I’d do it again. I’d do anything to keep Evie and Vincent safe. But I imagined my siblings looked at the situation through a different lens. After the kinds of losses we’ve had, that fear was always there. Today could have gone in a totally different direction. But it didn’t. I clung to that, because the worry on their faces stirred up a whole storm of guilt inside me. It was the kind of look one only gave the people they loved. It was full of pride and fear and resentment all at once. Questions burnedin their eyes, but they knew better than to ask. They knew the answer would only worry them more.
After sunset, the chatter settled into a low murmur, but it quieted further when Chief Ashburn appeared in the doorway, still in her gear, her face serious.
I straightened up. “Chief?”
She gave me a nod, then scanned the room, probably hoping for privacy no one here would willingly give us. “I’ve got an update. Shall we?”
I stood. Josh did too. He put his arm around my shoulder and helped me to Evie’s room.
Inside, Evie sat with a sleeping Vincent in her arms while Frankie and Ruby lingered nearby.
“We can talk here,” I said firmly.
Chief Ashburn looked around, her expression one of unease.
“They can stay,” I told her. “They’re family.”
Sighing, she shifted on her feet. “If you’re sure.”
I shuffled over to Evie and rested a hand on her shoulder.
“We’ve got an update on the fire,” Chief finally said, her voice rough. “There’s been an arrest.”
All the air left the room. Ruby, halfway through folding a blanket, froze, and beside the chief, Josh went rigid.
“Who?” I asked.
Ashburn crossed her arms and bit down on her lower lip, looking from one of us to the next before finally saying, “Caleb Dunne.”
The words landed like a grenade.
Frankie’s paper coffee cup slipped from her hand, hitting the floor and sending dark liquid splashing everywhere. “No.”
Evie passed Vincent to me and darted for her friend.
Frankie shook her head, half-heartedly fighting Evie’s hold, her body trembling. “That’s not. He’s not. He feeds stray catsand shovels snow for all his elderly neighbors. He—” Her voice cracked. “No, he wouldn’t.”
Ashburn cleared her throat. “I suggest you head over to the police station,” she said, keeping her tone professional. “Your brother is going to need you. I can give you a ride?—”
“No.” Frankie stomped her foot. “No. This is a mistake.”
“He admitted to setting the fire,” Ashburn told her, sympathy flashing in her eyes. “Investigation is still unfolding, but we found accelerant traces and his fingerprints on the container.”
Frankie clung to Evie, shaking.
“We’ll figure this out,” Evie said into her hair, her face a mask of sadness.
“I’ve got to go,” Frankie said, freeing herself from her friend’s hold.
“We’ll drive you,” Paul declared.
Dread and fear swirled within me. I’d been so focused on finding Evie that I hadn’t given any thought to the cause of the fire.
My gut clenched as they headed toward the door.
Caleb Dunne was a good kid. Sure, he’d had a rough few years, but he’d turned things around. It was hard to imagine him doing this.
My instincts told me Caleb wasn’t a threat. He was too caring, too compassionate to put lives in danger like that.
