Frankie's lips were drawn tight. “We've wasted enough time. We're leaving.”
George cleared his throat and exhaled wearily. He lifted a large hand and waved them to their seats. “Dammit, of course I know you two had nothing to do with those fires. I only wish you two hadn't shown up on those tapes.” He ran a hand over the stubble on his chin. “I'm trying to help you, not hurt you.”
Johanna laughed bitterly. “How is accusing us of arson helping us?”
“I'm sure there were plenty of other people on those tapes,” Frankie reminded him. “Have you hauled them in and grilled them, too?” she spat out. “Well, have you?”
His bushy eyebrows knitted together. “Did you notice anyone acting suspiciously while you were at any of those businesses?” he asked ignoring Frankie's question.
“No,” Johanna answered. “Many of those fires were set way before we even took this case. I'm sure we don't show up on any of those tapes now do we?”
“That's true, but those fires were small, set in trash cans, and quickly contained.” He blew his breath out as he continued to eye them.
“Why are you still insinuating we have something to do with them?” Frankie asked. “Come on, George, what the hell is going on?”
“Dammit, ladies, I never believed for a minute that you had anything to do with the fires.”
“Now I'm confused,” Johanna stated. “You just got done accusing us.”
He ran a hand over his face again. “I had no choice but to drag you two down here. When I saw the tapes, I knew that you'd be suspects and I want to rule you out because I have everyone breathing down my neck. I thought it better you talk to me rather than the fire marshal or police. My problem is,” he paused briefly, “there is also a young blonde woman and a good looking middle-aged man in every one of the videos where the fires were started. You obviously know who the woman and man are since it appears from the tapes that you've been tailing them. The police, fire marshal, and even the mayor have dismissed the couple as suspects because, as you are aware, the man is Thatcher Longman. They are focusing their attention on you two. I let them know in no uncertain terms that there is no way in hell that you two are responsible, but right now you two are all they have. The city's on edge and the mayor wants an arrest.”
“I seriously doubt that we show up in any video,” Frankie reminded him. “It's impossible.”
“No, you don't, but the cars you've been driving have been traced back to Hudson Car Rental. You've been switching out cars every day.” He looked hard at Frankie. “You, Frankie, have personally signed for each car. Why would you do that?”
“We're working a case. I told you that.”
“That's it? I've never known you to change cars on a daily basis for any previous case.”
“How do you know that either or both Thatcher Longman and the blonde aren't the arsonists?” Frankie asked.
“Come on, Frankie,” George scoffed. “Be realistic. He's the wealthiest man in the state. What would be his motive?”
“And what would be ours?” Johanna countered.
“Look,” George said and then exhaled loudly. “I told you the fire marshal is focusing on you two. I'm trying to help you. I said I'd interview you. Better me than the police or fire marshal.”
“Is Thatcher Longman also being interrogated?” Frankie asked.
“I told you he has no motive.”
“And we told you that neither do we,” Johanna hissed. “This is ridiculous. If we're under suspicion, then Thatcher Longman should be too.”
George shook his head. “He's a personal friend of the mayor. What do you think the mayor will do?”
“I think it’s bullshit,” Frankie said coldly. “He could get away with murder, but it wouldn't matter as long as he has friends in high places.”
“I don't like it any more than you do. I'm trying to build an alibi for you two, but you're not making it easy. Give me something here that I can use.”
“We don't need an alibi. We did nothing wrong,” Johanna said.
“What about cameras in the backs of the businesses?” Frankie asked. “Since that's where the trash cans were kept, what did they show?”
“There aren't many. The couple cameras we viewed didn't show anything unusual, but of course, those were near businesses that weren't targeted.”
“So, you thoroughly checked out everybody in those tapes, including employees, who came and went from those strip malls? If you did, then obviously you must have witnessed someone throwing the devices through Biggs Sporting Goods and Eastens Bridal shop windows.” Johanna looked at Frankie. She waited for Frankie to pick up on where she was going with this.
“There was an individual on the tapes. She was dressed all in black and wore a hat which was pulled down concealing her face.”
“You said her. So you definitely know it's a woman?” Johanna persisted.
“Yes, the physical build is that of a female.”
“You're certain?”
George scowled. “Yes, Johanna. I may be many things, but I'm not blind.” He took a swallow of his coffee. “Now do you two want to tell me why you're tailing Thatcher Longman?” His eyes slanted. “My patience is also running very thin.”
“We never said we were,” Frankie said keeping her eyes level with George's. “We noticed on one occasion a car stopping near who I assume you say is Thatcher Longman. There was a heated exchange between him and the female driver of the car. Did you check that driver out? It was a woman.”
George's jaw twitched as he glared at them. “It was an employee with an urgent matter. Not that it's any of your business.”
Johanna smirked as she looked at Frankie and then turned her eyes back to George. “And she couldn't call him?
