Damaged by Indigo Sin Page B

be okay.”
    “But Monica…”
    “Will be fine,” he interrupted. “We’ll be in when this is all over. Go on.”
    Sarah’s gaze flickered to Monica and then to Jack. “Okay.”
    Seth nodded, watching until the two of them had disappeared inside. When the door closed, he turned on his heel, brushing people aside as he made his way to Monica. A fierce possessiveness washed over him. The need to protect her became a drivin g force he couldn’t deny. Ignoring the hollers for him to stop and answer questions, Seth broke through the sea of people until he reached her.
    Tucking her in close to his side, he forced a smile, kissing her forehead softly. “You okay?”
    “I’m fine . No one was hurt,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist. She was shivering.
    Pulling his police jacket off, Seth wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled her close again. With Monica clinging to him, he fronted all of the questions that were shot her way, comforting her, coaxing her to relax.
    Detective Owens scribbled in his notepad, taking down Monica’s series of events prior to the fire. “Did you notice anything suspicious around the farm beforehand?”
    Seth watched as Monica shook her head, pushing her hair from her face. “No, sir. I was just starting dinner when I noticed the smoke.”
    Looking to Seth, the detective motioned toward the smoldering rubble with his head. “What did you keep in there?”
    “Nothing special. Some old rims, some gardening equipment, tools…nothing that can’t be replaced,” he replied, hoping his sure tone would comfort Monica. The questions were starting to grate on his already thin nerves. He had suspicions that this was no accident. It just seemed too coincidental. “Nothing that was flammable though, and there was no electricity running to that building either, so there’s no chance of a rogue spark.”
    Detective Owens nodded, adding to his documentation. “We’ve already got arson on it. The scent of accelerant was in the air when we arrived, so we called them in. Fire squad has pinpointed the point of origin to a back corner, but until they get the fire out, they won’t know for sure.” Rubbing at his bald head, Owens blew out a breath before looking at Monica. “You mentioned returning home in a cab about an hour or so beforehand. Was the driver acting suspiciously that you can recall?”
    Icy anger descended on Seth. “What?” he asked through his teeth, looking down at her. She refused to meet his gaze. “You went into the city?”
    “ It’s no big deal, Seth. We just went to the apartment for a bit. Sarah couldn’t find her locket and remembered that she had left it on the bathroom sink back at the apartment.” Shifting nervously, Monica pulled the jacket tighter around her body and dropped her gaze to the ground. “I was careful, I promise,” she whispered.
    Running a hand down his face, Seth bit back his anger , very aware of the curious detective watching them closely. “We’ll talk about it later. Are you done with her?”
    Detective Owens flipped his notepad shut and shoved it back into his pocket , not even trying to hide the smirk on his face. “All right, that’s all I need from her for now, but I’ll need her to be available if further questions arise. Thank you, ma’am.”
    Seth started to leave with her, but the detective’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “I didn’t say I was done with you, Officer Jackson.”
    “Go inside . I’ll be in shortly,” Seth sighed, giving Monica’s hand a gentle squeeze for comfort. The blue and red flashing lights reflected in her eyes momentarily, telling of the chaos that was going on around them. Even in the middle of the shit-storm taking place, she was as beautiful as ever.
    Taking a deep breath as he turned back to the detective, the acrid taste of smoke and char assaulted his senses. The shed was nothing but a blackened stain on the ground with a few support beams still standing. The arson team was