Once Upon A Half-Time 2(134)

“Because I threatened Bob Ragen a year ago?”

“Because nothing has changed since a year ago.”

“Bullshit.” Maddox tossed the chair back. He paced the room, but he wasn’t a man for indecision and waiting. How long until he did something foolish? “Bob Ragen was the first to call the police during the fire.”

“This has nothing to do with the fire.”

“Of course it does! Why was Bob Ragen at his store at ten o’clock that night? Don’t tell me his schedule is any different since I’ve been in jail. He always closes his shop at five, hits the bar, and stumbles home after last call. Somehow I doubt Saint Christie has a thriving AA program he’s attending instead.”

“What are you saying?”

“Did you hear what he said? If he had known the problems it would’ve caused your family, he would have lit the match years ago.”

I didn’t feel so good. I stood, swallowing the bile that rose.

This wasn’t happening.

“Now you think Bob Ragen burned down my store?” I whispered.

“Doesn’t it make sense? He was in a property dispute with your family. Hates your granddad and you. He’s a goddamned racist, and he wanted to send a message.”

A message… or retaliation? “And he only struck the match after you intimidated him.”

Maddox had the decency to look ashamed. “Maybe.”

“This is ridiculous.” I wove my fingers through my hair. Felt like I tied my scarf too tightly and everything that made sense was getting squeezed out of my head. “I thought you were convinced it was Chief Craig?”

“I am. Maybe.” He shrugged. “Look, Chief Craig was following me that night. He knew I was alone and had no alibi. Maybe he took the chance and set fire to your shop, not realizing Matt and you wouldn’t get out in time. I saved you, but he was able to frame me.”

My heart thudded too hard against my chest. This had to end. Now.

I revealed exactly what I knew in my gut. “Or maybe Nolan Rhys was upset because I refused to sleep with him? I didn’t sell him the property he wanted—the property he already had mapped, zoned, and planned for a conversion into a bed-and-breakfast. He offered me ten times what the property was worth and took it personally when I refused him.”

Maddox hesitated. “Maybe.”

“Not maybe. Nolan is the arsonist, no question. I’ll prove it to the town.” I turned to leave. “But I’m doing it alone, Maddox.”

His hand flattened on the door the instant I pulled it open. It slammed shut. What was he trying to prove?

Maddox stepped behind me, entirely too close for the blistering confusion and rage coursing through my veins. I protected a man who didn’t deserve protection. I didn’t want to lose him, but who was I losing? A lover…or a man slipping from the house late at night only to return bruised and bloody?

“I dealt with Bob a long time ago, Josie.”

“That doesn’t make it right.”

“I only wanted to protect you.”

That was the most idiotic thing I’d ever heard. I spun, pushing his arm from the door and forcing him to hold my gaze. I’d never intimidate him, and I was cruel enough to break his heart, but he had betrayed me. He used my name to hurt another person, and that was inexcusable.

“You want to protect me?” I whispered.

“Yes.”

“You can’t.”

Maddox slammed a second hand beside me. I edged back, but it only invited him closer.

“You think I can’t keep you safe? You think I won’t find the son of a bitch who did this, who hurt you, who framed me and separated us?”

“It won’t matter what you do.”

“Why?”

I hated that I had to say it. “Because it’s your fault it happened.”

His eyes blazed, dark and fierce. “I didn’t torch your shop.”

“You didn’t have to.” I dodged his arm, but he didn’t let me go. He pinned me on the door, and damn if I didn’t want to feel more of him against me. “You didn’t light the match, but my shop burned because of you. Chief Craig and you were feuding. Bob Regan is a racist prick, but he left my family alone—until you assaulted him in his store.”

Maddox looked away. His arms dropped, but I didn’t move. My chest rose in ragged breaths, shuddering as my heart shattered.

“And if it was Nolan?” I dared to meet his eyes. The darkness shadowed his face. “He framed you because it would hurt us both. You antagonized him, even when you had me, even when we were together. Do you get it now?”

He didn’t answer. I didn’t expect one.