Page 6 of Scorched

“Watch your step. Test your footing before you put your full weight on any one point and try to step where I step.”

Gehring nodded and followed Declan inside. As he did, Katie poked her head around from the garage side of the wall, a camera in her hands.

“Find anything?” Declan asked.

“Maybe. Come look at this.”

He walked closer, stepping into the garage through the opening exposed by the fire.

Katie pointed at the door jamb of the steel door. “Right there.”

Declan leaned in as much as his ribs would allow and inspected the spot she indicated near the doorknob. A small piece of wood sat between the door and the frame. “Is that a wedge?” He looked up at her.

She nodded. “I think so. Someone didn’t want this door to open from the inside.”

He closed his eyes for a brief moment. Shit. “This fire wasn’t an accident.”

“Nope. I’d say it was also probably a deliberate homicide.”

“Dammit. Okay. I’ll let Seb know. Have you seen any signs of an accelerant?”

She shook her head. “Not yet, but I haven’t really been looking.”

“Okay.” He glanced back at Gehring, who stood just inside the kitchen, wide-eyed from their conversation. “Let’s go find the source of this blaze.” Declan stepped back into the house, his eyes roaming the walls and floor for the telltale signs of arson. “Go get the PID from the firetruck. It’s in with the field-testing equipment.” The photoionization detector would give him a good idea if the arsonist used an accelerant like gasoline or something similar.

Gehring nodded and left through the back door. Declan continued his perusal of the house, noting a spot near the door where the floor was charred more than it should have been. He exited the kitchen, entering what was likely the dining room. More spots like in the kitchen darkened the floor beneath each window. He took careful steps and rounded the staircase into the living room, seeing a similar pattern. Whoever set this fire made sure every exit was obstructed. The person in the kitchen never stood a chance.

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