Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
“Sure am,” I told her. “So, what are you doing here?”
“She wants to collaborate. So she calls it,” Cohen replied as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Zoe’s jaw tensed a little before she breathed in deeply.
“I’d like to work with you and your crew. Basically, I’d stay close to you during calls and gather as much information as I can about the fires while they’re happening instead of coming in afterward. I want to figure out who’s behind this and have them stopped,” she explained.
It was a valiant effort, but it was also dangerous. We worked to get people away from fires, not closer to them.
“Seems a bit risky, don’t you think?” I suggested.
A glint of defiance gleamed in Zoe’s eyes as she crossed her arms.
“I’m not worried about myself. I’m worried about the people of this town who have so much to lose from these fires,” Zoe assured me.
Something about her attitude made fire spark in my chest. She was so determined. So passionate. I couldn’t help but admire that about her, even if she would be a pain to argue with.
“That’s admirable and all, but when we get called to put out fires, we have a specific system that we use to mitigate harm and confusion. Adding you to the mix could throw everything off for everyone,” I explained to her.
“I wouldn’t be getting into the mix. I’ll be on the outskirts doing my own investigation. Out of the way,” Zoe replied.
“I don’t think journalists understand staying out of the way,” Cohen commented, prompting Zoe’s eyes to sharpen.
I flashed Cohen a look of warning. We were already arguing, but I didn’t want things to escalate even more.
“I’m worried you’ll have a reaction like you did last night. If you continue passing out on a fire scene, that takes away one guy fighting the fire to look after you,” I expressed, trying to put out this fire.
A sound that bordered on a cough and a laugh broke from Cohen.
“You obviously cannot handle the intensity of a fire scene. Maybe you should work on another story,” Cohen suggested.
“Are you insinuating I can’t do my job?” Zoe questioned him as they seemed to gravitate closer. “Last night, I was tired from driving for hours, and I hadn’t eaten. It was a one-time incident.”
“Until it becomes a two-time incident,” Cohen replied. “And then three-time. Four-time. Do I need to go on?”
Before I could jump in between the two before they really got scrappy, a voice sounded from the doorway.
“You’re severely underestimating her.”
Everyone turned toward the door of my office as Matty walked inside. He smiled at Zoe in a certain manner. Like he… knew her.
“I can personally vouch for her. I’ve known her since high school, and she’s the smartest, most resourceful person that I know,” Matty said as he stood by Zoe’s side.
“That’s great and all, but we can’t babysit anyone,” Cohen sighed, seeming tired from arguing. He hardly ever got like this. He wasn’t combative with strangers, even when he was trying to look after his crew.
“You wouldn’t be. She can hold her own. I mean, come on. We’re all exhausted from all these fires happening. How much longer can we endure all of this?” Matty pointed out as he looked at me. “You brought me on because you needed extra help. But I think we need even more if we’re going to finally put an end to this.”
I took a deep breath as I let his words soak in. He was young, but he was a smart guy. He spoke the truth about all of us being tired and burned out from all the work that we had been doing lately. We couldn’t do this forever, but this partnership wouldn’t be seamless. We weren’t used to working with journalists.
“You have to follow our lead,” I told Zoe as I turned to her. “If you step out of line or try to go against us, that puts lives at risk. We can’t afford that.”
Zoe immediately nodded, straightening up as she listened to me.
“I’ll follow your lead. No stepping out of line,” she promised. “Thank you.”
I eyed her for another few seconds before nodding. We could give it a try and see what happens. Cohen’s frustration echoed off him in waves, but he would have to deal with it like the rest of us. Something had to give.
“We should probably introduce you to the others who are here. Don’t want them to be caught off guard by our new guest,” I said as I walked toward the door of my office. When I looked up at Zoe, I caught her eyes lingering on me, making my interest spark. Why was she looking at me like that?
But it wasn’t like I hadn’t snuck an intrigued look or two. Her skirt exposed a hint of inner thigh whenever she turned, and her skin looked soft and smooth. I couldn’t help but imagine running my fingers over it.