And researcher that she was, before she and Natalie broke for the day tomorrow, she’d ask a few discreet questions about the background of the three men who’d entered her orbit.
The handsome cousin, the hot sheriff, and the unsociable groundskeeper.
SEVEN
IT WAS LIKE DÉJÀ VU—except today he was arriving at twilight instead of in bright sunshine.
Brad cut his siren, swung into Natalie’s driveway, and took the gravel road as fast as he could safely navigate the loose stones. Spinning out or ending up with a cracked windshield from flying rock would only make his sad Sunday worse.
As the house came into sight, he gave it a quick inspection.
No indication of smoke or flames in the dusky light.
That was a positive sign.
Nor was there any activity around the fire truck.
Also encouraging.
He parked next to the other patrol car and slid from behind the wheel as Larry came out the front door of the house.
The senior deputy lifted a hand in greeting and joined him. “Sorry to call you on your day off, boss, but you said to keep you in the loop on any happenings out here.”
“Don’t apologize for following orders. What’s the story?”
“A trash can fire in the kitchen set off a smoke detector. Natalie called 911. Near as the fire crew can piece together, it appears someone threw a burned potholder that was still smoldering in the trash. They found the remnants. The chief says the conditionswould have had to be perfect for it to ignite after sitting in the trash can for a while, but stuff like that can happen.”
“Anyone hurt?”
“No. Natalie and her houseguest had the fire contained when we arrived. She apologized for calling us, but I told her it was better to be safe than sorry.”
“Amen to that. Are the ladies inside?”
“Yes. The fire crew’s wrapping up and ought to be out of here soon.”
“You get everything you need for a report?”
“Yep.” He tapped the notebook in his breast pocket. “Natalie insists she didn’t throw a potholder into the trash, but she was the only one who used the kitchen today.”
“Who else was in the house in the past few hours?”
“The professor got back late afternoon but only went in for a few minutes. Natalie’s cousin was here for the weekend. Paul Coleman stopped by. And her housekeeper, Lydia, dropped off a couple of items Natalie forgot to get at the grocery store on Friday. No one did any cooking in the kitchen besides Natalie, though, so...” He shrugged. “I’m guessing she forgot about the potholder. You want me to hang around?”
“No. Sounds like everything’s under control. I’ll talk to Natalie before I leave.”
“You could always come back in the morning, when you’re on duty.”
“As long as I’m here, I may as well have a conversation.” Plus, it gave him an excuse to delay his return to the silent, depressing house that no longer felt like home.
“Whatever works.” Larry offered a mock salute and continued to his cruiser.
The volunteer fire crew began trooping out of the house as he approached, and after a brief conversation with the chief, Brad continued to the front door.
Natalie was waiting there, Cara behind her.
“Hello, Sheriff.” The older woman’s usual composure was a tad ragged around the edges, and wisps of white hair had worked loose from her bun. “You didn’t have to come out. Everything’s under control. I’m sorry to bother you on a Sunday night.”
“It was no bother. I’m glad the outcome wasn’t any worse. Evening, Professor.” He nodded at Cara. “Ms. Boyer, would you mind if I take a look at the source of the trouble?”
