"I'm in Sanford. Currently watching my business burn to the ground."
There was such a long pause Nate wondered if the call had been disconnected but then the sheriff said, "Well, we have a situation on our hands here in Collingsworth, too. Your house was set on fire earlier."
Nate was sure he hadn't heard the sheriff correctly. "My house?"
"I'm so sorry, Nate. It started about an hour ago and was fully engulfed by the time the fire engines got there. We thought you were inside." The sheriff let out an audible sigh. "I can't tell you how relieved I am that you're okay."
His house? The only home he’d ever known? The place that held most of his happiest memories? The pain that sliced through him threatened to take him to his knees. He had to push that aside to deal with later. Now was not the time.
He swallowed hard, willing away the emotion that wanted to flood him. "What about the garage?"
"Looks like there was an attempt to start a fire there, but it never really got going. Just one corner of it was really damaged. Kinda looks like the person setting it got spooked."
"So you believe it's arson?"
"Oh, without a doubt. All signs are pointing in that direction. And you said the business there in Sanford was hit as well?"
"Yes. I'm watching it burn right now. Doesn't look like there's going to be much left of it." Nate was surprised he was able to speak so normally. The chill that had invaded his body earlier was giving way to numbness as he absorbed the news the sheriff had given him
"I suppose you'll need to deal with things there tomorrow, but give me a call as soon as you're back in Collingsworth."
"I will." After he said goodbye, Nate lowered the phone to his side, clutching it tightly in his hand. How much more was he supposed to take? Three devastating hits to his life in three years. Lily. His dad. And now this. There wasn't much left that could be taken from him at this point.
Nate felt a touch on his arm.
"You okay, son?"
Nate glanced over. He'd forgotten about the man standing next to him. "Sorry. I just got news that my home in Collingsworth was also set on fire, and an attempt was made on my garage there."
"Really?" The large man looked toward the fire. "Guess we're going to find some proof of arson here, too, then. Three fires on one person's property seem a little too much to be accidental."
"You might want to call the sheriff there in Collingsworth. Dean Marconett. He was the one who called me and could give you details of what happened there as well."
"I'm sorry about this," the man said as he clapped Nate on the shoulder. "I've heard good things about your business. Word was you ran an honest, affordable place."
"I tried." Nate gazed again at the inferno in front of him. "Guess it doesn't matter much now."
"Do you have any idea who might have done this?"
"Nate!"
Hearing the shout, Nate swung around to see the man he'd hired to be manager of the Sanford garage jogging in his direction.
Marty Stevens came to a stop next to Nate, his gaze on the garage. "I couldn't believe it when Drake called to tell me what was going on."
Nate knew Marty's younger brother was part of the fire department in Sanford. No doubt he'd recognized the address when it had been called in. "I got a call fromCollingsworth. They set my house on fire and made an attempt on my garage there, too."
Marty draped an arm around his shoulders and gave him a quick hug. "I'm so sorry, man. It's Chip, isn't it."
"Chip?" This time it was the man to Nate's right who spoke. "You think you know who did this?"
Before Nate could answer, Marty said, "Yes. We had to fire Chip Lassiter last week. He was not a happy camper."
"Why did you have to let him go?"
Again Marty spoke first. "He was doing shoddy work and then overcharging for his time. We also suspected he was telling customers that parts needed to be replaced when they didn't. Figure he charged for the replacement part but put the old one back on and sold the new part so he could pocket the money."
"Was this going on for a while?"
