“How far did you go?” Leo asked, sending Patch a nod of approval. Despite his needling her, Scarlett held her own.
“I walked to the grocery store and turned around in the parking lot. It took me a few minutes because Ice stopped a few times, and I didn’t recall a crosswalk or anything.”
“Did he seem distracted?”
“No. We’re still new and learning about each other. The only time he went off script…” Scarlett stopped, recalling having to readjust her hand.
“What did you remember?” Ty asked her gently, rubbing her good arm.
“After I turned around, Ice walked in front of me,sideways. Allie called it shielding. It’s the first time I heard him growl, and I remember smelling something familiar. I can’t place where, though. Then a minute later, I smelled the smoke,” Scarlett said slowly. “It’s the scent, a cologne or soap of some sort.”
“How do you know?” Knight asked.
“Ty smells like the earth, herbs and smoky. Leo smells woodsy. Doc smells like pine. Kassie smells like lavender. We all have a scent. I guess since I’m blind, I pick up on it faster,” she explained.
“Do you think you might recognize it if you smelled it again?” Leo asked as he rested his elbows on the table.
“Yes, without a doubt,” she assured them.
“Patch. Scarlett needs some sleep. When she wakes, I want you to take her back to town. Walk the sidewalks with her and see if anyone stands out,” Leo ordered. “The fire will draw spectators. Our suspect might want to see his handywork.”
He turned back to Scarlett. “It appears you’re one of us for the time being. What’s your call sign?”
“Sassy Pants, sir,” she said. Her whole body began to shake, and she stifled the smile threatening to show.
“Oh shit,” Leo said, rubbing his forehead. “I’m not touching that with a ten-foot pole. My wife will string me up by the balls if I call you Sassy Pants.”
“Sledge calls me Sassy P,” she suggested.
Leo rubbed his eyes with his thumb and finger. “Ummm, that’s not much better. I’m not even gonna entertain what Kit Kat or any of the women will think if we call you that.”
“I’m not sure if it’s wise to insult your wives. Surely you say more insulting things than my name,” Scarlett grinned.
“Well, boys, she has us there,” Leo said. “We’ll go with Scarlett for now. Once we’ve resolved this, I’dlike to invite you back for a formal meeting. We may have a position for you on Team Asshole.”
“Team Asshole, sir?” she asked.
“Team Hawk, but they’re all a bunch of assholes, and I need someone to keep them on their toes. From what I see, you fit the bill.”
CHAPTER 21
Scarlett walkedwith Ice on her left and Patch on her right. They took their time as the crowd gathered to discuss the tragedy in Serenity.
“Did they find Debbie?” she whispered.
“Yes, they found her an hour ago. Doc said she didn’t suffer.” Patch broke the news gently. “I know it’s not much consolation.”
“I still don’t understand why she went inside. How did she get to the other window?” she asked as they stopped to let the crowd mingle around them.
“People get turned around all the time in a fire. Between the fear for her grandchildren, the smoke, and her age, it’s possible she panicked when you didn’t come out right away. You know as well as I do, when you’re in the situation, a minute can seem like an hour,” Patch said quietly.
“Claire mentioned she got kidnapped. Serenity seems like a nice town. Did it happen here?”
Patch remained silent for a few minutes. “Yeah. He came here pretending to visit her and took her to Seattle. But it’s not the only violent act we’ve seen in town lately. Avie, Shadow’s wife, was in the witness protection program. Her ex-husband found her and killed an older couple in town. When Tess came to deliver food, he shot her. Tess can walk for short lengths of time, but she still uses her wheelchair.”
Scarlett reached out, feeling the edge of his coat. “It must’ve been hard on all of you. The team seems pretty tight.”
“Yes, we are. We have each other’s six. They supported Claire and me once we rescued her. The bastard injected her with some drug, which paralyzed her.”
