Once Upon A Half-Time 2(120)

Point taken. “I have the survey flags in place. I’m not sure what else I can do.”

“It’s a civil matter, but he’s raising a fuss,” Councilman Grassi said. “I just wanted to know what you might be walking into during the next town meeting.”

Delta pouted. “Does that mean we have to attend?”

“Do your civic duty,” he said.

She made a face. I seconded.

Chief Craig usually did paperwork or dozed at the meetings, but even he looked concerned about the issue. He rubbed his chin, glancing over the town.

“Speaking of your property…”

His voice trailed off. The sun glittered off his badge, and somehow I doubted we were talking about surveys and lot lines.

“Heard some news,” the chief said. “Andrew Maddox is back in town.”

Everyone froze at the mere mention of his name. Everyone except me.

I warmed.

…In every way that was very, very bad for us.

“Just…be careful, Josie,” Chief Craig said. “We don’t know what he wants.”

I picked my words carefully. “He wants to prove his innocence.”

Councilman Grassi waved at his niece. “You talk sense into her, Delta. I think we’ve all failed at this point.”

Chief Craig wasn’t as amused. “I’ve known Matt a long time. I remember your parents and grandmother, God rest their souls. Believe me when I say I’m looking out for you, Josie.”

“A lot of people are.”

“We all care about you. That boy…he’s trouble. You need to stay far from him. Ignore his calls and don’t get too close. We don’t know what else he might be planning.”

I did, and it wasn’t anything Chief Craig needed to hear. I nodded, earning a sweet smile from Delta. Councilman Grassi and the chief grabbed their equipment and patted the rickety railing, wishing us a good afternoon as we loitered on public grounds with all the best intentions.

Delta stuck her tongue out at me. “Now will you come to your senses?”

“Nope. I already knew no one trusted Maddox.”

“Neither should you.”

I picked up my purse. “I should head home. You need to get back to work.”

“Work can wait. Do you think you’ll be okay?” Delta bit her lip. “Please tell me you won’t call Maddox.”

“I’m not telling him anything Nolan said or did today.”

“Why?”

I hesitated a moment too long. Delta stood, pointing an accusatory finger.

“There. You see? Right there. You don’t trust Maddox around Nolan. He’s dangerous.”

But Nolan was more dangerous if only because no one suspected how evil he truly was.

“I’ll call you later,” I said. “But do me a favor?”

“Yeah?”

“Pull the file on my shop again. Just…make a copy of everything you have for me.”

“The more you dig around, the more you’re going to realize the truth.” Delta shrugged. “It was Maddox who torched the place.”

“Then you won’t have a problem getting it for me.”

“I hate to see you get hurt,” Delta said. “But I’ll see what I can pull.”

“Quick, okay?” I hugged her goodbye. “We might not have a lot of time.”

“Time before what?”

I didn’t want to answer that question. I didn’t know the answer.

Time before Maddox took his revenge. Time before Nolan hurt Maddox. Time before it didn’t matter who destroyed my shop.

If I didn’t find the real arsonist soon, I’d lose more than stone and brick, sugar and spice.

I’d lose the only man I ever loved.





8





Maddox





I kicked the nightstand.

It shattered on the hotel wall. Josie stopped talking. The phone must have picked up the crash.

Damn it.

“I’ll come over.” I wasn’t used to begging. My voice barked too hard, like an order. Not what I needed to convince Josie to let me in her life.

Why the fuck was she still pushing me away?

“Maddox…not tonight.”

“When? Tomorrow? I’ll wake you up with pancakes.”

She sounded tired. “Be serious.”

I was. Didn’t she realize? Christ, the time apart ruined us. I had to rebuild our relationship brick-by-brick, but all I had were ashes and flame-lashed timbers.

“Sweets, I just gotta see you.”

“I’m not ready.”

“Something’s wrong.”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Bullshit.” I paced the room, but I couldn’t destroy anything else. Last thing I needed was word to pass around the town that I was trashing hotel rooms, especially since Rhys For State Representative signs still littered the lobby. “You’ve been hiding something since I got back.”