Page 12 of Smoldering Nights
Trey nodded.“It’s thin.But it raises eyebrows.”
"Did you contact Travis' brother?"
Trey shook his head, "We're trying to reach him.Haven't yet."
After Trey left, Mitch changed into clean jeans and a dark DeMario Security short-sleeved tee.He'd already sweat through his morning clothes.Pain clawed up his side as he holstered his Springfield and slid a notebook into his pocket.He was past due for a real rest, but he needed to look Travis in the eye.And he needed to make sure Izzy was safe.
He took a deep breath and seated himself in his truck.Maybe he'd take a short nap today to restore some of his energy.One thought kept running through his mind over and over: Izzy was staying with Sadie in the same house as Travis.If Travis meant her harm, she was directly in his space.
As he pulled into Sadie's driveway, Travis was unloading tools from the back of his truck.The man turned, squinting in the midday sun as Mitch approached him.
“You, Travis?”Mitch asked.
“Yeah.Who are you?”
Mitch pulled a business card from his wallet and handed it to Travis."Mitch DeMario."
"Oh, you're the person who brought Izzy out here yesterday."
Mitch nodded.“Mind answering a few questions?”
Travis hesitated, then set the tools down.“I've told the police everything.”
"I'd like you to tell me too.I don't like hearsay."
Travis took a deep breath and put his hands on his hips."Fine."
“You do any recent work for Delilah Parker?”
“A week or two ago,” Travis replied.“Reinforced her back door, fixed a busted lock, resealed a window.”
“So you’ve been behind her building recently.”
Travis crossed his arms.“That’s my job.Doesn’t mean I set any fires.”
“I didn’t say you did,” Mitch replied calmly.“You just happen to know both women involved, and you were gone when the fire broke out.”
“I was in Summerville.My brother and I made a delivery run.He’ll vouch.”
“Good.I’ll be talking to him.”Mitch paused.“Ever notice anyone hanging around behind Petal Pushers lately?”
Travis shifted.“There’s a guy, beat-up white Chevy, broken taillight, rust around the back wheel.Shows up early.Hoodie, always pulled up.Never delivers anything.Just sits there awhile, then drives off.”
“You get a plate?”
“No.Just figured he was waiting for someone.”
Mitch made a note.It wasn’t much, but it was something.
“Thanks,” Mitch said.“If you think of anything else, reach out.”
Travis nodded, then pulled more tools from the back of his truck.Mitch watched from the vantage point of his pickup as he pretended to make notes in his notebook.There was a large can in the back of the truck, obscured by tools.He couldn't tell if it was a gas can, and he didn't have a warrant or the authority to force Travis to show him what it was.But he'd let Trey know if Travis turned out to be a suspect.
On his way back to his condo, Mitch’s phone buzzed.Jayson's name showed on the readout.
He tapped the answer call icon, “Tell me you’ve got something.”
“Delilah’s got two small business loans, both delinquent,” Jayson said.“She’s on the zoning board’s waitlist to expand her shop, but she’s been denied three times.Petal Pushers is the reason.She can’t grow unless Izzy’s shop closes or sells.Or she moves, which she seems reluctant to do.”
