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“No, for the third time.” She screwed her face up in confusion. “There wasn't one there earlier on.”

“Then who did build it?”

“I don't know. I just said there wasn't one before I left to take the girls to school this morning. Next door's cat left a dead bird in the garden. I went out there to remove it. I think I'd have noticed a bonfire.”

“Was it there when you got back?”

“I don't know.”

“Amy!” Exasperation flooded his voice.

“I don't know. I don't routinely look out the windows to check stuff like that.”

“That last call mentioned you by name Then the fire went up outside. That is one awfully big coincidence. Never mind the fact the guy was wearing a long red wig.”

Amy turned around, afraid she was going to throw up then and there. She shook hard, wrapping her arms around her middle. “I should just resign and go away before anyone gets hurt.”

Dane's right hand gripped her tightly, spinning her around. “That won't help. If you're involved in something, or if there is someone after you for whatever reason, then I need to know. I can stop him.”

“I'm not,” she whispered. “I told you, I don't know who
he
is.”

“What about those previous calls today? Did he say your name?”

“No. Whoever it was didn't say anything. There was no one there.”

“You said it was a wrong number.”

Nate moved over and put a hand on Dane's arm. “Calm down, Dane. Getting in her face isn't going to help.”

Dane stepped back, cradling his arm.

Nate nodded, and then looked at Amy. “Amy, think for a moment. When did the phone calls start again?”

“Today,” she whispered. “Just before the fire started.”

“Those three calls earlier?” Dane asked.

Nate silenced him with a look. “Is anything else happening?”

She hesitated. “No.”

Nate narrowed his eyes. “Because we can't stop it if you don't tell us.”

“There isn't,” she whispered, looking down. Something prompted her to be honest, but she couldn't. They were cops. Who would they believe? Her or her criminal record? She was a convicted criminal—she wasn't allowed to work with kids. Dane would want her out of his house, away from his kids, away from him. She'd lose everything. Again.

The phone rang, and she jumped, her breath catching in her throat.

Dane snatched it up. “Hello.” He listened for a moment. “I'll be there.” He hung up. “Vicky fell in PE. They need her to be picked up and checked over at the hospital.”

“I'll go and get her,” Amy said. She grabbed her bag from the side and left before either of the men could stop her.

 



 

Dane growled as Amy shut the door. “I was going with.”

“So go with,” Nate said. “Just calm down a bit first.”

“Don't you tell me to calm down,” he snapped. “I'm not going to lose anyone else I love to some maniac with a grudge.”

“Then let me call the guv. Get the arson boys over here to check it out.”

“Arson?” He opened the door. “Amy, wait up.”

Nate lowered his voice. “You said yourself it's not a coincidence, and I don't believe in spontaneous combustion any more than you do. Someone built that fire and the guy. If it wasn't Amy or the girls, then it's someone trying to tell you something. And I'll put a trace on the line.”

“Just unplug it.”

“And that will do what? Just go with Amy and pick up Vicky. I'll stay here.” Nate pulled out his phone. “It's probably best you're not here for this.”

Dane headed after Amy. “Amy, I said wait.”

“I am waiting.” She stood on the path.

He struggled into his coat. “We should take the car in case she needs to get her arm x-rayed. It's a long walk to the hospital.”

“You can't drive. Nor can I.”

“Do you know how to? Can you drive? Have you passed your test?”

“Yes, but…”

“Then you drive.”

“But, Dane…”

What was it with her and answering him back or not answering him at all today? She'd picked the wrong day to wind him up, that's for sure.

He snapped. His home had been hit by an arsonist, he'd been shot, and now his daughter was injured. “It's not up for debate. You drive my car with my permission. Now get in.”

Amy reluctantly got in the driver's side and sat still while Dane quickly ran through where everything was. She started the car. “It's been a while.”

“You'll be fine. It's like riding a bike. You never really forget. You can park just down from the gates of the school.” He leaned back in the seat, cradling his arm.

“Did you mean what you said just now? About not wanting to lose someone you love?”

“You heard that?”

“Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to overhear, but your voice carried.”

“Yes, I meant it. After Jas died, I didn't think I'd ever live or love again. You've shown me otherwise. I love you. I don't want anything happening to you. Which is why
if
you know
anything
, you have to tell me.”

“I don't.”

“OK.”

“What did the school say about Vicky?”

Dane noted the change of subject, but went with it. For now. “She fell off the beam and landed on her arm. One of the kids said they heard a crack. It's swollen, she won't use it, and she screams if someone touches it.”

“Screams?” Amy took her eyes off the road long enough to look at him.

“Yeah. This is another reason to worry.” He took a deep breath. “Pull in just along here somewhere.”

Amy parked and turned off the engine.

Dane leapt out of the car as soon as it stopped moving. He waited for her to catch up with him. The door opened before he could ring the bell, he assumed because they'd seen him coming.

Vicky waited in reception holding her arm and crying. Her teacher sat with her.

Dane knelt beside her, wrapping his good arm around his daughter. “It's OK, honey. Daddy's here now.”

Vicky clung to him, sobbing hard.

Miss Macnin looked at him. “I don't think it's broken, but you should go and get it X-rayed just to be on the safe side. It's not like her to make such a fuss.” She looked at Vicky and smiled. “Hope you feel better soon.”

He nodded. “OK, thank you. Come on, honey. Amy's going to drive us to the hospital, so they can take pictures of your arm, too.”

Vicky looked at him, tears running down her red and blotchy face.

Dane pointed to his shoulder. “Uncle Nate took me to the hospital when I hurt my arm and the doctor took lots of pictures with a special camera that can see what your bones look like. Maybe we both get a sling.”

 



 

Four hours later, they got back to the house. Vicky's arm wasn't broken, just sprained. They'd wrapped it in tubigrip and put her arm in a sling. It meant she'd be back to nodding or shaking her head for a day or two, but Dane could live with that.

Amy parked in the garage, while he took Vicky inside. He hung up her coat and then slid out of his.

Vicky clung to his hand tightly.

Nate sat in the kitchen with Jodie and Vianne. He glanced up as they came in. “Hey, matching slings. Neat.”

He tilted his head slightly. “Yeah. It's just a sprain.”

Jodie hugged him. “Vicky or you, Dad?”

He hugged her back. “Vicky. Mine's a little more serious than that, but I'll live.”

Nate winked at her. “One fence too many in his case. He's not as young as he likes to think he is.”

Dane rolled his eyes.

“As long as you're all right, Dad, that's what matters.” Then with typical teenage aplomb, Jodie changed the subject. “Can I sleep ‘round Vianne's tonight? It's OK with Uncle Nate.”

“Sure.” That would be one less child for him to worry about right now.

Nate looked at Vicky. “Did you want to come too?”

She shook her head, not letting go of Dane's hand.

“OK. Jodie, go and get your stuff.”

Amy came in and put her bag on the counter.

Dane glanced at the window then back at Nate. “Study for a few?”

Nate nodded.

Dane looked at Vicky. “Honey, can you help Amy make Daddy something to drink?”

She nodded slowly.

Dane kissed her forehead and followed Nate from the kitchen. He shut the study door behind them. “Well?”

“It was arson.” Nate said without preamble. “But we knew that. They found the remnants of a radio device in the ash.”

“How did they get in?”

“The lock on the back gate is broken. It's been fixed now and the bolt moved further down. The girls still can't reach it, but no one can just reach over the fence and open it anymore. You didn't notice anything at all when you got home?”

“No. I was busy with Amy.” He paused. “Nothing like that. Stop raising your eyebrows at me. She was really upset, and I rang you within a couple of minutes of getting in.”

“OK. We need to speak to her again, then. If it wasn't there before she left for school, it was either done while she was out, or while the three of us were talking.”

Dane shuddered at the thought. “The school run takes about twenty minutes. Maybe fifteen minutes longer if she was taking Jodie and Vianne as well. Is that long enough?”

“Maybe, I don't know. Talk to her later on tonight. Then ring me and let me know if she remembers anything.”

“Will do.”

“Then there are the flowers. I've given the card to Pete to try to trace. Jodie said the flowers arrived before they left for school. Which was
before
Amy found out about Rosalie Malone.”

Dane's stomach turned. “It sounds like she's being targeted.”

“Or you are. Maybe you should take her away this weekend.”

“And go where?” He sighed. “I can't drive. She can, but won't for whatever reason. I practically had to force her to drive to the hospital and back. No, I'll unplug the phone, put the security lights on and get a patrol to drive past a few times.”

“Already done. Oh, and the guv said no unplugging the phone. She's put a trace on the line. Right, it sounds as if the girls are ready. Ring if you need anything. Otherwise I will see you tomorrow.”

Dane saw him out and went back into the kitchen. Amy leant against the counter, sipping a mug of tea. He stood next to her. “Where's Vicky?”

“She's watching TV in the lounge.”

“I need to talk to you about this morning.”

“I already told you. The bonfire wasn't there when I left, and I didn't notice it when I got back. I was gone about forty minutes or so.”

“Did you lock up the house?”

“Of course, and I set the alarm, just like I always do.”

“OK. Nate said the back gate was broken, so that's probably how they got in.”

“I'm sorry.”

“It's not your fault. Even if this person is after you, it's not your fault. We'll get him.” He wrapped his arm around her and gently kissed her cheek.

Amy turned into him at the same moment, grazing his lips.

He needed no more encouragement and kissed her deeply, only breaking off when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He glanced down and smiled. “Hey, Vicks. Are you all right?”

She signed awkwardly.

He nodded. “Yes, I do love her. Is that OK?”

She shot him a thumbs-up and mimed a drink.

Amy nodded. “Sure. Milk?”

Vicky shook her head.

“Juice, then?”

She shook her head.

“Then, what about lemonade? I can do magic lemonade if you like.”

Vicky looked confused, but then nodded.

Dane frowned. “
Magic
lemonade? What are you teaching her?”

Amy looked at him and then down. “OK, just plain lemonade, then.”

He reached for her, but she sidestepped him. “Amy, I didn't mean to upset you.”

“You didn't. It's fine.” She poured Vicky a glass. “Here you go.” She pulled open the freezer.

“Are you mad at me?” he asked, watching her.

“No.” Her tone was as stiff as her stance.

He frowned. Her body language indicated otherwise as she rattled around boxes and oven trays. “Amy?” he tried again. “Talk to me.”

She shoved two trays into the oven. “There, shepherd's pie for you and fish fingers and chips for Vicky. And baked beans for the both of you.”

“What about you?”

“Not hungry.”

“You haven't eaten all day.”

She shoved her hands into her pockets, leaning against the counter. “I'm not hungry.” Tears slid down her face, before she turned away.

Dane stood behind her, sliding his good arm around her waist. She leaned against him, crying hard. “You have to eat,” he whispered.

“No point…”

“There's every point, Amy.” He kissed her neck. “I know you're sad and scared, right now. It's been a horrible day.”

She nodded.

“I don't want you getting sick from not eating. We need you.” He lowered his voice, pulling her closer against him. “I need you.”

“You don't know me,” she whispered.

“I know I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

He kissed her gently, feeling her shiver. “Please eat something. Even if it's just soup or toast or that incredibly sugary cereal you insisted on buying.” When she glanced at him, he tipped up her chin. “So explain this magic lemonade.”

“You put a drop of food coloring into a plastic cup or mug without the child seeing it. Then you show them the bottle of clear lemonade. Pour it into the cup and give it to them. Only of course it's red or blue or green and they sit there wondering how you did it.”