Arson. Need proof. Can’t change what happened. The old schoolhouse had been empty and neglected for years. Kids playing. Accident? Or deliberate?
They had concerns but not enough evidence. What they found was that someone had been using the old school as a dumping ground for old paint, aerosol and gas cans, other flammables, and junk rather than disposing of them properly.
What they discovered, what they learned would never bring Guy back.
CHAPTER 3
Caleb
“You just happen to have a security system laying around?” Jaxon quirks an eyebrow.
“I’ll pick one up. She’s not safe. She said she was supposed to be at work today but was asked to swap days. Was the arsonist expecting her to be gone, or hoping she’d be here?”
“Damn good question. I’ll talk to Clay.”
“Is there more I should know about her or her husband.”
“He was a good guy. Quiet, gentle, caring. Sometimes too caring.” He looks away, the muscles in his jaw clenching before he meets my gaze again. “He died in a fire that was started with gasoline. It escalated too fast. They got the command to abort, but ....
“He was first on site and already inside. His last comm was that he heard a child calling for help. He had to check. The building collapsed on him. His was the only body they found. Never found a child or learned if one escaped the blaze either.
“It was an old, abandoned schoolhouse that sat on some neglected property outside of town. The owners at the timewere... let’s say junk dealers. Always a lot of trash. And yeah, kids had been warned off the property before, but...
“Some other fire fighters, towns people, speculated he must have been hallucinating. Something about the whole thing never felt right to me. But I can be a cynical sonofabitch.”
Not cynical, realistic, I think. He saved our asses more than once in battle because something didn’t feel right. I’d trust his instincts every day till hell freezes over.
“He wasn’t into something I should know about or look for?”
“No, that’s not the kind of guy he was. Methodical. Straight arrow. He knew his job and did it well. He wasn’t a hothead. He heard something, I just... We’ll never know. It was hard on the whole community.”
“Let’s get the damage patched, then I’ll run to town and get a system. Can you help me install it tomorrow?”
He nods.
We secure the workshop enough for the next couple days and take measurements to make the real repairs. Jaxon orders those supplies over the phone for pickup later today.
I glance back through the door to where Grace is staring out the kitchen window as she wipes down the counter. “I don’t think she should be alone.”
He glances her way and pulls his phone, stepping away to talk. Disconnecting, he motions for me to follow him.
“Grace, I have a favor to ask. I got called into town and Maura is home struggling with a fussy baby. Is there any way I could drop you off to help her for a couple hours? You could stay for dinner then Caleb would give you a ride home since he’s coming too. It would be a big help.”
“I... I’d love to. Let me grab my purse and shut off the coffee and tea pots.”
Waiting for her to be out of earshot, he turns to me. “Meet me at the lumber yard and we’ll get what we need, and I’ll go withyou to get the security system. Tomorrow we can work on repairs and installing the new system.”
“I don’t like this. I’m not letting her stay alone tonight. I’ll sleep in my truck if I have to.”
He nods. “Agree. You gonna follow me?”
“No, I want to walk through the woods, see if I notice anything.”
Walking a thirty-foot grid back and forth behind the studio I find two places where there’s a partial boot print. Whoever it was they were trying to cover their trail. It looks like they came up the mountain from the main road to the east.
Planned. Coordinated. Not spur of the moment. What the hell is going on?
I go back to Grace’s and get my truck. At my place I take a fast shower, dress, pack a go bag with extra clothes then retrieve my weapon from the safe. I don’t know what’s going on and I intend to be prepared.
