Page 32

The articles suggested he might have mishandled the investigation.

One account implied that his actions before the fire was fully contained had complicated the search for evidence.

Could he have known more than he admitted?

Could he have been involved?

The possibility has bothered me since I first started reading about him.

And sitting across from him now doesn't make it disappear.

He's been decent to me. He saved my life.

But people are capable of more than one thing.

I can't afford to forget that.

“And you lost your job because of that?” I ask.

“Because I wouldn't let it go.”

There's something bitter beneath the words.

Then his expression closes.

“Enough about me.”

I want to argue.

Instead, I glance at the scar again.

Whatever happened in that building, he paid a price.

That doesn't prove he's innocent.

But it makes the picture in my head considerably less clear.

His phone rings.

He checks the screen.

“Vex.”

He listens for a moment.

“Where?”

A pause.

“Send it to Lock. I'll talk to Grim.”

He ends the call and sends a quick message.

“What happened?” I ask.

“Something we're looking into.”

“Related to your cabin?”