“I think it’s more likely he doesn’t like your choice of companions.”
“That’s not his business,” she told him. “Anyway, we’re just work partners. Nothing more. He knows that.”
Noah shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. Listen, Randi, do me a favor.”
“what?”
“Be very careful out there, will you, please? Just…be extra careful.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Is this another way you’re telling me my job is too dangerous? Because I thought we got past that.”
“I worry about you. Sue me. I just…Please be careful, okay?”
She scowled at him. “Is there something I should know here? And I missing something?”
“Only that I want you to be safe.”
Randi sat for a moment, trying to figure out what to say next before she got out of he car. I had a great night? Thanks for the terrific sex? Will you be in town long enough for a repeat performance? Their connection was still as hot and intense as ever but they hadn’t addressed any of the other questions. Noah might have told her he regretted the way he left thing and that he’d been a jerk, but so what? Had he changed how he felt or where he wanted to live?
He draped his arm across her shoulders and stroked the nape of her neck beneath the fall of her hair. There was that damn shiver again. While she was still trying to think of a good exit line, he pulled her to him and leaned over for a hot, deep kiss. A really deep kiss, that seemed to go on forever. They’d showered together when the got up and the memory of it still danced in her brain, especially when the scent of her soap n his skin reminded her of it. When he finally released her she was dizzy with desire.
“Better get to work,” he grinned. “Like I said, your minder is waiting for you.”
“Huh? What?” She blinked and tried to clear her brain.
“You have my cell number,” he reminded her. “I programmed it into your phone. Call me when you’re finished for the day. We’ll meet up.”
“Uh, okay. I will.”
“What? Did you think I was just going to say thanks for the great night? See you?” He sighed. “I’m really going to have to do something about your opinion of me.” He ran the pad of his thumb over her cheek. So call, right?”
She drew in a calming breath. “Just remember, it could be late.”
“I can keep myself busy. No worries.” Hand cupping her head, he pulled her in for one last deep kiss before letting her go.
Dan looked at her through narrowed eyes as she crossed the sidewalk. “That was some see-you-later clinch. I take it you had an overnight guest.”
Okay, she thought. Enough.
“I really think that’s my business, Dan. Good partners stay out of each other’s personal lives.”
He shrugged. “Have it your way. I just heard rumors about what happened when he left town.”
“Rumors?” She glared at him. “And where would you be hearing them?”
“We know a lot of the same people. They talk. Rumors fly.”
“Is that a fact. Well, you ought to know better than to pay attention to gossip.” She hitched the strap of her messenger bag over her shoulder. Now. Let’s go inside and get down to business.”
The lab had texted her that new reports were waiting for them so she booted up her computer and opened the files. Dan pulled an empty chair over to sit next to her.
“That’s strange.” She frowned and nibbled on her lower lip.
“What?” Dan leaned forward, as if getting closer to the screen might give him answers.
“Tran, the lab tech working n these, says when he retested the latest samples he got totally different results. Look there.” She point to some text on the screen. “He said it almost looks as if samples from different scenes were mixed together.” She frowned. “How is that even possible? We were so careful with those samples.”
“Fuck.” Dan frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Fuck is right. It means either we weren’t careful enough when we took the most recent samples or someone in the lab sabotaged them.” She shook her head. “Our lab is very, very meticulous.”
“Yeah, but so are we,” Dan reminded her. “You are, even more than me. You’re meticulous. That’s what makes you such a good arson investigator.”
“Well, something’s screwed up here. I damn sure want to find out what it is before we get another one to investigate.” She glanced over at Dan. “I want to visit the sites again. Today.”
“More samples?” Dan asked. “What are you looking for now?”
“Some clue as to why the last samples I gave them were so hinky. Have you had any more luck and finding a connection between the four corporate owners?”
“No, damn it.” He rubbed his chin. “When I get back to my office today, though, I’m going to pull all the files and start at the very beginning. I want to make sure I didn’t miss anything.”
They drove to the four sites in Dan’s car and Randi did her thing while he watched. She was meticulous about using the portable sniffer, taking more photos so she could diagram the burn patterns and collecting yet more samples in the nylon bags she had with her. By the time they finished with all sites it was early afternoon and she realized she’d eaten nothing since the bagel she’d grabbed on the way out the door that morning.
“You’re driving,” she said as she climbed into the car after the final stop. “How about we drop these samples at the lab and I’ll spring for lunch. You’re choice.”
“I’ll take you up on,” Dan said. “My stomach’s been sending me signals. That diner right near the firehouse work for you?”
She nodded. “I
