Free Monroe, Melody Snow - Truth and Seduction [The Callens 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Melody Snow Monroe Page A

been on the phone.
    Then his voice came through her helmet loud and clear. “There’s been another fire. Because of the festivities downtown, the department is shorthanded. They called Shane to the scene.”
    Shane would be sent in to put out the fire. “Oh, God. Is he hurt?”

Chapter Seven

    Jessie held her breath, praying the phone call wasn’t terrible news.
    “No. I could barely hear him, though, over the roar of the fire. Are you okay with going?”
    He really didn’t need to ask, despite both knowing what they’d be giving up. “Absolutely.”
    Cody turned the bike around and headed back toward town. A half mile down the road, he turned right down a well-packed dirt road. Even with the full-face helmet, the sweet smell of fire reached her. When they got there, another farmhouse was ablaze, and her heart sank. The fire truck was pumping water, and a few firemen were wielding the hoses, but she couldn’t tell if Shane was inside or out.
    This is news. She put on her reporter hat and took out her iPhone. Cody got out and came to her side.
    “Don’t get too close.”
    “I need to see if someone can talk to me.” She waved the phone.
    He pulled out his, too. “Good idea, but don’t get any closer to the fire than I do. If the building collapses, sparks can shoot out far.” He stopped and tilted up her chin. “I don’t want you hurt. Ever.”
    “That goes for you, also.” This man was too sweet.
    They weren’t competitors per se, but she didn’t want anyone to get the scoop before she did. As soon as Cody went in search of Shane, she quickly called Scott to see if he could come over and film it. While her iPhone did a nice job, having her cameraman around made the reporting job easier.
    “I can be there in twenty,” Scott said.
    That wasn’t ideal, but it was better than nothing. She gave him the directions and disconnected. Cody was speaking with a fireman, and she headed in that direction. On her way, she pointed the camera to the fire. A beam fell, sending sparks everywhere. She jerked back, fearing she might get burnt. Turning the phone toward her, she gave her usual introduction.
    Without saying anything, she sidled next to Cody. The man he was talking to was about sixty. He, too, was dressed in a fireman’s suit. His face was sweaty and streaked with black soot.
    Cody introduced her to Travis Carmichael, the second-in-command.
    “What can you tell us about the fire?” she asked, pointing the camera at him.
    “Neighbor called it in. So far, we don’t think anyone was at home. We’ve called Mr. Shepley at work. There is no Mrs. Shepley.”
    She adjusted the phone higher to make sure to capture his face. “Do you know how the fire started?”
    “Not yet, but Shane McKee will be investigating.” He looked over his shoulder. “In fact, there he is now.”
    Shane was near the fire engine. “Thank you, Mr. Carmichael.”
    She was about to go over to Shane, when Cody stopped her. “Let’s let him do his job. He’ll come over when he can.”
    That made sense. In the meantime, she could film the blaze and the surrounding area. Her heart ached for these people. “I don’t remember Intrigue having so many fires.” Two fires might not constitute a lot, but two in such a short span seemed coincidental.
    “We don’t, and that’s what has me worried.”
    “Do you think this is connected to the Tanner fire?”
    “I wish I knew, but I don’t. I’m hoping Shane can tell us.”
    There was nothing they could do but watch as the firemen doused the house. Scott pulled up fifteen minutes later and raced out of the van.
    “What do you need me to shoot?”
    She’d probably gotten all she could. “We’re waiting for the men to finish before I can interview one of them.”
    “I’m used to waiting.”
    She smiled. Her best bet was to stick close to Cody. He knew everyone in town.
    Cody touched her hand. “If the neighbor called it in, I want to speak to him.”
    “I want to come