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two haz-mat techs to protect our people.” She pulled out into the lazy Saturday traffic, heading for the Fire Academy, which was located only a few miles away.
    Linc faced front, and his gaze swept across the complex radio equipment that had been installed in the dashboard. There were special radios for the state police and for sheriff and fire departments. “There must be twenty thousand dollars wrapped up in this equipment alone,” he said, whistling.
    “Close to it. If we have a full-scale haz-mat incident, it’s imperative we be able to get hold of all agencies in order to help evacuate the people who might be harmed by a spill.”
    He nodded. “I’m impressed as hell.”
    A slight smile appeared on Brie’s mouth. “Wait,” she told him softly, catching his glance. “There’s a natural high you get from coordinating such a massive effort. Not that I wish for those sorts of spills, but I like the knowledge that from this truck, we can mobilize anentire county, if need be, from Disaster Services right up to the Red Cross in a matter of minutes.”
    Linc digested her fervor. She loved her job. It was obvious from the luminous quality that had suddenly sprung to life in her bleak-looking eyes. “I can tell you’ve handled a few of those.”
    “A few. And so far, my record is clean. Well, almost,” Brie said, stumbling.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Before John was murdered, in every call we answered in the past three years, there had been no loss of life.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. Brie hadn’t meant to discuss John with Tanner, but her enthusiasm for her job opened the guarded door to her grieving heart.
    “I’m sorry it happened, Brie.”
    She trembled; his husky voice was like thick, golden honey soothing her aching heart. “Thanks, Tanner.”
    “Don’t you think we can begin to act civil with one another and call each other by our first names?”
    He was right, Brie realized. She had been deliberately holding him at arm’s length because of the red flag her instincts had waved in front of her face. There was a searching quality to his voice. He wanted to smooth the waters between them, too. “Okay,” Brie agreed reluctantly. “Call me anything you want as long as it isn’t derogatory.”
    “How about if it’s provocative?”
    She glanced at him, again aware of the amusement in his eyes. With a laugh she said, “You’re incorrigible, Linc Tanner.”
    He settled back in the seat, a pleased expression on his face. “So I’ve been told, Ms. Brie Williams, so I’ve been told.”
    *
    Brie stifled a yawn. The interstate stretched long and boringly in front of her as she drove the haz-mat truck toward Canton.
    “Want me to take over for a while?” Linc asked, realizing how tired Brie was becoming. Those faint shadows beneath her eyes were darkening.
    She shook her head. “No, thanks. We’ve only got little over an hour to go. Why don’t you get us some coffee from that thermos down there. I filled it before meeting you at the restaurant.”
    Linc picked up the battered aluminum thermos, noting its quart size. “Who drinks this much coffee?” he asked, twisting off the cap.
    “Me. There have been times when all I’ve lived on for three or four days were coffee and nerves.” She looked at him, offering him a slight smile. “Comes with the territory.”
    “Saxon didn’t warn me about that,” Linc groused good-naturedly, handing her half a cup of the steaming coffee.
    “Thanks,” Brie said. “He probably didn’t tell you too much for fear you’d turn down the job.”
    “Then you weren’t stretching the truth about putting in sixty hours a week.”
    “Stick around and find out.”
    He rested one booted foot on the dash. “I intend to do just that.”
    “Real masochist, aren’t you?”
    “Nah, I’m a red-blooded American man who believes in Mom, apple pie and Corvettes.”
    “Corvettes?”
    He gave her an innocent look. “Sure.”
    “Expensive