Page 54 of Arsonist's Match
“When we interviewed the survivors, the night supervisor said that Lone Star operates around the clock. They just keep a smaller crew in overnight,” Bonnie relayed. “And nobody recalled seeing a person who stood out as not belonging. No suspicious activity, either. The security guard who escaped unharmed said a key card was required for entry.”
“But if he broke in or simply followed an employee through the door …” Athena speculated. “Maybe he was wearing a uniform, a cap, looked like he fit in. Can we go inside?”
“Yes, but watch your step, and don’t stray from me,” Bonnie instructed.
Flash would rather scoop Athena up in her arms and carry her than walk beside her over piercing shards of glass, sharp metal tips, soggy globs of ash, and other perilous impediments littering the floor. She resisted the urge, but, when something smooshed under Athena’s foot, throwing her off balance, Flash caught her elbow to steady her.
“Here’s the primary point of origin.” Bonnie stopped at a warped aluminum frame surrounded by piles of blackened rubble.
Recognizable was a metal trash can and the same “V” burn pattern Flash had spotted at Synergy. She kneeled on a smooth spot, sniffing the can. “BBQ lighter fluid.”
“The lab will give us a definitive answer,” Bonnie replied.
“The arsonist must have waited until the night manager left the office, or maybe he lured him out,” Athena speculated. “What exactly did he say?”
Bonnie pulled out her phone, scrolling through notes. “He said, ‘I was called to the floor when a worker’s machine froze up. When I headed back, I saw the office engulfed in flames. The alarm should have gone off and sprinklers kicked in, but they didn’t. That’s when I ordered everyone to evacuate.’”
“He tampered with the safety system too,” Athena reasoned. “This took a lot of planning, and only a week after the last fire. You’ve got to wonder if he has help.”
“Not from a firefighter,” Flash replied. “Surely not, right?” She met Athena’s gaze with worry and denial.
“We have to stick to evidence,” Athena said, though doubt flickered in her eyes. “Inspector Ballard, where did you find the items you retrieved?”
“Here.” Bonnie pointed to a spot near the trash can. “I couldn’t tell if they were important or not, but prefer to err on the side of thoroughness.”
“Always a smart move,” Athena commended.
Upon hearing another vehicle, Flash glanced through a yawning hole in the front wall.The FBI crime scene crew.
“My backup,” Athena said. “They’ll know what might hold a fingerprint or where some uncharred DNA could be found. Our guy really did a number on this place. I hoped to find more to go on.”
“That’s arson for you,” Flash muttered. “If the fire doesn’t eat it, the water drowns it. But they could find something.” No point dousing Athena’s hopes.
Athena looked up, rotating in a slow circle as she studied the destruction surrounding her. “I know you rush into places like this while the fire’s hot,” she commented. Taking a steadying breath, she added, “I remember being in one myself, not so long ago.”
This was excellent therapy for Athena—facing the scene of a fatal fire after having been in one, losing Agent Cruz to it. Flash wanted to reach out and take her hand, squeeze it, remind her she wasn’t alone. But Bonnie and the CSI team. She understood Athena couldn’t appear weak—human, even—in front of them. When their eyes met, Flash saw everything—confidence, appreciation, and that unshakable sense of partnership.
“Inspector Ballard, thank you for escorting me to see for myself,” Athena said, angling toward the exit. Tension eased from her shoulders as she exhaled a breath she probably hadn’t realized she was holding. “Flash, do you mind? Can’t risk a twisted ankle,” Athena said, extending her hand.
Warmth rose in Flash’s cheeks, but she kept her grin to a minimum as she took Athena’s hand.
“No, we can’t have that, Agent Bouvier. I’ve got you now.”
I’ll always have you.
Chapter 24
Two days later
He lit a cigarette, inhaled, and let a ribbon of smoke swirl from his lips. Why didn’t people like this smell? Sure, it wasn’t the clean scent of a bonfire or indoor burn pot, fueled by wood products alone. Still, it was comforting. Satisfying.
Flicking through channels on his TV, he stopped at a news report about the Houston fires. “Investigators are calling them arson and have connected Lone Star to the destructive blazes at Synergy Warehouse and Nutty Smooth Peanut Butter. No arrests have been made. We must assume the Sparkler Firesetter remains at large.”
Pride burned in his chest as scenes of the scorched, crumbling frame of the factory played across the screen.My best work yet, he boasted, taking a swig of his Wild Turkey.
“A tropical depression formed in the Caribbean is moving west toward the Gulf of Mexico,” stated the TV news anchor.
“Hopefully, it will bring us some much-needed rain,” commented the co-host. “Let’s see what meteorologist Ken Nguyen has to say.”
