Giancarlo was working today anyway. I’d get a debrief from him. I could’ve just driven up the hill to the fire hall, but I resisted the urge. Something told me to stay here.
I ignored Ulysses and sauntered over to my truck. I yanked my phone out of my back pocket, leaned against the truck, and began scrolling.
“Hey!” Seth’s voice reached me easily.
I gazed up.
Ulyssess sauntered over and leaned indolently against my truck as well.
“I asked you guys to move on.”
“So give us a ticket.” I shrugged. In truth, this wasn’t like me. But I didn’t like being held back from a scene for no obvious reason.
“What he said.” Ulysses deep voice carried with vague humor.
“I’ll call Colton.” Seth’s voice carried more exasperation than menace.
“Go ahead. I’ll ask how Mallory’s doing.” I kept scrolling. Mallory was Colton’s younger sister. She’d been dating Darius lately—a local accountant—but, once upon a time, she’d been a bit of a hellion.
Ulysses moved closer. “There’s a story there.”
“Not one I’m sharing.”
“Are you going to tell me why the cop won’t let you through to the fire scene? Because I’d like a crack at it as well. I’ve got my photography equipment in the back of my SUV.”
“You’re not worried about it being stolen?”
“Under a tarp, vehicle alarm, and insured.” He inched closer. “There’ve been a lot of fires lately.”
“Long summer.”
“Structural fires? Am I missingthe connection?”
I sighed. “I don’t pay attention to statistics.”Why are you lying to him? Because he might write a story about something that’s vaguely bothering you?Except none of the fires had been ruled arson. Just a pile of anomalous fires that no one could explain. And yeah, dry grass didn’t provide some kind of justification.
“Ah. There’s a story here.”
The acrid smoke was seeping into my pores, and the longer I stood here without a mask, the more crap I inhaled. “Hey, Seth?”
He glared.
“You should be wearing a mask.”
He waved me off.
Yeah, nearly as stubborn as me. Big surprise.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Ulysses gestured toward downtown Mission City.
“Like where?”
“A restaurant? You could answer some of my questions.”
That’ll never happen.Still, intriguing thoughts invaded my mind. I turned to face him. “What? You just want me to answer all your questions after you wouldn't even call me?”
His dark brown eyes widened. “Look—sorry about that. That was personal. And I admit I'm an ass. This is business.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Right—so I'm business, then?”
