Seduction's Dance (McKingley Series) (11 page)

“Good move, Dimitri. Piss off the woman who you’ll be working with.” Chief laughed and puffed on his smoke.

“I had to make sure she knew fires.”

“Don’t you remember Albert Gahlau?”

“Yes, that’s where I remember the name.” He paused. “Oh shit, that’s…”

“His daughter.”

Dimitri blew out a breath. This was not a good day. He’d insulted the daughter of a legend when it came to solving fires and his sister’s center was currently in flames, although they were thankfully being pulled under control.

Chief walked off, talking into his radio. He stopped and looked back. “Do us a favor, Dimitri. Be nice to her. I think she’ll be good enough.”

Dimitri went back to where his sister stood and explained the situation to her. When she nodded, he let it go and he continued to stand beside her, offering silent support. Tomorrow morning he would be back to start getting to the bottom of this. It hit him that Shayla knew what time he would want to start collecting information at the site of the fire. Had he just been managed? He would want to be here about six-thirty, which would give them a bit of time before to talk.

Katiya and Warwick finally left. He remained off to the side, alone watching as the fire fighters doused the final flames.

Chapter Eight

Dimitri rose from where he was crouched in the wreckage at The Oasis. He glanced to his left and spotted Shayla working her way toward him. Before they’d met earlier in his office, he’d found out more about her, from before she’d become an agent. He’d heard nothing but good things about her. Dimitri had even contacted his cousin, who was also in the FBI, and she’d provided some insights into Agent Gahlau. Their discussion had solidified what he’d come to find out about Shayla—she was meticulous and driven to do her best. He wouldn’t have expected anything less from someone whose dad was so well known.

They had agreed they would work the scene together, overlapping, then would share their findings with each other. Dimitri went back to work studying the scene.

He hadn’t spoken to Shannon last night although he’d been tempted to call to see how she was. But her dismissal yesterday had been clear and he was not going to push. Dimitri’s gaze narrowed when he spotted a familiar pattern he’d seen in other fires. It was as he’d thought—the serial arsonist wasn’t done. That he was back and going after the center showed he was planning to take many lives. Usually The Oasis would have been running a late night class at the time it was hit, but he’d learned from Katiya that they’d had to cancel yesterday because of a pipe bursting. If it wasn’t for that, there could have been a massive amount of casualties. The arsonist had to have known of The Oasis’ late class on that one night a month to hit at the time he had.

Dimitri thought of the other cases and again over this one then it finally dawned on him what was bothering him. He needed to go back to his office and files.

“Shayla, I’m heading back to the station.” He glanced at her.

Shayla lifted her head, her green eyes curious. “What’s up?”

“I think I figured out the link between all these cases, but I need to confirm some things first.” Dimitri beckoned to her and headed toward the door.

He nodded at the officer there, thinking of the scene when he’d first seen Shannon. While the center was closed since it was still a crime scene so it was empty, he knew Rhianna and Katiya would be in today to handle center business and in case those handling the case and clean up needed access to any other rooms that needed security clearance for them to get in.

In moments he and Shayla were in his SUV and he headed to the station. Shayla didn’t speak, just made notes while he drove. Dimitri used the time to think over the scene and what was happening. After they reached the station, he lifted his hand to acknowledge the greeting from the fire fighters, but he didn’t stop. Inside he shrugged out of his windbreaker before hanging it up then grabbing the files, a notepad, his laptop and going to the conference table. He dropped the files on the table by the chair then gestured to Shayla to sit. Dimitri took a seat, booting up his laptop.

“Read me the names and addresses of all the places fires were set. If they are businesses, give me the listed officers of company.” He paused. “Once you are done, read through it all and give me your thoughts on it. Including the scene we worked today.” He put up his hand as she opened her mouth. “I know you haven’t had a chance to write it up or think too much on it, but I want your impressions. Profile the arsonist and why they would light a fire at The Oasis.”

Shayla nodded then gave him what he’d requested. Dimitri wrote them on his notepad as she did. Once he had the list, he went to work on his computer searching the internet to get the info he needed. He stood, reaching for his desk phone then called places he couldn’t access when he searched online. Dimitri slammed down the phone on the last contact then stretched. He glanced at the time—they had been working for hours.

“Lunch? There’s a shop that makes sandwiches we can order from.”

“Sure.” Shayla didn’t lift her head from the file as she told him what she wanted.

Dimitri placed the order then refocused his attention on his list. Now it was there for him to see clearly, it clicked. He lifted his head and saw Shayla was watching him.

“The fires all have a rage to them. For some it was like they were playing. But those with a body count…those were to create the most damage. These are all very personal.” Shayla paused. “The Oasis, from what you told me, would have been filled with people. They were deliberately going to create havoc. Hurt the most they could. Yes, this is a bubbling rage…someone is out to hurt who they are targeting.” Her brow furrowed. “But there is no link between all these fires. No common one person. So who is the target?”

“That I have the answer for.” Dimitri stood and went to his file cabinet where he pulled out another open case then handed it to her.

There was a knock on the door and he went to get it. He paid the deliveryman for their lunch then went back to Shayla where Dimitri placed her sandwich and drink within reach. Shayla didn’t stop her reading of the file. Dimitri didn’t touch his sandwich either, having lost his appetite with the knowledge of what she read. What he had found made the idea of eating impossible. Shayla closed the last file.

“This is a car bombing.” Shayla shook her head. “This couldn’t possibly be linked to the arsonist.”

Dimitri didn’t say a word as he slid the notepad toward her. Shayla read what he had written, flipping through the pages for over twenty-five fires. She sat back and stared at him.

“I think I see some of it, but explain.” Shayla tapped the notepad.

“You can clearly see the places that are linked to my family. They work there, part of boards of directors or partially own some of the places. But the others without any of them listed affect someone my siblings have become involved with”—Dimitri ticked those off—“Deiter and Harmony work at the university. But Harmony—my brother’s fiancée—walks through the science building to get to the bus. My brother Jon was beside himself the day of the fire, not sure where she was. She’d been delayed and that possibly is why she wasn’t there. Deyon—a friend of the family and who was dating my brother Leo, but they recently became engaged—her store was lit on fire, but because of the system she had, it was minor and the fire was contained quickly. Deiter’s car was bombed, but Arissa would have been the one driving it and so she would have been the one to get killed.” Dimitri didn’t let his mind imagine such a thing happening. “The rest of the buildings, my sister Katiya’s fiancé Warwick, or his company, has a part in or serves on the board of directors.” Dimitri tapped his finger on the table. “Each and every one is linked to my family or someone they are involved with or engaged to.”

“You state a good case, but from what I’ve heard of your family, there are officially six of you but there is also another man who is family although he wasn’t officially adopted.” Shayla put her arms on the table. “There has not been a direct attempt on you…” She paused as if thinking. “Your younger sister Delicia, or Tarak Brady.”

Dimitri was surprised and impressed she knew so much about them.

“Just as I’m sure you checked up on me, I did the same with you.” Shayla grinned. “Your family would make an interesting case study.” She sobered. “If the arsonist holds to what they are doing then one of you not directly attacked will be next. Can you think of who would be targeting your family?”

“That is the problem. I have no clue. There are so many people we all deal with, but I can’t think of anyone we pissed off that much.” Dimitri shook his head. “I just don’t know who it could be, or what, to warn anyone to look out for. Hell, he did a fire then car bombed Deiter and Arissa.” Dimitri sat forward. “Son of a bitch. Deyon’s brakes were cut the same day her store was hit. We didn’t think they were connected at the time, but maybe they were.”

“We need everything they have on that. Then we go over the files, videos we have of the scenes. There is a common denominator there we are missing.” Shayla picked up her sandwich. “Call the sheriff and bring him in on this.” She stopped, eyes widened. “Sorry, it was made clear we are only here to help, not take over.”

“It’s okay.” Dimitri said. “I’ll call Leo.”

“We’ve got a lot to do figure out who this is before…”

Shayla didn’t finish her statement. Dimitri didn’t need her to. Because he knew that if they didn’t find was doing this, eventually they would kill someone he cared about. His thoughts filled with Shannon. He’d have to protect her and knew she would fight him on it. Dimitri didn’t care. He would not let her being in a relationship with him put her in danger.

* * * *

Shannon frowned at the knock on her door for she wasn’t expecting anyone. Rising from where she was lounging on the couch, she went to her front door, checked first to see who it was then opened it.

“What are you doing here?” She stared at the woman in her doorway.

“You invited me.” Carmen looked more amused than offended.

Shannon remembered that she had invited her over to barbeque. “I forgot. I made special arrangements with my mechanic to take my car into the garage to get fixed.” Shannon blew out a breath. “Come in then.”

“Such a warm welcome.” Carmen entered. “We can go drop off your car to the mechanic and then come back to eat.”

They had met a few times on scenes that overlapped and they had talked briefly and Shannon had decided to invite her—this was the first time she’d been here.

“Okay. Let’s see if I have anything in my freezer first in case we need to buy something.” Shannon led the way to her kitchen then quickly checked the freezer.

“We’ll have to get something. Give me a sec while I check with my cousin to see if he wants to join us.” Shannon turned then said, “Get a water if you like.”

She opened the back door then jogged down the steps and strode across the yard toward James’ house. As she walked, she realized she hadn’t heard Sigmund this morning. That was strange. Shannon stopped, looking around the yard for him. Usually the bird wasn’t too far from the house or, if James was about, him. Shannon continued to the house before noting James’ truck was missing. She halted, putting her hands on her hips. James was being very erratic and secretive lately—she made a mental note to ask him what was happening with him. With spending all the time she had with Dimitri, she hadn’t pushed James on what was going on.

Shannon retraced her steps, thinking of Dimitri. She knew he’d probably heard of her injury, but he hadn’t said anything and she was glad for that—she didn’t need anyone hovering over her.

Inside she collected Carmen and they got in their respective vehicles and headed to town. At Bennett’s Towing she exited her car and looked at the building. Archer Bennett, the owner, had told her to bring in her car anytime today, informing her he’d be working in the shop even though the auto body part was closed today and the towing was for emergencies. Carmen parked next to her and got out.

“You don’t need to come in,” Shannon stated.

“I am.” Carmen shrugged. “I’ll just stay in the waiting area while you talk.”

Shannon headed to the door and pressed the bell as Archer had told her to do.

“Come to the door by the garage,” a scratchy voice said over the intercom.

Shannon frowned—the voice didn’t sound like Archer’s deep baritone. She dismissed it, thinking the intercom had probably altered it. With Carmen by her side, they went to the door and it buzzed. She pulled it open and entered. The area beyond where they entered was dark, making Shannon frown again. Instinctively, she moved to the other side of Carmen to protect her if needed. Her off duty weapon was in a holster at her ankle, but she didn’t reach for it. There was nothing odd she could see, but something was bothering her. She placed her hand on Carmen’s, stilling her. Carmen looked at her curiously.

“Now, now, Shannon, don’t ruin the party,” a voice called out from the darkened part of the garage.

Shannon stiffened as she recognized the voice and the reason the intercom had bothered her. She blanked her mind and focused.

“This is getting really tiresome, Mario.”

His laugh was ugly before the light flashed on, temporarily blinding her. When her vision cleared, Shannon took in what she was seeing in one glance. Mario was smiling, pressing his gun against Archer’s head—Archer was tied up and kneeling at Mario’s side. Carmen gasped. Shannon gripped her arm in warning, not taking her gaze off Mario and his hostage. Carmen gripped her hand and squeezed twice. Shannon remembered that Carmen had said that was her signal with her partner when they couldn’t communicate in fires. It was the signal for ‘I’m okay’. Shannon returned it then released her, knowing she would be fine.

“There’s no need to keep them here. It’s me you want… Let them go,” Shannon stated walking toward him, her hands held up.

“You are really an arrogant cunt.” Mario laughed again, the sound nasty. “You’re the prelude”—he pushed the gun at Archer—“but he is the main event.” Mario pulled out another gun and leveled it at her. “Stop moving.”