Page 33 of One Little Spark

Phoenix ignored her question and asked, “Did you hear anything out of the ordinary when you and Doc were talking or after he went downstairs for more tea?”

“No. Nothing.”

Aiden spoke up. “So, it was arson then?”

Phoenix nodded.

“Wait,” Hazel said. “How did you know that?”

Aiden turned to her. “The door to the room you were in was locked from the outside.”

Her heart thudded against her rib cage. “Someone tried to kill me? Someone wanted me to die?”

Jory, who was still standing beside her, crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll kill that little shit.”

Phoenix shook his head. “You will do no such thing. You will stay out of this.”

“I don’t think it was Tommy.” Aiden sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “He cares too much for Hazel to want to hurt her. Plus, he’s been burning small things on the outskirts of town. Doc’s place is almost in the center of town. It just doesn’t fit.”

“Aiden’s right,” Phoenix agreed. “Tommy set the other fires. The one at the apartment complex was an accident. I arrested him last night.”

Hazel frowned. “Oh, no. Phoenix, he needs help, not being under arrest. Jail will only make everything worse.”

“I know, Hazel, and I agree, but he broke the law. He’s got the best public defender in the county. She’s trying to arrange a psych eval. Since this is the first serious crime he’s been charged with, there’s a chance the judge will go easy on him. I’m doing what I can to help.”

“If it wasn’t Tommy, then who set the fire at Doc’s?” Jory asked.

Hazel’s mind went to Dr. Rawlins. He was the doctor on file for all the patients, but it just didn’t feel right. He just didn’t…care enough. He wasn’t involved enough to murder any of them. A memory flashed in her mind and then everything snapped into focus. “Bryson. It has to be.”

Phoenix cocked his head. “What makes you think so?”

Hazel swallowed. “Well, he would’ve treated each of theelderly patients who died under mysterious circumstances. They all had some sort of treatment that involved sedation. He was also very involved with his patients. He seemed to care about them, but when I asked him about Mrs. Josephs, he didn’t even remember her name. Either he genuinely cares, or there’s a problem.” She took a breath. “And he knew I was over at Doc’s the other night. He mentioned it. I went over at the last minute and didn’t tell anyone, so he had to be the one following me.”

Phoenix nodded. “Jane Fleming filed a complaint against Bryson with the medical board a few weeks ago. Turns out her mother passed away unexpectedly and left him a lot of money in her will. She came to us and wanted us to press charges. At that point, there was nothing to press charges for. So, I started digging around a bit. Bryson seems to have a habit of turning up in patients’ wills. There’s also a large number of patients in his former hospitals who are missing expensive items they’d arrived with. He was suspected, but nothing was ever proven. Anyway, he appeared to be up to his old tricks here.”

“But why would he want Hazel dead?” Jory demanded.

“He was targeting her because he wanted my files,” Doc said as he entered the room. “Sorry, couldn’t help but overhear. How are you, young Hazel?”

She grinned at him. “I’m doing well, Doc. How are you?”

“I’m right as rain.” He coughed.

Actually, Doc looked a bit worse for wear. His beard had been singed, and his long hair was disheveled. He also looked a bit pale, but the twinkle was still in his blue eyes.The bonds.Doc lost his Hawaii money.

Guilt washed over her. “I’m so sorry we didn’t find what you were looking for, Doc.”

He smiled at her. “But we did. Or rather, I did. I finally figured out the answer. Helen loved roses, but none of the files labeledRoseor anything to do with flowers or gardeningcontained the bonds. She also loved tea. I found them in a file markedTea — Future. I took them to the bank yesterday. The money will be in the account day after tomorrow, and then I’m off to Hawaii.”

She grinned and clapped her hands. “Oh, Doc, I’m so happy for you!”

He turned sideways and waved his arms in the air like he was riding a wave. “Surf lessons, here I come.”

Jory looked at Aiden. “Do you know what they’re talking about?”

“Not a clue,” he responded.

Hazel laughed. “I’ll fill you in later.”

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