Page 79 of Hate Game

I concentrate on listening to my mother’s story about how Seven’s parents helped Blaise and Maddox find a missing girl. A successful story in what could have been a tragic one. The girl was found alive and unharmed.

“That’s great news, Mom. Any word about the fire?”

How Rue came to be in my life again.

“Arson. Someone plugged a space heater into an extension cord and cranked the temperature up. Accelerant was poured on the wood floor.”

“I’m sorry. I should have stuck around the house and kept an eye on everyone.”

“Hindsight is twenty-twenty, Malice. We’re just grateful no one was hurt and that the fire was contained to the upper floor.”

“What will happen with the house?”

“We’ll rebuild after the investigation is complete.”

“Do they have a suspect?” Rue asks. “Do you have cameras around the property?” Rue watches a shit ton of true crime shows.

“The cameras were shot out by a BB gun a few nights before the fire.”

“Makes sense,” Rue says. “A shot from a regular gun would be too noisy. How many cameras?”

“Five.”

She shakes her head. “Premeditated. Did the detective look at store footage or ask around for information on someone buying a space heater?”

“Good thinking, Rue. They did. Unfortunately, there’s a run on heaters during this time of the year.”

“Darn.”

“Yes.” My mother shares Rue’s sentiments.

“They’re looking into other leads.” Dad sticks his face back in the view of the camera. “Gold pellets were found on the ground. The auto store carries BB gun pellets, and so does the feed store in McMillan. Those are the only two places near here.”

“Will you let us know what they find?” Rue says with a strange look on her face. She purses her lips, and her eyebrows slant toward her nose. Rue is either worried or thinking awfully hard.

“We will,” Mom responds. “Do you two have plans tonight?”

“We’re going over to Leigh’s and having ourselves a scare fest.”

There’s a confused expression on my mom’s face.

“We plan on binge-watching horror movies,” I say.

Understanding dawns on Mom’s face. She cringes. Mom does not like scary movies. They give her nightmares. She prefers rom-coms. “You two have fun.”

“We will. Stay safe out there,” I tell them. “I love you.”

“We love you too, Malice. It was great talking to you and Rue, Son. Don’t be a stranger. Call and text as often as you would like. We’ll do the same. I admit we’ve been bad at keeping in touch, trusting you can take care of yourself, and that you prefer we not be in your business.”

Dad assumed wrongly.

“I like talking to you and Mom and hearing about your businesses and travels.”

Mom tears up. My throat tightens. Oh, shit, I’m going to cry.

“Should we be home more, Malice?”

“If it fits with your schedule.”

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