Courting Fire by Tamara Hughes

Author:Tamara Hughes [Tamara Hughes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tamara Hughes
Published: 2023-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

Jack studied Mattie as she looked out at the busy street from the station door. Ever since that fateful night when she’d been trapped in the fire, a feeling of unease had settled in his gut, and he had to remind himself she was safe, for the moment. At least she no longer needed a sling on her arm.

“Are you sure Clark can be trusted?” she asked.

A fair question given the circumstances. “We’ve been the best of friends since we both began working at the fire station four years ago.”

“Even so, you’re attempting to implicate his father in a murder. If convicted, he could be given a death sentence.”

Jack nodded and gazed over her shoulder to the street. “I realize that, but Clark wants to know the truth, even if his father is guilty. Besides, I’m confident that if Whitman is convicted, he’ll find a way to get a lesser sentence.”

Speak of the devil. Clark strode toward the station.

Jack motioned for Mattie to step outside, and they met Clark on the sidewalk. “You’re late.”

Clark frowned. “I know. I know. The old man had me attend a business meeting with him. He still hopes I’ll take over for him one day.”

Jack exchanged a glance with Mattie. Whitman didn’t expect his son to run his side businesses as well, did he? Jack shook his head. So what if he did? That didn’t mean Clark condoned murder.

“I need to walk Mattie home and then escort her to a protest. Come with us, and we’ll talk along the way.”

Clark cast Mattie a look of admiration, and Jack was sorely tempted to block the man’s view.

“A protest?” Clark’s brows rose. “I’ve never been to one. Will you allow me to accompany you as well?”

“Of course, especially if it sways you to support our cause.”

“If all the ladies protesting are as lovely as you, I have no doubt I’ll be persuaded,” Clark responded with a wink.

Jack ground his teeth and moved a bit closer to Mattie’s side as they headed down the sidewalk. “Let’s talk about firefighters,” he suggested. “We don’t know if your father owns more than one gambling den, but we do know Warren, Everett, and Luther work at The Thirsty Rose.”

Clark shrugged. “There may be others too. We only saw Warren and Everett when we were there,” he reminded him. “We also saw Michael Meeks at another establishment.”

True. “Since you were on staff with me at the time of Sam’s death, you can help me remember. Were they at the scene of that fire? Who else was there?” He’d already gone over that night in his head countless times. “Most of our team was inside that building, although there were also a handful of firefighters from other companies there as well.”

“Unfortunately, there’s only so much I can tell you. I was knocked out, remember?” Clark rubbed the back of his head as if he could still feel the pain.

Yes, he remembered. For months after that night, he’d been resentful toward Clark. Which hadn’t been fair.

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