“Yes. The neighbors called it in just before I got here.” Genuine concern filled his voice. “Rookie Bear. Don’t you recognize me?”
“Just answer my questions.” Ice coated every word.
Dom’s face closed off, professional mask sliding into place. He provided his contact information, cooperated with every request, and offered Steel Protection’s services for the investigation. When she dismissed him, he walked away without argument, but she felt his confused hurt like a knife between her ribs.
Valeria forced herself not to watch him go, focusing instead on the scene. Fire Chief Ash Bright directed his crews as flames roared through the collapsed roof, sending sparks high into themorning sky. The windows had blown out, and orange fire licked hungrily at the empty frames. What had once been walls now stood as blackened skeletons, barely supporting the structure as it crumbled inward on itself.
One of the neighbors approached Chief Bright, desperation clear in her voice. “Can you get inside? Is Becca okay?”
Chief Bright shook his head grimly. “Structure’s too compromised. We can’t risk sending anyone in while it’s burning like this. We’ll have to wait until it’s safe. There’s a chance she already got out.”
The firefighting operation continued for hours. Valeria worked the perimeter, controlling access and documenting everything while fighting to keep thoughts of Dom out of her head. By afternoon, the flames were finally extinguished. Steam rose from the charred ruins as firefighters began the careful process of searching for victims.
“Body in the bedroom,” Chief Bright reported to first responders. “Female, appears to be the homeowner.”
Firefighters removed the body and carefully placed it on a gurney. The medical examiner, Dr. Vera Kent, arrived at the scene moments later. She was a no-nonsense woman whose weathered face suggested decades of examining the worst of humanity. Valeria watched from the perimeter as Dr. Kent conducted her preliminary examination.
“Cause of death was a gunshot wound to the back of the head,” Dr. Kent announced. “Close range, execution style.”
Murder. Not a tragic accident, but a cold-blooded execution. And Dom had been on the scene.
Her brother Gabriel arrived as the scene transformed from fire investigation to a homicide case. Valeria briefed him on the timeline and witness statements, trying to keep her voice steady as she described Dom’s convenient arrival.
“Protection services appointment minutes after the neighbors report the fire?” Gabriel’s skepticism was obvious. “That’s quite a coincidence.”
“He does run a legitimate protection company,” Valeria said, hating how defensive she sounded.
“It establishes an alibi,” Gabriel replied. “Classic move to appear at the scene as some type of help.”
With a heavy heart, Valeria searched the debris for any evidence that might have survived the fire. She found a notebook half-buried under debris from the collapsed porch roof. The spiral binding was melted, most of the pages reduced to ash, but several fragments remained partially readable.
She studied the surviving text.
“...organized criminal group...” was clearly visible on one page.
“...intimidating local businesses...” appeared on another.
“...protection racket...” concluded a third fragment.
“Gabriel,” Valeria called, her voice tight.
Gabriel approached, taking the evidence bag with professional care. His expression darkened as he read the fragments.
“She was investigating some kind of organized criminal group,” he said grimly. “Protection racket, intimidating businesses.”
“Whoever killed her wanted to silence her,” Valeria finished, the words tasting like ash in her mouth.
“And Steel Protection showed up right when she was killed.”
Chapter
Seven
Dom pushedthrough the doors of Steel Protection headquarters. He’d been riding the mountain roads for hours, trying to clear his head after being questioned by his fated mate like he was an arson suspect. His pack looked up from their desks, faces grim. The police scanner on Axel’s desk crackled to life before anyone could speak.
“Unit 12, be advised - 1226 Pine Ridge Road fire scene now classified as Code 187. Requesting additional units for homicide investigation.”
Dom stopped in his tracks. “Rebecca Mathews was murdered.”
