Page 35 of Critical Doubt

"Anyone inside?" one of the firefighters asked.

"The house is empty," Ryker replied, still keeping his arm around her.

As the fire commander barked orders to his team, an ambulance pulled up behind the truck and the EMTs came over to check on their injuries. Thankfully, neither one of them was in bad shape, with only superficial cuts that were cleaned and bandaged.

As the medic finished bandaging her head, Savannah noted the gathering crowd on the sidewalk. While the homes on this block were spread out, the raging fire had brought out anyone within a few blocks.

Two police cars came screaming down the street. Two younger cops exited the first vehicle while Chief Tanner got out of the second one. He stormed toward them, a grim line to his mouth.

"What happened?" he asked.

"There was an explosion," Ryker said. "It was centered in the laundry room. Could have been a timer or an explosive device."

"What were you doing in Todd's house?"

"Seriously? That's your question?" she interrupted. "You don't want to ask who would have set fire to this house?"

"Do you know who did this?"

"No."

"Then let's back up," he snapped. "What were you both doing in the house?"

"I spent the night here," Ryker answered. "Todd offered me a place to stay when I came in for Paul's funeral. Savannah came back with me after we finished our search this morning."

Savannah was impressed with Ryker's spin on the story, appreciating the fact that he hadn't mentioned using Abby's key to get inside. She didn't want Abby mixed up in any of this.

"Did you notice anyone hanging around the house?" the chief asked.

"I didn't see anyone today, but I thought I heard someone last night in the yard, and there was a footprint outside the window. From that vantage point, I'm pretty sure someone would have seen me sleeping on the couch as the curtains were open."

"Can you show me?" Tanner asked.

"Sure," Ryker said, leading Tanner down the side of the yard.

She stayed behind, more interested in talking to some of the neighbors than dealing with Chief Tanner. "Hello," she said, approaching two women. "Are you neighbors?"

"We are," the white-haired woman replied. "I'm Amy Gilman. This is my sister Diane. We live at the end of the block. We were just coming back from the market when the fire truck passed us. What happened? Were you in the house? You're all cut up, dear."

"I was nearby. Do you know Todd?"

"We've met him a couple of times," Amy replied. "But we didn't know him as well as Paul. It was so sad what happened to him."

"You're Abby's friend," Diane suddenly interjected. "Savannah, right? The beauty queen?"

"Yes, that's me."

"My son, Richmond, went to school with you."

"Of course, I remember Richmond. How is he?"

"He's a dentist now. And he just got engaged."

"That's nice."

"What are you doing now, Savannah?" Diane asked.

"I'm an FBI agent."

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