My stomach drops. “How bad?”
“Contained in the storage area. Crews on scene, no casualties reported.”
“I’m ten minutes out.”
I grab my kit and I’m out the door before the dispatcher can respond. Phoebe is at the state office today, so I’m solo on this one.
The library is on the north side of town, near the elementary school. I can see the smoke from three blocks away—a dark column rising against the clear afternoon sky.
Not massive. Not a fully involved structure fire. But enough to draw a crowd.
I pull up behind the fire trucks and kill the engine. Station 47’s engine is here, along with an ambulance and two police cruisers. The building’s still standing, but smoke pours from broken windows on the east side.
I grab my investigation kit and badge, clipping it to my belt as I approach the scene.
That’s when I see her.
Rachel Morgan is standing on the lawn with her son pressed against her chest, both of them covered in soot. She’s talking to a paramedic, but her eyes are locked on the building like she’s still trapped inside it.
Two fires.
Same woman.
Same woman at two separate fires in two weeks.
The coincidence hits me like a physical blow.
I force myself to look away and find the incident commander. Fire Lieutenant Hayes from Station 12 is coordinating the response, radio in hand.
“Marco Reyes, arson investigation.” I show him my badge. “What’s the situation?”
“Fire originated in the staff storage room, east side of the building. Smoke damage throughout, but the fire was contained before it could spread to the main structure.” He gestures toward the building. “We’re doing final checks now. Should have it cleared for investigation within the hour.”
“Casualties?”
“None. The building was evacuated quickly. Maybe twenty people were inside when the alarm went off.” He glances at his radio. “You’ll want to talk to the witnesses. Most of them are still on scene.”
“I’ll start with that. Let me know when I can enter.”
Hayes nods and returns to coordinating his crews.
I scan the crowd. Twenty or so people scattered across the lawn—library staff, patrons, and a few parents with kids. Most look shaken but unharmed.
I pull out my notebook and approach the nearest group.
A middle-aged woman wearing glasses and a name tag reading “Librarian” is talking to two police officers. I wait until they finish, then step in.
“Ma’am, I’m Marco Reyes with the county fire investigation unit. Can I ask you a few questions?”
“Of course.” She adjusts her glasses. “I’m Mrs. Chen. I work in the children’s section.”
“Where were you when the fire started?”
“At my desk. I was helping a mother and her son find a book when I smelled smoke.” She points toward the east side of the building. “It was coming from the staff area. I activated the fire alarm and started evacuating patrons.”
“Did you see anyone near the staff area before the fire started? Anyone who shouldn’t have been there?”
“No. That area is employees only. The door was closed when I walked past it, maybe ten minutes before the alarm went off.” She pauses. “But I did notice something strange earlier.”
