Moving Filmore up on his list of potential suspects, Riley muttered some soothing nonsense in an attempt to calm the man down. Just when he thought he was making progress, Filmore launched into another tirade.
Before Riley could steer her away, Abby walked right into Filmore’s outburst. He pushed Riley aside and starting shouting at her.
“This is your fault!”
“Mr. Filmore—” she put a hand on his shoulder “—are you okay?”
He shrugged her off. “Absolutely not!”
“Would you like me to call over a paramedic?” She gave Riley a look to do it anyway.
Incensed, Mr. Filmore put himself right in her face and it took all of Riley’s self-control to abide by Abby’s signal to step back and let the man blow. He didn’t know how Abby put up with Filmore’s increasingly outrageous accusations.
“Mr. Filmore,” she said when he paused for air. “I am sorry for your distress. I know how much Belclare means to you.”
“You are a failure! This city has never been more unsafe. Opening weekend is ruined! The people of this town deserve better than you.”
Riley moved to intervene, ready to protect either Filmore or Abby. He wasn’t sure which one would need him more. The last thing he expected was for Abby to slip her arm through Mr. Filmore’s as if they were the best of friends. “I understand your concern. Have you seen the park yet?”
“Of course.”
“I think the decorating crew outdid themselves. Were you pleased?”
“Yes. But at this rate it will all go up in smoke tomorrow.”
Riley trailed after them, unwilling to leave her alone with a nut like Filmore. Riley might suggest she keep a few of the guys he’d been working with in town as extra security. He couldn’t be sure she’d accept the idea, but it could resolve part of her manpower issue. For two blocks, he considered ideas and solutions and what he had to share in his next report for Director Casey, and then they rounded the corner and all three of them stopped.
Memorial Park sat like a jewel in the heart of Belclare. The scent of fresh greenery laced the cold air and out here, the burning police station might as well be on a different planet. Logically, he knew it was the breeze from the water blowing the acrid smoke in the opposite direction, but the effect was stunning.
“Isn’t this lovely, Mr. Filmore? It looks just like those pictures from the 1940s.”
“It does,” he allowed, his voice tight. “The decorators did well here.”
Riley kept his mouth shut so he wouldn’t blow the progress Abby was making.
“I agree.” Abby’s voice was steady and calm in the brittle air. “Tourists will love this, they’ll flock here, taking pictures and making memories. Belclare will be fine.”
“But the burned-out station is an eyesore,” he moaned.
“You know what I didn’t see at the station?”
“What?”
“I didn’t see any flames on the front of the building.”
Riley realized she was right. The roof had been burning as well as the back, but the facade hadn’t been on fire. In fact the displays in front of the building were mostly intact.
“The police department may have to take up temporary residence at Sadie’s for a few days,” Abby offered, “but at first glance the tourists won’t know the difference.”
“You sound so sure,” Filmore mumbled.
“I am. The buildings you protect so well, the structures you speak for, were here long before either of us. Thanks to your dedication, they will be here long after we’re gone. Tonight’s setback notwithstanding.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry I lost my temper.”
Riley was sure he heard tears in Filmore’s voice.
“These have been trying times,” she added graciously, “but we’ll get through it. Together.”
Filmore stopped short in the middle of the sidewalk and Riley braced for trouble.
“Yes, it will take both of us to get this done,” Filmore agreed. He reached over and covered her gloved hand with his. “Belclare means so much to me, Chief Jensen. My apologies.”
Riley didn’t like the tone and his mind ran off in conspiratorial directions over Filmore’s phrasing.
But Abby just smiled at the older man. “Sometimes those things that mean the most drive us to do things we never dreamed ourselves capable of doing,” she said.
“There are times for extreme measures.”
“Yes.” She turned them back toward Main Street, back toward the mess and destruction of the fire.
Riley noticed how the Belclare police officers had managed to spread out at even intervals, on both sides of the street.