Page 70 of Playing With Fire

Ricky finally spoke. “People collect this stuff. Like beer mats and baseball caps.” He lifted his eyebrows at Silas, who looked briefly uncomfortable.

“Apparently the history group at the retirement village put together displays of memorabilia, and the twins helped themselves to some matchbooks from someone’s collection,” said Silas.

Jodi took a deep breath, trying to dispel her growing unease.

Ricky picked up the matchbooks. “I appreciate you handing these over,” he said in a neutral tone, as though they were discussing the loan of a mower. “I know it can’t have been easy.”

Silas’ wide smile wiped the compassion off Ricky’s face. Jodi sat up straight.

“Hattie and I are handing these over to you because it is the right thing to do. But that doesn’t mean that we think that Joshua and Judah are guilty of arson. Quite the opposite. Hattie found these matchbooks about three months ago, when she was putting clean laundry in their bedroom. We discussed the matter and decided to say nothing. Trust has been a big thing with these boys. Hard-earned on either side, so we decided to wait and see.”

“And now you know,” said Ricky.

Silas leaned back in his chair, and Jodi was reminded once again that he was a former CEO, a powerful man whose instincts about people were probably spot on. His green eyes were piercing.

“Three months ago, Ricky. So, Hattie and I talked with the boys early this week and they agreed to hand them over. The same matchbooks that have been there for three months.” He pointed a large finger. “One matchbook is full and has a stain on the back. The other one is missing a couple of matches.”

Ricky turned over the shabby cardboard squares.

“They tell you anything else?” His voice was quiet.

Silas grunted. “Those fires at the school last year, and in the corner store. They did that. And we will ensure that the boys apologize. They’ll also be spending their afternoons helping out down at Ted Solomon’s shop for a few weeks. I’ve already talked to him.”

Jodi could sense Ricky’s growing frustration. His jaw was clenched and his narrow, serious face was a series of hard angles.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not good enough,” said Ricky flatly. “Chief Browning wants them at the council offices, with whatever guardian and legal representation they need. I pushed it out to nine on Monday morning.”

Jodi’s chest tightened. She glanced from one man to another. Both faces were stiff, stubborn.

Anger flashed across Silas’ face and was quickly repressed, as though the ruthless corporate executive had almost broken through. “You’ll forgive me if I take legal advice on that,” he said in an even tone.

Jodi’s phone vibrated, not for the first or second time since they’d been sitting there.

“Why am I here, Silas?” she said abruptly. “I expected a blast for that...unfortunate...story that my assistant put online without my knowledge or permission.” She ground out the last few words and shot Ricky a dark glance. “I apologize for that. And I take full responsibility. I understand that you and Hattie are keen to defend the boys.” She paused. “And I believe them too.”

Jodi stopped, realizing that yes, despite the mounting evidence, she did believe the boys. Not that Joshua and Judah weren’t capable of a brooding truculence that bordered on defiance when cornered, but this? No way.

She continued. “I can’t write an article to defend them, not on the strength of my instincts and these matchbooks.” She snaked out a finger and pulled a matchbook from under Ricky’s broad palm. He let it slide away. “Though there’s a story here, that’s for sure.”

Silas nodded. “I asked you to come too because I wanted to share something confidential with you both. And I know that you will respect that.”

Jodi met Ricky’s gaze. His grey eyes were dark with some emotion she couldn’t read. He turned to Silas.

“I can’t stop Chief Browning from talking to them, not unless you can produce iron-clad evidence. I tried, believe me.” He ran his fingers through his hair, leaving it ruffled into wavy spikes which seriously disarmed the full force of his grim words.

“And, as the Acting Editor knows full well—”

Jodi inspected her nails thoughtfully. Maybe grass green was a poor choice. Blue was much more calming.

Ricky continued. “—I am not convinced that the boys did it either. But my hands are tied—”

Jodi couldn’t help herself. She fixed Ricky with a glare.

“Whatever happened to the presumption of innocence? Due process?”

Silas made a calming motion with his hands. “It’s okay, Jodi. Ricky’s only doing his job. How we respond is up to us.” He let out a long breath. “What I wanted to tell you is this. Josh and Judah are close, even for twins, because they had to be, simply to survive. Both their parents struggled with substance abuse, and they were removed by social services and returned, several times.”

His sharp eyes narrowed. “They were removed permanently when social services discovered that they had been abandoned, in a squat. According to the boys, for at least a week. Then a series of foster homes.”

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