Page 9 of Betting on Lizzie

Lizzie shrugged. “It can be destructive.”

“You own a bar. How can you say that?”

“Have you ever seen me drunk?”

Bella thought for a second and shook her head.

“I enjoy a glass of wine or two now and then, but I’ve learned my lesson—the hard way, just like you are now—that too much isn’t good for you. Especially when your brain is still growing, like yours is. And that’s just the health risks. As your friend learned last night, there are other problematic, potentially dangerous, situations that come up as well. People do dumb stuff when they’re drunk.”

“I understand.”

“Will you pass the message along to your friend? She should tell her parents about what happened too.”

“She only has a dad, and she was pretty adamant we couldn’t call him. I don’t know what the story is, but I’ll tell her.”

“Well, he has a right to know what’s going on with his kid.”

She nodded before rushing back to the bathroom. By one o’clock, Bella felt well enough to go home and face the music. Lizzie drove her, wished her luck, returned to her condo, and collapsed into bed, exhausted.

CHAPTER FOUR

Ben arrived at work on Monday to a new case on his desk. Over the weekend, a bar on Main Street had burned, and the on-call investigator had deemed it arson. When the address registered, his jaw dropped. He’d been at that very bar just hours before. Not for long, but still.

If Ben hadn’t already ordered a drink, he would have left right after Ian texted to say he was bailing. His coworkers had done some pre-game drinking and were acting like tipsy idiots, but he wasn’t about to waste a thirty-dollar añejo.

He’d immediately recognized the bartender as the pretty brunette from Maya’s basketball game. The thought of saying something to her crossed his mind, but he didn’t know how to without seeming like he was hitting on her. And there were plenty of guys doing that. No need to add him to the mix. From his seat at the booth, he watched as she flirted her way from guy to guy at the bar, stuffing tips into her cleavage left and right.

He refocused on the file in front of him. Then realized that as part of his investigation, he’d have to interview all the employees, including her. A timeline of events would need to be established, but also motive. And since nine times out of ten, a business arsonist turned out to be the owner, the staff would have valuable information. They could potentially be useful as character witnesses at trial too.

First thing, he called the insurance company and left a message. They had skin in the game and would want to know if foul play was suspected.

He reviewed the fire investigator’s preliminary notes of the scene. Unless the owner routinely soaked the counter in kerosene at night, it was definitely arson. The bar itself had no security, but the office next door had installed cameras in the back alley. Ben called to see if they would share the footage. If they wouldn’t give it willingly, he’d get a warrant, but there was no harm in asking first. The receptionist promised someone with the authority to make that decision would return his call soon.

Hugh came to his office around ten to talk over the case. Hugh was the other arson investigator on the team. The rest of the crew determined how the fire started. And if arson was suspected, Ben and Hugh were called in to figure out who started it.

“Elizabeth Parker owns the space,” Hugh said. “Pretty sure that’s one of the mayor’s daughters. Gonna have to tread carefully.”

“Great,” Ben said. He didn’t know the mayor, but it wouldn’t have mattered if he did. He pursued all of his investigations with the same amount of detail-oriented vigor. Cutting corners wasn’t in his wheelhouse, and this case would be no different. I’s would be dotted, and t’s would be crossed regardless of who owned the building.

“You know what’s crazy?” Ben said. “That’s where a bunch of us went to celebrate Decker’s promotion. That same night. A few hours before it burned, a dozen firefighters were there.”

“You went out with the guys?” Hugh asked, eyebrow inching upward.

“Not the point I was making,” Ben said.

“No, I get it. That is ironic.”

The insurance company called while Hugh was still sitting with him. Ben held up a finger to indicate Hugh should wait while he took the call.

“Have there been any recent changes to the policy?” Ben asked.

“Actually, yes,” the agent said. “About two months ago, Ms. Parker upped the insurance on that property to a million dollars. It was right around the same time she took out a new policy on another space she’d started leasing.”

“So, she’s moving or opening a second business?” Ben asked.

“Could be either or both. All I know is the current place has been on the market for over a year.”

Ben put his hand over the mouthpiece. “Jacked up the insurance and has been trying to sell with no luck.”

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