Fire Angel by Susanne Matthews Read Free Book Online

he asked as casually as he could.
    â€œNo, I’ve never been married; it doesn’t go well with the job.” Her answer was abrupt as if he had struck a nerve, and Jake felt her mentally preparing to get up and leave. He tried not to show how relieved he was and sought another approach.
    â€œIt sounds like a lonely existence. So, now that we’ve established that we’re old friends, the bad news, is it personal or related to the case?”
    He knew her uncle still lived in the area. Jake forked another mouthful of dessert into his mouth, wondering whether or not she was going to answer him. It would make it hard to work together if she didn’t. A certain level of trust was essential between partners.
    â€œTake a look at this.” She handed him the note and took the last mouthful of chocolate comfort.
    Jake read the note, frowning as he did. He stood. “Finish up. I’ll walk you back to your cabin where we can talk.”
    She gulped the last of her wine, stood, and reached for the navy wool jacket on the back of the chair. Jake was startled by the jolt of electricity that coursed through him when Alexis’ss hand brushed against his as he helped her with it. Judging from her reaction, she had felt it too.
    Probably static, he thought dismissing it.
    Alexis picked up her umbrella and flashlight.
    â€œYou don’t have to,” she said. “It isn’t that far and I do have a light.”
    â€œDon’t have to, want to,” he said. “We have to talk about this.” He indicated the note he still held.
    â€œI know that you like to work alone; I did read the bio and the note that your captain sent, but this is a deal-breaker. Like it or not, we’re partners. Your safety has been threatened, and as your partner, it’s my job to have your back. Besides, it isn’t often that I get to walk a pretty girl home. Cut me some slack; after all, I’ve waited sixteen years to do this.”
    â€¢ • •
    Alexis stood in front of the fireplace in the lounge while he went to get his coat. She stared into the flames. J. J. McKenzie: the only good thing she remembered from her last year in Paradise. She had had such a crush on him, but like the rest of her painful memories, she had locked it away. Now her unruly heart was doing handsprings!
    The limp she had noticed earlier was more pronounced. She felt guilty, but not guilty enough to be alone quite yet, and they did need to talk — professionally, of course. The possibility that someone was out there watching her made the small hairs on the back of her neck bristle.
    When Jake came back, he was followed by a beautiful sable and white Shetland sheepdog.
    â€œThis is Maya,” he said bending down to rub the miniature collie’s head. “She’s my best girl.”
    â€œShe’s beautiful,” Alexis sighed. As much as she had always wanted a dog, she adamantly refused to get one. She could give you ten excuses why an animal, like a husband and family, did not fit her lifestyle. Some of the other investigators, those who had given up the single life and stayed closer to home, often used dogs in their work, but since she travelled all over North America, having an animal was impractical.
    Jake snapped the leash onto the red leather collar around Maya’s neck and escorted Alexis to the door. His coat, a sheepskin-lined leather bomber, and the dog were not the only things he had retrieved. In his right hand, he carried a walnut walking stick. He must have noticed her interest in it because he shrugged.
    â€œThe leg works well on paved surfaces, but I need help over uneven ground.” He opened the door. “I may not be able to follow you through too many burned out buildings, but I’ll be standing on the sidewalk waiting for you. He won’t get past me.” There was a familiar bitterness in his tone that she recognized, the bitterness that came when you felt