Page 67 of Inferno

“Anything new?” Julio asked, determined to keep the peace until this guy was caught. They might have different ideas of what worked as far as tactics for flushing the guy out, but considering Julio had almost died today, and nearly lost Samantha, he was willing to seek out all the advice he could get.

“I’m afraid I need to confess something.” Tennet cleared his throat, all his attention on Julio.

Greyson looked at Julio, then at the other captain.

“What’s that?” Julio asked.

“I haven’t been entirely forthcoming about what I know.” Tennet frowned, his dark brows drawing together. Silver threaded through the dark hair on his temples. “I believe I might know who our arsonist is.”

Julio flinched. “You do?” Keeping that knowledge to himself could’ve cost lives.

“I’ve researched a lot of arsonists in my career, attending classes on their development. Even teaching a few myself.” The other captain seemed so proud of himself.

Julio would rather be wearing turnout gear, a tank and mask, heading into a burning building. But he had to admit, he could see the appeal of learning and sharing knowledge. A different way of saving lives.

Tennet continued, “When Richard Sylvana’s name came up in my research, I went to see him. More than once, actually. To try and figure out what encouraged him to do what he did.”

“And you think you know who was interested enough to want to follow in his footsteps?”

Tennet nodded.

Greyson just stood stoic, his arms still folded. Absorbing the information before he figured out what to do with it.

“He told me that at one of the fires, he met a child,” Tennet replied. “In fact, it was the last fire where he was arrested. As he was setting the devices, he found a little boy hiding in thelaundry room. He told the child to run back to his room, and never thought of him again. He said the little boy told him that his name was Custard.”

Julio frowned. “That’s got to be a nickname.”

Greyson nodded. “Have you ever found him?”

“I did some research into the fire, but never could figure out who the child was.”

Julio said, “What makes you believe he’s our arsonist now?”

Tennet shifted his stance, and as he did Julio spied a cross necklace under his shirt. He hadn’t realized this guy was religious, but in a case like this one, it could be an asset.

And his knowledge of Sylvana could be key to unlocking the entire case. So long as Tennet didn’t jump the gun with a press conference as he had before.

“Just a hunch,” Tennet said. “Seems like whoever is working now is connected to Sylvana, the original one, and it could very well be someone like this child. Richard actually told me the boy visited him. Years later. He’d turned into a fan.”

Greyson unfolded his arms. “We need to figure out who this kid is and see if he fits the profile.”

Julio nodded. “Before it’s too late.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

Afew feet from the line for security at the tiny airport to the west of Benson, Samantha hugged her sister tight. No matter that it wasn’t even six in the morning. The quicker she could get Bristol out of Dodge, the better.

It wasn’t like she would be asleep if she’d been at home.

She’d tried to rest last night and wound up barely dozing, interspersed with fitful dreams about dark enclosed spaces. Some of the times Julio had been with her—usually dead, leaving her alone with his battered body. Other times, some faceless shadow followed her.

She’d caught herself before waking up screaming. But still, her throat was raw.

Samantha leaned back as Bristol patted her shoulder. She signed,I’ll be okayand gave her another hug just because.

Then Bristol tipped her head to the side. Samantha pressed her lips together. A few feet away, Romeo looked at his shoes, then back up. Right. Of course.

Samantha nodded, signing,I get the message.

---