Page 99 of Burning Justice

Over the plane’s nose cone, he caught sight of another pickup—Gemma’s?—driving down the narrow road in between the row of hangars. She hopped out and speed-walked toward them.

A spurt of anger rose in his throat. He hadn’t wanted her anywhere near this, yet here she was. “What the hell are you doing here?” he growled when she’d come to within a few feet. “And keep back.” A runway of cover models could parade in front of him, and he’d still be capable of focusing on his job. For him, Gemma Scott was the most distracting woman on the planet.

Because I’m in love with her.

She was one of the most headstrong, stubborn women he’d ever known, but he loved her. From the top of her head, to her goldfish tattoo, right down to her flame-and-fire-engine-red toenails.

Gemma pointed a finger at him. “Listen, you dumbass. I have something important to tell you, and you’re going to want to hear it.” She jutted her chin at Hawkin. “He needs to hear it, too.”

Evan nodded subtly. “I’d listen to what the lady has to say.”

“Don’t move, asshole,” he ordered Hawkin, who kept his hands plastered to the side of the plane. He’d grill Evan later as to how Gemma even knew where they were. “You’re under arrest for arson, and someday, I swear to God, I’ll arrest you for killing those kids.”

“I did not burn down that house,” Hawkin shot back over his shoulder. “And I didn’t kill those kids.”

“He’s telling the truth.” Gemma parked her hands on her hips. “Partly, anyway.”

Brett flicked his gaze to Hawkin. “If he didn’t do it, then who did?”

Hawkin looked over his shoulder. “My—” His eyes widened, then he snapped his mouth shut.

“Shut up, Michael,” came a female voice from behind them. “Don’t say another word. I’ll get you a lawyer.”

Kelly Hawkin, still wearing her yoga outfit, charged toward them from the hangar door. With every angry stride, the gym bag Brett had seen her with at the house slapped against her hip.

Guess she hadn’t been headed to the gym after all. She must have sped directly to the airport, beating Brett by only minutes, then parked her Beemer somewhere else and walked over.

He narrowed his eyes. What was she even doing here?

“In that case,” Gemma said to Kelly, glaring at the other woman, “you might as well get one for yourself, too.”

Brett looked from Gemma to Kelly, narrowing his eyes even more. “What are you talking about?”

“I met with Sally Nash today,” Gemma said. “She did lie to us. Johnny told her Kelly Hawkin paid him to burn down the Torrance Lane house because it had turned into a money pit. She gave him a note with a handwritten address on it. After the fire, Johnny was upset because Kelly had assured him the house was empty. Johnny had no idea those kids were inside. When he got out of prison for burglary, he gave the note to his sister and told her to hide it. Then he went to Hawkin Construction, figuring they owed him something more to keep quiet.”

Kelly huffed. “That’s ridiculous.”

“It’s not,” Gemma insisted.

Brett’s blood started to boil as he absorbed Gemma’s revelation. He didn’t doubt anything she’d just said.

Kelly Hawkin had completely snowed him. She’d had 18 Torrance Lane burned down. Never once had he pegged her for this. Leaving him wondering what other part she’d been playing in the Hawkins’ arson-for-profit scheme.

Sally’s statements about what her brother said to her would be inadmissible in court as hearsay, but the note could be admitted as evidence, and she could testify about where it came from. The fact Nash asked his sister to hide the note could show consciousness of guilt on Nash’s part. All they’d have to do was authenticate Kelly Hawkin’s handwriting.

He didn’t know whether to shake Gemma for showing up here or haul her into his arms and kiss her. He pointed to Michael Hawkin, who’d been watching over his shoulder, his hands still plastered to the side of the plane. “Stay right where you are, Hawkin.”

Brett tugged a set of cuffs from his belt. “Kelly Hawkin, you’re under arrest for arson and felony murder.”

She jerked back, pivoting as she shoved her hand into the gym bag. “Oh, hell, no.”

Blaze barked. Brett and Evan were closer, and lunged for Kelly.

Not fast enough.

She grabbed Gemma’s arm and hauled her backward.

The barrel of a mini-Glock pressed against the side of Gemma’s head.