Page 80 of Backdraft
I was expecting a copy of the fire report on the building that had collapsed. I’d also asked for a report on the abandoned house that had caught fire a few weeks ago.
I scrolled down to find what I was looking for. The cause of the fire. It was like I'd been smacked up the side of the head.
"Of course," I whispered to myself. "Why didn't I remember this?" I switched to the other analysis report and scrolled down. The same cause.
My laptop and belongings had arrived while I was in the hospital. I opened the folder and scanned until I found the notes I'd made on Benjamin Clark.
"Holy shit." I looked out the window as everything started to click into place.
It's the connection we were looking for. I grabbed my phone and called Taylor. He answered quickly.
"D, is everything okay?" I heard alarm in his voice, and I assured him I was fine.
"But listen, I can't believe it, but I found the link. I found the link between all the fires."
I was so excited that my heart was racing, and I could barely catch my breath.
"Okay, you sound like you are having a bit of a panic attack, are you okay? Breathe deeply."
"I'm fine. Really fine. Linseed oil."
"Linseed oil? What do you mean?”
"Rags soaked in linseed oil covered in a cardboard box or even in under a pile of cardboard will eventually ignite. I just got the report that the rooming-house fire was also started with linseed oil rags. It proves the connection."
"Listen, I'm on my way home. I've got the food, so we can go over the reports when I get there. Call the detective and get yourself settled down. Sound good?"
"Yeah, sounds good. Did you ever hear back from the police about the guy that came into my room? I don't remember how that was resolved," I asked. Silence. "Taylor?"
He cleared his throat, and I knew I wasn't going to like what he was about to tell me.
"They didn't have enough evidence to hold him, so they let him go. He was charged with something and released with a warning to not leave Oak Creek and some other conditions."
I was silent. I didn't know what to say. He was back out there. Suddenly all the safe feelings I had vanished. I was vulnerable again and this time I wasn’t mobile enough to save myself.
"Listen, D, I'm not far from home, not even five minutes away. Let's chat when I get there, okay?"
"Okay." My voice came out as a squawk. “Please hurry.”
I put the phone down, glad I was back on the couch because I felt like I was falling and totally off-balance. Cinder hopped on the arm of the couch, startling me. Icy fingers of dread tingled along my spine.
I was afraid. All over again.
Was the house secure? I’d locked the kitchen door, but I hadn't checked the others. Taylor would have done it earlier in the day. I was frozen to the spot and couldn’t bring myself to get up and check.
Taylor said he was close to home. So, I would wait for him. Here, on the couch by the window.
A sour taste filled my mouth, and I reached for the mug of sparkling lemon water. I finished it with a grimace when the bubbles stuck in my throat like a stone.
I had an overpowering urge to hide.
Taylor said he wasn't five minutes away. So I stayed put on the couch and watched out the window for him. My phone ready to dial 9-1-1 should I need to.
This guy was an arsonist and could start a fire multiple ways. He didn't need to be in a building to do it. Oh God, what if he set something here?
I needed to check the house. As if the couch was clutching me tightly, I couldn't seem to get off it.
I heard Taylor's truck engine down the street and closed my eyes, saying silent thank you as he pulled into the driveway.
