“Where’d you hear that?”
Wouldn’t you know Raptor had to stick his head into the conversation. “This might as well be a town of a thousand people. It’s all over.”
“Oh, fucking great.”
“The moment the deputy on the other end of the phone conversation with the chief of police realized you were joining the Zullies, word got out you didn’t have a decent place to live. The park ain’t safe, man.”
Was he fucking kidding me? The last thing I wanted or needed for that matter was anyone butting into my business. I did nothing more than glare at him, but my stare was obviously powerful enough Raptor threw up his hands.
“I’m just telling you there are some real freaks even in Missoula. After Carl heard the news, he mentioned it to his buddies, which filtered down to Ziggy’s, the local watering hole catering to Zullies given the owner is none other than Landen Weaver’s wife, Shannon. One thing led to another and everyone knew you’d taken up residence there.”
I kept glaring at Raptor. “Are you happy with yourself? Did you figure all that out on your own?”
The man grinned like some kid who’d just solved the Rubik’s Cube.
Hell, I was getting way too old.
“Just be careful. Landen seems like a nice guy on the outside, and he is, but he can be a real bear and with the death of Grace’s parents, he’s like a papa bear caring for his cubs.” Rock’s advice wasn’t laden with bullshit, which I appreciated.
“You mean murder. Her parents were murdered.” Maybe this was as good a time as any to bring up the subject. Break was almost over.
Even Denver sat up for the conversation. “Yeah. Nobody can figure out why. Steve and Jenny Monroe were salt of the earth. My brother is on the engine company who responded. They found two padlocks on the doors and the fire burned hot. A fucking crude explosion with an accelerant used.”
Anger tore through me. “Why wasn’t the entire building torched?”
Rock huffed. “From what I heard, whoever set the fire had to be an amateur. A trail burned to the river behind the property.”
“So the guy planned the whole thing,” I muttered, which was what I’d guessed given the condition of the building.
“Yep. Same shit as the sporting goods store too.” Raptor whistled.
I noticed Axe was walking closer, his face as pinched as I’d ever seen it.
“That sounds like revenge, not some kid seeking his jollies,” I admitted.
“But how are they connected?” Rock threw out.
“I heard Steve was a rock climber before his heart attack. Maybe that’s the store he shopped at.” I was grasping at straws. Even while working the fire, my thoughts had drifted to a dozen possibilities, none of which made any sense. But I knew one thing as if by instinct.
The Monroes had been targets.
“I don’t know, man. Look at this fire. Why torch the mountain near the university?” Denver shook his head.
“The ‘M’ was torched,” Rock said quietly. “That’s personal.”
“There’s no real evidence of arson.” At least from what I’d seen, although the captain’s precautionary words to the mayor lingered in my mind.
Rock laughed. “Not yet. But I have a feeling. Your instinct about these fires will come with time.”
“Someone is following Grace,” I said and I could hear the rage in my voice. “The other day, she was freaking out. I ran in the direction of where she said they’d gone. Someone drove off, spinning tires and gunning the engine. They were on her access road. There were tire treads.”
“Did you tell anyone?” Rock asked, his eyes narrowed.
“Didn’t have a chance. Minutes later I was called to this fire.”
“Shit, you need to tell Chief Taylor.” Firestarter shook his head several times.
“Yeah, well, he and I don’t have a good history. Remember?” I half laughed, but they were right.
