“It’s the only way.” He flicked the lighter. Birthed a flame. Watched it dance.
A week since the last task force meeting
This time, the task force met on Athena’s home turf in the fourth-floor conference room of the Houston Field Office. She pulled Agent Paulson in to slightly balance the table in a room full of firefighters.
“We knew you’d want this report ASAP.” Fire Marshal Zapata, sharp and official in his dress blacks—badge, rank, and affiliation prominently displayed—passed a folder to Ballard, who handed it to Athena. Chief Burks and Captain O’Riley, less formally attired, rounded out the group.
Athena opened it, eager for some good news. Her unit kept pressing the arson-for-hire angle, giving every suspect another pass, but they still lacked hard evidence
“It appears the arsonist left a few things behind this time,” Ballard commented. “We figure it was because he was in a greater rush to escape unseen since workers were present.”
Athena read while Zapata elaborated. “The screwdriver and wire cutters were too scorched to render DNA or fingerprints. Bonnie collected them from the office floor near the point of origin, and the night manager swore they weren’t his. These were identified as Snap-on brand, and Lone Star only keeps Matco tools onsite. In addition to the expected BBQ lighter fluid, rag fragments our investigators dug from the ash also tested positive for trace amounts of oil and gasoline—a deviation from the earlier scenes. Charred remains of mechanic gloves were also recovered.”
“But here’s the really interesting part,” Ballard said. She leaned over, peering at the report, and pointed. “A nametag.”
Studying the evidence photo, Athena pursed her lips, squinting. “I can’t read a name.”
“No,” Bonnie admitted, “but since it was a metal name tag instead of plastic, it came through the blaze fairly intact. The lab used a chemical solution to clean it up—Bubba’s Tire & Auto.”
While Paulson began tapping away at his laptop, Captain O’Riley filled in the details. “We tracked it down to a defunct business on Alabama Street in the Third Ward.”
Close to Firehouse Eight,Athena recalled.Flash.
Chief Burks picked up the story. “The building has been derelict since a tire fire severely damaged it five years ago. It was deemed an accident. The owner collected his insurance money and disappeared, making the property a burden to the city of Houston.”
“Did you know,” Paulson asked as he stopped on an article, “that there are more than a thousand dangerous buildings in Houston? Abandoned, dilapidated fire hazards. This says the condemned shop on Alabama Street was slated to be demolished over a year ago.”
“Yeah, but it’s still there,” Zapata grumbled, impatient aggravation warping his distinguished face.
“There’s a long and complicated process for the city to demolish a neglected building,” explained Burks. “They started it with an injunction against the owner a year after the fire. The property had become overgrown and a magnet for trash dumping. Guy sent a letter saying he’d take care of it. Six months later, when the city reached out, its letter came back nondeliverable—guy moved. No forwarding address.”
Zapata raked a hand over his short hair. “Ever since Hurricane Harvey, the city has been backlogged with damaged, deserted buildings to deal with.”
“Despite all that,” Ballard stated, “Bubba’s Tire & Auto is still standing—barely. We took a drive-by. It’s boarded up, graffiti on the walls, but still there.”
“The real question is,” Athena queried, “how does it connect to our arsonist? Did he used to work there? Did a relative own the place? Does he live nearby? Most of the Third Ward is residential.”
“I’d be happy to go with you to check it out.” Ballard’s eyes lit up.
Athena hesitated, her mind flipping pages in her mental notebook of worst-case scenarios. Recalling the summer fiasco at the derelict Grove Immediate Care Hospital, she shook her head. “We need to treat this like a trap. I can see dropping the tools, racing out before he’s caught, but not the nametag. He wouldn’t have been just wearing a pin from a shop that’s been out of business for five years. That was an intentional plant, either as a taunt or a lure. He’s devolving. Maybe subconsciously, he wants to get caught, or he’s setting us up. Paulson, research. Surveillance. Let’s get cameras on site and a team cruising the area. We aren’t walking into another trap.”
“Smart move,” commended Chief Burks. “But it would also be advisable to have someone from arson investigation along when you do go in to identify suspicious materials, ignition devices, and the like.”
“Just let me know when you’re ready to proceed,” Ballard said with a brisk nod. “I’d like to be on your team.”
So would Flash,Athena thought.
“I’ll let you know.” She pushed up from the table. “Thank you for this. It’s our best lead yet. And keep on top of any business fires. It’s been over a week, and he’ll be itching to strike again.”
“Will do,” Zapata concurred.
Athena showed them to the door and said her goodbyes.I’ve got to get it right this time. No repeat mistakes. No one else is dying on my watch.
Chapter 25
“Mom, are you sure you don’t want to come stay at my place?”
Flash’s hair was still damp from a shower as she paced her bunkroom floor, cellphone pressed to her ear. This conversation required quiet, not the raucous roar of firefighters returning from a challenging blaze.
