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All of these other buildings have been empty, derelict. The only one that was being used was the library. And the only person there at that time of the night, unless there were patrons, was Hartley.
I stop and feel like I’m standing on the precipice of something really bad.
I look back at the two men. “All of these fires have been in empty buildings. Buildings that had been abandoned for a long time. All of them except the library. And there wouldn’t have been anybody there that night except for Hartley. The football team was having a fundraiser and almost the whole town was out there. So it was logical to assume that Hartley would be alone.”
All three of us stare at each other. “Why would anybody want to do anything to Hartley? Everybody loves her. The whole damn town almost went at you with pitchforks because you dragged her off to jail.”
The investigator’s eyes pop open. “What the hell?”
I wave my hand. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“I would hope not,” he laughs. But then all of us start pacing again.
“Why her?”
I don’t know why but now that I’ve thought of it, I can’t push it out of my mind.
Then I remember she’s at a meeting. With her boss. The guy that she turned down. The only person in town that I know of that doesn’t like her.
I grab my phone and dial her number but there’s no answer. At first, it rings. But then it just goes to voicemail.
I hang up and try again. And this time it goes straight to voicemail.
“I think we have a problem.” My heart is racing and it feels like I’m gonna throw up.
“Hartley had a meeting this morning. With her boss.”
“So?”
“So the guy doesn’t like her. And he’s the only person in town that doesn’t. And I know Gary Sutter. Not much. But he tried to sign up to be a volunteer firefighter. But he couldn’t pass the test with the psychiatrist.”
“Oh. Both men look at each other. Frustrated firefighter. Doesn’t like Hartley. Considers her to be a problem. Doesn’t want her at her job. But would he try and kill her if he didn’t like her? That seems extreme.”
“He also asked her out and she turned him down.”
All three of us get the same look and run for trucks and radios. I’m radioing for the guys to all be deployed to the temporary library at the same time as the chief is calling the station and letting them know that there might be a fire at the temporary library today.
Then we all hit sirens and race down the road. I can’t swallow. It’s like my throat is on fire again.
“Red, hang on. I’m on my way.”
It feels like it takes forever but it doesn’t. Only about ten minutes. Ten minutes of absolute torture.
We get there and McCall and one of the other guys are outside and trying to figure out how the hell to get in and get to Hartley.
And that’s when I smell smoke.
“Oh fuck!” I race to the door of the warehouse and it takes every last man there to stop me.
“Think, man,” the chief says. “There has to be a window somewhere.”
We split up and before too long, I spot a window that’s not too far up. It’s propped open. I growl under my breath.
Probably so he can get some air in to fuel the fire.
“I’m coming, Red. I’m coming for you. Just hang on.”
They come around the corner and spot me going in. “Shit! He’s trying to get himself killed.”
