We are in a new subdivision, one that many people in the town were against. It also happens to be being built by my son’s stepdad. At least twelve houses are going up at once, none of which are currently occupied.
“We got an anonymous call about a fire. When we got here, one of the houses was already completely engulfed,” he says, nodding to the charred remains of a brand new house.
“So why am I here? Seems like a typical fire.”
Fires in new builds aren’t common, but they happen.
“Because that’s not all. That house was the only one engulfed, but another one was starting.”
I narrow my eyes. “There’s no wind.”
“Exactly, and even if there were,” he says, pointing down the street, “that house wouldn’t have been the one to catch fire.”
“Did you notice anything else when you pulled up?”
“Actually, yeah. Shane saw a guy running. He was dressed in all black. Had a ski mask on. It was getting dark, so he couldn’t tell much about him. Shane tried to catch him, but he disappeared in that tree line, behind that last house.”
A curse slips out, and I rub the side of my jaw.
“You know what that means, don’t you?” Zane asks with pity in his eyes.
I rub my jaw harder, putting the inevitable off for at least a minute.
“Unfortunately, I do.”
Chapter 23
Theo
An hour after I show up on the scene, another set of sirens come racing into the subdivision. I’d only thought I’d gotten lucky by avoiding Hayes and Campbell today. Turns out I’m not actually that lucky.
They both swagger onto the scene with their hands tucked beneath their vests. My men eye them, and I huff out a breath, not in the mood to deal with the egos on either side.
Campbell is the first to speak, doing what he does best—annoying me to no end.
“Theo, do you have any snacks in your truck? Hayes wouldn’t let me eat before we came.”
I glare at him. “What do I look like, a vending machine?”
“Well—now that you mention it.”
My gaze slices to Hayes, and he slaps Campbell on the back of the head.
“Hey,” Campbell cries, “you’re supposed to be my best friend.”
Hayes ignores him as he carefully picks his way around what’s left of the house. “Tell me what we are looking at.”
“Here? Nothing,” I say, sweeping my arm out and gesturing to the house. “But you’ll be interested in what we found stashed behind one of the other houses.” I jerk my head toward the back. “We’ll go outthat way.”
Hayes leads the way with Campbell trailing behind me. He’s stomping along like a pouting child.
“Best friend stealer,” he mutters under his breath, and I pinch the bridge of my nose between my fingers. If I put Campbell and Zane in the same room, I’m not sure which one would give me the bigger headache, but I guess I’m about to find out because Zane is standing outside by the evidence, his hands on his hips and a smile back on his face.
“Chief,” he greets. “Did the lesser guys finally make it?”
I pinch my nose harder.
“Zane, play nice,” I say, my voice heavy with warning.
