“It’s only saline, Sandra.” Noah eyed his sister suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking after your best interests. I got a call before dawn. So I hopped in the truck and drove over from Abilene.” She eyed Durvan accusingly. “Seems some people don’t remember they’re friends.”
Durvan jumped as though stung. “I would’ve called when I had the facts.”
“Merle, you don’t want to tangle with me this morning.”
Noah hid his smile. Even after two years in the unit he’d never called this man anything but Durvan. Of course, he wasn’t a curvaceous blonde with as much brass as Merle had balls. Though neither would admit it, he suspected they shared a past, however brief.
He reached out and touched his sister’s arm. “I have nothing to hide.”
She looked down at him, her wide gap-tooth smile as engaging as a toddler’s. But the squint around her hazel eyes said “tough west Texas wildcat.” She had two ex-husbands to prove it. “That’s what I’m worried about, Noah. You look like three miles of bad road, by the way. Let Merle take a statement now and he’ll twist your words into so many pretzel shapes even you won’t recognize them.”
“That’s not fair, Ms. Glover.” It seemed even Durvan knew when to back off. Luckily, he remembered she’d retained her maiden name. “I just need to hear from Noah what he remembers of last night’s events. Then I’ll get out and let you two have a proper visit.”
“It’s okay, sis.” Noah offered her the best smile he could muster despite the killer demon operating a pile driver through his skull.
Sandra frowned. “You should have a lawyer present.” She turned to Merle. “Since I am one, I’m staying.” She walked over and took his chair.
The experienced investigator blew out a breath. Unflappable before a serial arsonist, he’d almost lost his cool with the best-looking woman he knew. “Fine. Only don’t interrupt.”
Sandra sat and crossed her arms, one boot toe tapping impatiently.
Durvan turned back to Noah, a look of exasperation on his face. “You were telling me what happened.”
“Went out for a drink with some of the firefighters from station house number two.”
“You drink a lot?”
“I’m on duty today. Ordered Dr Pepper. You can check.”
Durvan’s gaze flicked to his tablet and back. “Various witnesses say you were unsteady on your feet by the time you left the bar.”
“I remember feeling a bit out of it. Thought maybe I was coming down with something. Flu’s going round. But then…”
“Yeah?”
Noah locked gazes with him. “I got nothing until the woman pulling me out of the fire.”
“Had you two been out drinking?”
Noah’s mouth tightened at the repeated question. “Ask her. She’ll tell you she never met me before the fire.”
Sandra’s chair squeaked. “What caught on fire, Merle?”
Durvan’s gaze remained on Noah. “Why don’t you tell your sister what happened before I have to? It’ll be easier that way.”
Sandra was up out of her chair. “You can stop the bull, Merle. Noah’s told you what he remembers. You need to tell my brother what you know.”
“If you’ll take a seat, ma’am.” This time Texas-flint-met-wild-cat-feistiness. After a moment, the wild cat flicked her blonde mane and resumed her chair.
Durvan turned again to Noah. “I’m giving it to you straight, Glover. We’ve got evidence that ties you to a fire that was deliberately set.”
He held up a hand to stop Sandra’s interruption. “Hear me out. Two gasoline-soaked mattresses were propped against a wall. The fire was set to burn quickly. The only reason you’re alive is because the woman pulled you out. We’ve confirmed she’s the same person who’d made a call to 911 about an unconscious man. She claims the fire was triggered after her call. Sure you didn’t ask her to do you one last favor?”
Noah was too angry to be cautious. “Right. I’d ask a total stranger to set me on fire? Makes no fucking sense.”
Durvan gave up the slightest smile, an indication he’d gotten to Noah. “I’m trying to understand, Glover. But it’s suspicious as hell that you can’t remember anything.”
Noah rubbed a hand down his face. “It’s just gone. Like those hours never happened.”
“You trying to tell me you were drugged?”
Sandra was on her feet again. “Wait. What?”
Durvan’s expression sobered. “Maybe someone put something in your drink. Is that it, Glover?”
Noah stared at him. “You’ve got proof of something.”
Durvan shrugged. “They had to pump your stomach last night, in case you’d taken pills. You’d downed enough booze to impress a frat house. You tested positive for drugs, too.”