Heart of Fire by Dawn Carter Page B

out.  She had been dealing with her own guilt over the death, and just had it confirmed that the girl who tormented her dreams each night for the past twelve years was snuggled in her arms. It all started to make sense now.  She could not get the nagging question out of her mind through the years how the man, her father was already dead before the house was engulfed in flames.  She was just a kid, Danni reasoned with herself, she was protecting her mother, and it was an accident.  Danni turned and looked at her.  “ Don’t blame yourself sweetheart.  If he succeeded in killing your mother, he could have turned on you next.  And, for the record, I read the report from the fire marshal.  There was gasoline burns throughout the house.  The fire was coded suspicious.”  She kissed the tears that still flowed from her eyes.
    “Gasoline, he started the fire?”
    “That’s the way it looks.  They never looked at you as you starting it since I had to pull you out, and my statement as to your reluctance and wanting to save your mom ended any suspicions.”
    Annabel became visibly angry.  “He was trying to kill all of us?”
    “I think so, but he failed and you lived.”
    “But he didn’t fail Danni, my mom’s dead,” she sobbed
    Danni held her tight and let her collapse in her arms. She allowed her to comfort her and leaned in closer.  The guilt subsided as she replayed what Danni had said.  She blamed herself for so many years and it was not her fault.  The weight suddenly dissipated.  “Thank you for listening and understanding.”  She concluded with a half-smile.  She was emotionally drained.  She never discussed that night with anyone.  And to face that night head on with the only other person who mattered to her.  It made the madness of the loss easier when she saw Danni’s reassuring smile.  Her heart lightened and for the first time, she smiled and meant it.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
     
    Danni woke up a few hours later when she heard what sounded like something moving in the room.  She immediately sat up and looked around the dark space.  She just sat in the bed as still as she could and controlled her breathing which slowed down her quickened heartbeat.  Still nothing moved, still nothing sprang out to confront her.  She frowned, and rested her head on her hands as she stared at the ceiling.  Guilt taunted her painfully as she digested everything Annabel said.  She understood that Annabel had to make a rash decision to save her mother.  But why become a cop?  Was it a way to make a mends for taking another life, or was it something she always wanted to do?  None of it made sense to her. 
    She laid there a while longer, and started to get angry at herself for allowing what Annabel told her to make her upset.  She walked to the window and opened the curtains.  The sun was slowly beginning to rise and the dark clouds started to make way for the new day.  She turned back to the bed and watched Annabel sleep.  She had to make a decision about her and Annabel’s future, but the thought of being emotionally involved while they worked the case was not good for either of them, and she knew that’s how people got sloppy, but she also knew it was too late to turn back.  She sat on the end of the bed and tried to figure out what to do.  She already told Frank she would work the case with him while Annabel recovered.  She could not have her working the case while she was on leave.  She anticipated the fight they would have, but she needed to stand her ground.
    Throughout the day Danni contemplated how Annabel would react with not being involved that evening.  She knew she would have to rationalize with her, and convince her if she was not her partner she would have been at home while the investigation continued.  The hand on the grandfather clock chimed seven times.  Danni heard Annabel moving through the house, she stepped out of the room and quietly placed her gear by the front door but