“I believe you understand fire behavior.”
A pause, and then Will’s mouth ticked. “I volunteer with fire services,” he said. “As you well know.”
“Advanced arson identification courses,” she added.
His eyes flicked to her. “Yes.”
Wyatt studied him.Will isn’t rattled, nor defensive.Fuck, he’s amused by Letty.His eyes shifted to Cal as he nodded.
“You’re reaching,” Will hissed.
“No,” Letty replied. “I’m connecting.”
“Disaster research is dangerous when you misread the pattern.”
Wyatt smirked.There it is. A soft, measured dig disguised as concern with a hint of insult.Wyatt felt his temper spike. “Is that a threat?” he asked.
Will looked at him mildly. “Of course not.”
“It sounded like one.”
“It’s advice.”
Letty didn’t break eye contact. “You’re implying I’m wrong.”
“I’m implying.” Will smirked. “Once you decide on a hypothesis, you tend to force the data to align.”
“That’s not how I work.”
“That’s how everyone works.”
Silence. Wind off the marsh shifted across the dock. Wyatt stepped a tad closer to Letty without meaning to.Fucking annoys me how calm he looks, and that familiar tone he has with her…
“You’re overreaching,” Will snarked. “There’s no benefit for me in burning a casino boat.”
“Jealousy.”
Will’s gaze snapped to Wyatt briefly. “Jealousy?”
“You applied for the grant.”
Will smirked. “And didn’t get it.”
“You resented that.”
“Professionals experience disappointment,” Will said smoothly. “We don’t commit felonies.”
“You met with a felon,” Letty replied.
“I consult in risk assessment, and sometimes that means speaking with people who’ve made poor choices.”
Her expression isn’t changing even though he’s gaslighting her. But she’s holding the line.Pride swelled in Wyatt’s chest.
“You arrived in Tidehaven the morning of the training,” she said.
“I was invited to review coastal response infrastructure.”
“By whom?”
