"We are." Lena's smile was rare and genuine, transforming her entire face. "Even when we're arguing."
"Especially when we're arguing," Erin replied with a grin. "The competitive drive keeps us on our toes."
Around them, the diner hummed with late afternoon conversation—locals discussing weather and gossip, the jukebox playing something country and low. But in their corner booth, the investigation had taken on new momentum.
After they finished their burgers, they paid the check and headed back to Lena's car, both energized by the breakthrough they'd made on the case.
"This changes our approach," Lena said as they reached the outskirts of town. "If Webb trained someone, we're looking for a completely different type of suspect."
"Someone with inside knowledge but outside access." Erin watched familiar landmarks appear outside her window. "It's actually more dangerous. They'd know exactly how to exploit vulnerabilities without getting caught."
"Until now." Lena pulled into the fire station parking lot, choosing a spot near the entrance where other department vehicles were parked.
Neither of them moved to get out immediately. Erin found herself reluctant to end what had been a surprisingly productive afternoon.
"We should probably compile everything we found today," Erin said, gathering her tablet and case files. "Cross-reference Webb's colleagues with anyone who might have had access to his reports."
"I can run those background checks on the other inspectors, see if any red flags come up." Lena checked her phone for messages. "And follow up on Webb's current whereabouts."
Erin's radio crackled to life, Captain Hunter's voice cutting through their planning session. "Marshal Vance, are you back from the field? We need to review tomorrow's inspection schedule."
"Copy that, Captain Hunter. I'll be right up." Erin clipped the radio back to her belt and opened the car door. "I should go handle the scheduling, then write up our findings from today."
"Good idea. I'll do the same back at the station." Lena started gathering her own materials. "We can compare notes tomorrow morning."
Erin paused as she stepped out of the car. "Today was productive. I think we're finally getting somewhere with this case."
"Agreed. You brought a good perspective to the investigation." Lena's voice carried genuine professionalrespect. "The technical analysis made all the difference in understanding what we were looking at."
"Your investigative instincts led us to the right connections. I wouldn't have thought to look at the inspection company angle."
Erin stood there for a moment, struck by how different this felt from their previous interactions. Instead of arguing about methods, they'd actually solved problems together. The breakthrough at the diner had shown her they could be effective partners when they focused on the case rather than defending their approaches.
"See you tomorrow?" Lena asked, closing her car door.
"I'll be here. We've got suspects to track down."
Erin walked toward the fire station entrance, already thinking about how to organize their findings and what leads to pursue next. Today had proven something she hadn't expected: she and Detective Soto actually made a good team.
Standing in the fire station lobby, Erin felt revitalized by the progress they'd made. For the first time since the fires started, she felt like they had a real chance of solving this case. And despite their rocky beginning, working with Detective Soto was turning out to be exactly what the investigation needed.
5
Lena was already pulling Webb's colleague contact list from her printer when Erin walked through the precinct doors at eight sharp, two coffee cups balanced in her hands.
"Black, one sugar," Erin said, setting a cup on Lena's desk without ceremony. "I figured we'd both need the caffeine."
"Thanks." Lena accepted the cup and took a long sip, appreciating the practical gesture. "I've got five former building safety department colleagues we need to interview today."
Erin pulled up a chair to review the list. "Any of them still work in the area?"
“Three are still local.” Lena pointed to names on the list. “Two moved out of state after the department was restructured.”
"Was the list cross-referenced with the fire dates?" Erin asked, scanning the list.
"Of course." Lena spread out the timeline. "Anyone with access to Webb's reports had motive if they were taking kickbacks or covering up violations he documented."
They settled into the work with the kind of intense focus that came from finally having solid leads. Lena pulled out the contact information and spread the papers across her desk.
