Light Me Up

“I know you’re protective of your group…”

“Yes. Quite.” My pulse quickened. “Because as always, you seem to think we’re some dangerous organization, when all we want is to protect the earth and waters here. What exactly is so bad about that?”

“Nothing, Sara. Come on, you know I don’t think your goals are wrong.”

“You’ve been a thorn in our sides this whole time.”

“I’m not accusing the group.” He sat back and ran his hands through his hair again. “I’m just saying, someone might be taking matters into their own hands.”

“What evidence do you have?”

“Not much. I admit it. But that’s why I wanted to talk to you. We don’t have much to go on at all, with any theory. But every owner hit with a fire has at one time in the past year or so, been a target of your group.”

I didn’t want to believe that was true, but Theo wouldn’t lie about it. My stomach roiled at the thought. But I considered it.

“I can’t imagine anyone here would do something like that. And I’m not just trying to protect them, I mean it. The most active members are Ellie and me. Alex joins in occasionally, and some of the older ladies from the Historical Society. Can you really see any of them committing arson?”

Theo shook his head, and got up to pace some more. But then he turned back to me.

“Statistically most arsons are committed by men. You didn’t mention any men.”

“Well we don’t have many active male members. There’s old Mr. Crawford but he can barely walk, I don’t see him out lighting fires in the middle of the night. Ellie’s uncle, Peter, comes to events sometimes. Uh, Ben, but he hasn’t been very active lately.”

Theo’s eyes shot to me.

“Ben Towson, your ex?”

“Yes, my ex. Let’s not use that as a motive, shall we?”

“How serious is he about all this environmental crap—uh, stuff?”

I gave him a solid side-eye and shrugged.

“He’s pretty passionate about it. That’s one of the things that brought us together. Shared values and whatnot. But he’s been busy with his residency over at the hospital. I haven’t seen him in a couple months.”

“Interesting spot to pick up girls.”

“Oh, you think that’s all it was to him?”

“No, I’m just saying.”

“What, are you jealous?”

“Of Ben Towson? Hardly.” He smirked at me and that eye crinkle made some of the fire leave my belly, but I was still pissed he was coming after the group again. And using me to get the rundown.

“Wait, what about Ellie’s boyfriend?”

“Oh, Derek? I don’t really know him, I only just met him at Sam and Alex’s party. He lives down in Bar Harbor so I think he’s active in the group there.”

“But maybe he’s trying to impress Ellie.”

“With crime? Come on, be serious.”

“Some people are crazy, they think like that. If Ellie is passionate about this, then doing something wild and drastic would get her attention.”

“But he already has her attention.”

“Maybe not for long,” he said out of the corner of his mouth.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, just that Ellie might not be as into him as he is into her.”

“Did she say that? To you? I wonder why she didn’t mention it to me.”

“I can’t answer for the girl, but this could be a serious lead.”

“It’s hardly a lead at all.”

“Well, it’s more than I had an hour ago. And it’s all we have to go on right now.”

“Whatever.”

“I uh, talked to Gus.”

“Yes?”

“Because of the investigation, we’ve asked the council to revoke the permits he issued for the Coastal League.”

“Excuse me, what?”

“I don’t want any trouble and he agreed that it was for the best. Just until we figure this out.”

I stood now, my hands waving wildly around me.

“That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s just temporary. I don’t want people from out of town coming here and causing problems with the investigation. Once it gets out that we’re questioning members of the League, those crazy ones could rally and turn Moon Harbor into a war zone. Metaphorically, speaking.”

I laughed, though it held no humor and came out sounding like a strangled bird.

“You’re insane.”

“I’m just trying to do my job, Sara.”