“Too bad he’s not the man everyone thought he was.”
“Oh?” Carly glanced across the table, trying to reconcile the Cody she thought she knew with the details she was learning about the man sitting across from her.
“Noah, now, he was everybody’s fair-haired boy these last few years. Making arson investigator so young. Teaching classes over at Tarrant County College Fire Service Training Center. But being special can become a burden, I suppose.” He grinned suddenly. It made him appear older and more worldly. “Folk like me will never have that problem.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Carly toyed with the base of her stem glass, more troubled than she wanted to admit to herself. “Tell me about the last fire you fought.”
His eyes narrowed. “You don’t want to hear about that.”
“I do. I admire anyone who does what you do.”
He reared back and signaled for another beer. “All right. About a week ago I was out…”
Carly heard him talking, but the words weren’t getting through the tangle of her own thoughts.
Was it possible? Could Cody be the man who’d tried to kill Noah? Surely not. She was building air castles that would collapse under the weight of any kind of sensible reasoning. If Noah and Cody were known to each other, wouldn’t Noah have suspected him?
Also, why would Cody go out of his way to make himself known to her if he was the one who started the fire? She was the party who spoiled his plans.
Cody didn’t know you were the Good Samaritan until Noah was arrested and the story made the media.
The words sounded so clearly in her thoughts, Carly jerked, thinking she’d spoken them aloud.
“You okay?” Cody reached out and touched her arm. “I guess I’ve been too frank. I forget some stories aren’t for delicate ears.”
“It’s okay.” Carly slipped free of his touch to reach for her drink, but her hand shook.
Cody reached out again, this time patting her hand. “Maybe you better go slow on that drink. You seem a little tipsy.”
Carly nodded. “You know, you’re right. I shouldn’t finish it.” She pushed it away. “Anyway, I need to go.”
“Not yet. I’ll order us some food from Holy Frijoles next door. This place allows food to be brought in since they don’t serve it here. Can’t have you driving on an empty stomach.”
Carly stood up, trying to think. “Maybe you’re right. I need to find the Ladies, and then we’ll see.” She turned and headed for the restrooms without looking back.
She needed to speak with Noah. Now, before Cody left. If she was way off-base, he would tell her.
At the moment, she was pretty sure Cody thought she was every kind of an idiot. Not that it mattered, unless she was right about him.
Suddenly, she really did need the Ladies.
The disappointment of her call going immediately to Noah’s answering service rolled through her middle. Nothing to be done about that.
“Noah. You know who this is.” She spoke softly, still inside the toilet stall. “I’ve got information about a man named Cody. Works for CowTown Fire and Water. He’s also a firefighter. Says he knows you. We’re here at The Usual. I’ll explain why when you call me back. No wait, I’ll call you back.”
She returned to find the table full of butcher paper on which an assortment of delicious-smelling food could be seen.
Cody popped up from his seat, looking as proud as if he’d made it all. “Look at all I got us. I bought a little of everything.”
“It looks good.” She sat tentatively. “But I should have told you, I’m a vegetarian.”
“See, I know that.” He grinned. “That’s why I ordered fried squash blossom, and huarache with the fried mesa, green or red salsa, onions, potato, cilantro, and queso. No meat. Did I do good?”
Carly stared at the food then looked up at him, her expression cold. “Have you been stalking me, Cody?”
“What kind a question is that?” He looked stunned, glancing around to see if they were drawing attention. Luckily, the tables were far enough apart for them to be eavesdropped on. “I read one little old article about a woman in People magazine. It said you were one of them veggie heads.”
“I see.” Carly willed her pulse to slow. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness. But let me repay you for my portion. I, really, can’t eat a thing.”
He stared at her, not taking his seat. “I’m really not your type, is that it? Ordinary sum’ bitch like me can’t measure up, no matter how nice I am.”
His statement embarrassed her. “No, that’s not it. I told you earlier. I’m very busy.”
“Yeah.” His thin mouth curved down at the edges as he sat. “You go on then.” He picked up the list she’d shown him. “Don’t worry. I’ll still do your job, and for a fair price too. Unlike you, I don’t have a reputation to worry about.”