“I should go check on Margaret,” Caleb said, needing some distance.“Make sure she has somewhere to stay tonight.”
“Good idea,” Jonathan said.“I’ll come with you.”
As they walked away, Caleb could feel Austin’s gaze on them.When he glanced back, Austin was still watching, almost like he was genuinely concerned about Caleb’s well-being.It was probably nothing, just professional courtesy from someone used to dealing with civilians in crisis.
But as they approached Margaret, Caleb couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the last time he’d find Austin confusing.
* * * *
“YOU KNOW THAT TAYLORdoesn’t want us to get too close to the witnesses,” Austin teased as he and West watched Jonathan and Caleb walk away.
West snorted.“Thankfully, he knows about Jonathan.I’d be in trouble if he didn’t.”
“How is he?”Because as much as Austin enjoyed teasing West, he was also worried about Jonathan.After what he’d gone through with the fire and his ex, this couldn’t be easy for him.
West sighed.“He said he’s fine, and helooksfine.I think he was more worried about Caleb than the fire itself.”The corners of West’s lips curled.“He said that he knew everything would be fine as soon as he saw me.”
Even though Austin desperately wanted to tease West about how sappy he sounded, he didn’t.He liked that his best friend had found love.He and Jonathan hadn’t had it easy, but they were together now, and that was all that mattered.
“Austin,” Taylor called out, startling Austin out of his thoughts.
He turned toward their captain.“Where do you need me?”
Taylor’s expression was serious.“Nowhere for now.I saw you talking to the shop owner, though, and unless I’m mistaken, West’s boyfriend is with her now.”
“I was just checking on him,” West quickly said.
Taylor shook his head.“I’m not going to reprimand you for talking to your boyfriend.I know what happened to him, and it’s fine.I’m more interested in the shop owner.”
Austin frowned.“Why?”
Taylor turned toward what remained of the bookstore.“I have no proof yet, but I believe this was arson.”
Austin and Taylor glanced at each other.Austin wasn’t surprised that Taylor had realized that.He was a good firefighter and an even better captain.“That’s what the owner said,” Austin told him.
“She mentioned it to you?”
Austin had to be careful.He couldn’t give himself and West—or the bookstore owner—away.“She said that she’s heard about other stores burning down recently.She believes it’s connected.”
“What do you think?Is she involved?”
“You think she set her store on fire?”Austin knew she hadn’t, but he understood why Taylor thought she might have.He didn’t have all the information.
“It’s a possibility.Insurance and all that.”
“She seemed genuinely distraught, and she asked me if we were going to investigate.I told her I was sure you’d do the right thing, and she seemed satisfied with that.It didn’t feel like she was afraid of being found out or anything like that.”
“So you don’t believe she had anything to do with it?”
“I really don’t.I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.”
Taylor nodded.“Well, I suppose the investigator will be the person to decide that.Why don’t the two of you say goodbye to Jonathan?We need to head out soon.”
Austin wasn’t sure what was going through Taylor’s mind, but he was uncomfortable, so he was quick to join West when he stepped away.“You think he suspects us?”he asked in a whisper.
West frowned.“Suspect us of what?”
“You know.”
