“We’re all packed for a few days of surf, sand, and redfish.” He ruffled Andy’s blond curls with a big hard hand. “Isn’t that right?”
Andy nodded then flew down the hall and grabbed his dad by the knees. “Come on, Dad!”
Noah bent and picked up his son, anchoring him with an arm against his chest. “How’re you two going to catch redfish?”
“Brown shrimp!” Andy held up his hand for his father to give him a high five.
“Don’t go teaching the boy the wrong way around.” Shiloh Glover grinned as his son walked toward him. “This time of year, redfish go after plugs. Shrimp are summer bait.”
“Whatever Grampa says. He’s bigger than us, so we have to listen.” Noah poked his son gently in the belly. That never failed to make Andy collapse in infectious giggles.
After a few more pokes, Andy struggled to be set down. Usually, his father complied. But this time Noah held onto him a little tighter. Twisting his head around right and left, Andy asked, “Where’s Harley?”
“Visiting a friend.” Noah kept his voice conversational.
“Like a sleepover?” Andy had just had his first sleepover with a cousin.
“Yeah, definitely a sleepover. But he’s coming home today.” Needing to change the subject, Noah made eye contact with his father. “Where’s Mom?”
“In the car, using her phone. She’s arranging to get some groceries delivered so we won’t have to stop and shop tonight when we get down to Padre. They got this new phone app where a grocery store will deliver to your door whatever’s on the list you send them.” He met his son’s gaze with a question he did not want to ask aloud.
Noah turned to Crissie. “Would you mind showing Andy where to find the Men’s?”
“I don’t need to go, Dad.”
His father grinned at him. “Padre Island is a nine-hour drive. Think you can hold it until then?
Andy gave him a disbelieving look. “We’re going to stop at Buc-ee’s for lunch. GiGi says they have the cleanest restrooms.”
“Then I’ll buy you an orange juice to drink on the way down so you’ll be prepared. Now scoot.”
When father and son had stepped into Noah’s office and shut the door, Shiloh spoke. “Didn’t want to tell you over the phone. A warrant was served as we were packing up to search the house.”
“Did they wreck the place?”
“With your mother watching? Not likely. They were fairly respectful. But they did take a few things. Your personal laptop, all your work files, a few tools from the garage, and the gas can for the lawn mower.” They both knew what that was about. Most likely the fire had been started using gasoline. It was ubiquitous, cheap, and effective.
“Sorry to put you through that, Dad.”
Shiloh nodded. “You put me through worse growing up.” He reached out and grabbed Noah by the back of the neck and pulled him close, whispering in his ear. “You clear your name, son. Your mother and I got Andy in hand.”
Andy came sprinting back just as they opened the door.
Noah grabbed him about the waist and swung him high off the floor. It was a game they played. “Give me a hug, Andy. Grampa’s ready to go.”
Andy looked from his grandfather to his dad, his eyes suddenly shining like crystal blue lakes. “You aren’t coming?”
Noah smiled. “You see these people in here? If I leave, some of them will have to work extra hours. We’ve talked about how being a man means pulling your own weight, right? I need to pull mine now.”
Andy’s lower lip began to tremble. “Can you and Harley come after work?”
“Maybe in a few days, if my work’s done. Meanwhile, you and Grampa fill the freezer with fish so I can grill up a batch when you get home. And watch out for jellyfish.”
Andy turned back for help. “We can wait, can’t we, Grampa?”
Shiloh smiled. “Maybe. But the fish can’t.”
Noah gave his son a hard hug, feeling the fragile bones of his ribs through his jacket. Something powerful and protective and dangerous all in one moved through his chest when he considered his child. To his last breath. That was only way he knew how to describe the feeling.
When they were gone, Noah turned to find Durvan leaning out of his doorway, staring.
“You saw my kid.” He pointed back to the closed door. “Andy lost a mother. You really think I’d do anything that would take his father away from him?”
He didn’t wait for an answer but turned and walked back into his office.
Half an hour later, Noah strode out of the Arson Investigations offices. He was loaded now with more information and a place to start. That place was the woman who had saved his life the night before.