“I heard people mention a curse.” Cait jumped in, her inquisitive eyes sharp. “The lady selling the Victorian we’re interested in says a woman died on a jump up there and they never found herbody.”
“Bunch of baloney,” Brian said, rolling his eyes. “Anyway, I’m wondering if the arson at Mom and Dad’s cabin has something to do with what’s going on up at Redstone. If someone’s targeting firefighters, then our family is one big bull’seye.”
“You think they blame us for not stopping the fireearlier?”
Brian crossed his arms and stared at him, nodding. “Maybe. Lots of people lost theirhomes.”
“Some people aren’t rational.” Cait put her hand over her belly, as if comforting her baby. “You never know what goes through people’s minds when they’re understress.”
“That fire was wicked.” Grady sighed, putting his hands in his pockets. “Torched up out of nowhere and hadwings.”
“Maybe their insurance claim got denied, or maybe it’s a coincidence, which I don’t believe.” Brian picked up his note pad. “Tim Olson’s trailer goes up in flames. Maybe he’d left a burner on, maybe he didn’t. Then Duane Washington’s place goes kaboom. He claims he had a leaking propane tank. Then it’s the chief’s house. Luckily his wife was out of town, or maybe the perp was considerate and didn’t want to hurther.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Grady squirmed underneath Brian’s focused glare. “I haven’t been up that way since lastseason.”
“Yeah, well, thought you ought to know,” Brian said. “Right now, we have no leads. Todd’s been questioning the transients at the campground, and of course, no one sawanything.”
“You know? I have a thought.” Cait snapped her fingers. “Whoever burned down Mom and Dad’s place must have been watching us. They saw us go out for a walk and then started the fire. It means they didn’t want to kill anyone. Same way they didn’t want Sasha todie.”
“A compassionate arsonist,” Brian huffed, hooking a raised eyebrow at Grady. “Howconsiderate.”
“Linx has an alibi.” The words jumped from Grady’s throat. “She was with herfamily.”
“Yeah, her family.” Brian scratched his beard and nodded. “The same ones who want to run you out oftown.”
Cold sweat prickled Grady’s brow and he shook his head like a terrier shaking a rat. "No way did Linx have anything to do with this. Linx hates fire. She calls it the red dragon and she fights it with everything she has. No one works the fire line harder than Linx Colson. She’s brave and tough, and she’ll fight to her lastbreath.”
“She’s fascinating,” Cait sighed loudly. “And you’re totally and completely in love withher.”
* * *
The cabin feltempty without Cedar, but Linx didn’t have time to mope. Gold Rush Week was coming up and she needed to spruce up the center and get ready for the adoption auction in the townsquare.
They wouldn’t have live dogs up for auction, especially at a Fourth of July event with all of the noise and children popping firecrackers. Instead, the dogs would be safe in the barn inside their kennels. Instead, the auctioneer would hold up a picture of the dog, and people could look them over on their cell phones before placing abid.
Potential adopters would need to come to the center to get pre-qualified and oriented, as well as have an opportunity to visit the dogs they were interestedin.
Which was why Linx stood on the porch with her brows furrowed and hands on her hips staring at her mother’s deadlycreation.
A skull with a railroad spike through the eye socket and a hand with a wire heart in its palm was not exactly the kind of artwork for doglovers.
“What are you going to do with that?” Tami asked while watering the pottedplants.
“Move it to my dad’s ranch,” Linx said. “I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but this thing’s going to scare peopleaway.”
“Jessie doesn’t seem scared,” Tami said as Mrs. Patterson and Jessie sauntered up thewalkway.
“Miss Linx! Is that for Halloween?” Jessie pointed to the rustedskull.
Mrs. Patterson’s eyes widened and she fanned herself. “That’s certainly unique. Is there amessage?”
“Linx’s mother is an artist,” Tami explained. “She’s verycreative.”
“I’ll say. Jessie, don’t climb on it.” Jean guided Jessie away from what she no doubt thought of as Satanic influences. “Bye, Jessie, and listen to MissLinx.”
“I will.” Jessie waved to her mother. “I want to play with thepuppy.”
“Great, because I need you to help me feed Ginger,” Linx said. “Her eyes are open and she’s pulling herselfaround.”
