Respect. That was what Luis kept coming back to as he shuffled through papers, letting admiration for who Tucker was now chase out bitterness over who they’d both once been. But with that respect came a dangerous attraction and endless replaying of that almost-kiss. He would have let Tucker kiss him, would have happily met him halfway, would have greeted him with a hunger that he knew better than to feed. Any kissing would have been a mistake, and he should have been relieved, not driving himself up a wall all morning over the way the energy between them had all but crackled.
Crackled. Wait. He thumbed back several photos. Yes. There. More evidence of a burn pattern indicative of an intentional fire, but the pictures were blurrier than he liked. He really needed to see this particular site in person, preferably before another summer rain surprised them. He’d just finished a hasty lunch at his desk, and as he hoped, he found Adams in his office, returning from his own break.
“There’s a spot fire location we didn’t hit yesterday that I really want to see in person,” he explained after exchanging a few pleasantries. “I think it might be key to tying the sites together, establishing a pattern. Permission to head out to visit it? I might also visit the air base, see if I can talk to any of the smoke-jumping crew that was initially on site there. I already reviewed the procedures for Tuesday’s burn, so I’m ahead on work.”
“Sure, sure.” Adams nodded, not looking up as he logged into the computer behind his big desk. “That makes sense. Check out a Jeep and take Tucker with you.”
“Excell—Hang on, I don’t need to bother Tucker. I’ve got GPS.”
“And so does he. It’s a ways out there, backcountry, two different logging roads to reach it, then a hike in. You shouldn’t go alone, and he knows the management at the air base if you end up needing to go there as well. He’ll get you in to see who you need to talk with easier than you on your own.”
This wasn’t bad logic, but he still didn’t need to bother Tucker, who undoubtedly had work of his own to get done, and he tried telling Adams that, but he held firm.
“It’s a Friday afternoon. He’ll be happy to get out of the office.”
Effectively dismissed, Luis wandered over to Tucker’s office, steps slower because as much as the tension had been lowered the night before, he still wasn’t sure about more time alone. Tucker’s door was open, as seemed to be his habit, and he hung up the phone as Luis stuck his head in the doorway.
“Adams says I’m taking you out in the field.” Gesturing at the phone, Tucker smiled broadly. Damn him for still having dimples.
“If you’re busy with other work...” Luis managed weakly, knowing it was a losing proposition.
“Nothing that won’t keep.” Tucker stood, chest muscles rippling as he stretched. “It’s a gorgeous day out. No way do I want to be cooped up here. And we don’t want you hiking alone to this site. I could send someone else with you, but I’m not passing up that sunshine.”
“Fair enough.” Luis still resented the idea that he needed a tour guide of sorts, but nothing was going to be gained by continuing to protest other than ruining Tucker’s good mood. After he changed into his hiking boots, he grabbed his travel coffee mug and some extra water and met Tucker by the same Jeep as the day before.
“Still good with me driving?” Tucker was already heading to the driver’s side, so Luis stifled his inner groan and nodded.
“Sure. More time for me to review this data as we go.”
“Yeah? How’s that going?” Tucker easily swung himself up into the Jeep and behind the wheel as Luis settled himself.
“Going well. This is actually one of my favorite parts of the job, not that we ever welcome arson. But like you said yesterday, it’s a puzzle. I’m trying to build a model of what’s happened with the suspect spot fires so we can more effectively interpret the data and possibly aid investigative and law enforcement efforts.”
“And maybe predict where the next one could be?”
“Yup.”
They talked fire behavior most of the way out of town, taking a winding road past several campgrounds and hiking trailheads. Eventually even Tucker had to rely on the GPS to lead them to the logging access roads. They’d intersected a popular hiking trail, but this was far quicker than doing the entire distance by foot. The midday sun was still beating down as they arrived at the best place to park, having driven as close as they were going to get.
“Smoke jumpers must have had their work cut out for them,” Luis observed as he exited the Jeep. The rugged terrain would not have been easy for the people hauling hundreds of pounds of gear with them. Taking the water with them, they set out at a brisk pace.