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Nat hummed, reading for another minute. “Ah, okay. Looks like there were signs of squatters inside?”
“Yes,” Sam said, nodding. “Absolutely.”
“That explains the fire marshal’s determination that the fire was likely accidental, although he’s undetermined on the exact point of origin or cause. There was too much damage to the second and third floors for anyone to go up there for a closer look, but best guess is that’s where it had to have started.”
Lucy’s stomach clenched. “Did the roof collapse before the fire was put out?” That would certainly keep her and Sam—and anyone else—out of the place for good.
“Nope,” Nat said, and Sam’s look of relief wasn’t lost on Lucy. “The roof is still intact, thanks to everyone’s efforts. The place won’t collapse, although the structural integrity of the stairs is pretty much shot to hell. If the damage is anything to go by—and it usually is—chances are pretty high that the fire started on the second floor and traveled upward, then out.”
“But the fire marshal can’t be sure,” Sam said, and damn it.Damnit.
Nat held up the folder, now closed. “Not according to this. There was a lot of damage on the ground floor, too, so it’s all kind of inconclusive. But with the evidence of squatters and the lack of any obvious signs that the fire was set intentionally, an initial ruling of accidental doesn’t seem out of line. The extent of the damage and the lack of a clear point of origin will probably warrant someone from our team going out to take a closer look. The case is still open, for sure, but until I get a chance to dig further and go out there to see for myself, I don’t really have anything else to tell you. I’m sorry.”
On a last ditch, Lucy asked, “Do you know when that might be?”
“Considering that this file arrived today and that there are twenty more ahead of it?” Nat asked with an apologetic shrug. “Not anytime soon.”
“What if we could help with that?” Sam asked. At Nat’s surprised look, he added, “Unofficially, of course.”
“Youwant to go out to this warehouse to do a scene inspection?” Nat asked. “Why?”
“Well, to help a friend out, for one.” His charming smile made an appearance, and God, Lucy must be slipping, because it made her cheeks flood with heat.
Nat, however, didn’t fall for it. “Mmm hmm. Nice try, smooth talker,” she said, albeit not unkindly. “What’s your real reason?”
“Okay, you got me,” Sam said, his smile growing sheepish. “There was something about that fire that felt off. I can’t put my finger on exactly what, but between the burn patterns and how fast those flames took over…I don’t know. I guess we were just hoping to take a look and find an explanation.”
“Are you saying you think this fire was set intentionally?” Nat asked, and here, Lucy took the lead.
“There were no obvious signs of arson.” If there had been, both she and Faurier would’ve put that in their reports. Just because they’d been benched didn’t mean they’d been allowed to ditch protocol, and writing up a full report was SOP for every firefighter who actively responded to a call. Lucy had submitted hers via email the night of the call. “But the fire did move really fast. We’re just looking for a reasonable explanation, that’s all.”
“Strictly off the record,” Sam added, gesturing to his street clothes. “We’re not on the clock, and we know this won’t replace an official scene inspection by your team.”
“But if you find something—”
“You’ll be the first to know so you can fast-track it,” Sam promised.
“Andwe’ll stand down while you investigate, no matter what we find or don’t find,” Lucy finished.
After a beat and a long look that she divided between the two of them, Nat said, “The building hasn’t been condemned, and you two definitely know how to check out the scene of a fire. That said, don’t even think about going above the ground floor. I know you think you’re bulletproof”—this, she aimed at Sam, who didn’t bother to deny it—“and I get that you’re looking for answers about what made this one burn so fast, but if the fire marshal can’t go up what’s left of those stairs, then neither can you.”
“I don’t have a death wish,” Sam said. “If the stairs aren’t structurally sound, I’ll stick to the ground level.”
“Okay, then.”
Lucy blinked. “Okay? As in, you’re okay with it if we go look?”
“Sure. You two aren’t a couple of amateurs, and I wasn’t kidding about the stack of cases sitting on my desk. Getting extra eyes—especially good ones—on this scene really will help me out.” Nat let out a soft laugh. “Plus, far be it for me to stand in the way when Sam Faurier’s got a wild hair to do something. Just do me a favor and be careful, please? Both of you.”
Sam grinned. “Of course. Scout’s honor.”
And just like that, Lucy knew she was screwed.
10
“We are on a fuckingmission,” Sam said, his smile wide and his pulse tapping faster with long-overdue adrenaline. He knew, deep in his bones, that something had been weird about that fire. His brain might not have let him register exactly what as the flames had blazed around him—the heat of the moment was a literal thing in his line of work. But now, knowing that the fire marshal hadn’t been able to examine a crucial piece of the puzzle, and that no official cause had been determined yet?
Yeah. Something wasn’t right, here, and Sam was going to figure out what it was.
