AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Honestly? We think it was just some kids screwing around,” Lucas said.
“We did throw a party there a week or so ago. Maybe something got tripped in the process or a door got left open for a kid to slide into,” I said.
“You boys really need to cool it with those parties,” my mother said.
“We’ve found a couple of people over the years in the homes we purchase looking for ghosts. Some of them are vandalizing the properties. One time, Lucas found someone inside at eleven o’clock at night shooting themselves up,” I said.
“What?” my father asked.
“Yeah. Lit candle and everything. There are a million different possibilities if it’s arson. The good thing is most of that is covered by the insurance the company personally has,” Lucas said.
“What isn’t covered by the insurance?” my mother asked.
As Lucas continued to rattle off his conversation with Mom and Dad, I sat back in my chair. I knew the brothers were sold on the idea that maybe someone had snuck in and done something stupid, but I wasn’t so sure about that. I mean, the firemen did say those walls were burning down quickly. Even with the amount of flames and how hot they were burning. That didn’t seem like some crackhead with a candle to me.
Either way, it seemed as if we had Mom and Dad on board with our eventual plans. But we had to jump this hurdle first. I couldn't blame them, though. They were parents first, and their sons were in trouble. I got wanting to hang on until it was all settled, but the fact that Flynn had come prepared with those numbers really helped us to seal the deal. That and the other brothers keeping their mouths shut.
“Everett?”
“Yeah, Mom?”
“You okay over there?” she asked.
“I am. Food’s settling in and I’m getting tired,” I said.
“It’s good food,” my father said.
“Thanks. I appreciate it. Excuse me, you guys. I’ll be right back.”
I pushed myself away from the table and made my way into the other room. I was tired, but I was more curious than anything. I had some colleagues of mine that could help me in this arena. They could help me establish a few more facts about this mansion fire we were dealing with. People I could call and whose brains I could pick.
And I was going to get some answers from them before the next week passed.
FOUR
Everett
“Colton Braxton, it’s been a while,” I said.
“Come here, you behemoth,” he said.
I clapped my long-time friend on the back before he ushered me into a seat in the corner of his den. He pulled out a crystal container of Scotch and poured me a couple of fingers, and I took it in stride. I didn’t like drinking on the job or during conversations like the one we were about to have, but refusing Colton’s drink was like slapping him across the face. And that I didn’t want to do. The topic of conversation was too serious for that.
“I have to admit, I was shocked when you called and said you wanted to talk personally,” Colton said.
“Can’t a guy come see his friend?” I asked.
“You and I both know the in-person stops we make with one another are rarely personal.”
“Then you know I’ve come to pick your brain.”
“I figured you’d be asking for a favor, but picking my brain is fine. What’s on yours?”
“You know that mansion that burned down on the outskirts of town?” I asked.
“Who doesn’t know about that fire?”
“I want to know what you know about that fire,” I said. I took a sip of my drink as Colton’s eyes held mine heavily.
