Page 13 of Burning Justice

“A map with push pins.”

He laughed. “There’s a rough pattern to the pins. Squint harder.”

She did. “It’s an irregular circle.”

“Maybe.” He went back to the map and pressed a finger in the approximate center of a vague geographical focal point.

“Denver County.” Then again, Denver County was pretty much at the center of everything that happened in Colorado.

Brett moved to another wall, eying her spider diagram. “And all twenty-one sellers used the same titling company. What are the chances of that happening?”

“Statistically, none, I’d say.”

“I agree.” He pulled some folded papers from his thigh pocket and handed them to her. “So, I got you these.”

She unfolded the pages, and her skin tingled with excitement. The first document was a Rule 6(e) letter issued by AUSA Deborah Moran and requiring Gemma to sign at the bottom before the disclosure to her of grand jury matters would be authorized. According to the letter, a court order had been signed by a judge, allowing Brett to share grand jury evidence with her.

The next document was a federal grand jury subpoena issued to Kobuk Titling Agency in Alaska, requiring them to produce documents relating to any and all houses they titled in Colorado for the last five years, including but not limited to titles, chains of title, title insurance policies, liens, property tax information, and a bevy of other documents commonly handled by titling companies during real estate closings.

Now, her skin not only tingled, but her entire body vibrated with energy. This guy is good. She couldn’t begin to comprehend how he’d gotten a subpoena so quickly. Barely twenty-four hours had passed since she’d run her arson theory by him. That wasn’t what had her feeling like a kid who’d just been handed a golden ticket.

The 6(e) letter addressed to her meant Brett not only thought her theory held merit, but he was including her in his grand jury investigation. She was now part of a team. His team.

But I work alone. Things are better that way. No egos to fight with, and most importantly, no one to stab me in the back again.

Now that the moment had actually come, how did she feel about working with him?

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. After all, he had a dog that could practically talk. How cool was that?

“You okay?” Brett asked, a concerned expression on his face. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“No, I’m fine. I just—” Had the shit shocked out of her.

“I emailed the subpoena to an ATF agent in Alaska. He’s on vacation, but he’ll serve it as soon as he gets back.”

“Great.” Awesome, actually. “In the meantime, I think we should go back to—”

“Frodo Warehouse,” they said at the same time, reminding her of how in sync her parents were, finishing each other’s sentences.

“Let’s hit the road,” Brett added. He and Blaze headed for the door, and when she didn’t immediately follow, he turned. “You coming?”

As much as she appreciated him being receptive to her theory, there was something else she needed to know. “Tell me…” She set her mug on the table and crossed her arms. “When I started running my theory by you yesterday, you didn’t buy into it. Then you about-faced and latched on to it like a starved dog that’s just been handed a meaty bone.” She dipped her gaze to his arm. “Is it because you were burned in that fire? Or is there something else going on here?”

A muscle ticked in his cheek, then he went to the wall plastered with the fire photos and pointed to one taken at the Torrance Lane house fire a year ago—one showing burned cans of MEK. “The only thing you need to know is that if whoever’s torching these houses is the same person who killed those teenagers, they won’t hesitate to kill again if it suits their purposes. And I won’t ever stop hunting them down.”

She’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe it just had.

Not much frightened Gemma, not investigating ferocious fires or deadly floodwaters powerful enough to wash houses downstream. But the intensity of Brett’s warning touched off something deep inside her.

The man was on a mission, and nothing would stand in his way. Maybe not even her.

Memories of getting stabbed in the back by a colleague came back in a whirlwind of frustration, pain, and anguish. Working with someone she didn’t know might very well be a mistake.

For now, she’d hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Chapter Four

Brett parked in front of Frodo Building Supply’s administrative office outside downtown Colorado Springs. Beside him, Gemma flipped through her notes again. They’d barely spoken during the hour ride from Lakewood to the Springs. The woman was all business, and he appreciated that.