Read Online Flashover by Dana Mentink - Free Book Online Page A

going to walk you up to your apartment and I think you’d better pack some things and go stay with your mother tonight, right after we call the police.”
    He let her in and checked the small space. Everything was untouched, no sign of a stranger’s intrusion.
    She gasped. “Tim. I just thought of something. What about Moe? Why didn’t Cyril just talk to him? Do you think he’s okay?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, I know he’s okay. I just saw him.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œOn the way over here I saw Moe and his mother at the ice-cream shop. I said hello and introduced myself. Madge said to tell you her sister had so many church people helping her out there was no need to stay so she’s back in town. Moe is going to sleep at her house for a few days.”
    Ivy sagged in relief, collapsing onto the sofa. “Cyril gave him something and my guess is somebody wants it back. At least Moe’s safe for the night. We’d better call him tomorrow, too.”
    Tim pushed his own growing concern aside and took her hand. “We’ll get this all straightened out, Ivy.”
    She swallowed. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m sure I’ll be fine here tonight. I don’t need to go to my mother’s.”
    He folded his arms, not surprised by her sudden refusal. “Yes, you do.”
    â€œI promise I’ll lock the door.”
    â€œUh-uh. You’re going to your mom’s.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “Really? And what if I don’t?”
    â€œI’ll call your mother and tell her the situation.”
    â€œAnd what if I still don’t agree?”
    He considered for a moment. “Then I’ll throw you over my shoulder in a perfect fireman’s carry and lug you down to the car myself. You can kick and scream but one way or another, you’re going.”
    â€œYou would do that?”
    â€œTo keep you safe? Oh, yeah. I would do that.”
    She watched him, wide-eyed. “Okay. I’ll go pack a few things.”
    â€œVery good choice.”
    Â 
    Detective Spencer Greenly laced his fingers across his wide belly as he listened to Tim and Ivy tell the story. A gum-wrapper chain looped through the top handle of his file cabinet.
    Tim wished he could read the expression on his face, but it was impossible. Occasionally he tamped down his salt-and-pepper mustache and made a note on his yellow pad.
    Ivy told Greenly about Moe, his relationship with Cyril and proximity to the fire.
    Tim added a few details to complete the picture, including the dangers Ivy had encountered.
    With a sigh, the detective unwrapped a piece of gum and shoved it in his mouth. He noted their looks. “Trying to quit smoking. So you think Cyril is being followed?”
    Tim frowned. “Well, someone is after him, and I’m afraid they are going to go after Moe since apparently Cyril gave him something.”
    Greenly’s look gave nothing away. “We’ll talk to Moe, but you say he’s pretty…noncommunicative?”
    Ivy joined in. “Strangers scare him. It took three years before he’d talk to me, and I’m his neighbor.”
    The officer nodded. “I’m sure his mother will let us into the apartment to take a look around. Did Cyril say what he’d given to Moe?”
    Ivy shook her head. “No. He was in a real hurry to go. I don’t think he intended to talk to me at all, but Moe wasn’t home so he got desperate.”
    Tim shifted on the hard chair, stomach clenching with the thought. “I’m concerned that Ivy is in some kind of danger.”
    â€œHard to say. In view of the fact that someone tried to burn down Cyril’s house with him inside, I’d say Cyril is the one in real danger at the moment. Just to be sure, we’ll assign someone to drive by her complex and keep an eye on things when they can.”
    Tim leaned forward. “Will that be enough?”
    The barest of