Holt felt another flutter of anticipation at the prospect of working alongside June again. During their marriage, she’d occasionally helped him prepare for complex legal scenarios in his training, and her analytical mind had always complemented his investigative approach perfectly.
“I’ll need to review the specific statutes and regulations involved,” June said. “And I’ll want to speak with each agency representative to understand their particular concerns before drafting anything.”
“How long do you think that would take?” Holt asked.
“If everyone cooperates? Two to three days to have a preliminary agreement ready for review,” June replied. “A week to have something finalized that everyone can sign off on.”
Tom nodded approvingly. “That would put us well ahead of where we’d be if we were trying to navigate this on our own.”
“There’s another consideration,” June added. “If this fire is connected to the pattern you mentioned from ten years ago, there may be federal statutes of limitations issues to consider as well. Depending on what crimes were committed and when, some charges may no longer be viable.”
Holt hadn’t considered that angle, and he found himself impressed once again by June’s ability to see the broader legal implications of their investigation.
“Would that affect our ability to pursue current charges?” Tom asked.
“Not necessarily, but it could impact plea negotiations or cooperation agreements if we identify suspects who were involved in both time periods,” June explained. “It’s worth understanding the full legal landscape before we get too far down any particular path.”
“Okay, if you don’t mind,” Tom said, looking between them. “I leave it to the two of you to work on this.”
“Work on what?” Willa’s voice had them turning toward them.
“I asked your mother to help us navigate the legal minefield of the federal land the fire jumped yesterday,” Tom explained.
“Mom!” Willa groaned and rolled her eyes. “You’re supposed to be taking it easy. No work.” Her eyes narrowed on her mother. “You’re already helping out at the vet clinic.”
“Sweetheart, this is good for my recovery,” June defended her position. “Keeping my brain and hands busy stops me from getting mental health issues.”
Holt hid his smile and saw Tom doing the same. You couldn’t argue with an attorney—they always had some angle that left everyone else defenseless. “Just promise me you won’t overdo it,” Willa said, her protective instincts clearly warring with her respect for her mother’s independence. “And don’t expect me to defend you with Aunt Carmen over this.”
“I’ll be fine,” June promised her daughter.
“Holt and I will make sure your mother doesn’t overdo things,” Tom promised, looking at Holt.
“We’ll take good care of her,” Holt promised, the familiar urge to protect June rising unbidden despite all the years and distance between them.
“Mom, can you please fetch Grace and Becky from the Peltz’s house?” Willa asked June. “I’m going to be tied up for a while.”
“Of course,” June replied. “I’ll also get dinner from Margo’s.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Willa kissed her mother’s cheek. “I have to go.”
“Take care, honey,” June called after Willa as she moved away.
“I’d better go,” June said and turned to smile at Tom and Holt. “I’ll pop into the police station tomorrow to go over the details of the fires.”
“Thank you, June,” Tom said, and was called. “Excuse me.”
When he walked off, Holt turned to June. “I’ll walk you back to your car. It’s quite slippery.”
June laughed, and the sound seemed to echo through his soul as his heart jolted.
“That’s funny. The two injured people helping each other up a slippery slope,” June said.
Holt had to grin at the irony. Physical footing wasn’t the only thing that felt uncertain around June.
Later, Tom gave Holt a lift back to the police station. As they drove back toward town, Tom noticed his son, Clive, coming out of the auto repair shop and talking to the owner.
“Isn’t that Clive?” Holt noted.
