Page 53 of Serial Burn

Jesslyn walked over, introduced herself, and pulled her phonefrom her pocket. “We’re investigating the church fire. We found this piece of jewelry in the debris and are trying to find the owner. I understand this is your signature?”

Again, that glimmer of a memory tried to grab her attention.

The woman looked at it. “Oh yes, that’s one of ours.” She frowned. “It’s an older one, though.” She zoomed in on the picture and took a closer look. “I’d say that was made about thirty years or so ago. Maybe slightly longer, but not much.”

Jesslyn blinked. “Really?”

“Yes, it’s one of the signatures the senior Mr. McElroy used. See, theMwith the line through it is only a partial, so theEis turned on its side.”

She took another look, with Andrew and Nathan looking over her shoulder. Why was she so aware of Nathan and wouldn’t have known Andrew was even in the room? She focused. “Oh, that’s really clever.”

“Grandfather would be thrilled to know you think so.”

“So the man who made this is your grandfather?”

“Was.” A sad smile curved her lips. “He passed away four years ago. My father, who is on vacation this week, took over the shop, and I decided to join the family business as well.” She held out a hand. “Isabelle McElroy Sims at your service.”

“That’s fabulous,” Jesslyn said. “Is there any way to find out who purchased it?”

She tilted her head, studying the piece. “I don’t think so. They didn’t keep digital records back then. Grandfather was meticulous about paperwork and had a filing system, of course, but once we started with the computer system, the old stuff was stored somewhere. I know he wouldn’t have tossed it, but I honestly don’t know what happened to it.”

“So they didn’t upload the old records into the new system?”

“No, as far as I know, they didn’t bother. I do know Grandfather kept all of the hard-copy records for years and years, but when we remodeled the space, it’s possible those things were tossed.”

Jesslyn’s shoulders slumped as defeat wove through her. “Well, it was worth a shot. Thank you for your help.”

“Of course.”

The three of them walked back outside and Jesslyn glanced at her phone once more. “They’re ready for me at the fire. I’ll have to think about this jewelry stuff later.”

“I have to head back to talk to Kenny,” Andrew said. “Nathan can follow you.”

“It’s not necessary.”

“It’s necessary,” Nathan said. The flat tone said he was coming whether she liked it or not, and she didn’t have time to argue with him.

“All right, thanks. See you there.”

When Jesslyn pulled up to the scene, the fire was still smoking, but out. Firefighters dotted the landscape, watching for any hotspots that they’d have to deal with.

Her phone buzzed again and she glanced at it. Her aunt. She’d have to wait. Nathan had followed her, of course, and while she appreciated his vigilance, she was annoyed at the need for it.

She waved, and he nodded, then pulled out his laptop to rest it against the steering wheel, clearly going nowhere anytime soon. Her very own bodyguard. She pushed the annoyance away. He cared and she was going to be thankful if it killed her. And besides, if she was honest with herself, she really didn’t mind knowing he was there. The church shooting had scared her. A lot. On the way over, she’d checked on her bullet-riddled vehicle and learned it would be ready when it was ready.

The chief spotted her, and she made her way toward him, meeting him halfway. “Looks like it’s pretty much out,” she said.

“It is, but we found this at the edge of the blaze.” He handed her a crime scene bag.

With gloved hands, she opened it and pulled out another piece of jewelry. “No way. Another one?”

“Yep. I knew you’d want to see it right away.”

It didn’t look anything like the one she’d found at the church fire, but gut instinct told her what she’d find when she turned it over.

And there it was.

The logo.

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