“Investigators working the human side of the case found a pretty good lead today, actually, one that dovetails with my theories and analysis.” The little clues were starting to add up, and while on site earlier, they’d lucked into a rare piece of physical evidence, a metal disc, that might match evidence from another site’s possible ignition point. They should have enough to tie the fires together, and the suspect list was coming together too, according to those investigators.
“Oh.” Just like that Tucker deflated, and Luis felt like his too-full heart might do the same.
“But you know how these things go.” He was quick to backtrack. First time ever he wanted to be wrong. “Investigations are unpredictable. The lead could dead-end, and we could get another huge callout before the season’s done.”
“One way or another though, it is going to end.” Tucker dropped his head back to Luis’s thigh.
“Yeah,” he quietly agreed, stroking Tucker’s messy jaw. “But we don’t have to think about that right now.”
“True. Let’s not.” Tucker still sounded sad and far away though, and Luis would have given a lot to be able to take that hurt away.
“Maybe—”
“You said we don’t have to talk about it.” Tucker’s expression took on the same stubbornness Walker displayed so well.
“But—”
“Come on. My magic shower and bed await you.” Sitting up, Tucker hefted himself off the couch, subject effectively closed. Even Blaze nodded like she was dismissing the topic. But he couldn’t let it go. He was painfully aware that while he might be able to move his body, make himself follow Tucker up the stairs, there were plenty of immovable facts and realities standing between him and Tucker and anything resembling what their hearts might both want.
Chapter Eighteen
Luis needed time to slow down. But as always, the universe refused to listen to him, sending him rushing from one task to another.
Wednesday, Tucker dragged him to another family dinner. Not that Luis was complaining—Isaac made his famous macaroni and cheese, which was every bit as good as advertised. The company was good too, fun kid antics and interesting conversation that beat eating alone. And somehow, he and Blaze kept right on staying over, even when that meant enduring some teasing from Wade.
Walker, meanwhile, continued his grumpy mood, but had the rare distinction of being a human Blaze actually tolerated, something that seemed to please the kid. Tucker joked that no way could Luis take the cat away from her newfound buddy, and Luis didn’t exactly put up much of a fight when it came to where he slept.
And apparently Saturday he was going to the gathering at Garrick’s house. It was all very...couple-y, very fast, but then again there was little point in moving slowly, not when time kept right on ticking away.
Friday seemed to appear out of nowhere, tumbling after long workdays in the middle of the week. Luis came out of one meeting at headquarters and rushed to another.
Proving his point, Adams opened the meeting with an acknowledgment of how quickly the week had gone by and how many hours people were racking up.
“Rivera, we’re sure working you hard too. Making the most of our loan, at least. Tell me about the latest from the arson investigation.”
“Oh, I don’t mind the work. Burn pattern analysis is continuing to show links between the fires, and in addition to circumstantial evidence of similarities, we now have some forensic evidence from a few of the sites. Small metal coin, kind of a lucky charm medal sort of thing, and that feels like a calling card to those on the investigation team. Law enforcement is focusing on connections to the fire community, and they have some strong leads. I wouldn’t be surprised if next week we see some suspects brought in for questioning.”
“Good, good. Any chance of predicting where the next spot fire might be?”
“I’m working on that, actually. We’re making a list of possible sites to keep heavier surveillance on. I’m pretty confident in my calculations.”
Across the table, Tucker’s eyebrows went up, admiration clear in his eyes. Impressing him was fun. It was one thing to show him something new in bed or to cook for him, but this professional recognition was another thing altogether, a certain respect that passed between them, that Luis liked a lot. Mike had always been the sort of guy who was one hundred percent convinced he was the smartest person in the room and the hardest worker, so it was refreshing to have a...whatever Tucker was these days, who didn’t mind Luis getting some recognition too.
“Excellent. We’re going to miss that mind of yours when Angeles gets you back. You can tell you worked the front lines—your kind of fire savvy is hard to teach.”
“Well, you’ve got me for a while longer at least.”
“Not sure about that. There’s been a new rash of California fires too, and word is the hiring freeze might get lifted next week. They’ll probably let us keep you through next week, depending on how the investigation goes and if we get any callouts, but after that, your guess is as good as mine. Wouldn’t be surprised if they send you back, which has to be good news for you, right?”