Page 11 of Hargrave Artistry
“Hey!” She called out walking inside. “Let’s hear the good news.”
Jess waved her over to the desk. “Have a seat. You were speedy.”
“Don’t let the word get out,” she joked. “I like the advantage when people underestimate me.”
“My lips are sealed,” Jess promised with a laugh. “Thanks for coming in. Chief Miller just swung by to tell me that they suspect the arsonist that hit the Hideaway has struck again.”
“Celeste told us there’s a database.”
“That’s right,” Jess confirmed. “In theory, it makes it easier for them to catch serial arsonists.”
“Good.” Natalie gripped the frayed edges of her denim shorts. “Was the fire here on the island?”
“No. South of here. In Georgia,” Jess explained. “Much of the scene was similar to what happened at your place. The fire extinguisher on site had been removed and later found well away from the fire. But this time he was caught on camera.”
“I’d happily identify him if any of us had seen him.”
“No worries. Although we don’t have any video surveillance that gives us a clear look at him, there are similarities. Starting with a secluded residence, the accelerant used, and the likelihood that he came and went from both fires by boat.”
“Wow.” Natalie sat back, a little awed and uncertain.
“Chief Miller expects the authorities to make an arrest soon. They have a sketch out now and they’re going to circulate it up and down the coast.”
“Well.” She felt a wave of relief. “My sisters will be thrilled. This is great news.”
“It really is,” Jess agreed. “And the boat angle may actually lead us to the culprit who used a drone to harass your guests a few weeks ago.”
“It sure would not be nice to know why we were targeted.”
“The authorities will definitely try to get that information from the suspect. Could take some time,” Jess warned. “And anything he says might be a bunch of lies.”
Natalie understood. Her relationship with Jackson had trained her to be skeptical.
“I’m sure the seclusion will play a part,” Jess mused.
“It’s a big selling point,” Natalie said. “That private beach keeps us booked.”
“Also makes the Hideaway an attractive target.”
“Is that your way of urging us to keep up the extra security?”
Jess grinned. “Y’all can discuss it. I would definitely keep the cameras in place. I won’t push for any more than that once things settle down.”
“Meaning after Jackson Griggs leaves town?”
“It’s a consideration,” Jess said.
Natalie sighed. “He gives men a bad name,” she groused. “I’ll share all of this with my sisters and we’ll let you know if we want to make changes.”
“Sounds good.” Jess leaned back in her chair. “Since you’re here alone, do you want to hear about Griggs?”
“Never.” Natalie swallowed. “And yes. What’s he up to? Please tell me he’s the arsonist and will get locked away for years.”
Her stomach twisted and dropped. It had been a joke, but what if…
No, that was silly. Jackson wasn’t the kind to get his hands dirty. He liked playing the part of the wealthy businessman too much to risk doing anything that would undermine that perfect first-impression image.
More than anything, she wanted him far away from Brookwell. Her sisters shouldn’t be saddled with the fallout from her youthful bad choices.
