Violet: Yeah. Noon?
Me: Perfect.
Violet: Will you bring me flowers this time?
Me: Probably not.
Violet: Aren’t you supposed to be wooing me?
Me: …
Violet: You’re glaring at the phone, aren’t you?
Me: Yes.
Violet: Aww look how well we know each other already.
Me: See you at noon, Violet.
Violet: Sigh. You’re no fun.
Chapter Eight
SETH
I openedthe door to the police station and glanced over at Violet who stood talking to the desk sergeant. I waited, not wanting to interrupt, and after a moment she looked my way.
She turned and moved toward me, and a smile tugged at my lips as I read her T-shirt:School sucks. Start a band.
I shook my head and held the door so she could exit in front of me. I’d debated texting her all weekend. I had no idea what I was supposed to do. Not only had it been more than two years since I started dating someone, this also wasn’t actual dating.
But I couldn’t stop thinking about that asshole ex of hers. I wanted to make sure he stayed away from her. And if spending alittle bit of time with her solved both of our problems, I didn’t see that as the worst thing that could happen. Ultimately, that was what led to me finally texting her this morning.
“Anywhere specific you’d like to go?” I asked her, stopping outside on the sidewalk.
“The diner’s always good.”
“Perfect.”
We walked to my car parked down the street and I held the passenger door open for her. I tried not to stare at her legs, clad in fishnets and cutoff denim shorts, as she climbed into the car. And I was as unsuccessful this time as I was last time. Something about those damn fishnets kept pulling me in. I chuckled at the fact that she hooked her phone back up to my car to play her own music, just like she did on Friday, as I drove toward the diner.
“You guys still working the arson case?” I hadn’t heard an update, but then again I’d been off since Friday, so if there was, I wouldn’t know.
“Yup.” She let out a long sigh. “We’re basically starting over. I’m going through all the video footage we’ve collected since January looking for anything we’ve missed. Or anyone that seems out of place.”
“So you’re not looking at the Taylor kid anymore?”
She shrugged. “We can’t touch him until we solve the fires he has alibis for. It’s basically one of three scenarios. One, he didn’t start any of the fires. Two, he’s working with someone. Or three, he’s responsible for all but two fires. But until we figure out who set those two, or until the guy messes up, there’s not much we can do.”
“Could be a woman.”
“Not likely. Statistics say it’s probably a man. But who knows? I’m personally not ruling anyone out at this point.”
“We had one in Charlotte.”
“One?” Her brows pulled together.
“A woman arsonist.”
