Finally, she steps back and surveys the entire scene. "Professional arson. But that doesn't tell us who or why."
"No. It doesn't."
"Could be fraud. Could be targeting. Could be something else."
"But you've already decided it's fraud."
She looks at me, and for the first time, I see a crack in her certainty. "Four fires. Four Brotherhood members. Four insurance payouts. That pattern suggests fraud."
"Or someone systematically attacking us."
"Who would do that?"
"That's what I need to figure out." I close my investigation kit. "Rival trying to move into our territory. Someone with a grudge. Protection racket. Any number of possibilities."
"Or the simplest explanation—insurance fraud."
"The simplest explanation isn't always correct."
We stare at each other over Mike's ruined restaurant. Two investigators with opposing theories, both convinced we're right.
"I'm going to find the truth," Mira says. "Whatever it is."
"So am I." I hold her gaze. "And when I find whoever did this, I'm going to have a very direct conversation about consequences."
"That sounds like a threat."
"It's a promise." I don't look away. "Someone burned down my brother's restaurant. When I find them, they're going to wish they hadn't."
Something flickers in her eyes—awareness of exactly what kind of man she's dealing with. What I'm capable of. What I'm willing to do.
She should be scared. Part of her probably is.
But there's something else there too. Something that looks almost like interest.
We drive back to Ironside Customs in hostile silence. When I pull into the parking lot, she climbs out without a word.
"Ms. Vaughn."
She pauses, looking back.
"You think we're criminals. I get it. Pattern looks bad, conflict of interest is real, and you're just doing your job." I lean forward slightly. "But you're wrong. And while you're wasting time investigating us, someone is planning their next fire. When that happens, and more people lose everything they've built, remember that you could have been looking for the real arsonist instead."
She holds my gaze for a long moment, then turns and walks away.
I watch her leave, then pull out my phone and text Cole.
Me: Investigator still thinks we're running fraud. This is going to get ugly.
Cole: How ugly?
Me: Very. We need strategy. We can figure it out at Church.
Cole: On it.
Someone is burning Brotherhood businesses, and I'm going to find them.
And when I do, they're going to learn what happens when you target the Iron Brotherhood.
