Page 32 of Scorched Secrets

Faye frowned. “I always lock my doors, so this guy must have broken a window to get inside.”

“Were your basement windows locked?” Colin asked. “We sometimes find those smaller windows are overlooked.”

“Yes, they’re always locked too. As an ED doctor and a woman living alone, I’m careful that way. Especially after my divorce.”

Colin sent her a sharp look. “You were afraid of your ex?”

“Not physically afraid, but I knew he was upset at the judge’s decision and didn’t want to come home to find him waiting for me.” She flushed, then added, “Since the arsonits broke my car window, it’s not a stretch to believe he broke one of the windows in my house. I’m surprised none of the neighbors noticed anything strange, though.”

Mitch shrugged. “Last I checked in, the local police were still canvassing the area. It’s possible someone could still come forward with information. Looking at the timeline, the perp was gone from the parking garage by the time you went to your vehicle. He was probably already on his way to your place while Colin’s crew was extinguishing that blaze. The hour was still early enough that many people wouldn’t have noticed his approaching your house, especially if he went in around back.”

“I’m sure the canvass will come up with something.” Colin lightly touched Faye’s hand. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“I know.” She shifted her gaze from him toward the window. “I hope it’s soon.”

“Faye, you need to review these names first.” Mitch pushed the list toward her. “I’d like to know if any of these people sound familiar.”

She nodded and did what he asked. After a minute, she shook her head. “Sorry, they mean nothing to me.”

“No connection to your ex-husband?” Mitch asked.

“Not that I’m aware of.” She pursed her lips. “Rory didn’t have a lot of friends. Other than his former college roommates.”

“Will you write those names down for us?” Mitch stood and grabbed the pad of paper near the phone.

While Faye was writing down her ex-husband’s college roommates, Colin reached for the list of terminated firefighters. “Did any of these names ring a bell with you, Mitch?”

“No.” He shrugged. “I haven’t been on duty in a fire station for a while, though.”

Colin scanned the names, his gaze homing in on the last one. “Daniel Percy.”

“You know him?” Mitch leaned forward. “Did he work out of your house?”

Colin nodded. “He was only with us for a little over a year, though, before he transferred out.” He tried to remember more about the brash and cocky kid. “He was smart enough, knew his medical training inside and out. But when it came to firefighting, he didn’t take well to being told what to do. Not exactly what I’d call a team player.”

“That’s good insight.” Mitch opened a browser on the computer and began looking for Daniel Percy’s social media sites. “Sounds like he may have a grudge against authority if he ultimately lost his job over his attitude.”

“You know, I think Daniel mentioned having a brother on the job.” He drummed his fingers, trying to remember their brief interactions. “Something about how fighting fires runs in his blood.”

“Maybe his dad was also on the job.” Mitch looked excited to have a possible suspect.

“His dad may not have gotten along with my dad,” Faye added. She straightened and grabbed Colin’s arm. “My dad was given his promotion three years ago. It could be that one of the guys who was passed over is still angry over that.”

“That’s a really good point, Faye.” Mitch flashed a smile. “Here, I think I may have found one of Daniel’s sites.” He turned the computer so Colin could see the profile picture. “Is that the same guy you worked with?”

“Yep. That’s him.” He frowned. “I wish I could remember his brother’s name. I’m sure he mentioned it at some point.”

“Maybe we can find his brother here.” Mitch grinned. “It’s always nice when these guys don’t bother to make their sites private. I can see all his friends, here.”

Colin grimaced. “He has a lot. Start with his posts. From what I remember about Daniel, he’s the type to vent about losing his job, complaining that the upper brass had it out for him, rather than taking accountability for his actions.”

“Hang on a minute,” Mitch protested. Their gazes locked for a moment. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

Colin nodded slowly. “Jayson Sanders is one of his friends.” Then it clicked. “Wait a minute, Daniel’s older brother.”

“They have different last names,” Faye pointed out.

“That’s because they have different fathers.” He stared at Mitch. “Daniel told me his mother had remarried after a divorce. Jayson and Daniel could be working together. Two half brothers determined to make Chief Kimble pay for the way they both lost their jobs.”

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