"Where's the gun?"

Mel pointed to where it flew to.

"Hands up!" The other cop ordered and came over to where she was standing. Tears dripping from her cheeks.

"Mel, don't say a word!" Greg shouted from the door.

She nodded and remained silent.

"What went on here?"

"I'm taking the fifth until I can speak to my lawyer," Mel said. She knew what it looked like. Grumman was out cold, there were bullet holes in her floor, and no one was going to believe her until they could investigate. It was her word against Burt Grumman's, and he was a police officer.

"Sir, before you cuff her, I would like to give you some background," Greg's quiet bass rumble, caught the officer's attention."

"Talk."

"There was no other police vehicle here when we arrived. An arson was in progress. There is a bullet hole in her door handle, and the security light was shot out. The pistol over there, has a silencer, which is not standard issue for a cop. I suggest you call for a bus to pick up Officer Grumman here, and have him guarded at all times."

The other cop dropped to his knees beside Grumman and checked him over. "Bus is needed. He's breathing. Looks like he's got a broken jaw, and he's swelling here." The officer told his partner as he pointed to the comatose victim's crotch.

"Ambulance and coroner's wagon are already on the way, sir. For the issue downstairs. We'll get them up here right away. You ex military?"

"I am. Old habits die hard. Mel, a bus is a short form for ambulance. I suggest you get checked out when it gets here as well. I can see your knuckles are swelling."

"You're burned, you need it worse than me," Mel said.

Greg pulled his jacket off, "At least I wasn't wearing polyester or some other fancy plastic. Learned a long time ago, old fashioned natural fibers are far better."

He moved toward her sink and started the cold water running. Putting the bright red patch on his forearm under it.

"Miss, would you please tell us what happened?"

"It's okay Mel. I think Officer Bennet understands you weren't the problem, but the victim here is."

"This is a long story, and I think you should contact Detective Sylvia Eisenman She was investigating the burglary I had here a few weeks ago. It's connected with what happened today," Mel said. "All I did was defend myself." She walked over to the shelf and blew out the candle, brushing tears off her face as she turned to face them again.

"Mel! Are you alright?" Ralph's frantic call came from the door as his head poked around the corner. "Where's Smoky?"

"Up there," Mel pointed to her cat. "Can someone close the door? If it will close?"

"Or I'll just bring his leash over and get him down for you," Ralph said. "If that's okay with you, officer."

"He's coming around. He's been out for how long, miss?"

"Maybe five minutes. He went down seconds before you came through the door."

Officer Bennet was talking to someone on his radio and waved Ralph inside. "Send Detective Eisenman to our location. I don't think we need crime scene. Arrest who?"

There was a pause as he listened.

"You have a warrant for his arrest. Yes sir. What charges?" A smile appeared as he spoke. "With pleasure. About time."

Ralph patted his chest as he arrived beside Greg where he was still running cold water over his burned arm. Smoky dropped onto him and he snapped the leash onto the ring attached to his harness. Mel dropped to her knees after gathering her cat into her arms.

"He could have shot you,"

A gargling sputter came from Grumman. "Arrest her. She assaulted me."

Officer Bennet grabbed his handcuffs and snapped one half on Grumman's wrist.

"You're fucking crazy if you think you're getting away with this Bennet," Grumman's other arm came up swinging, but he forgot the other officer.

"You're under arrest. First charge, carrying an illegal firearm."

"That's hers!" Grumman yelled.

"Unlikely. The evidence on scene says otherwise."

Mel's eyes met Greg's and they both shook their head.

A gurney pushed through the door as the paramedics arrived.

"This one first, boys," Officer Bennet pointed to Grumman. "I'll be riding with you."

The paramedics made short work of lifting Grumman onto the gurney, fastening his dangling handcuff to one of the rails. "I'll be back to check you out sir. That burn doesn't look good."

"Just take this take care of this officer. He has a lot to answer for," Greg said. "I'll be fine. I've had worse."

"What about you miss? Your hand?" the second medic asked.

"I'll handle it. Nothing ice and ibuprofen won't fix," Mel assured him.

"We'll need crime scene in here, Bryan. Make sure the Detective gets what she needs," Bennet said as he follow the paramedics out the door.

"Not to worry. Looks like Grumman finally blew it. The crime scene is somewhat compromised, but I don't think it will make a difference in the long run. I'll pick you up when you're done at the hospital."

"Thanks Partner."

"So, now what?" Mel asked.

"Wait for the Detective to show up. She'll probably want a statement from you. Nice job putting Grumman down, by the way." Bryan went over to the door and pulled it shut. "This isn't going to be securable. You're going to need to find somewhere else to stay tonight."

Greg shook his head. "No. We'll get a locksmith out right now. I know one who will come out anytime day or night. This burn is settling down, I need a first aid kit though." Greg pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket.

"Shit!" Bryan swore. "I'll be right back. They evacuated Cozy Corner. Have to let them know we have the all clear."

Mel glanced at her watch. "I'll go down with you. We have a first aid kit down there. I'll bring it up. And I think free drinks for everyone who's still around and wants it. We'll take Smoky down with us. I'm sure we can bend the rules this once."

"Wait a second, Mel." Greg patted his arm dry with the towel she kept looped through a lower cabinet door handle. "I'll see if the coroner is done."

"Who died?" Mel asked.

"There's no easy way to say it, Mel," Greg held her by her shoulders, meeting her brown eyes with his gray-green gaze. "Your Aunt Deloras passed away."

Mel shook her head. "No way. She's supposed to go to jail for what she's done."

Greg winced, "The truth is brutal, sweetie. Do you want it right now?"

Ralph's arm came around her and he hugged her close, and she nodded.

"She set herself on fire. That's how I got this burn."

Mel stayed silent for a couple of minutes before she said, "I thought I would be upset. I don't feel anything but relief. And a bit of anger. She chickened out."

"Talk it over with Dr. Elizabeth," Ralph suggested.

Greg nodded, "Good idea." He logged into his phone. "I'm calling the locksmith now. The Sheriff's will pay for your damages this time Mel. No insurance needed."

"I don't care what's going on with Aunt Deloras. Let's get down and help out with Cozy Corner. You too, Greg." Mel let Smoky down and started out the door.

Bryan was on his way up again.

"Let Sylvia know I'm downstairs. I think I'm the only manager around right now. The owners are gone at a conference for small business owners. I'm mean even Elena went. Her grandson is taking care of stocking our displays on Monday, Officer Laval." She noticed his name where it was sown to his uniform. "If you need coffee, I'll keep the store open a little later for you all."

"Thank you, miss."

"It's the least I can do."

"I'll let the fire Captain know and catch up with you Mel," Greg said.

Mel took a deep breath and watched the cloud of steam as she let it out.

"Guess what Ralph?"

"What?"

They skirted the police car with its lights still flashing and went past the firetruck.

"I didn't even come close to having a panic attack."