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“Are you okay?” he asked with a slight frown.
She bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. Okay? That was not how she would describe anything related to her life right now. Definitely Not Okay.
“I don’t mean to intrude, Mallory, but you seem uneasy or upset, like something’s bothering you. Need to talk?”
She felt a part of her softening. Why shouldn’t she trust him? And yet...best to play it safe until she knew she could trust him. She sighed. “Well, witnessing your parents’ home...about to go up in flames...that’s a bit disturbing, don’t you think?” She frowned then glanced away to avoid his eyes.
“Sure. It’s understandable that you’d be upset over the fire.”
“Plus I’m a little sleep deprived.” She leaned back, wondering how much longer she could hold it together. His expression was so genuine...so sympathetic...it made her feel as if she was about to crack.
“I’m sure it’s been a rough night for you.”
“Try a rough couple days.” She spoke sharply, then instantly regretted it. Besides not wanting to divulge too much, it wasn’t as though it was his fault that her life was a train wreck.
His brows arched, and she could see the wheels turning in his head, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
“Sorry,” she said quickly. “It’s just that I’ve been, well, going through some stuff. Hard stuff. I came here to be with my parents—but I totally forgot they were going to be gone.”
“Yeah, your dad’s family reunion in Iowa,” he said casually. “He told me about it just last week. He was really looking forward to the trip. Did you know that he hasn’t seen all his siblings, all together in one place, for more than thirty years?”
Of course, this was upsetting to hear. For a couple of reasons. First of all, if she told her parents about everything—as she wanted to do—it would ruin their vacation. How selfish was that? But the other reason she felt bad was hearing how Dad had shared personal family information with Logan—instead of her. But maybe she’d been too busy. Too caught up in her own life. Too selfish.
“No, I didn’t actually know that,” she confessed. “But I do know that Dad has three brothers and two sisters. They live all over the country. I’ve met some of them, but I don’t really know them very well. Not by more than just name.” She studied Logan carefully. What sort of man was this? That her dad confided in him? Maybe she was mistaken not to trust him more.
“Can you imagine how it would feel not to see a sibling for that long—thirty years? I know I’d miss Selma a lot.”
She sadly shook her head. “Truth is, I was just missing my own baby brother, but at least I got to see him last Christmas.”
“How’s Austin doing? I know he’s still in the navy, over in the Persian Gulf the last I recall.”
“That sounds about right.” She stifled a yawn then regretted it. It wasn’t that she was bored...just extremely tired.
He stood up straight. “Well, I can assure you that the fire is completely under control, Mallory. If you need to catch some winks, there’s nothing to worry about now. You’re safe.”
She frowned toward the west where the sky was starting to glow like burnished gold. Nothing to worry about? She was safe? Really?
“I would like to ask you some questions about the fire,” he continued in an authoritative tone. “Just to fill out my report. If you’re too tired now, I can come by later. That is, if you’re sticking around awhile.” He looked slightly puzzled. “I mean, with your parents gone on vacation and all. You plan to stay here, anyway? By yourself?”
Before she could answer, she heard her phone buzzing inside the pocket of her linen jacket. Afraid it might be one of those nosy detectives again, demanding she return to the city, or maybe they wanted to lock her up...she wasn’t sure she wanted to answer it in front of him. Just the same, she reluctantly slipped it out to peek. But seeing it was a text message from “unknown” made her curious. The last text she’d gotten from “unknown” had contained a veiled threat. And, although the police had not taken it seriously, she had.
“Excuse me a minute,” she told Logan as she quickly read the words—shuddering at the meaning. This was no veiled threat. This was for real. With trembling knees, she sank back down into the wicker chair. As horrible as these words were, she read them again, letting the meaning sink into her.
You got lucky again. Ever see a burned corpse? Not pretty.
Someone definitely wanted her dead. She couldn’t help but think it was Brock Dennison. Despite his rock-solid alibi, this nightmare seemed related to him. She’d witnessed his dark side while dating Brock. And she’d watched him lose it when she broke up with him six weeks ago. In her mind, Brock Dennison was capable of anything. Even murder.
“Are you okay, Mallory?” Logan moved closer, peering down with concern.
She nervously slipped her phone back into her pocket. “I, uh, I don’t know.”
“I really don’t like to intrude, but I have to say something. I mean, it really feels like something’s wrong. Want to talk about it?”
She glanced to the left and the right, searching through the trees in every direction, almost as if she expected to spy a killer hiding out there. Or even Brock, although she knew that was crazy. But someone had set that fire. Logan had insinuated that it was arson. And even if it wasn’t Brock, someone had killed Kestra. And someone had threatened her. Was he out there now? Was he going to slit her throat the way he’d slit Kestra’s?
Feeling completely overwhelmed and frightened to the core, she broke, beginning to cry. No, it wasn’t just crying, it was sobbing—loud and uncontrollable sobbing. The next thing she knew, Logan had wrapped an arm around her shoulders and, helping her to her feet, he led her—practically carried her—back into the house.
When she regained her composure, or a semblance of it, she was seated on the old plaid couch in the living room, and Logan was sitting in her dad’s leather recliner directly across from her. Leaning forward, he studied her with more than just casual curiosity.
“Wanna talk?” he asked gently.
“I—uh—I don’t know,” she told him. “It’s kind of a mess and I really hate to involve you in it. I mean, well, it could be kind of dangerous.”
He made a crooked smile. “Hey, I’m a firefighter, danger is kinda my thing.”
She sniffed as she pulled out her phone again, trying to decide, but feeling too muddled to even think straight.
“Is this related to the fire?” His brow creased as he rubbed his chin.
She sighed. “I’m not sure. And, really, it makes no sense. Why would he...do that? But then again...there’s the text message. And unknown caller ID? I mean, I’m sure it’s from him. I mean someone I know...someone I don’t trust...someone I consider to be my enemy—and it’s pretty disturbing.”
“May I see it?” Logan held out his hand in a way that suggested authority, but at the same time his eyes were full of empathy.
She pulled up the text, then handed her phone to Logan.
“‘You got lucky again. Ever see a burned corpse? Not pretty.’”Logan looked alarmed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What do you think it means?”
“It sounds like a very serious threat.”
“Yeah...” She looked down at the worn braided rug beneath her feet. The homely old rug had been here for as long as she could remember. Her great-grandmother had made it long before Mallory was born. For some reason, the even lines and predictable colors gave her a faint sense of comfort.
He handed her phone back. “Who sent you this?” he demanded.
“I’m not positive. But I honestly think it’s my ex-boyfriend. Or someone connected to him. No one believes me, though.”
“What kind of person is this?” He frowned. “I can’t believe you ever had a boyfriend who would write something like that. Even if he is an ex.”
“See.” She held up her hands. “I told you that no one believes me.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He looked frustrated. “I mean, it’s hard to believe a girl like you would be involved with someone who would send a text like that.”
“Well, we’re estranged now. Very estranged.” She knew that was an understatement, but how much should she tell Logan? Could she really trust him? And would he even believe her? He already sounded doubtful.
“But, even if you are estranged...” He ran his hand through his messy hair. “To send something like that—I mean, it’s a serious threat, Mallory. Whoever sent that is talking about someone getting burned to death. And we just put out an arson fire. Who do you really think sent this?”
“As you can see, it’s from unknown.” She looked at him with apprehension. Why was he being so persistent on this? Was it possible that Brock had already gotten to him? The way that Brock seemed to have infiltrated some of the Portland investigators? What if Logan was a part of Brock’s deadly game? How many people did Brock control, anyway? Once again, it felt as if her head was spinning. Who could she trust? Anyone?
“I need to take a photo of it,” Logan said suddenly.
She retrieved it from her pocket, pulled up the text and handed it to him, waiting as he examined it more closely and then, using his own phone, took a couple of shots. “So you honestly think your ex-boyfriend sent this?” He studied her closely as he held her phone out to her.
“I’m so tired that it’s hard to think straight right now.”
Logan stood up now, clearly agitated. “What’s going on here, Mallory? You mentioned danger. And according to that text, you are definitely in some kind of danger. What kind of person is this? The guy who sent the text—who is he?”
“I’m not sure it matters... I mean, who he is or what he is...since no one believes me, anyway.” She studied Logan closely. She wished she could trust him—she wanted to trust him. She needed someone trustworthy.
“Look, a fire was set outside your parents’ home.” He spoke slowly, almost as if speaking to a child. And perhaps she was being childish—maybe fear and exhaustion did that to a person. “You receive a text that refers to fire and death, a message that is clearly some kind of serious threat.” He sat down on the couch next to her, staring intently into her face. “I’m not just asking you this as your friend, Mallory, although I’d like to think that we’re friends, but I’m asking you this as the Clover fire chief, investigating an arson crime.”
“Oh....” She nodded soberly. “Okay, then.”
“Who sent the text?”
She took in a breath, sitting up straight, trying to think clearly. “I can’t be certain, since it wasn’t sent from his usual phone. But my guess is that it was sent by my ex-boyfriend. A guy named Brock Dennison.”
“Brock Dennison? The anchor guy on the Portland news station?” Logan sounded shocked. “That’s the guy you’ve been involved with?”
“How do you know that?” she demanded. “I mean that Brock and I are involved. I mean, we used to be involved.”
“You just said it was from an ex-boyfriend.”
“Oh...yeah.”
“And you’re saying that Brock Dennison is threatening you?”
She looked evenly into his eyes. “And you don’t believe me, do you?”
Logan looked perplexed. “I didn’t say that. I mean it’s a lot to take in.”
“No one believes me.” She folded her arms in front of her, wishing she’d just kept her mouth shut. Why had she even trusted him?
“I’m sure that’s because Brock Dennison is kind of a celebrity. A small-potato kind of celebrity. Not that I’m a fan.” Logan frowned. “You won’t catch me watching Portland news.” He tipped his head to one side. “But you’re seriously saying that Brock Dennison—the Channel Six News guy—sent that text to you?”
“That’s right.”
Logan shook his head with a perplexed expression. “Wow, that’s a lot to absorb, Mallory. So do you think Brock Dennison has something to do with the fire, too?”
She felt a tiny glimmer of hope. Did he actually believe her? “I really don’t know what to think. I have to admit it sounds unbelievable to think that Brock would do...well, the kinds of things I believe he’s done...or is involved in.”
“You make it sound like he’s a serious criminal.” Logan seemed genuinely concerned. “And if that text is from him, I’m inclined to agree.”
“Really?” She felt strangely relieved that Logan looked worried. Maybe he wasn’t in Brock’s back pocket, after all.
“And you’re obviously upset by it,” he continued. “So I have to assume that it’s not a joke or a romantic quarrel or—”
“There is no romance,” she said quickly. “We only dated briefly. I broke it off a couple of months ago. The truth is, I can’t stand him.”
Logan slowly nodded. “So why would he send you that text? And why is he talking about fire?” He waved his hand. “Especially in light of what appears to be an arson incident.” He narrowed his eyes. “Were you in communication with him earlier? I mean, about the forest fire?”
“No, of course not. He’s the last person I want to talk to.” She held up the phone. “Check my phone if you want. And, like I said, that text isn’t from his cell phone. If it had been, I probably would’ve ignored it completely.”
Logan’s brow creased. “Then how do you know it’s him?”
She frowned. “I just know.”
“Okay, let’s say it is from your ex,” Logan said thoughtfully. “What do you think he’s really trying to say? Does he want to see you burned? Was it a genuine threat?”
Mallory was still a little unsure of Logan but knew she had to trust someone. “I do believe it was a threat.” She watched him carefully, gauging his reaction.
“A death threat to you?”
“I know it sounds a little crazy...especially when you don’t know the whole story...but that’s what I believe.”
Logan looked uneasy or maybe confused. “So, let’s be crystal clear. You’re saying that Brock Dennison, your ex-boyfriend, probably sent you that text?” He pulled out a little notebook, flipping it open to write something. “About a burned corpse not being pretty?”
She simply nodded.
“And you’re suggesting that the same Brock Dennison, the anchorman for Channel Six, has been threatening you, Mallory?”
“Look, this isn’t easy,” she told him. “And I feel like I’m stepping out on a limb every time I tell someone that I suspect Brock has threatened me. But it’s true. I do believe he’s involved. Even if this morning’s text didn’t come directly from him, I believe he’s behind it. He started sending me a lot of veiled threats right after I broke up with him. Unfortunately, I didn’t take them seriously. I just ignored them and dumped them.”
He looked at his own phone. “Looks like it hit your phone at 4:27 this morning. About an hour after you called in the fire.” Logan scribbled more notes. “Do you know Mr. Dennison’s whereabouts right now?”
“Is this an official inquiry?” She knew she sounded defensive. Not for Brock’s sake, of course, but simply to protect herself. All she needed was to get caught up in a false accusation in the small town of Clover—especially with her dad so far away. Never mind that no one in Portland took her other accusations against Brock seriously. But she knew that Brock had friends all over the place. In high places and in low. Brock Dennison was everybody’s buddy. And he’d already threatened legal action against her if she “slandered” his name. He’d told her she could lose her job.
“That’s right.” Logan’s mouth twisted to one side as he continued to write. “This is part of my investigation, Mallory. Official.”
“Do I need a lawyer?” Her question was part sarcasm and part sincere. One of her hopes in coming home was to get some advice from her dad’s best friend, Al Brandt. Al was a decent guy and a respected attorney.
“Lawyer?” Logan frowned. “Why would you need that?”
Mallory rubbed her forehead and groaned. “I don’t know. And, honestly, I don’t know if I can do this, Logan. I mean, I haven’t slept in a few days. My brain feels like oatmeal.”
Logan looked sympathetic. “Okay, we won’t try to do all of this right now. Just answer a couple of questions and I’ll let you get some sleep. Okay?”
“Okay... I’ll do my best.”
“So, tell me the truth, Mallory, do you seriously think Brock had anything to do with that fire?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. Nothing about that man would surprise me.”
“Do you think Brock would intentionally hurt you?”
Mallory stared at him. She was in too deep to stop. Besides he’d said this was an official investigation. Did she have any choice? “I think he would,” she answered honestly.
“Okay...” He locked eyes with her. “Has Brock ever threatened to hurt you before?”
