Free Outback Blaze by Rachael Johns

what the investigators would be doing inside that building. He prayed O’Leary wouldn’t be getting in the way.
    The old sergeant had told Drew to go home and get some rest, since he was back on patrol duty that night, but sleep was the last thing on his mind. Jaxon and Brad had been questioned and then released into their parents’ care until the arson squad had made a solid decision about how the fire had started. It frustrated him no end not to be on this investigation but it was clear O’Leary thought him emotionally committed to the boys and wouldn’t let him near it.
    Dammit, he wasn’t emotionally involved; he simply wanted justice where it was deserved. Biding time, he found himself outside Frankie’s café. Unable to recall the last time he’d eaten anything apart from a chocolate bar from the station’s vending machine, he parked his bike and went inside.
    The lunch rush appeared to be over. A waitress was wiping down tables and Frankie stood behind the counter staring at it.
    â€˜You look dead on your feet,’ he told her as he approached.
    She looked up and half-smiled half-scowled. ‘Gee thanks, but you’re right. I feel dead on my feet. Still, nothing compared to how the firies or the Joneses must be feeling.’ She held up a coffee mug. ‘Caffeine is my drug of choice today. What can I get for you?’
    â€˜Same, please. To take away and make it strong. And…’ A yawn bubbled within him as he scanned the display cabinet, ‘is that a birthday cake?’
    She nodded. ‘Sure is. I keep one on hand for all those naughty people who forget or remember only at the last moment.’
    Cake hadn’t been what he had in mind when he entered the café and Lord knew he probably needed something more nutritious…’I’ll take it.’
    Frankie gave him an odd look but went to box it up.
    â€˜And can you make that two coffees?’ he asked as she put the cake in front of him and turned towards the coffee machine.
    â€˜Whatever you say, Constable, whatever you say.’
    Glad she didn’t start asking questions, he leaned against the wall as the coffee machine did its thing loudly. Frankie put the two polystyrene cups in a cardboard holder and said, ‘Here you are. Enjoy it all.’
    â€˜Thanks.’ After paying he took his purchases outside. Only as he stood by his motorbike did he realise he had no way of transporting what he’d bought. He downed his own coffee, despite it being too hot, and then set off on foot towards the Joneses’ property on the edge of town. No one deserved a birthday like the one Ruby had just had. And now he had the cake, he had to find the birthday girl. The walk through town would probably do him good; maybe help to ease some of the tension that had built up inside him overnight.
    En route he passed by Simone’s place. He could barely believe it was only last night he’d sat on her couch and watched some silly reality TV show with Grace. Glancing up at the transportable house he saw Grace out on the front step, her head resting on her knees as if she had the woes of the world on her shoulders. His heart went out to her.
    â€˜Hey, what’s up?’ he said, unable to keep on walking.
    Grace lifted her head. ‘Hi. Mum’s mega pissed at Harriet so I’m keeping out of her way.’
    â€˜Harriet’s home?’ he asked, nodding towards the front door.
    â€˜Yep.’
    â€˜Did she say where she was?’
    Grace tugged at a weed growing through the steps and twisted it around her fingers. ‘At a friend’s place. But I don’t think Mum will let her leave the house ever again.’
    The screen door opened and Simone stepped out onto the porch. ‘Oh, hi, I thought Grace was talking to herself.’
    â€˜Mum!’ Clearly annoyed, Grace stood up and stormed into the house, slamming the door behind her.
    â€˜Great, now I’ve