Page 103 of Serial Burn

Her lips snapped shut and she rubbed her eyes. “You could be right about that,” she finally said. After another short pause, she looked at him. “In hindsight, she’s been supportive in this whole endeavor, definitely. But not overly ... enthusiastic? Is that the word I want?”

“Maybe.”

“I mean she never offered information unless I pushed her for it. She’s had that jewelry in the safe deposit box for twenty years. She’s known about my father’s affairs for longer. It’s ... weird to know that. I honestly don’t know how I feel about her silence.”

“She didn’t want to hurt you.”

“I get that, but this is the closest we’ve—I’ve—been to finding the person responsible for my family’s deaths. I guess I expected her to be as eager to figure it out. But maybe she just doesn’t want to get her hopes up only to have them crushed again.” She bit her lip. “I remember as a kid, we’d go to the police station twice a week to ask about updates, what the investigators were doing to find the arsonist. We did that for years until I think she finally just gave up.”

“Or maybe it was just keeping the pain alive to go and then leave without any progress made?”

“You have an answer for everything, don’t you?”

The words held no heat, but a twinge of guilt twisted inside him. “I’m sorry. It’s not my business.”

“It’s your business. I made it your business and you’re making me think, so thank you. I appreciate your input.” She reached over and squeezed the hand resting on the gear shift. “Seriously. Thank you.”

“Sure.”

He pulled into the parking lot of the general store and scoped the area. The fire was out, the store a shell of its former self. Grief hit him. The place was insured and would be restored, but the wanton destruction twisted him in knots.

Chief Laramie spotted them and hurried their way. “Thanks for coming so quickly,” he said.

“Sure thing. What was it you wanted to show me?”

He held out a bag. “Another piece of jewelry.”

“But you already found one from here.”

“Yep. And just found this one shortly before I called you. Didn’t know if you wanted to do another walk-through or not, but figured the detectives would want to add this to their stash.”

“I’ll take it,” Nathan said.

“I’ll get my gear on and you can show me.”

“Actually, I need to take a call. One of my guys can walk you through. He should be inside taking samples for testing.”

“Great. Thanks.”

She gave him a smart salute, then looked at Nathan. He was scanning the last of the holdouts of the former crowd standing on the other side of the yellow tape and he figured she was looking for the same thing he was. The arsonist.

“Do you see anyone that says arsonist?” he asked.

“No. You?”

“No, but I’ll keep watching.”

She nodded and bit her lip. “Right. Thanks. Hopefully I won’t be too long, then we can go. We’re getting close, Nathan. I can feel it. We’re going to get him.”

“We are.”

She hesitated, almost said something, then smiled. “Okay then. Time for me to change and get busy.” She left and he watched her go, marveling at her stamina. Her hands weren’t yet healed, her leg was bothering her if her slight limp was anything to judge by, but she wasn’t letting it stop her. This was what she did and she was in her element.

He had no doubt the arsonist would be caught. He could only pray it would be before the arsonist caught her.

TWENTY-FIVE

Once she was dressed in her PPE gear, Jesslyn made her way to what remained of the general store. When she stepped over the threshold, she gasped at the sight of the soot and char. Not that she hadn’t expected it, but she’d shopped here less than a week ago.

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