Page 75 of Serial Burn

His shoulders twitched and he shot a glance at the vault. What was taking them so long?

Just as the thought passed through his mind, the door opened and Carol emerged, then Jesslyn stepped out, her face set in a frown.

He walked over to her. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. Yeah. Carol filled me in on some family history and it’s a lot to process, but I’m fine and I’ve seen the jewelry.” She met his gaze. “The mark on the back is the same as the ones from the fires.”

“You thought they might be.”

“I know, but to have it confirmed...” She shook her head. “It’s just weird.” She pulled out her phone and showed him a picture of one of the pieces with the little logo. “I mean ... what are the odds?”

He pursed his lips and thought about that. “I don’t know. It’s a well-known store, they’ve been in business forever, and they sell a lot of pieces. I don’t think the odds arethatgreat. But ... I’ll admit, it does make you kind of wonder.”

“Yeah. A lot.”

Carol walked over to them, and Kenzie joined them while Cole peered out the window once more. “What are you going to do with the pieces?” Kenzie asked.

Jesslyn hesitated, then gave a short nod. “Sell them. We’ll put the money into the youth center.”

Carol’s eyes went wide. “You’re going to what?”

“From everything you’ve just told me, I think that’s what Mom would want.” Jesslyn eyed the picture she’d just shown Nathan. “She’d want something good to come from something ... not so good.”

Nathan couldn’t help but wish she’d elaborate on that statement, but he wasn’t about to ask. Maybe later.

His phone buzzed and he scanned the email. “Got an update on the names you gave us for investigation into your old cases.”

“And?”

“Two really stand out. Officers are going to question them. Let’s get you back home and settled.”

“I’m not going home. I’m going to your office where the files are waiting.”

“Files?”

“In the conference room? From the jewelry store? I told you Isabelle found her grandfather’s stash of old store purchase files. I plan to go through them and see if we can match up the jewelry with who bought it.” She shot him a tight smile. “You’re welcome to help.”

Nathan eyed her. “You sure you—”

“Yes, I feel like it, thanks. Can someone make sure my aunt gets home?”

“I can get home fine,” Carol said.

Jesslyn caught his eye and he gave a subtle nod. He’d make sure Carol had an escort home—whether she realized it or not. Jesslyn smiled her thanks, kissed her aunt goodbye, and walked out of the bank and to his vehicle. He followed her, sent a short text to make sure Carol had protection, then waited for her to climb in and shut the door. When he slid into the driver’s seat, he did his best to cover his wince.

Stupid hip. Stupid Kenny.

His phone buzzed and he glanced at it. Eli yet again. He sent it to voicemail but made a vow to put an end to this nonsense once and for all.

“I won’t listen if you need to talk to him.”

“There’s nothing I need to say to him that I can’t say in front of you.”

“Oh.” She shot him a sideways look. “Okay.”

But if he could avoid doing so, he would. “Wanna tell me what had you so shook when you came out of the vault with your aunt?” he asked.

She hesitated, then gave a little shrug. “I learned a few things about my father that I never would have guessed him capable of. I also learned he grew up in and out of foster care, that my paternal grandparents were alcoholics.”

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