Page 23 of Scorched

Declan sat back in the seat and listened to the traffic, learning they were on-scene of another residential fire. He just hoped the occupants got out. It was early yet; most people were still at home.

He stayed in the truck until the fire was out. It was another hot one. As he waited to hear Walters give the all-clear, his cell phone rang. He looked down, frowning as he saw Walters’s name come up on the screen. Dread filled his belly as he swiped to answer the call.

“It’s the same guy, isn’t it?” Declan asked in lieu of a greeting.

“Yeah. I think so. There are burn marks in front of the doors and under all the windows.”

“Did everyone make it out?”

“With some burns and smoke inhalation, yes. Homeowners are Mark and Lorraine Meyers.”

“Wait. Did you say Lorraine Meyers?” Declan’s mind worked as he mulled over that tidbit of information.

“Yeah. You know her?”

“I do. She’s Thomas Archer’s veterinary assistant.”

“Weird. What are the odds both arson cases would be connected to the Archer family?”

That was an excellent question. What were the odds?

When Maggie walked in the door that afternoon, Declan pounced.

“I need you to take me to the Meyers’s house.”

She paused just inside the front door, one hand still on the knob, and blinked at him. “Who? And why?”

“There was a fire at Lorraine Meyers’s house this morning. Walters found the same burn patterns there as at the vacant house where I was injured.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh my goodness. Are Lorraine and Mark all right?”

“They were taken to the hospital with some burns and smoke inhalation. I don’t know how bad their injuries are, though. Can you take me to their house? I need to walk through and confirm it was the same arsonist. I also need to talk to Seb.”

She stepped inside and closed the door, then held out a hand and waved it in a small circle. “Hold on a second. You’re not supposed to be working. How do you even know all this?”

“I checked my email after you left. The forensics reports from the fire that injured me were there. I called Walters to see if he knew any more. He got a fire call while we were on the line, so I went and listened to the radio traffic in my truck. They were wrapping things up when he called me direct to tell me they found the same burn pattern at all the egress points as the previous fire,” he summed up. “So, can we go?”

She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, then looked at him. “You’re not supposed to be working.”

He rolled his eyes. “Come on, Maggie. It’s a walkthrough and a conversation.”

“Wearing turnout gear, which weighs like forty pounds.”

“I shouldn’t need it. The fire’s out. All I need is my jacket and badge to identify me as part of the department and my helmet.”

She grumbled under her breath. “I’m going to regret this, but okay.”

He resisted the urge to pump his fist.

“With two suspicious fires, your expertise is warranted.” She held up her hand again. “Just promise me you’ll be careful?”

“Scout’s honor.” He held up three fingers.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Were you even a boy scout?”

He grinned and shook his head, dropping his hand. “No. How about Marines’ honor instead? I’ll be careful, I swear.”

“Fine. Let’s go.” She put her briefcase down next to the entryway table and turned around to go back to her car.

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