that Brock had already gotten to him? The way that Brock seemed to have infiltrated some of the Portland investigators? What if Logan was a part of Brock’s deadly game? How many people did Brock control, anyway? Once again, it felt as if her head was spinning. Who could she trust? Anyone?
“I need to take a photo of it,” Logan said suddenly.
She retrieved it from her pocket, pulled up the text and handed it to him, waiting as he examined it more closely and then, using his own phone, took a couple of shots. “So you honestly think your ex-boyfriend sent this?” He studied her closely as he held her phone out to her.
“I’m so tired that it’s hard to think straight right now.”
Logan stood up now, clearly agitated. “What’s going on here, Mallory? You mentioned danger. And according to that text, you are definitely in some kind of danger. What kind of person is this? The guy who sent the text—who is he?”
“I’m not sure it matters... I mean, who he is or what he is...since no one believes me, anyway.” She studied Logan closely. She wished she could trust him—she wanted to trust him. She needed someone trustworthy.
“Look, a fire was set outside your parents’ home.” He spoke slowly, almost as if speaking to a child. And perhaps she was being childish—maybe fear and exhaustion did that to a person. “You receive a text that refers to fire and death, a message that is clearly some kind of serious threat.” He sat down on the couch next to her, staring intently into her face. “I’m not just asking you this as your friend, Mallory, although I’d like to think that we’re friends, but I’m asking you this as the Clover fire chief, investigating an arson crime.”
“Oh....” She nodded soberly. “Okay, then.”
“Who sent the text?”
She took in a breath, sitting up straight, trying to think clearly. “I can’t be certain, since it wasn’t sent from his usual phone. But my guess is that it was sent by my ex-boyfriend. A guy named Brock Dennison.”
“Brock Dennison? The anchor guy on the Portland news station?” Logan sounded shocked. “That’s the guy you’ve been involved with?”
“How do you know that?” she demanded. “I mean that Brock and I are involved. I mean, we used to be involved.”
“You just said it was from an ex-boyfriend.”
“Oh...yeah.”
“And you’re saying that Brock Dennison is threatening you?”
She looked evenly into his eyes. “And you don’t believe me, do you?”
Logan looked perplexed. “I didn’t say that. I mean it’s a lot to take in.”
“No one believes me.” She folded her arms in front of her, wishing she’d just kept her mouth shut. Why had she even trusted him?
“I’m sure that’s because Brock Dennison is kind of a celebrity. A small-potato kind of celebrity. Not that I’m a fan.” Logan frowned. “You won’t catch me watching Portland news.” He tipped his head to one side. “But you’re seriously saying that Brock Dennison—the Channel Six News guy—sent that text to you?”
“That’s right.”
Logan shook his head with a perplexed expression. “Wow, that’s a lot to absorb, Mallory. So do you think Brock Dennison has something to do with the fire, too?”
She felt a tiny glimmer of hope. Did he actually believe her? “I really don’t know what to think. I have to admit it sounds unbelievable to think that Brock would do...well, the kinds of things I believe he’s done...or is involved in.”
“You make it sound like he’s a serious criminal.” Logan seemed genuinely concerned. “And if that text is from him, I’m inclined to agree.”
“Really?” She felt strangely relieved that Logan looked worried. Maybe he wasn’t in Brock’s back pocket, after all.
“And you’re obviously upset by it,” he continued. “So I have to assume that it’s not a joke or a romantic quarrel or—”
“There is no romance,” she said quickly. “We only dated briefly. I broke it off a couple of months ago. The truth is, I can’t stand him.”
Logan slowly nodded. “So why would he send you that text? And why is he talking about fire?” He waved his hand. “Especially in light of what appears to be an arson incident.” He narrowed his eyes. “Were you in communication with him earlier? I mean, about the forest fire?”
“No, of course not. He’s the last person I want to talk to.” She held up the phone. “Check my phone if you want. And, like I said, that text isn’t from his cell phone. If it had been, I probably would’ve ignored it completely.”
Logan’s brow creased. “Then how do you know it’s him?”
She frowned. “I just know.”
“Okay, let’s say it is from your ex,” Logan said thoughtfully. “What do you think he’s really trying to say? Does he want to see you burned? Was it a genuine threat?”
Mallory was still a little unsure of Logan but knew she had to trust someone. “I do believe it was a threat.” She watched him carefully, gauging his reaction.
“A death threat to you?”
“I know it sounds a little crazy...especially when you don’t know the whole story...but that’s what I believe.”
Logan looked uneasy or maybe confused. “So, let’s be crystal clear. You’re saying that Brock Dennison, your ex-boyfriend, probably sent you that text?” He pulled out a little notebook, flipping it open to write something. “About a burned corpse not being pretty?”
She simply nodded.
“And you’re suggesting that the same Brock Dennison, the anchorman for Channel Six, has been threatening you, Mallory?”
“Look, this isn’t easy,” she told him. “And I feel like I’m stepping out on a limb every time I tell someone that I suspect Brock has threatened me. But it’s true. I do believe he’s involved. Even if this morning’s text didn’t come directly from him, I believe he’s behind it. He started sending me a lot of veiled threats right after I broke up with him. Unfortunately, I didn’t take them seriously. I just ignored them and dumped them.”
He looked at his own phone. “Looks like it hit your phone at 4:27 this morning. About an hour after you called in the fire.” Logan scribbled more notes. “Do you know Mr. Dennison’s whereabouts right now?”
“Is this an official inquiry?” She knew she sounded defensive. Not for Brock’s sake, of course, but simply to protect herself. All she needed was to get caught up in a false accusation in the small town of Clover—especially with her dad so far away. Never mind that no one in Portland took her other accusations against Brock seriously. But she knew that Brock had friends all over the place. In high places and in low. Brock Dennison was everybody’s buddy. And he’d already threatened legal action against her if she “slandered” his name. He’d
