Page 36 of Engulfing Emma

I’m surprised. “You sure?”

“Are you questioning me, Cash? You do understand that I outrank you, and I’ve been doing this job longer than you’ve been a firefighter.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just that the woman who lives here was so sure it was her son’s drug habit that started the blaze.”

“I did find paraphernalia in a back room, but I can say with certainty that wasn’t the cause. You were in on this one?”

“Yes. Everyone got out okay. But something about the boy—I just felt the need to check on things.”

“They won’t be living here for a while, if ever. The fire damage alone will likely get the house condemned, not to mention what the smoke did.”

“That’s going to be a hard blow. The woman lost her husband not too long ago.”

He tosses his bag in the backseat of his car. “Tough break. I’ll see you around, Lieutenant.”

I lift my chin at him before I turn and stare at the house. I can’t imagine what the boy must be going through. He loses his dad and then his home. Was what he said true? Was he glad his place burned? He said something about hating the house and wanting the ghost of his father to die. Then again, people often say things they don’t mean in stressful situations.

“Hello?” a woman says behind me.

It’s the owner of the house. She’s wearing clothes now instead of pajamas. Her face looks worn and tired, and she’s obviously been crying. Her teenage son is standing behind her, staring at their house. I look around for the toddler, but he’s not with them.

“Hi. I’m Lt. Cash. I was here during the fire.”

“I don’t remember you,” she says.

“It’s okay. There was a lot going on.”

“I saw you talking to that man in the fire department car. Is there an investigation?” She scowls at her kid. “As if we need one.”

“The cause of the fire was determined to be faulty wiring.”

“Really?”

“I told you it wasn’t me,” Jaylen says. “You never believe anything I say.”

“That’s because you never tell me the truth.” It looks like she’s about to start yelling at him, but then she turns to me. “I’m sorry to be so rude, Lieutenant. I’m Brandi Tiffin, and this is Jaylen.”

I shake her hand and then his. “Call me Brett. Your other son, is he okay?”

“He’s fine. We’re staying a few blocks over at my sister’s, until we can figure something out.”

“Do you have insurance?”

“We do. My husband was always good about that.”

“I heard you lost him not too long ago. My condolences.”

Jaylen kicks a rock on the sidewalk.

“Thank you,” Brandi says. “Is it okay if we go inside and get a few things?”

“Someone from the Department of Buildingsshould show up today and make a determination about its safety, but I doubt the place will collapse if we head inside and let you look around.”

I follow her up the front steps, then I turn around to see Jaylen still planted on the sidewalk. “You coming, Jaylen?”

“Jay. She’s the only one who calls me Jaylen.”

“Okay, Jay. How about we see what we can salvage out of this mess?”

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