“Came home, took a shower, ate something that didn’t smell nearly as divine as this, and took a long nap. Then I got up, took Snuffles to the dog park, where she raced circles around a golden retriever she likes to play with. Then we went home, did a load of laundry. Now the fun part begins.” Flash wiggled her brows and grinned at Athena as the hostess placed a plate in front of her.
“Sounds like a long nap,” Athena mentioned as she came around the granite-topped island to take the stool beside her. “Glad you’re well rested.”
“Me, too, because I didn’t get any sleep last night. There was this huge warehouse fire.” Flash took a bite, and her eyes rounded. She spun on her stool to face Athena, a shocked expression blaring across her handsome features. “Oh, my God, Athena! Why didn’t you tell me you could cook? This is delicious.”
Athena laughed, relieved her reaction hadn’t been one of horror. “It’s just lasagna. How hard is that? Glad you like it. So, a big warehouse fire?”
“Yeah,” Flash continued as she cut another portion, “and I think it was arson.”
“Arson?” Athena reacted with interest as she ate. “Did you report it to the fire marshal? My department has worked on a few arson cases that met federal requirements.”
Flash rolled her eyes while she chewed, then shook her head. “Did I tell you about the new lieutenant at Firehouse Eight?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Athena caught a flicker in Flash’s eyes, something guarded and tight.
“Well, he’s a royal pain in the ass,” she admitted, “but I hope it won’t affect our house performance. I mean, he does the job OK, I guess, but he rubs everyone the wrong way, and he especially has it out for me. Nita said it could be the ‘intimidated-by-a-female-firefighter’ thing, but I don’t know.” She shrugged, a scowl furrowing her brow and knotting her chin. “I pointed out the evidence to him, told him I waspositiveabout the BBQ lighter fluid smell, but he blew me off—said he might put it in his report ifhethought it deserved investigation. But, Athena, I’m telling you,” Flash declared forcefully, pointing her fork at Athena for emphasis, “Iknowsomeone set that fire intentionally—there’s no doubt in my mind.”
While Flash bit into a forkful of pasta, Athena reflected on her testimony. She’d run across guys like this lieutenant in the FBI too, ones who’d rather ignore facts than allow a woman to get the credit, or even the satisfaction of learning she had been right.
“What should I do?” Flash asked. “I mean, if he doesn’t report it to the fire marshal? If I go over his head to Captain O’Riley, who’s as reasonable as they come, Edwards will hate me even more. He’ll take it out on me, and I’ll end up doing nothing but washing engines and mopping floors for a month. But, if I don’t, and an arsonist gets away with it, the dude might set another fire, this time with people present who could be hurt or killed.” She jabbed her fork into her remaining lasagna piece and sighed, dropping her chin into her palm.
Athena swiveled to face her and rubbed a hand across her shoulder, up her neck, and into her short, shaggy hair. Sometime since Saturday, she’d gotten her blue streak brightened back up. It added to the fascinating character that was Lisa Flash Cash. “That’s a tough situation.”
Flash lifted her chin, meeting Athena’s gaze with a question. “How would you feel if Agent Shoops went behind your back and reported something to the boss? I know we’re supposed to follow the chain of command, but if the chain has a faulty link …”
“First, I’d hope I never screwed up so badly that any of my agents would feel the need to go over my head, but I suppose I’d be irritated, maybe insulted. But if one of them has a hunch or spots something I overlooked, I always take their observations seriously. I can’t imagine anyone would blow off a respected employee’s suspicions.”
“See, that’s because you’re a great boss,” Flash responded, cupping Athena’s cheek and smiling at her.
Athena smirked, then turned into Flash’s hand, kissing her palm. “If he doesn’t include your findings in his report, then you have to tell your captain. You’re duty-bound to report any suspicious evidence, and it’s not your fault your new lieutenant is a jerk. Come to think of it,” Athena added with sudden inspiration, “why don’t you take the lieutenant’s exam and get your bars? Clearly, you’d do a better job of it than this Edwards fellow.”
“Naw.” Flash stiffened, appearing uneasy, and returned her attention to poking at her dinner.
“Why not? You’ve got a college degree, eight years of experience, and unbeatable instincts. Passing the test should be easy for you, and you’d make a hell of an officer.” Athena knew she was right about this. It was time for Flash, a born leader, to move up in the ranks.
“You sound like my parents,” Flash let out in frustration. “I like what I’m doing now and don’t want to get tangled up in a bunch of paperwork. I’m happy where I am, so why mess with it?”
Athena could think of a million reasons, but she held her tongue. From her reaction, Athena deduced it was a sore subject between Flash and her parents, and she didn’t want to come across sounding like a parent. She needed Flash to think of heras a girlfriend, her equal, not some older woman entitled enough to think she knew what was best for her.
“I suppose,” she answered nonchalantly, without a hint of sarcasm, and let the matter drop. “So, after-dinner action movie, or play a game?”
Flash appeared intrigued. “What kind of game?”
Heat rose in Athena’s cheeks, and she swallowed a giggle that would have sounded silly. “I’ve got Othello, Backgammon, Battleship, and Taco vs. Burrito that work well with only two players.”
“Taco vs. Burrito?” Flash gaped at her in disbelief. “That’s a joke, right?”
“No,” Athena explained. “It’s pretty new. Cam got me hooked on it, but …” A mischievous twinkle lit her eyes as she trailed a finger across Flash’s arm. “We could spice up the rules—make each round come with a sensual reward.”
Grinning, Flash leaned in, sliding her hands up Athena’s thighs. “I like the sound of that.”
Two hairy feet, four toes on each, pawed at Athena’s ankle, accompanied by a whine. “All right,” she addressed Snuffles. “You can play too, but you aren’t included in the sexy parts. Got it?”
Flash laughed while Snuffles took on a joyful expression and began running in a circle, chasing her tail, crying, “Grrrr, grrrr!”
As Athena’s heart swelled, she dared to hope this could be a precursor to the family she’d yet to enjoy as an adult.If this works out, it might just be bliss.
Chapter 10
