Page 43 of Scorched

“Did Macy?”

He frowned. “I’m not sure. I can go talk to her and ask, though.”

“What about your dad? Do you know where he is?”

“Last I heard, he was in prison again. But that was years ago. Someone read it in a Denver paper and told me about it. I don’t know if he’s still there.”

“I’ll check. He might know where she’s been and who she’s come into contact with.” Seb sighed again. “I’m sorry to bring such bad news so early.”

Declan scrubbed a hand over his jaw, the rasp sounding loud to his own ears. “This is all very surreal. What the fuck is going on? How is my mother connected to three arson fires and a murder?” He paused as he thought about what two of the fires had in common. “You don’t think this has something to do with that child trafficking case, do you?”

“It wouldn’t surprise me. Not now that Thomas’s clinic was targeted.”

“No.” Declan stood, needing to move, as agitation churned in his gut. “I can’t see her being part of that, though. She was a crappy parent, but she would never exploit a child. She had plenty of chances with me and Macy, but she never did.”

“Maybe she knew something and was killed to keep her quiet.”

He scoffed. “They could have just kept her high if they wanted her silence.” He sighed and stopped at the window to stare out at the dreary day. Low, gray clouds scuttled across the sky and dry leaves swirled down the street with the wind. It was supposed to rain later before changing to snow.

Maggie’s soft touch on his bare back brought him out of his thoughts. He turned, looking down at her. She stared up at him with her chocolatey eyes, wrapping her arms around his waist. He held her close, resting his cheek on top of her head and welcoming the comfort she offered.

Seb stood. “I’m going to try to track down your dad. Talk to Macy and let me know what she says.”

Declan nodded. “I will.”

He tipped his head in acknowledgment, then let himself out. Declan didn’t move from where he stood, soaking in Maggie’s presence. It was a balm to his mixed-up emotions.

“I’m sorry, Declan.”

He pulled away far enough to look at her. “Thank you. I’m not sure why this has me so out of sorts.”

She shrugged. “She was your mother.”

“In name only. I think it’s more the shock of how she died that’s thrown me for a loop. Who burns someone to death?” He couldn’t let himself think about how horrific that must have been for her. He hoped she was unconscious long before the flames reached her.

“Someone very disturbed.” She hugged him tighter.

He hugged her back before dropping a kiss on her head and pulling back. “Let’s go get dressed and talk to Macy. Maybe she has some answers.” He hoped to God she did, because he needed to know what the hell was going on. Not just to stop an arsonist and murderer, but for his own sanity.

“She’s going to hate us, you know that, right?” Maggie stepped out of her car and rounded the hood. “Dropping a bombshell like this on her at work.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not willing to wait until she closes to hopefully get some answers.” Declan frowned as they walked toward the door. Macy would just have to deal. If anyone could fake a happy façade for the rest of the day, it was her.

He opened the door and let Maggie precede him out of the blustery drizzle that had started to come down.

Macy looked over as they walked in, a smile on her face. It faded as she took in the severe expression on Declan’s face.

“I’d say good morning, but it doesn’t look like you’ve had one. What happened now?”

Maggie and Declan walked closer.

“Can we talk in the back?” Declan asked. The shop was busy, and he didn’t want their conversation to end up all over town.

“Damn. I’m not going to like this. Yeah, okay.” She turned to the young woman working alongside her, telling her she would be in the kitchen if she was needed.

The three of them pushed through the swinging door to the back. Macy stopped at a stainless-steel table and faced them.

“What’s up?” She crossed her arms and leaned a hip on the table.

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