Page 33 of Fire Harbor
“That’s crazy,” Linus muttered. “Why would he do that?”
“Beats me. I was hoping to talk someone into helping me organize an intervention or something, talk some sense into him before he gets in way over his head. You know, man to man.”
“Have you thought about taking this higher up the chain?”
“I’m not looking to get him into trouble, just maybe, straighten him up long enough to drill some sense into his head.”
“I’m not sure I know him well enough to stick my nose into his business,” Linus provided, meeting Deke’s eyes. “If you’ve known Sandoval for that long, maybe you’re the one he’d listened to over anyone else.” But he saw the answer in Deke’s eyes. “You’ve already tried that.”
“Yeah. Yesterday. He accused me of overreacting. He said because I’m still married, I don’t understand how things are done these days, dating-wise. He went into this rant about how there was no need for honesty in a relationship. Personally, I think the approach he’s taking could land him a spot on some true crime show one of these days. It’s known as catfishing. And it usually doesn’t end well.”
Linus gave Deke a sympathetic look, understanding the weight of concern that rested on his shoulders. The revelation about their coworker’s behavior painted a troubling picture, one that Linus took seriously. As the two walked through the well-lighted hospital parking lot to their vehicles, Linus had one final thought to share.
He kept his voice low. “I get where you're coming from. But stepping into the middle of his personal life like this... is a delicate matter.”
Deke bobbed his head, his footsteps echoing on the pavement. “I know, but what am I supposed to do, ignore what I know? My wife and his wife—his ex now—are still best friends. What if Brian is in some kind of trouble, and I’m just standing by watching this play out, not lifting a finger? I’ll take heat for it from the women. What happens if this goes south really fast?”
“Tread carefully, Deke. You don't know what demons Brian could be battling. We do have behavioral health professionals at our disposal. Maybe talk him into seeing a therapist.”
“Are you kidding me? You don’t go talking to them about your problems without jeopardizing your job. What if it were to get back to the Captain? Would you want me doing that to you behind your back?”
“No. But then, I’m not the one catfishing women or experiencing explosive outbursts. You’ve seen him do this on the job, right? Is it—in your opinion—affecting his job performance?”
Deke made a face. “He’s been acting strange since last summer. Now I know why. See the spot I’m in? I don’t know what to do. I’ve known the guy for fifteen years. He’s been a good EMT. But I’ve never seen him go downhill like this so fast until recently.”
When he reached his truck, Linus slapped Deacon on the back. “I appreciate the spot you’re in. I do. Maybe I’m too tired to fully analyze Brian’s situation right now. But what I do know for certain is that his behavior is eating you up inside. You know what you need to do. You’re simply having a tough time taking that step. Confide in your wife. With any luck, if the two women are as close as you say, maybe the ex can talk sense into Brian.”
“That’s not the best plan I’ve ever heard, but it’s a plan,” Deke said. “I’ll get this off my chest by telling Carmen. She’ll talk to the ex and maybe that’ll be the end of it.”
“There you go. Let me know if it works out.”
“Will do,” Deke advised as he headed to his pickup.
Linus watched Deke walk away before climbing into his truck. While the engine hummed, he still sat behind the wheel without moving. Should he have told Deacon Rowland that he already had heard rumors about Brian’s temper? About how often he lost it, especially during long shifts? Should he have mentioned how the man practically stayed glued to his cell phone during work hours? Brian Sandoval’s odd behavior had already caught the eye of his superiors. In his mind, it wouldn’t have done any good to bring any of this to Deke’s attention.
Linus veered the pickup out of the lot toward the exit. Which way, he wondered? If he went to Lake’s house now, he’d no doubt wake her up in the middle of the night. Going to his house meant he might catch a solid five hours of sleep.
Looking forward to three days off, Linus made his decision and headed toward Windemere Circle. It might not be very romantic, but he was thinking of the long game. If he got to sleep now without any diversions from the lovely Lake, he’d be in better shape to enjoy the weekend with her. That said, as much as he wanted to spend their first night together, practicality won. With five hours of uninterrupted sleep, he could do anything.
When Lake woke the next morning, the sun was just beginning to peek through the front windows, radiating heat over the entire living room. At some point during the night, the dogs had left her side and curled up near the fireplace, gently snoring in unison.
As she stretched and yawned, memories of her dreams flooded back to her, leaving her cheeks flushed with a symphony of desire and longing. The lingering smell of smoke from the fire she’d made before going to bed filled her senses. The smoldering embers mingled with the imagined touch of Linus’s hands on her skin left her a bit dazed.
She picked up her cell phone to check for messages and let out a sigh. It was seven-thirty. Was he still at the hospital? So much for the anticipation of a Saturday morning filled with something more than dreams. Would she forever be fantasizing about him making love to her? Maybe he wasn’t even attracted to her.
Shoving her hair out of her eyes, Lake tried to shake off the lingering effects of sleep. But she needed caffeine. She rose from the sofa, stepped over the dogs, and made her way past the dining room, pushing open the swinging door to the kitchen.
She blinked in surprise at finding Linus sitting at the kitchen table, already sipping on a cup of coffee.
“Am I dreaming?” Lake asked.
“I don’t think so.” A small smile played across his lips. “Good morning,” he continued in a soft voice, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of tenderness and something else she couldn't quite place. “I went home and tried to sleep but all I could think about was you.”
She held out her phone for him to see. “I didn’t even have a message from you. How did you get in here?”
He bobbed his head toward the backyard. “Birdhouse. Emergency key placed on the underside. I was listening.”
Her face broke into a grin. “And I thought you blew me off as just the dogsitter.”