Daring Devotion by Elaine Overton

word.”
    Finally, getting the laughter under control, Cal sat up. “Thanks, man, you don’t know how much I needed this.”
    Realizing there would be no exotic dancers, the groups went back to their previous activities, playing cards until they found a good game on TV. The party didn’t break up until well into the morning and everyone left satisfied that they’d given Cal an almost perfect send-off.

Chapter 10
    C al picked his way through the debris, his thoughts centered on the fire damage that surrounded him on every side. Something wasn’t right about the scene. This had been the fourth fire in the same number of days. That in itself was not so unusual, given the above-average temperatures they’d been experiencing that summer. But combine that with the similarities in each case, and the situation reeked of foul play.
    Just then, he noticed the fire marshal entering the opening that was once a doorway. “Noel!” he called to the familiar man.
    Noel nodded in greeting before stepping over a crushed pile of what were once cereal boxes. “What’s up, man? I heard you were…out for a while.”
    Cal stiffened, realizing that word of his suspension was apparently making its way through the department and into other firehouses.
    â€œYeah, just until they complete their probe.” He waved it off, hoping he sounded more unconcerned than he felt. “What’s your take on this?” Cal gestured to the destruction surrounding them.
    â€œDon’t know. Just got here.”
    â€œDid you work the fire at that nail shop on Gratiot yesterday afternoon?”
    Noel shook his head in denial, his eyes surveying the work ahead of him. He was breaking down the scene and the way he intended to divide his manpower, even as he carried on the conversation with his friend.
    â€œWell, let’s just say the aftermath looked a lot like this place,” Cal continued. “And the liquor store on Vandyke the day before, and the doctor’s office on east Jefferson the day before that.”
    By now he had the fire marshal’s complete attention. “You thinking arson?”
    â€œIt was always after hours when the places were closed and no one could get hurt, and it was always commercial buildings, not private homes.”
    Noel gave Cal an unreadable look. “How do you know all this?”
    â€œI visited the scenes and read the reports, as well.”
    Noel just continued to stare.
    â€œLook, Noel, the fire that got me suspended looked a lot like this. It’s what first made me suspicious. If there is an arsonist in my district, I want to know. This guy may’ve cost me my badge.”
    Okay, it was making sense now, Noel thought. If he were in Cal’s shoes he would probably be doing the same thing. Tilting his head to the side, he mentally reviewed what he knew about those other fires. Many times, his subordinates went out to inspect without him, and he thought that was probably the case with the nail shop and the doctor’s office, since he had no memory of reviewing the reports. But he did remember the liquor store. He was still in the process of determining the cause. He’d already ruled out accidental. What Cal was saying only confirmed his own suspicions, and now he knew there were probably other deliberately set fires, as well.
    â€œI already suspected something was up with that liquor store fire, but thanks for the heads-up. I’ll definitely take that into consideration during my investigation.” He frowned, just remembering something. “Did you say the nail shop was on Gratiot?”
    Cal nodded.
    â€œAnd the doctor’s office on East Jefferson?”
    Cal nodded again.
    â€œThat explains it. Those are both outside my jurisdiction. But I’ll contact the marshal for that district and get copies of the reports.” He shook his head sadly. “The last thing I need is an arsonist in the area. Hell, we get