Flame (Steel Brothers Saga 20)

“We’ve been through this, Callie. My mother wouldn’t have hired you—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” she interrupts me and then sighs. “I’m sorry. I’m just…”

“I get it. Lack of sleep. We’ll get through this.”

She nods numbly, and I wonder why she’s so bothered. Sure, I asked her to keep a secret, but it has nothing to do with her.

“Is there something else disturbing you?” I ask.

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

She drops her gaze to the floor. “Yeah.”

Classic tell.

“Callie,” I say. “What is it?”

She looks up. “It’s nothing, Donny. I’m just tired.”

“You know what? You should just go home. Take the rest of the day. Get some rest.”

“That’s kind of you, but no, thank you. I’m here to do a job, and I’m going to do it.”

“You’re no good to anyone without sleep.”

“Oh? And you are?”

I can’t help it. I give a scoffing laugh. “You got me there.”

“What have you got?” she asks. “I want to—”

The door to my office jerks open, and a red-faced Brendan Murphy stands in the entryway holding up a paper. He looks taller than he is, and his blue eyes are full of fire. “What the fuck is this, Steel?”

Callie jerks around. “Brendan?”

“Stay the fuck out of this, Callie.”

“Whoa,” I say. “Ease up, Brendan. Don’t talk to her like that.”

“This is bullshit,” he says.

“I know all about it,” I tell him. “A guy from the energy board was just here to fill me in.”

“Then you can take care of it, right? It’s crap.”

“I’m sorry,” I say. “It’s a state issue. I have no control over it.”

I’m going to hell. I’m so going to hell.

Brendan rubs his temples, shoves his free hand into the pocket of his jeans. “They can just come in and shut down my business for a week?”

“Yeah, I’m afraid they can.”

“What’s going on?” Callie asks.

“What’s going on?” Brendan mimics. “The state of Colorado thinks we have a potential gas leak under our property. That’s what’s going on. Have I smelled gas? No. Have I had any issues whatsoever? No.”

“I’m sure the energy board has its reasons,” I say as calmly as I can.

“Of course. It’s all written down. An issue with the material used in this particular pipe that just happens to run under our property. They can’t access it from anywhere else.”

“I’m sure it’s for your own protection,” Callie says.

Oh, God. Now I’ve made a liar out of Callie. At least she doesn’t know it.

Brendan doesn’t respond to her.

“They have to check it out,” I say. “It could be nothing, but they’re required to do their due diligence. Take a week off. Go to the mountains. To Denver.”

“Fuck that,” he says. “I’m going to be watching these guys like a hawk while they’re on my property.”

Great. That’s just great.

“Brendan,” Callie says, “if there’s a potential gas problem, you probably shouldn’t be anywhere near the place.”

Nicely done, Callie. I’ll pay you back later.

“If I were you,” she continues, “I’d take Donny’s advice. Take a vacation. When’s the last time you got out of Snow Creek?”

“Some of us don’t have the money to go jaunting around the globe,” he says.

Callie’s cheeks redden. “Now just a minute…”

“Sorry, Callie,” he says. “I meant to get him with that one.”

“Murphy,” I say, “I have no control over this.”

The lies are bitter. Bitter and acidic and nauseating.

“You’re the damned city attorney!”

“Acting city attorney,” I say, “emphasis on the word city. This is a state issue. They outrank me.”

“Surely you can make a phone call.”

“I could, but it wouldn’t do any good. Besides, if there’s a potential issue with the gas lines under your property, you should want this, Brendan. What if a line springs a leak? Would that be good for business?”

Brendan draws in a breath, holds it for a few seconds, and then exhales. He says nothing.

“Look,” I say, “if I could help, I would, but it’s out of my hands.”

“I’m sorry,” he finally says. “I’m just pissed as all hell. A week’s income lost.”

“Let me look into that,” I say. “The state is probably required to reimburse you for lost income if they shut down your business through no fault of yours. Okay?”

“Yeah, they should do that.”

“I agree. I’m sure there’s a regulation somewhere. I’ll find it.”

“All right. Thanks, Don. And sorry…about all of this.”

“Don’t worry about it. I understand. Take a vacation. Tell you what. I can set you up at one of our places in Aspen for the week. You can take your parents and Ciara if you want. Get out of town and forget about this headache.”

He pauses. Is he considering it? Please, consider it. I’m well aware I’m offering to make myself feel better about the whole thing. When did I become such a good liar?

Then, “That’s kind of you, but no. I’m not going anywhere.” He storms out.

Callie bites her lip. “What’s up with him?”