Page 59 of Fighting Fire

“What’s this?” He picked her book up off the coffee table.

“I’m taking a burning patterns seminar.” She took the book out of his hand and tucked it into her backpack at the foot of the sofa.

“Arson investigation again?”

Lana struggled for calm, shifted so that the knot in her stomach would loosen, but it didn’t. “I told you, Dad. It makes me a better firefighter and will make me a better captain.”

His eyes narrowed, and he said, “I never hear of you taking leadership seminars or classes.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll look into that. When did you want to reschedule the tune-up for the car?”

“I could do that now, if you like.”

“Great. Let me go and change.”

Lana rolled her shoulders to release the tension. The mindless task would keep her mind off why she was feeling so caged today. She’d drawn her father away from his questions regarding her arson classes. He would hit the roof if he knew she was investigating arsons on her own, jeopardizing her very career.

He wouldn’t understand.

Hell. She didn’t understand it herself.

* * *

It was some time later when they finished, and Lana was now thoroughly exhausted. She said goodbye to her father and headed toward the shower.

Before she could even strip off her clothes, the phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Lana, it’s Kate. I have bad news.”

“The accelerants match with the most recent fire?”

“I’m afraid so. Lana, you need to bring this to someone over Bryant’s head.”

“I’m not supposed to be doing this at all. I just need a few more days. I have another lead.”

“You know who’s doing this?”

“No, not yet, but I have a hunch. I just haven’t had the time to take care of it.”

“Right. You took the test today. How did it go?”

“I think I passed. How well I did in the rankings is anybody’s guess.”

“You studied hard. You deserve this.”

“Yeah.”

“What does that mean? You sound so dispirited.”

“I don’t know. I wish I did. All of a sudden, I’m feeling this trapped sensation. I have a knot in my stomach the size of Texas.”

“I’d say it was nerves. When you find out the results, everything will be fine.”

“I hope so. Thanks for testing the sample for me.”

“My pleasure. Good night.”