Page 64 of Fear of Flames
A smile tugged at his lips as he scanned from her auburn hair to her sock-covered toes and everywhere in between. The blue sweater made her eyes pop, and he approved of the way she filled out her jeans. And then he remembered what was on his screen. “I don’t know. There’s a press conference broadcasting from Indianapolis. Come watch it with me.”
She pressed her lips into a straight line, furrowed her forehead, and came closer. The citrusy scent of her perfume preceded her arrival by milliseconds. “What’s it about?”
“I’m not sure. It came up in a search about you.” Since learning Peterson’s decision that Michelle could stay in the complex, Fletch sensed it seemed as if she appeared lighter, freer, or maybe just a little less burdened. When he arrived with the groceries, her glee while removing them one by one in the kitchen was as if he’d presented her with a rare collection of crown jewels. As he found the broadcast, he worried that whatever they were about to watch was going to take Michelle back to the trauma of the last week.
He reached over and rolled another chair beside him. “This is live.” He tilted his chin toward the large screen. “Let’s listen.”
“Is it about my house?”
The ticker on the bottom of the screen read: FBI and ATF joint press conference. Breaking news.
Michelle took a seat in the chair beside Fletch.
He turned up the volume.
The woman speaking from the podium stood in front of the Department of Justice symbol. “Thank you for your attention. As most of you know, I’m Sandra Oaks, Attorney General of Indiana.” She motioned to the people behind her. “And this is Special Agent Miles Beuford with the FBI and from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Special Agent in Charge Bradley Goodwell. My office is currently working in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts.
“We’re here to announce the formation of a grand jury in what my office believes involves multiple cases of homicide with the use of arson, specifically incendiary fires—fires purposely set to hide homicide.”
Michelle gasped. “They caught Sheriff Perkins.”
“The connection came to our attention after the house explosion that occurred early Wednesday morning south of the city. Thanks in part to the exemplary work of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and that of the Iron Falls Sheriff’s Department in Massachusetts, the convened grand jury will consider evidence and decide if Michelle Holdcraft should be formally indicted for the murders of Tracy Holdcraft and Dennis Holdcraft as well as for the incendiary fires that resulted in the recent house explosion, a house explosion eight years ago, and the recent fire in Iron Falls, Massachusetts, set to cover up Dennis Holdcraft’s homicide. His cause of death has been ruled a gunshot wound. I’m willing to answer a few questions.”
Fletch clenched his jaw and turned toward Chell.
Her eyes twitched as she tried to make sense of what was being said. “Wait. What? How?” Michelle stuttered, as if her thoughts were spinning out of control.
A man’s voice. “Are you suggesting Michelle Holdcraft is a serial killer as well as a serial arsonist?”
Michelle held her fingertips over her lips as she stared in utter disbelief.
Attorney General Oaks replied, “I am not. I’m saying we believe we have enough evidence connecting three separate events to one person: Ms. Holdcraft. If the grand jury agrees, her guilt or innocence will be determined by a jury of her peers.”
A woman’s voice. “IMPD put out an APB on Ms. Holdcraft. Is she no longer missing? Have you located her?”
Chell’s voice was low. “No. No. No. Please…”
Fletch reached over, placing his large hand over Michelle’s blue-jean-clad thigh.
“No body was discovered in the aftermath of the explosion. Ms. Holdcraft is still missing. I’ll let the FBI discuss her whereabouts.” Attorney General Oaks stepped away from the microphone.
“Fletch?” His name came from her lips like a cry for help.
He scooted closer, cursing under his breath as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Special Agent Miles Beuford stepped up. “We have evidence that Ms. Holdcraft willingly left the state and is evading law enforcement. She’s been wearing disguises such as sunglasses and hats to cover her hair. We’ve contacted state police in multiple states and expanded our search. Once she is found, she will be detained as a probable flight risk.”
“Fuck,” Fletch growled.
“I don’t believe this is happening.”
Miles Beuford continued. “At this time, we consider Ms. Holdcraft to be possibly dangerous. If anyone believes they have any information about her whereabouts, please contact law enforcement. Do not approach her on your own.”
Michelle’s hands went to her stomach. “I think I’m going to be ill.”
Fletch tugged her closer, her back against his chest.
A man’s voice. “Wasn’t Ms. Holdcraft previously tried for the explosion that took her mother? And if so, wouldn’t trying her again be double jeopardy?”
