Page 25 of Scorched

“Where am I going?” She backed out of her parking space.

He told her the address. They crossed town, pulling up outside the burned-out shell that used to be the Meyers’s house a few minutes later. Seb was already there, standing outside the house, staring at the ruined structure.

“Oh my God,” Maggie breathed. Tears welled in her eyes. “This is awful. Why would someone do this?”

Declan’s jaw worked. “I don’t know, but I’m going to stop them. Come on.” He got out of the car, and she followed. “You can stand at the front door just in case something happens.”

“What? I thought you said this was safe.”

“It’ll likely be fine.” He walked toward the front door, waving at Sebastian.

“Declan!”

“Relax, Mags. The biggest risk is the weakened floor joists, but I know what I’m doing.”

She growled, following behind him, her heels clacking on the sidewalk.

Seb’s brows quirked as they reached him. “What’s got your dander up?”

“She’s just worried about me,” Declan replied before she could answer.

“Why?”

“Because he’s injured and should be at home resting, not traipsing through this death trap.”

Seb looked at the house, eyes a little more wary. “Is there something I should know before we go in there?”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Declan said. “I don’t have any safety gear for you. A helmet is a necessity in a place like this.”

“Then what do you need me here for?”

“To replace the crime scene tape, for one. And I have questions about both fires.” He settled his helmet on his head, then took a knife from his pocket, flicking it open and slicing through the seal on the door.

He stepped over the threshold. “I’ll be back in a few.”

“Watch yourself,” Seb said.

“Yep.” He walked further into the house, noting the char pattern near the door as he entered. It was a match to the other house. So were the markings under each window and at the back door. At the master bedroom, there was a burn pattern outside the door. Declan stepped over the mark and went over to the window. There was no charring there.

He bent closer to inspect the frame, poking his head through to look at the outside. A small piece of wood was wedged between the frame and the casing.

“Sebastian! You should come take a look at this.”

Seb and Maggie stepped around the side of the house, coming toward him when they saw him leaning out of the window.

“Look at what?” Seb asked once they were close.

Declan pointed at the window casing. “It was wedged closed just like the garage door at the other house.”

Seb cursed. “I don’t know if Katie saw that. I’ll call her and ask.” He stepped away, already bringing his phone up to his ear.

Maggie looked up at him, her eyes shining with concern. “Mark and Lorraine should have died this morning.”

He nodded, his mouth a grim line.

“Why didn’t they?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t even know where they were in the house or how they got out.”

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