Page 28 of High Velocity

“What concerns?Nothing serious, I hope.”

“Well, destroyed equipment and one of Glenda’s coffee stands getting burned to the ground for example.I’d say that’s serious.”

Charli’s eyes went round.“What the hell?Was anyone hurt?”

“No.”He shook his head.“And that’s a blessing.We’re looking into the matters, trying to figure out who and why.Don’t know if someone’s specifically targeting SoS or if it’s coincidental shit.Just be careful, okay?You get an off feeling, listen to your gut.You have questions about someone or something, ask.Any of the guys will talk to you.I’ll be here at 5:00 sharp to follow you home, got it?”

“Yes, sir.Or, yes, Sarg.”She grinned.

Roark couldn’t help but grin as well, but he wanted her to take this seriously.“I mean it, Charli, if you get a bad vibe from anyone, tell the guys then tell me tonight.I’m not taking any chances where you’re involved.”

“Well, I hardly think any of this involves me.I just returned to town three days ago.”

“Doesn’t matter.This is a small community, and as you can see, word travels.I expect these curious busy bodies won’t be as thick tomorrow.And you don’t work weekends, got it?”

“Got it.”

She went to kiss his cheek, but he turned, capturing her mouth.When Roark pulled away, her flushed face made him want to snatch her up and go have his way with her in the back of the SUV.

“I was going to have the Club SUV serviced but you’re busy enough.I’ll get it in another day.I better let you get back to it,” he said.“Otherwise, I’m liable to take you away right now and do dirty deeds.”

“Hmm, save that thought for tonight.”She winked.“Thank you again for this.”She saluted him with her drink.“I’ll see you at 5:00.”

Roark nodded then kissed her forehead before they returned to the shop.Leaving Charli in her bay, he walked back into the reception area to speak with Harvey.He’d just hung up the phone and waved at Roark to follow him into the small office up front.

“Tell me,” Harvey said after closing the door.

Roark detailed what happened to the equipment as well as the coffee stand.

“Christ almighty.What in the hell is wrong with people?”

“Hopefully, it won’t take long to figure it out.Also, there’s that newer model SUV that’s got me curious.Never seen it in town before, then I follow it up here, watch it cruise by, turn around and speed back south.Didn’t memorize the plate, so we can’t run it.”

“I’ll keep a watch for it.And I’ll keep an eye on Charli.That woman is something, isn’t she?”

Roark’s head turned toward the shop, even though he couldn’t see beyond the wall to see her.“She sure is.”He turned back to Harvey.“She’s everything to me now, Harv.I just got her back, and I don’t want a damn thing happening to her.”

“We won’t let it.You let me know if there’s anything else you need from me.I’m here.”

“Appreciate it.I’ll be back at 5:00.”

Harvey nodded and they said their goodbyes.Roark made his way back to Hunt, driving to see his dad and mom.When he got to where the coffee stand used to be, smoldering rubble greeted him as a fire team from Jerome’s Fire Department sifted through the debris.His parents were standing about fifty yards away, speaking with a guy he presumed to be the insurance agent.Roark parked near their pickup, stood outside, and checked in with Motley while he waited for them to finish.When the agent drove away thirty minutes later, Owen and Glenda walked over.

“Looks to be a clear case of arson,” Owen started, “but the fire boys will do a bit more investigating and write up their report as well.”

“How’s Charli?”His mom asked.

Roark settled his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.“She’s good.Just saw her at the shop where nearly a dozen people are crowding Havery’s shop.Fu—freaking ridiculous when most aren’t even going to see or speak with her.I swear, small towns sometimes.”

His mom squeezed his side.“Yeah, but you wouldn’t live anywhere else, am I right?”

Roark chuckled.“You’re right.”

“Anything else going on?”Owen asked.

“Yeah, another piece of equipment was destroyed last night.”Roark gave a quick synopsis of what took place along with Griff’s line of thinking about sabotaging the farmers.

“Still means someone is targeting SoS too,” Glenda said.“They could’ve left the equipment alone and dealt directly with the fields.I swear, criminals are assholes.”