Chasing Fire

Marlboro.
    “But right now,” he continued with cherry-scented breath, “she’s denying it. They talked to the neighbors, too. Nobody can say for sure if she was home or wasn’t. And since none of us saw her, they can’t charge her with anything.”
    L.B. puffed out his cheeks. “Quinniock wanted us to know she’s making noises about suing us for slander.”
    “Give me a break.”
    “Right there with you, Ro. She won’t, but he thought we should know she got up a pretty good head of steam when he questioned her.”
    “The best defense is offense.”
    “That could be it, sure.” He looked out over the grill and she imagined the dozens of things on his mind, the load of weight on his shoulders.
    “Hell, all that’s for cops and lawyers anyway.”
    “Yeah. The main thing is if we get called out, we’re okay. We can send out twenty at this point.”
    “Twenty?”
    “Some of the mechanics pitched in to help out the ready room team. They’ve been working like dogs. We’ve got gear and supplies for twenty squared away. I’ve already requisitioned replacements for what’s damaged or ruined. This isn’t going to slow us down. You’re back on the jump list.”
    “I guess it wasn’t as bad as it looked.”
    “Well, it looked pretty damn bad.” She watched him, very deliberately, roll off some of that weight. “We’re smoke jumpers, Swede. We can saw a line from here to Canada. We can sure as hell handle this.”
    “I want her to pay.”
    “I know, and by God, so do I. If they find anything to link her to that ready room, I want them to toss her in a cell. I felt sorry for her,” he said in disgust. “I gave her a second chance, then a third one when I fired her instead of calling the cops. So believe me, nobody wants her to pay more than I do.”
    The phone in her pocket jingled.
    “Go ahead and take it. I’m going to pass the word on lunch.” He headed back, turned around briefly to walk backward. “Keep clear of the stampede,” he warned.
    Laughing, she pulled out her phone. Seeing her father’s ID reminded her of the messages she’d left him.
    “Well, it’s about time.”
    “Honey, I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you. I got in late, and didn’t want to chance waking you up. I’ve been busy all morning.”
    “Here, too.” She told him about the ready room, the police, about Dolly.
    “For God’s sake, Ro, what’s wrong with that girl? Do you want more help? I can reschedule some things, or at least send over a couple men.”
    “I think we’ve got it, but I’ll ask L.B.”
    “Quinniock, you said. I know him a little. I met him when I did one of those charity grip and grins last year. He came out with his kids. We gave them a tour.”
    “That’s where I saw him. He’s been through here, too. So . . . how was your meeting last night?”
    “It was good. I’m going to work on this project for some of the high-school kids. And Ella—the client—she’s signing up for AFF training.”
    “All that? That was some drink.”
    “Ha. Well. Ah, you’ll probably meet her. She wants to connect up with the base, too. For this project. I’ve got a group coming in, but you tell L.B. to let me know if he wants extra hands. I can put in some time.”
    “I will, but I think we’re good. You could come over after you close up. You can always put in some time with me.”
    “I’ve got a dinner meeting with the accountant on the slate tonight. How about we plan on it tomorrow? I’ll come by after work.”
    “Works for me. See you tomorrow.”
    She clicked off, then started over to join the horde spilling out of manufacturing in a beeline for the tables.
    Her mood improved. Progress, a full stomach, an upcoming date with her best guy. After which, she promised herself, she’d turn in early and bank some sleep.
    It lifted her a little more to hear Matt laugh at something Libby said, to watch Cards dazzle one of the rookies with some sleight of hand, to listen to Trigger and Janis bitterly debate baseball.
    As irritating as it was, Gull had been right. The Dolly crap? Just a bump.
    She nudged him as they started back to their respective work areas. “Four o’clock, on the track.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    Asking for trouble, she thought, and admitted she liked it. So maybe she’d bend her rule just a little—or a whole lot—for him. Maybe think about it awhile, and stretch out the heat, that sizzle of tension. Or just jump in, go full blast, burn it up, burn it out.
    They