Chapter 35

“I’m going to go talk to the fire chief. Wait here,” Ron said and then left the truck, slamming the door.

Chris closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Great.”

His phone buzzed with a text from James. Are you ok?

Chris thumbed, Yes

Where are you?

Chris hesitated. Did James know he wasn’t in town?

He left the truck and then hurried to the front door of the fire station as Ron stepped outside. “I think we have a problem,” Chris said.

“What?”

Chris phone rang. It was James. “Crap,” he said, looking at Ron. “I can’t lie to him.”

“Let’s go.”

Chris followed Ron to the truck, taking a deep breath before he answered the call. “Hey.”

“Where are you?” James’s words were crisp and rushed.

“I’m just checking on a lead about Garoutte,” Chris said as he opened the door and got in, hoping that truth would outweigh any horrible lie that could follow.

“Are you alone?”

“Yes,” Chris said and closed his eyes. “Did you know I wasn’t in town?”