Page 24 of Scorched Secrets

Colin’s comment about the arsonist being nearby had her scanning the area intently. There were plenty of people standing around, gaping at the fire as Colin shouted for them to stay back. She didn’t see anyone who looked as if they were responsible. Then again, how would she know? The person who’d tossed this bottle wasn’t wearing a shirt with the word arsonist emblazoned across the chest.

On the heels of that thought came the need to check for injured pedestrians. After scouring the area, she deduced no one had been hurt.

Fire truck sirens wailed as the closest team responded to the blaze. Faye was grateful to note the burn area seemed to be concentrated to where the gasoline had spilled out of the broken bottle. It occurred to her that if they hadn’t had that heavy rainstorm two days ago, the fire could have spread much faster, eating up the grass along the way.

Bowing her head for a moment, she gave a quick prayer of thanks that no one else had been injured by a firebomb that was meant for her.

The way this arsonist kept finding her was just as troubling. Glancing at the hotel, she felt certain they couldn’t stay there as planned.

Not after this.

Two large firetrucks pulled up in front of the park. Firefighters jumped down and began pulling hoses. Two firemen connected their hose to a fire hydrant, while others carried the nozzle toward the fire.

“Let’s get out of the way.” Colin put his arm around her shoulders and led her in a wide circle away from the blaze.

“I thought water wasn’t good to use on gasoline?” She frowned when the firefighters turned the hose on, letting out a stream of water pressurized by the hydrant.

“It’s not, but they can drench the grass around the fire to help prevent spread. And they’ll use sand and a fire blanket to smother the rest of the flames.” Colin’s voice was grim. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you?”

“I’m fine.” She wasn’t going to complain about bumps and bruises, although she was still sore from the incident in the restroom. “Did you get a look at the person who threw it?”

“No.” Colin’s scowl deepened. “There were people milling about, though. I saw a couple of skateboarders and bicycle riders. Could have been any of them.”

“Maybe someone will come forward with a description.” She hated to think of the arsonist getting away with this. “It’s broad daylight, someone must have seen something.”

“I hope you’re right.” He kept his arm around her shoulders as he swept his gaze over the area. “I have a bad feeling this guy is here, watching.”

She shivered, despite the warmth. “You need to call Mitch. He shouldn’t come near the hotel. It’s not safe.”

“No, it’s not.” He did not look at all happy about that. “It doesn’t make sense that you were found here, Faye. No one knew we were coming. And if they’d tracked us to the hotel, why not try something there? Why take the risk of tossing a Molotov cocktail at you?”

“I don’t know.” She was just as frustrated as he was. “I used my credit card on the room, that’s the only thing I can come up with as far as how I’ve been found. But your average arsonist shouldn’t be savvy enough to track my credit card payments.”

“We’re dealing with someone who is smart and a bit desperate. These last two attacks against you come across as impulsive. Maybe even crimes of opportunity.” Colin shrugged. “It was easier for him to take a shot at you out here than try to get at you in the hotel.”

There was some logic in his theory, so she nodded. “So the next place we go needs to be a place where we can pay cash.”

“Yes.” He waved a hand. “There’s Mitch now.”

The tall, blond arson investigator hurried over. “Another attempt to harm Faye?”

“Yep.” Colin quickly filled him in. “We need a place where we can stay off-grid.”

“The American Lodge?” Mitch offered. “Then again, that’s in Brookland and may be too obvious with a retired firefighter running the place.”

“Right. We need somewhere else that will allow us to pay cash.” Colin reached for his phone. “I think Tarin and Joy stayed in a place a while back.”

“No, it’s better if there are no ties to your family,” Mitch said. “I know of a place, the Sunflower Inn. They’ll take cash.”

“Okay, thanks. We’ll find it.”

“Wait, what about the list of patient complaints?” Despite her unwillingness to breach patient privacy, she was eager to do something constructive.

“Right here.” Mitch thrust a folded sheet of paper into her hand. “Take a look, see what you think. I’ll be in touch once I clear this scene.”

“We’re not sticking around,” Colin warned. “Not when Faye clearly has a target on her back.”

“Understood. But since you want to be off-grid, you should probably take my SUV.” Mitch tossed Colin the keys. “I’ll drive your Jeep. I assume it’s in the parking lot of the motel?”

---