“Didn’t mean to. I thought she knew I was still there.”

“What were you doing?”

“In the bathroom?” He arched a dry brow.

Joe just waited, not at all bothered by the way his clothes had begun to stick to his entire body. He liked the rain, always had. But Kenny was a rare lit fuse. He was wet, wrinkled, holding a squirming puppy, and ready to blow.

Braden stayed rigid for a long moment, then caved when neither fire marshal moved. “I used the toilet,” he said. “And then the sink.”

“Anything else?” Kenny asked.

“Like…?”

“Did you have gasoline in there for any reason?”

“Christ. No.”

Joe looked down at Braden’s black boots, still dry on the tops—unlike his own soaked athletic shoes. “What size shoe do you wear?”

“Depends on the shoe.”

“Approximately,” Kenny said tautly.

“I don’t know. An eleven.”

“Do you smoke?”

“Used to.”

“What does that mean exactly?” Joe asked.

“It means I quit.”

“How long ago?”

“I’ve quit several times. The last was a few weeks ago.” Braden swiped his hand over his mouth. “Is that all?”

“For now, thanks,” Joe said, and they watched him go.

“He’s involved with Chloe.” Kenny set the puppy on the ground. “Heel,” he commanded with quiet authority.

“She has no idea what that means.” Joe rolled his eyes when Ashes plopped to her back on the wet concrete, waiting for someone to squat down and pat her belly. “They’re dating then?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

Joe looked at the building and sighed. “They’re all connected.”

“And so are we.” Kenny smiled grimly when Joe closed his eyes at that. “Let’s finish this. Camille’s still inside.”

“She won’t thank you for this.”

“The job comes first,” Kenny said in a carefully even voice.

They stepped inside and stood by the door, not wanting to get anything wet. Kenny passed the puppy to Joe. “Your turn.”

Camille came out of the back and gasped. “A puppy!”

“A wet puppy,” Kenny warned as she scooped Ashes close.

“Oh, she’s adorable.” She lifted her smiling eyes. “You’re wet too. You’re all going to get sick.” She ushered them to the back and went directly to the teapot in the sink. “Let me make some hot tea.”

“Don’t trouble yourself,” Kenny said gently. “Why don’t you come sit down, Camille.”

“Oh. Okay.” She put Ashes down.

The puppy skidded her way toward Joe. He looked her right in the soft chocolate eyes and said, “Stay.”

Ashes set her butt to the floor, wriggled and panted, and shockers of all shockers, stayed.

Camille came close, sat in the chair Kenny pulled out for her and folded her hands. “You’ve found something.” She divided a gaze between them. “Tell me.”

“The accelerant in the bathroom of the store proved to be the same mix of gasoline found at the warehouse fire,” Kenny said.