Page 3 of Serial Burn

Replaying her words made her frown. Had she overdone it? Come across too strong? She swallowed against the sudden surge of emotion and looked Nathan in the eye.

He offered her a gentle smile. “No, I don’t think you needed totone it down. It was raw and honest, and people will admire you for what you’re doing.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, then cleared her throat. “I just don’t want my family forgotten. They deserve more.”

“Absolutely.”

“I meant what I said. I plan to find him. As long as he’s still alive, I’ll find him.”

His eyes lingered on her, studying her. Dissecting her?

She snagged his gaze. “What?”

“The more I talk to you, the more you intrigue me.”

Okay, that was bold. “Hm.”

“Too blunt?”

“No.” Too perceptive maybe. She’d have to remember that if she wanted to hide her feelings from him. But right now, her interest in getting to know him a bit better overruled her caution. “You know my story. What’s yours?”

He raised a brow. “I have a feeling I’m missing a few details.”

“Not many.” Okay, maybe a few.

“Jess?”

She turned to see Pastor Chuck Graham walking toward her, sorrow in his blue eyes. She looked at Nathan. “Excuse me a minute?”

“Of course.”

She hugged the older man, who looked like he’d aged another few years overnight. “I’m sorry, Chuck.”

He pressed fingers to his lips. “Just ... why?”

“I don’t know. Only God and the arsonist know the answer to that. So, until one of them talks...”

Chuck blinked back tears and nodded. “Well, this won’t stop us. We’ll just rebuild and find a place to meet in the interim.”

Jesslyn nodded. “Absolutely.” Other church members had started to gather outside the perimeter of the crime scene tape, and Chuck walked over to them, his shoulders held straight, chin lifted high. When he reached the group, they hugged one another, shoulder to shoulder, then started to pray. Jesslyn ground her molarsand swept her gaze around the onlookers. Sometimes arsonists liked to watch the fallout of their work, but no one in particular stood out to her.

Then again, whoever was responsible wouldn’t be wearing a sign labeled “I did it.”

“You think he’s here?” Nathan asked, his voice low.

She spun to face him. “You really need to stop doing that. It’s unnerving.”

His lips twisted into an amused smile that sent her heart racing in ways it hadn’t done since ... ever.

All righty then.

“You’re an investigator,” he said. “It’s not hard for another cop to tell what you’re thinking.” His gaze slid from hers and scanned the crowd just as she’d done. “We’ll get some video footage and pictures, but I don’t think he’s here. At least not in view.”

“Well, he doesn’t have to be.” She pointed to the TV crew camped out to the side, cameras rolling. A helicopter buzzed overhead with more cameras. “He can sit at home and watch the whole thing from the comfort of his recliner.”

THIS WASTHE FIRST TIMENathan had gotten to work with Jesslyn, and he had to admit, watching her in action was downright impressive. He’d heard there wasn’t anything she didn’t know about fires and accelerants, but hearing her talk about purple stains and what they meant was fascinating.

Hanging out with her at a friend’s lake house was very different from sharing a crime scene with her. While reserved by nature, at the lake house she was relaxed and witty when she decided to speak. Here, she was intense, focused, and dead serious.

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