Page 106 of Rescued Heart

“The arsonist?”

“Yes, this one paid off the security guard and lit the dress on fire. That’s him.”

Conroy stared at the picture. “You sure? This photo was picked up outside of Roger’s office days before the fire.”

Eddie picked up another picture on Conroy’s desk of a different angle of the three men. The shorter man remained in the shadows, but this photo had a fourth man walking up to the group. Even with a pair of sunglasses on, he looked like Bianca’s ex. “Have you shown this to Bianca? See if she can confirm an eyewitness testimony, but I’m pretty sure it’s the arsonist. This fourth guy here resembles Nathan Kensington.”

“Yes. Nathan and Roger have been easy to identify. It’s the others.” Conroy took the photos. “It’s on today’s to-do list to speak with Bianca. Speaking of Bia Pearl, thanks for helping out at the set. The smashed keys you found helped us make an arrest for the collapsed set building—an angry construction worker who’d been fired the day before. We’re thinking he might have even messed with the car scene too.”

“So, not an accident.” Eddie blew out a breath. Finally. Some closure there. “What about the Jane Doe?”

“Has been identified as Tiffany Landson. She was in town with the movie crew. Her family finally filed a missing person’s report.”

Eddie flinched. He’d heard that name on set. “Tiff was the beloved makeup artist who had a family emergency. She either lied about wanting some time off to hike, or maybe it was foul play?”

“Her death hasn’t been ruled suspicious…yet.”

Yet still a possibility.

Eddie pulled out his phone and checked the time. “I bet you and your officers are ready for the movie production to pack up and for Last Chance County to get quiet again.”

Conroy set the photos back on his desk. “Not sure that’s Gregory’s plan. Though, there’s something else you might be able to help us with.”

Eddie scooted to the end of his chair. “As long as it’s no more fake dating.”

Conroy raised a brow. “What about a fake interest in supporting Roger Pointe? That’s the other thing I wanted to tell you earlier. When the mayor called this morning for an update, he mentioned that he overheard you and Roger talking at the ball game. He claimed Roger was trying to manipulate you. I brought up the precious failed grant as your possible motivator for speaking with Roger.” Conroy placed both elbows on his desk. “Turns out the mayor claims he never denied your original grant request.”

Eddie yanked out his phone. “I have an email that says otherwise.”

Conroy rolled his chair closer to his desk. “Did it come from his assistant?”

At the mention of Janice, Eddie grimaced. “Yes.”

Conroy opened another folder on his desk. “Evidence is starting to point in a certain direction. Would you be interested in wearing a mic and visiting Roger at his office?”

Sounded just like Officer Ramble’s request for Bianca’s help. Had she talked to Nathan yet? Except that information was no longer any of his business. He’d let her go.

Eddie squeezed his eyes shut. He’d given up, been too focused on what he thought everyone needed instead of fighting for her. He’d let her go because he’d been scared that her lifestyle would somehow prevent him from doing his job. She hadn’t been the problem. She’d even found out Will was heading down the wrong path before he had.

He leaned over the chief’s desk. Eddie needed to call Bianca.

Eddie had supposedly been doing his job, and he’d still allowed Will to get in trouble. And he’d hurt Bianca in the process by not trusting God that He’d take care of their future.

Conroy cleared his throat. “Not to rush you, but?—”

“What would I visit Roger about? I can’t come out and ask him if he’s having Gregory’s assistant play double agent between them. Or at least I think that’s where you’re going with the information.”

Conroy grabbed his vibrating phone off his desk. “You could pretend you’re interested in giving him your support like he mentioned at the ball game. See where it leads.”

Bianca’s face popped into Eddie’s head, and he told Conroy the truth. “I haven’t had the best of luck in pretending.”

Or if he was honest, being real either.

TWENTY-THREE

Numb.

That wasn’t how a designer dress should make anyone feel.

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