She trailed off.
“It’s been two hundred and ten days since we pulled Corey out of that house,” I said. “Two hundred and ten days since he lost his leg, and since I’ve spoken to my best friend. I’ve counted every single one of those days. Don’t ever think I forgot about him.”
She unfolded her arms. “I know you haven’t, but I can’t sit around while I know someone did this to him, and they’re walking around free.”
“And I can’t let you walk your ass into the middle of this and put a bullseye on your back,” I said firmly. “I’m not about to let that happen. Look, if what happened at Charlie’s is what I think it is, then this piece of human waste is not only targeting the firefighters at Rescue Four but the people we’re close to.”
The muscles in her face tensed. For a long moment, no words passed between us. The silence spoke volumes. It was a battle of wills, but I wasn’t going to let up. Jocelyn couldn’t be in the middle of this.
I’d failed her brother once. I wouldn’t fail her, too.
“I’ll keep you informed,” I finally said, conceding.
“How so?”
“Everything I find out, I’ll let you know.”
Her gaze narrowed. “How soon?”
“When I know, you’ll know. Unless it otherwise compromises the investigation.” I bit back the fact that I would hold back some details if and when I deemed it necessary.
“Did you forget what I do for a living?” she asked. “I have resources that might be helpful to your investigation.”
I considered it but still hated the idea of involving her, in any way, in this case.
The determined look on her face told me she’d decided already.
I grinded my teeth before responding. “All right, but we’re doing this my way. You are not going around half-cocked all on your own. This is a fire department case, not an individual PI case you’re working on.”
She refolded her arms and gave me a considering look.
Finally, she nodded.
I breathed a little easier.
There was a beat of silence.
“Was it Angela in the fire? How is she?” she asked. Concern filled her voice.
I cracked my neck, feeling even more pissed off than I’d been minutes ago. “She’s shaken, but okay, I think. Her friend, Janine was in there with her. She’s okay too.”
Jocelyn appeared relieved. “Good.”
“They’re keeping Angela overnight for observation to make sure she didn’t get too much smoke inhalation.”
I looked away.
“What is it?” Jocelyn asked, stepping closer.
“She’s pregnant.” The thought that Eric could’ve lost his wife and his unborn child rattled something in my chest. I hadn’t been able to sit still once I’d arrived at the hospital, thinking about it.
A few days earlier, Eric had come into the station wearing a shit-eating grin as he’d told us the news. Seeing him carry her out of that burning building with despair written on his expression had torn at my insides.
“I’ll find him.”
“With help from me,” she added.
“Help, but not solo. This isn’t your case. I won’t have you running around, inserting yourself into this when we know this son of a bitch isn’t above murder.”
