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“Of course.”
She let out a relieved breath. “You’re a good man, Noah. Giving me this opportunity and not holding it against me.”
“I may not have followed any dreams but I can understand having a passion for something. I watch Dakota and she’s so much like you. Curious to learn and find out about everything. Go back to your dig and relax. Your girls love you. I’ll see you soon.”
She smiled, her mood obviously lighter, and said goodbye. When he cleared the screen, he saw he’d gotten a message from Fallon. She’d gone to the gallery for the day so instead of a trip to the hospital, he settled into his office to work.
No sooner had he cracked open a brief when his phone rang again. This time he was pleased with the incoming call.
He swiped the screen. “Fallon, hi!”
“Noah, quick. I’m trapped in the gallery, on the painting side. Something’s blocking the front exit. I can’t get out and there’s a fire next door. I called 911 but if you’re home, you’re so much closer.”
“I’m home and I’m coming.” He was out of his seat and running, phone still in his hand. “Stay calm and try not to panic. Wait by the door and I’ll be there soon.” Grabbing his keys, he slipped into his shoes and rushed down to his car.
No way a car would get him there quickly so he decided to run. Sheer adrenaline and fear drove him. He didn’t know what he’d do if anything happened to the woman he loved. She’d become such an intertwined, important part of his life, he couldn’t imagine not having her as part of his world.
He arrived to see two heavy cement blocks, one on top of the other, obstructing the door to the art studio side of the gallery. No wonder she couldn’t make it budge.
Inside, Fallon sat on the floor, one arm wrapped around her knees, a towel over her nose and mouth.
Sirens sounded in the distance as he attempted to lift the first block but it wouldn’t move. He braced his legs and pushed and the block fell over to the other side.
One down.
Sirens sounded in the distance but he smelled the smoke and wasn’t wasting time. He assumed the same position and lifted the second block enough to roll it to the other side.
By now, Fallon was aware of his presence and the moment he removed the obstacles, she pushed open the door, stepped outside, and flung herself into his arms, sobbing.
“Shh. I’ve got you.” He hugged her tight, ignoring the smell of smoke clinging to her clothes until finally she stepped out of his embrace, still breathing heavily.
“Oh my God, Noah, thank you!” Tears streamed down her face, and her hair was wild and falling over her shoulders. “I couldn’t move it and the alarm was going off, the smoke got heavy on my side and…”
“It’s okay.” He brushed her hair off her face and looked into her eyes. “You’re okay.”
But he might never be the same, the panic he felt running here and the fear lodged in his chest felt like it would never go away. He couldn’t show her his terror if he wanted to calm her down.
“Come on. Let’s move away from here to where it’s safer.” He led her a short distance away, hoping the firemen got here soon.
“The whole time I sat there, I kept thinking, who would want to destroy the gallery?”
“It couldn’t be faulty wiring?” he asked.
She shook her head. “It’s unlikely. Clara is meticulous about the building being up to code. She owns the property. And she adores the gallery. First the vandalism, now a fire?” She turned toward the building that now had smoke billowing from the top.
“Okay, so who stands to gain?”
“The only person who would benefit from insurance money is Clara and the gallery is her baby.” As she spoke, her eyes opened wide.
“Her baby,” Noah said, reading her mind. “Her son.”
“Oliver. He’s been missing lately. Never around when he should be. He hasn’t been to the hospital to visit his mother. She hasn’t even heard from him.”
Before he could reply, a fire truck pulled to a stop in front of the building.
A man jumped out of the front cab and they rushed over to him, ignoring the small crowd that had gathered.
“What happened?” he asked.