“No.” His voice hardened. “It happened because someone knew about the angle. Lainey, this was planned.”
She swallowed hard. “So someone was sending a message.”
Finn didn’t answer right away.
Her voice broke. “Like I didn’t get it the previous times. They’re going to keep increasing the pressure, aren’t they?”
Finn’s jaw tensed. “We’re still investigating. I’ll have more later. Keep the faith, Lainey. We will catch whoever did this.”
She certainly hoped so. Because the crew was going to expect answers that she didn’t have.
And the city council?
They were definitely going to come calling.
The next morning,the air was thick with humidity and tension. Smoke still hung in the air.
Her heart hadn’t stopped racing since Finn and Gus stopped in.
“It’s the camera on the side entrance,” Finn said. “I told you it hadn’t been re-angled. Turns out, the cameras were down for exactly thirteen minutes. Long enough to get in, light the fire and disappear. I talked to the fire captain off the record. They’ll have a formal report later.”
“Please tell me it was an accident or something we missed.”
He shook his head. “Nope, someone started it on purpose.”
“Damn.” Gus sighed. “How?”
“They found traces of the chemical permanganate. Those purple crystals you mix with glycerin and walk away. It can take hours before it ignites.”
Gus frowned. “That’s the stuff they use to treat water.”
“Yup,” Finn said. “It’s also in survival kits, labs, fire starters. Arson.”
Lainey felt sick. “Oh God, they were on site while we were sleeping. Set it up and let the chemicals do the rest. This could have gone off later when everyone was here. People could’ve been hurt, died.”
“They weren’t, thank God,” Finn replied. “But you’re right. It’s too close.”
“What now?” Lainey’s throat tightened. “Tell the council I’m pulling the plug and shutting down?”
Finn shook his head. “No. We’re increasing coverage. And someone will be checking in throughout the night every night until this is resolved.”
She let out a slow breath. “Finn, I can’t afford this. As it is, I’m offering the crew more money for a while. I’ve already had two men quit.”
His voice softened, and he placed his hand on her shoulder. “We’ll fix this, Lainey. I promise.”
She looked at him, her lips pressed into a straight line. “I know you mean it, but don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“Oh, believe me. This one I’m keeping.”
Gus left when she asked him to gather the crew together.
Finn opened her office door. “Come on, Gus is waiting with the guys. I’ll be right by your side.”
Lainey walked out feeling like she was going to the guillotine and the crowd was shouting “Off with her head.”
Crap. She had to get herself together. She hadn’t gone through hell just to return.
Lainey stepped in front of the crew, took a deep breath and scanned the group. Couldn’t miss the tired eyes, the slouched shoulders, and the anxious murmurs.
