Flash nodded, tracking Athena’s method as more stacks appeared.
“These are terminated or washed-out firefighter trainees from the past two years,” Athena continued, “plus known or suspected arsonists not currently in custody. Andthese are business owners—their finances, their relatives—anything that could hint at an insurance scam or grudge fire.”
“You’ve got hundreds of names,” Flash said, wide-eyed. “Any leads?”
“We interviewed two suspects today.” Athena laid their photos and interview notes on top. “Neither has an alibi, but there’s nothing linking them directly to any of the fires.”
“Hey!” Flash grabbed one of the photos. “I saw this guy—day before yesterday. He was filming the house fire. The one with the little boy …” Her voice caught. She couldn’t say it out loud. The grief still clawed at her throat—but the rage flared hotter. “He wasfilming. Didn’t even stop when Squad Lieutenant Jackson carried him out. I wanted to punch him.”
“Are you sure?” Athena met her gaze.
“Positive.”
“Ricky De León.” Athena uttered his name with an icy, sharp edge. “You don’t know him, though—never ran across him?”
“Why should I?” Flash would have remembered a good-looking, slimy creep like him.
“He spent about a year at Firehouse Sixty-two before getting canned.”
A corner of Flash’s mouth lifted, amused. “Do you know how many people work for the Houston Fire Department?”
With a flicker lighting her hazel eyes, Athena guessed, “Almost as many as the HPD, I’ll bet.”
“Couldn’t say,” Flash admitted, “but over four thousand, easy.”
“Yeah.” Athena turned her attention back to the multitude of papers organized before her, and Flash picked up on how tired she looked. Swimming, floating in the cool water, had been relaxing, and the dinner satisfying, but Athena’s energy was fading under the weight of the investigation.
Flash picked up a stack. “What am I looking for?”
“You don’t have to—” Athena’s fingers brushed Flash’s as she reached out to stop her. The simple contact sent Flash’s skin humming.
“I know.” She met Athena’s gaze with affection and solidarity. “Let me carry a little of the load.”
Athena’s shoulders relaxed, a smile blooming across her kissable red lips. “Alright.”
They searched, circled, compared, crossed off, and took notes for two hours instead of one. At ten o’clock, Flash called it. “Up to bed, young woman,” she mock commanded, pointing at the stairs. “I have an early shift in the morning and, even though it’s Saturday, I know where you’ll be up and off to.”
“Aye, aye, Captain Cash.”
Laughing, Flash brushed her lips. “I’ll take Snuffles out, then join you. Shall I bring wine?”
“I’ll take care of that.” Athena locked eyes with her, a look of wonder gracing her face. “I’d forgotten, or maybe I never knew, what this was like.”
“What?” Flash asked, teased. “You forgot I’ve slept over before?” Yet she sensed it was something much deeper.
A smile blossomed across Athena’s face—gentle, vulnerable, real. “Having a partner.”
As if the sun had been pressed into a glowing sphere small enough to fit inside her chest, Flash felt it burning there, all warm, steady, and bright. She took a moment to engage Athena in a luxurious kiss, expressing a joy for which she had no words.
“Yourpartnerwill be up in a jiff.”
Refreshed and inspired, Athena strode into the situation room the next morning with a spring in her step. Lights glowed, computers hummed, and Shoops and Paulson were already at their desks. The smell of coffee lured her to the beverage station amid chipper greetings.
“Yes, I know youlovebeing here on a Saturday,” she quipped. Athena didn’t often allow levity on the job, but she was in a particularly good mood. Those days had become more frequent since Flash entered her life.
Other agents trickled in as she poured her coffee, and the room gradually filled with energy.
“All right, gather around,” Athena called. “I discovered something new last night, and I want progress reports. I’ve got a task force meeting at eleven.”
