Holiday Havoc by Terri Reed

doc. He was left alone long enough to start the blaze.
    â€œWhen all was said and done, a charred body with Posar’s ID tags was found. It wasn’t until later that the warden realized one of his guards was missing. Witnesses said they saw a guard walk out of the prison yard. When the crime-scene lab compared the missing guard’s dental records with the dead man’s, they matched.”
    Mary’s complexion drained of color. “That’s just so awful.”
    Anguished to have put Mary in such a precarious position, Lauren reached over to take her hand. “He’s a monster. I think I should leave, return to my own house or maybe leave town. My presence here only puts you and Sean in jeopardy.”
    Clearly affronted by the suggestion, Mary said, “Nonsense. You’re by far safer here.”
    â€œI agree,” Jarvis stated firmly. “Staying with other people is the smartest thing to do while I beat the bushes for him.”
    Touched that he would put so much of himself intoending her nightmare made tears burn the back of her eyelids. Gratitude clogged her throat.
    â€œDo you have a place to stay?” Mary asked the detective.
    â€œNot yet. I came straight here,” Jarvis answered.
    â€œThen you’ll stay here, as well,” Mary said. “We have plenty of rooms and you can keep us all safe.”
    Jarvis’s blue eyes widened for a moment, then his expression settled into resolve. “I’ll take you up on that offer.”
    Mary beamed. “Wonderful. I’ll go make up the Captain’s Quarters.”
    When she left the room, Jarvis turned to Lauren. “Nice lady.”
    Sensing there was more than just politeness in his observation, she grinned. “Yes. And she’s a widow.”
    Jarvis blinked, then barked out a laugh. “Don’t get any ideas.”
    Lauren shrugged with an innocent expression plastered on her face. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
    For as long as she’d known the detective, he’d been alone. She knew he’d been married once and had grown kids whom he didn’t see often. It hurt her heart to think of him lonely. Loneliness was such a horrible way to live. She hadn’t realized how lonely she’d been until Sean brightened her world.
    The kitchen door opened and Sean walked in, laden down with painting supplies and several large canvasses. He leaned the unfinished oils against the wall and transferred the rest of his burden to the counter.
    Lauren made the introduction. “Detective Jarvis, this is Sean Matthews.”
    The two shook hands. “Glad to meet you, Mr. Matthews.”
    â€œLikewise, Detective. And please, call me Sean.”
    â€œWhat’s all this?” Jarvis looked at Lauren with curiosity and concern in his sharp blue eyes.
    â€œShe’s going to paint again,” Sean answered, his tone firm.
    Jarvis raised his eyebrows. Lauren bit her lip. The detective knew of her fear, knew that she hadn’t touched a brush since the Nightmare. He’d been the one to arrange for her to see a therapist specializing in trauma victims. The therapy had been good in some ways but hadn’t touched her fear of painting again. The gaping void was still in her life.
    â€œI’m going to try,” she said.
    Jarvis’s expression softened. “Good for you, Lauren.” He slid a glance at Sean. “It definitely was divine providence that brought you two together. With your experience, you’re the perfect one to help her.”
    Sean paled.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Lauren asked, feeling like she was missing something.
    Jarvis looked at her speculatively. “I did a background check on Sean before leaving L.A. He’s a guidance counselor at a Christian high school. Or at least he was until he quit six months ago. You didn’t know?”
    Surprise vacuumed the air from her lungs as she shook her head. What happened six months ago? Her