Page 27 of Chilled

“The fire chief says the office is a complete loss,” Chief Burkholder said.

“All the files are gone? Everything?” Brenna pressed a finger to her temple, the stench of wet plaster triggering a headache of migraine proportions. She fought the pain by taking deep breaths and concentrating on the chief’s words.

“Chief Freund thinks this fire was set deliberately, based on the confined intensity of the blaze emanating from the office where the files were kept.”

“Someone didn’t want us to get into those files,” Nick muttered beneath his breath.

“I’ll get hold of Mrs. Keckler and find out if there were any backups stored offsite.” Brenna pulled her cell phone from her jacket pocket and frowned down at the screen. “I’m still getting used to this danged thing. The bureau gave me this phone before I left. They can track it.”

“So, they can keep track of you at all times?” Nick’s mouth curved upward on the ends. “Not a bad idea.”

“Whatever,” she shrugged. “Since the note came to me, the bureau decided I might be in danger. I would rather they had used my personal cell phone. I’m not used to this brand and operating system. I sure don’t need to waste time figuring out.” She finally found the contact list she’d accessed earlier when she’d asked Mrs. Keckler for her personal number. Brenna placed the call.

At the second ring, she glanced at her watch. It was just after nine. The woman shouldn’t be in bed yet.

Mrs. Keckler answered. “Hello.”

“This is Brenna Jensen. I regret to inform you there’s been a fire at Dr. Drummond’s office.”

“Oh my God.” Her voice could be heard yelling to someone in the house with her, “There’s been a fire at the office!”

“Mrs. Keckler, I need your assistance.” Brenna tried to get her attention.

“Yes, of course. What can I do? Do you need me there?”

Brenna glanced at the charred shell of a building. “No, there’s not much you can do until after the fire department finishes up.”

“I suppose not. So, what do you need from me?”

“Are there any backups of the patient files kept off site?” She held her breath, praying for good news after so much bad.

“Why, yes.”

“Thank God.” Brenna tipped her head back and breathed deeply, the headache easing. “Where, Mrs. Keckler? Where are the backups?”

“In a safe deposit box at the First Interstate Bank on Main Street. I download a backup of the computerized records every night onto a flash drive and deliver it to the bank the next day. I know it’s archaic, but Dr. Drummond didn’t feel comfortable putting patient information in the cloud.”

Brenna clutched the phone to her ear. “Do you mean to tell me you might have a copy of the records at your house?”

“I know I made a backup today but let me check to ensure I brought it with me.”

Brenna heard a click, as if Mrs. Keckler had laid the phone on the counter and walked away. In the background, Mrs. Keckler yelled, “Honey, where did I put my purse? Never mind.”

Brenna tapped her foot and stared around at the fire crew. Nick stood to the side, his gaze intent on her, making her warm all over in the cool night air. How did he do that?

“Yes!” Mrs. Keckler came back on the line. “I have the drive right here in my hand. But I’ll need a court order to release it to you.”

“I know.” Brenna’s gaze locked with Nick’s. “You’ll have that court order within the next hour. Don’t go anywhere and don’t let anyone in your house until you see my face at your door.”

“Do you think I’m in some kind of danger?”

“Mrs. Keckler, until we find the man who murdered Dr. Drummond, no one in Riverton is safe.”

“Oh my.” She drew in a shaky breath. “I’ll lock my doors and wait for you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Keckler.” Brenna ended the call and smiled for the first time in what felt like centuries. “She has a copy of the computer files. We should at least be able to get names of the patients.”

“Good. Let me check with the fire chief, then we’ll track down the county judge for that warrant.” Nick picked his way through the crowd of emergency personnel to the fire chief.

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