Freddy there to testify against him, he might get himself out of this yet.

  Or maybe Melody's word would do it, if I'd convinced her to take the stand.

  I slipped away from the noisy offices and dialed Brett as I headed to the archives. It was an old, dusty room tucked in the basement where hardly anybody ever visited.

  “Maddie,” he said, exhaling deeply. “I've been thinking, and I'm worried about you.”

  “If you're just trying to get back in my good graces after what you've done...”

  “No, it's not that. Victor and Harvey are dangerous people. The moment they catch on with what you're doing, Lord knows how they'll react? Jenna, your brother, and I just want you to stay safe.”

  I hadn't spoken to Brett since last night, after I'd learned he nearly killed two innocent people in his vigilante rage.

  He said he would never hurt me, but how did I know that? How could I be sure that he wouldn't lose control, that his animalistic side didn't come out and bite me next?

  “I'll be safe,” I told him as I fumbled for the light cord and pulled. “If you're not interested in supporting me, then I have to go.”

  “Now, wait a minute. I want this culprit stopped as much as you. Have you got any leads?”

  “Talked to Harvey. He assured me his son died from Ebola. I didn't mention the overdose. Going to check the archives of police reports now; the truth has to be in there somewhere.”

  “Good plan.”

  Brett chatted with Charlie as I searched the computer files. There was a lot of noise, people talking.

  “Where are you guys?”

  “I took Charlie to the store to get him some new clothes. He's a skinny guy so mine didn't fit him.”

  “Thanks.” My anger softened a little. “That was nice of you.”

  “He's your brother. Of course I'd look out for him.”

  Maybe he was just trying to impress me. Maybe it worked. Kind of.

  “Okay, let's see what we have. Searching obituaries for Steven's name... Here it is.”

  I fully expected to see drug overdose given as cause of death. Instead, it read “Died of complications resulting from the Ebola virus.”

  “No,” I muttered. “But that can't be. Charlie said it was the drugs.”

  Charlie howled for Brett to give him the phone. He did so, and started shouting before I could get one word in.

  “That's impossible,” he snapped. “It was the meth. I remember he wasn't at school one day, and there was a news story about how he'd passed away but the cause hadn't been determined yet.”

  “But how do you know?”

  “He died the night I sold him the drugs,” he said flatly. “I was terrified they'd figure it out and link that back to me. I was kinda seeing this chick who worked at the hospital, and –”

  “What? I don't remember that.”

  “Nobody in the family paid much attention to me, remember?” He chuckled bitterly. “Anyway, I sort of bribed the girl to dig up his autopsy report. She confirmed it; the drugs had done him in. That's when I panicked. Knew it would only be a matter of time before the cops came for me.”

  “So then what's this nonsense about Ebola?” Brett wondered in the background. “Someone is trying to cover up the true cause of death.”

  And it was obviously Harvey. He was a cop, so of course he had access to the police reports. But how in the world did he change this one?

  Then again, with Victor planting false evidence, I guess nothing shocked me much anymore.

  Footsteps and voices approached. I rushed to shut down the computer and hid myself in the shadows.

  “So what have you dragged me down here for? Better be worth my time. Don't make regret giving you that promotion.”

  It was Victor and Harvey! If they came downstairs, I'd be spotted and cornered.

  “Gotta go,” I whispered, hanging up before Charlie could say goodbye.

  “It's Madison,” Harvey said quietly. “I think she's onto us. She just came to my office asking weird questions.”

  Victor scoffed. “That's typical of her. She always has been a nosy brat.”

  I didn't consider myself a violent girl, but it was easy to imagine punching his face in then.

  “I'm serious, damn it! She was talking to Freddy's girlfriend, Melody. Says she's willing to testify to your involvement with Ventura.”

  “Let her try. Do you think I made it this far in life by letting little girls walk all over me? What could she possibly prove?”

  “But if she does, we're both –”

  Victor slammed his fist into the wall. “Now you listen to me, officer. There is no need for you to be concerned, is that clear? I want you to forget that conversation with Madison ever happened. I will take care of everything. I always do.”

  “Yes, sir,” Harvey muttered.

  “I've never let you down, have I?”

  “No.”

  “You and I, we've been partners for years. You want to continue that partnership, I suggest you play by my rules. I have no place here for a rogue cop who thinks he knows what's best.”

  So not only were they both corrupt as could be, they were working together, too! How the hell was I supposed to take them down?

  Maybe I should give up. Just... Be happy that I got my brother back. Fix things up between him, me, and Jenna.

  And I could start a new life with Brett. He wasn't safe, but maybe I needed more than some boring, normal guy who always played by the rules.

  That's what I thought Victor was, and look what happened with him.

  “Just keep your mouth shut and carry on like normal. If you do anything to jeopardize my position, well... You've got a few skeletons in your closet I'm sure the media would love to hear about.”

  “Shut up,” Harvey hissed. “How dare you bring that up. Don't you know the nineteenth is the day I lost... him?”

  “Truly sorry for your loss. Get back to work and pretend none of this ever happened.”

  There were footsteps while the two of them headed away. When I was sure they'd gone, I sprinted out of my hiding place and back upstairs.

  There was a conspiracy going on here, shady dealings bigger than I ever imagined. I was just a lone cop. What hope did I have of stopping them, even with Brett's help?

  I got out of there and sped to the mall to meet up with him and Charlie. When I arrived, they were eating lunch at the food court.

  “Damn, have I missed burgers and fries,” Charlie mumbled, stuffing it all into his face at once. He had a large red ketchup stain smeared across his threadbare t-shirt.

  Brett sat across from him looking terribly amused. When he saw me, he seemed to light up with happiness.

  Did I really mean something to him? Knowing the kind of guy he was made that hard to believe.

  Yet his smile warmed me inside more than anyone else's had before.

  “I was real worried when you hung up on us,” he scolded me. “Yeah, I know you can handle yourself – around normal criminals. These punks you're working for are a whole 'nother level.”

  “As if I haven't figured that out yet.” I pointed to Charlie. “You bought him lunch, too?”

  “Was I supposed to let him starve?”

  I took his hand under the table, affection welling in my chest. He'd only known my brother for less than a day, and already he was treating him like family.

  “I'll pay you back.”

  “No, you won't. My treat.” His answer wasn't going to be changed. “You find anything out?”

  “Just that Victor and Harvey are in on this together. I get the feeling it's an uneasy alliance, though. Victor threatened him, said he'd reveal his 'secrets' if Harvey did anything he didn't approve of.”

  “Sounds like he has the guy on a leash, doing his dirty work maybe,” said Charlie. “But what's Harvey getting out of it, and why lie about his son?”

  A television on the wall displayed t
he news. Of course, they were talking about Victor.

  “And tonight, the city of Kingston will honor police chief Patterson with a dinner party,” said the woman. “Over the course of Patterson's career, he's reduced crime in the city by unprecedented levels. Agents of the FBI will be attending to discuss a possible partnership with the department...”

  Brett grunted. “It's sickening. Too bad we can't get those FBI people's attention. They'd arrest his ass on the spot.”

  I wasn't sure who was bigger trouble: him or Harvey.

  “Before they arrest anyone,” Charlie added, “I want my chance with Harvey.”

  “Your chance?”

  “Revenge. For burning our house to the ground.”

  “You don't know that was him,” I protested. “It's crazy.”

  A picture of Harvey showed on the TV next.

  “This officer arrested James Ventura, the alleged arsonist who's been terrorizing our town.”

  Charlie's soda slipped from his hand. He got up from the table, a furious look on his face.

  “That's him,” he spat. “He's the one who put me in prison.”

  I gazed at Charlie's reddened face. His hands had become fists, and I half expected him to launch over the table and punch a hole through the screen.

  “Are you sure? I mean, what would he be doing in Mexico?”

  “It's him. I'd never forget that face.” He cringed and looked away. “Who knows what he was doing there? I doubt it was a coincidence. No, I think he tracked me down. He found I'd survived the fire and wanted to finish the job. Instead of trying to kill me this time, he figured he'd ruin me with life in prison.”

  Could Harvey truly be filled with such hate? I thought back over the years I'd known him. From the day I got hired on, he'd taken fast to me. We became good buddies; he was like a father figure, in a way.

  All that time, I never saw any anger from him – not to me, at least. He did get antsy when cases involving drugs popped up. Took a strange kind of satisfaction from throwing dealers in the back of his cruiser.

  “I want him dead,” Charlie muttered.

  “Don't say things like that!”

  “Why not? After all this bastard has done, you want to let him go? The legal system won't punish him. He's too protected with Victor's help. They can't touch him.”