Tobias stopped by the depot’s solid door and glanced between her and Russ. “You thinking Uri set the bomb?”
“We’re just covering all the bases.”
Tobias stood back. “Remind me before we go, and I’ll look up the info on his personnel record.”
Still wearing his gloves, Russ dug the key from the bag. “If Dr. Dunbar confirms Gates perished in the fire, we’ll have to contact her for the death notification call.”
Ryleigh had forgotten all about that fact. Russ might’ve tasked her with confirming Gates worked in Alabama. Russ would have to call the local police to send someone to notify the wife in person that Gates had died in the fire, and then Russ would follow up by calling to ask questions.
Ryleigh didn’t want to dwell on this and moved on. She looked at Tobias. “I don’t really understand why you even need explosives in logging.”
“To protect my workers.”
“Explain,” Russ demanded.
“Most everyone knows logging is a dangerous occupation, but some trees make it even more so. Sometimes when we start felling a tree with a chainsaw, it’ll get hung up on its way to the ground. Those trees can get so twisted or bent that their tension makes it almost suicidal to touch them with a chainsaw. We call them widow-makers. So it’s safer to blast from a distance than trigger a natural booby trap.”
“I never knew,” Ryleigh said.
“And insect-killed trees are also big hazards. They often rot from the inside. So you go to take them down and they can shatter or fall in unpredictable directions. Again, the explosives keep the logger out of danger.”
“As long as they know how to handle the explosives,” Russ said.
“Yes, there is that, and tons of regulations. Which is why we limit the people who can handle them.”
Ryleigh nodded. “We’re also wondering if you stored solvents or other chemicals at the mill.”
Tobias rolled his eyes. “No way. Only a fool would do that. With all the wood and sawdust around, it would be a tinder box if any of it caught fire.” He let out a long breath. “Exactly what happened. Could’ve been just from a single spark from the bomb.”
Russ inserted the key in the heavy-duty lock on a solidly built door and frame.
“How long before I can clean up the mill and get the men back to work?” Tobias asked.
Not something Ryleigh could answer. She left it to Russ.
“It’ll be quite some time.” Russ pulled the door open and put on a fresh pair of booties.
“What are we talking? A week? More?” Tobias’s tone had skated high.
“It’s not something we can predict.” Russ eyed him. “Your mill is a crime scene, and no one will be allowed on site until I tell you. Same thing goes for this place. I expect you and everyone who works for you to comply.”
“Here? You’re locking this down too.”
“I have to, Tobias. Surely, you can see that.”
“But my loggers. Office staff. They need their paychecks.”
Russ’s gaze softened. “I wish we didn’t have to do it.”
Tobias glared at Russ. “You’re gonna lose a lot of votes from this.”
“I’m not in the job to be popular.” Russ held Tobias’s gaze for a long moment. “I’m sheriff to uphold the law and make sure every resident remains safe under my watch.”
Wow. Russ had a huge responsibility. Sure, she’d known he ran a county sheriff’s office and that alone would bring a lot of pressure. But to feel personally responsible for every citizen of the county had to weigh heavy on him. No wonder he was such a serious guy. The best thing she could do for him—besides supporting him while a sworn deputy—was to lift him up in prayer and put him in God’s hands. Only God was up to the huge task Russ had taken on his shoulders.
He switched on the interior light and turned to look at Tobias. “You wait out here while we clear the place and do a quick inventory.”
Tobias’s shoulders drooped but he didn’t speak. She figured it must be hard to own a business for so many years and then see other people go through it without a care. She squeezed his arm. “It’ll be okay.”
