Read Online Fire Angel by Susanne Matthews - Free Book Online

think he has a specific agenda, and plans to kill a lot more people before he’s done. Unless you can identify him from the fires, we haven’t a clue where to start looking.”
    She shivered. Jake put his arm around her and pulled her close. She readily accepted his offer of comfort. He liked having her in his arms, and was disappointed when she pulled away a bit and continued their discussion.
    â€œSo, you believe this guy is a pyromaniac, a victim of bullying of some kind who has decided to fight back? You say he’s putting a lot into getting the scenes ready, but so far, you have no proof that he’s getting any pleasure out of setting these fires. That aspect is critical in pyromania. The sociopath part I can buy; I’d pretty much come to the same conclusion, but the other? Give me time to look at the scenes and feel them out; once I do, I’ll let you know if your theory is valid.”
    Jake looked at her quizzically and frowned.
    â€œYou’ll be able to tell from looking at the fire scene whether or not he enjoyed himself? I’ve never heard another fire investigator make that claim.”
    Somewhat stung by his disbelieving tone, Alexis pushed away from him and stood.
    â€œThat’s the reason I’m here, isn’t it? Because I can do what no one else can?”
    The pleasant feeling that had existed between them vanished. He wasn’t the first to be doubtful of her abilities. Why was it that people always mistrusted what they didn’t understand?
    Jake stood and called Maya to follow him.
    â€œYou’re right; I don’t know enough about what you do to be skeptical. It’s late and it’s been a long day for both of us. Since you’re hell-bent on being independent, I’ll meet you at the station in the morning. You have GPS in your car; set the address; it’s not hard to find. We can show your note to the chief and have it tested while you look at the evidence.”
    She stood to walk him to the door. Before she could hand him his jacket, he put out his hand to stop her.
    â€œAlexis, don’t get me wrong, I’m really glad we have this opportunity to reconnect, but I have to ask — why are you here? Why did you take this case? The more I think about this maniac, the more I realize what danger you were in on the highway with that monster out there with you, and I don’t mean the moose. Even this cabin might have been a bad choice.”
    He reached for her and held her shoulders, forcing her to look up at him. “When you left, I was angry at your uncle because he wouldn’t look for you. I’ve searched on and off for years. I’m good at my job, but Alexis Pruett had vanished. You obliterated all traces of yourself. Some of us cared about you, and you hung us all out to dry.” He let go of her and ran his hands through his hair, something he seemed to do when he was frustrated or confused.
    â€œI need to know; why now? Until today, I didn’t even know that you were still alive. It was my idea to send for you, based on the article in the paper about the way you brought the mob to its knees, but if I’d known it was you, I’m not sure what I would have done. I know that you’re good at your job, but surely there are others who are equally skilled. You do realize that he still lives in town?”
    Alexis stood away from him and raised her chin defiantly. This was why she chose to stay alone. Men! Why did they assume they knew everything? That they could fix everything? He had no right to question her. She’d done what she’d done to survive.
    As far as the job went, he’d asked for the best and that’s what he’d gotten. That hair-trigger anger of hers, the one she tried so hard to keep under control, flared. She glared at him, her hands on her hips, so incensed that she trembled in her fury.
    â€œYou don’t really know me, you just assume you do. For all intents and