Page 55 of Special Agent Anastacia

Clearing his throat, Justin stared at the floor. She noticed his Adam’s apple quivering while he forced himself to be calm. “Yeah. That’s when Mom tried to negotiate… begging him – I mean on her knees begging – for him to see reason, saying that she’d give him all the money they had in their bank account in the city if he’d just come with us so we could all leave the house.” Justin looked at her. “By then, the smoke was getting so bad, the fire alarms went off. And my throat felt like it was on fire.” Justin shivered. “You know what that maniac did then?”

“What?”

“He shot the fire alarm. And started ranting again.”

“What was he saying?”

“Nothing that made sense. He’d really lost his cool and began shaking me worse this time. When a shot rang out that came from the window, the moron threw me aside so he could take cover behind the cupboards. At that same time, the flames began burning on the ceiling and the room was filling with fire. That’swhen Nash appeared, making us leave. And while Ana kept shooting at the guy to keep him down, he helped Mom and me carry Dad to the boat they came in.”

“So you’re saying the devil died in the fire?” Hanna’s voice filled with glee at the thought.

“I wish. Didn’t happen. Nash ran back inside and saved the guy. Carried him out with flames all around them. I thought Ana was going to shoot Nash, she was so mad at him for taking such chances. She yelled at him all the way to the lake. By the time they got the killer into the boat, and we pulled away from shore, we could see the house was a ball of flames. I’ll never forget the terrible scene.” He dropped his head to her shoulder, and they sat like that for some time.

Hanna held his hand tight and let him have these moments. Finally, she said, “I’m so glad you made it out safe. Is your dad going to be okay?”

“Yeah. Looks like. My mom called to say the doctors set his broken arm, and his ribs will heal. Now we just have to hope the fire doesn’t come back so we can get out in the morning.”

“You’re right. I’ll pray it works out that way. See you later. I have to do something now.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you stopped. I needed a shoulder.”

Hanna eased her way to the back of the kitchen and found the item she searched for. Then she slipped out the door, and with a flashlight showing her the way, she ambled toward the jail. There she peeked into the window and saw the three adults getting ready to leave the building. Listening, she heard Dave tell the others that he needed to check on the new boats that were still arriving.

Everyone standing, Ana spoke. “We’ll come with you. I can use a bit of fresh air.” Laughing at her silly quip, they left together, with Dave locking the door behind him and then slipping the keyhigh up on the sill. Hanna heard him say, “In case Pat returns from his rounds. He lost his key when his truck burned earlier.”

Hanna watched as the three faded into the darkness, and then she found the key and let herself inside.

She had one thing on her mind when she entered the building.

Only one thing that tortured her brain that it literally brought excruciating pain.

One action by her that would awaken the dead parts of her soul, and she could finally sleep at night.

Revenge.

Chapter Thirty-nine

Ana spoke her thoughts out loud. “Did they ever find out how the fires near the town got started?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because Vladimir smoked, and we both know by the number of butts on our property that he wouldn’t worry about being careful.”

“I guess if they do an inspection, the burn patterns might indicate the cause of the fire. Tobacco is made to stay smoldering if not put out properly. Are you thinking he set the fires on purpose?”

“Hell, I don’t know what I’m thinking.”

“You do know the wind shifted and could have sent the flames traveling from the south fire, right?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I guess I’m just so angry at the fucker that I’m ready to pin everything bad that’s happened recently on him.” She handed Nash the keys to their boat, saying, “I should head back and watch over the prisoner until you return.Something tells me it’s not a good idea to leave him alone, even for a few minutes.”

As she returned the way they came, she found herself speeding up. Calling herself all kinds of a fool, nevertheless, she didn’t feel right knowing he was alone. Something… something wasn’t right.

When she went to reach for the key and didn’t find it where Dave had hidden it, the tension revved up and began crawling up her back, making the sweat break out all over her body.

Slipping her firearm from the holster, she held it low and in front of her with both hands. Creeping inside without making a sound, she stayed in the shadows. Before she’d taken two more steps, she heard the commotion, and then a screamy cry before it was cut off.

Coming around the darkened corner to where the cell was, her first glance showed the door stood open. Accustoming her eyes to the dim light from the office and the bit of glow from the dropped flashlight on the floor, she finally began to make out Hanna.

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