Page 5 of Serial Burn

“Ah, you didn’t check your caller ID before answering, huh?”

“Eli...”

“I know you avoid me until you just can’t anymore.”

“Only because you annoy me.” Saying the words without heat didn’t make them any less true. Lately, his brother’s calls were about to send him over the edge. Changing his number was starting to look like a good option.

“Why do you think that is, Natty?”

His brother the psychiatrist. Always trying to psychoanalyze him. Did Eli truly not understand how obnoxious he was? For a guy who spent his days counseling people and helping them navigate their relationships, Eli refused to let go of the one topic Nathan didn’t want to talk about. And that one topic was driving them further apart than they’d already been.

“It’s Nathan.” Natty was in the past when life was fun and innocent. But Eli would call him whatever name Eli wanted to call him because he was Eli. And Eli only cared about himself. Always had, always would. “Tell me what you want or I’m hanging up.”

“Fine,” Eli said, “but one day you’re going to need to stop taking your anger at yourself out on others. Come to counseling with me, Nathan. Please? We can go together. It’s way past time you forgave yourself for—”

Nathan hung up.

Ten seconds later, his phone buzzed again and he let it go tovoicemail. Through the driver’s window, he could see Jesslyn standing beside her car three spaces down, on the phone. He watched her, wishing once more things could be different. That he could be different. That his past was different. She lifted her head and caught his eye before he could look away, freezing him on the spot. He lifted his hand in what he hoped was a casual wave and drove out of the parking lot.

TWO

Jesslyn had planned to leave the scene and go grab some rest before writing her report. Instead, she stayed put, reluctant to leave. She wanted answers and she didn’t have them. Not that staying here was going to make them magically appear, but still ... she stayed.

The crime scene photographer was gone, the evidence was collected and on its way to the lab, and she was the only one left—not counting the two firefighters taking first shift on watching for any residual sparks that might reignite the blaze. A chill swept through her that had nothing to do with the dropping temperatures, as her uniform kept her nice and toasty.

No, the shiver had more to do with a feeling. She swept her gaze over the area, the gold-and-orange sky tinted with pink capturing her notice only for a brief second before her attention landed on a car on the other side of the parking lot. A lone figure outlined by the streetlight right behind him sat in the driver’s seat watching the activity.

Or the lack thereof at this point. She couldn’t make out his features, thanks to the backlighting, but she could feel him watching her.

So who was he?

A reporter?

A looky-loo?

The arsonist?

While she stood there debating the wisdom of approaching, the engine rumbled to life and idled. All right then. “Let’s see what you’re doing here and what you want.” Jesslyn walked toward him. Deputy fire marshals in North Carolina didn’t generally carry weapons, but she did most of the time. Thanks to her background in law enforcement, she was authorized.

The vehicle lurched forward and headed out of the parking lot. Jesslyn pulled her phone from her pocket and aimed the camera at the disappearing vehicle. An older model Chevy Malibu. Dark blue or black. Maybe even a dark green. She snapped a few more pictures before the taillights blinked out of sight.

With nothing more to do at the scene, Jesslyn headed back to her Jeep, climbed in, and sped toward home. Her stomach growled, reminding her it had been a while since she’d eaten anything. Using voice commands, she texted Lainie Jackson.

Hey there, I’m starving. I know you’re working the late shift, but have you had dinner yet?

Three seconds later, she got a response.

Nope, wanna grab something in the cafeteria with me?

Sure. I need to change, though. I’ll hit the restroom and see you in about 20.

I’ll be in line.

The hospital was just one exit up the highway and on the way to Jesslyn’s home. Thankfully, the cafeteria food was downright awesome and people often came just to eat there whether they had someone in the hospital to visit or not. Which meant the line could get long. But at this time of night, the wait shouldn’t be too bad.

Bright headlights fell in behind her and she flipped the mirror to soften the glare. When she made it onto the interstate, she keptwatch on the tailgating offender and was glad when the car finally zipped past her.

Sometimes she wished she carried a police badge. But only in instances like this.

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