“It did. In its own way.”
His silence felt troubled until finally he shifted back to the case. “What do you think of Pollock?”
“Giving him the benefit of the doubt, he’s been through the wringer the last year. Fire generates a lot of paperwork and is a pain in the ass. He could just be tired of the questions.”
“Now tell me what you really think.”
She grinned. “Arson is an accepted business practice in some communities. It can be the most cost-effective strategy in the long run, assuming you don’t get caught.”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and see similarities between the Halpern and Pollock books.”
Ignoring the we, Joan sipped her soda. “He sincerely seemed to not recognize Lana Long’s face.”
“She was in Denver when his place burned. But I thought it was worth a try.”
“Assuming the Beau-T-Shop and warehouse fires are connected. Are you saying we’re dealing with an arsonist for hire? Someone has a problem with a building and hires our boy?”
Their burgers arrived, and each said little as they ate. Finally, Joan said, “Elijah could not have set the Pollock fire.”
“Agreed.” He shoved out a breath and sat back.
“And it would have been a hell of a stretch for him to set the Beau-T-Shop fire.”
“Maybe he had a proxy,” Gideon said.
“Lana Long.”
“This guy turned on his charm, and according to her former boyfriend, Ryan, Lana fell for it hook, line, and sinker.”
“Sounds like Elijah.”
“You need to watch yourself around him.”
She arched a brow. “Do you think I’ve fallen for Elijah’s charm as well?”
“You did come halfway across the country twenty-four hours after his release.” He sat back, balling his paper napkin and then setting it on the plate.
She leaned forward, not knowing whether to slap him or laugh. Finally, she said, “You really think I’m that gullible?”
“When you spent time with Elijah at the diner, what did you talk about?”
“School. I was the teaching assistant in his class. Books. Gossip.”
“You didn’t date?”
“You mean, did I cheat on you? No. I did not. And since we’re being very honest, when did you start to date Helen? Was it really after I left, or had you two taken up before?”
His face hardened into a stiff mask. Her comment had hit its mark, and she was glad. Hit her and she hit back.
“I didn’t go out with her until after you broke up with me,” he said.
“You didn’t wait more than a day or two.”
“How long was I supposed to wait, Joan?”
What he had done after she left was his business, not hers. But it still stung that he had moved on from her so quickly. She could feel her own damn emotions welling up, and she feared if she stayed in this diner much longer, she would say something stupid that would make her look weak.
She fished a twenty-dollar bill out of her purse and tossed it on the table. “You’re right. None of my business. I’ll find my way back.”
As she rose, his hand came out, and he captured her wrist. “It’s been ten years. Why are you so upset?”
“I’m not upset.”
“You are.”
Her pulse beat fast and hard against his calloused fingertips. She had always made it a policy not to stir up the ghosts and demons from the shadows. But here they were, examining past mistakes and injuries. Maybe one day, she would discover this had been cathartic. But that day was not today. “I’m not Lana.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
“You implied I’ve fallen for Elijah like Lana did.”
“Have you?” He studied her closely.
She snatched her hand away and left the diner.
Confessions of an Arsonist
A cleansing fire hides so many sins.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Missoula, Montana
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
6:00 p.m.
Joan grabbed an Uber back to her car at the police station and then drove to the ranch. Her head was pounding by the time she pulled into Ann’s driveway. The sun still burned hot, but the light was softening. She was bone-tired, but not so much from the day itself.
What had drained her was the time with Gideon. The old wounds had been ripped wide open today. And for him to suggest she was like Lana pissed her off. If her partner or a stranger had lobbed such an accusation, she would have been pissed but not hurt. But Gideon striking such a low blow had all but drained her of her resolve.
She got out of her car, and gravel crunched under her feet as she crossed the circular drive and tried the front door. It was locked.
Joan rang the bell and waited as Ann’s patient, steady steps clicked through the house.
When the door opened, Ann was smiling. “Sorry about that.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s smart to lock your doors. I wouldn’t work so many cases if more people did.”
Ann stepped to the side, studying Joan. “Is everything all right?”
“I feel a little ragged.” She placed her purse by the door where Ann’s and Nate’s shoes were neatly lined up and then toed off her own.
“I just opened a bottle of wine.”
“I’ll take a large glass, please.”
“Coming up.”
Joan followed Ann toward the kitchen. “How did school go today?”
“Nate had a great day. After school, I picked him up and brought him to the university. He audited a class.”
“Did he like it?”
Ann reached for the open bottle of red on the counter, poured a glass, and handed it to Joan. “He couldn’t stop talking about it.”
“What was the class?”
“Advanced math. I’ll spare you the details.”
“Wow. Good for him.” She sipped. “And Elijah?”
“I see him Wednesday.”
“And how are you doing with that?”
“Not great. I’m not looking forward to it.”
“He is. He’s read the textbook at least twice.”
“Really?”
“When I was his TA, he always gave me a run for my money.”
Ann sipped. “Terrific. How did it go with Gideon today?”
“Interesting.”
A timer on the stove dinged, and Ann reached for oven mitts and removed a roasted chicken from the stove. “In a good or bad way?”
“Both.” Joan fished her phone from her back pocket and handed it to Ann. “He
