Page 65 of Serial Burn

“I’ve definitely seen it before.”

When she’d awakened this morning, Nathan was there in the hospital room, snoozing in the chair Aunt Carol had been in when Jesslyn had fallen asleep. She wasn’t sure what noise she’d made to indicate she was awake, but he’d blinked and met her gaze while her heart nearly set off the machines at how handsome he was. Like a mussed little boy waking from his nap.

Then he blinked again and the little boy was gone, the look in his eyes going from sleepy to smoky hot at the speed of light. Heat crept up from her throat and into her neck, heading for her cheeks, and she buried her face in her hands under the pretense of wiping the sleep from her eyes.

Nope, he was all man for sure.

While she was trying to rein in her runaway attraction, he talked some more about the other fire and they looked at the picture of the piece of jewelry again.

“I just wish I could remember where I saw it.” She paused. “The fire at the bank is confusing, though. I’m not connected to it, so I don’t understand the relevance.”

“If it wasn’t for the Molotov cocktail thrown into your car, I’d say maybe it’s time to rethink whether this is about you. But...”

“Right.”

“You’re definitely a target.”

“But how does the bank fire factor into my life, that’s the question.”

“You don’t bank there.”

“No.”

“Have a safety deposit box there?”

“Nope.”

“Know anyone who works there?”

“No.” She shrugged. “I don’t think I’ve ever set foot in that branch.”

She blinked away the memory and pulled her laptop from the end table, intending to do some research after she made a phone call.

Lainie walked into the room, tucked her phone into her back pocket, and dropped into the matching recliner on the other side of the fireplace. “What’d I miss?”

While Kenzie filled her in, Jesslyn stretched out on the couch and made a phone call to her aunt.

Carol answered on the last ring, sounding out of breath.

“Are you okay?” Jesslyn asked.

“I’m fine. Was just doing my exercise video. Areyouokay?”

“Yes, I’m settled at home with all of my babysitters in attendance.” From the recliner, Kenzie stuck her tongue out, then went back to whatever she was doing on her laptop. Jesslyn smiled. “Anyway, I have a question. Do you know if I ever went to the Tradition’s Custom Touch jewelry store with Mom or Dad?”

“I ... um ... I don’t really remember. Why?”

“It’s just a memory I have. At least I think it’s a memory. I found some pictures of the store before they renovated it and I remember being there.”

“Well, it’s possible. Your dad gave your mom a few pieces of jewelry during their marriage. I guess he could have gotten them from there.”

Jesslyn frowned. “Do you still have some of those pieces or did they get destroyed in the fire?”

A low breath reached her through the line. “She kept a lot of her jewelry in a safe deposit box, so yes, I have everything in that. She put my name on the box in case ... well...”

“And you haven’t taken them out in all these years?” And why hadn’t she offered them to Jesslyn?

“No. I haven’t.”

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