Others would have feared.
She should have feared, but she was too furious to be afraid.
Kenton understood because the same fury had his body tensing.
Garrison stepped forward, his gaze sweeping her. “You okay?” Softer. Worried.
“Yes,” she whispered back. “I’m not…” A deep breath. “I’m not hurt.”
The chief’s eyes narrowed. “Not physically.”
The guy knew her well.
“I’m okay,” she told him again, and Kenton didn’t believe her either.
Garrison’s gaze held hers a little longer, then he gave a grudging nod before he stormed away, yelling orders to his team.
“You didn’t see anything?” Jon turned on the cop.
The guy shook his head. “J-just the fire.”
The fire that was sputtering out now. They’d save the house. It would need work—a lot—but they’d save the house. Kenton owed those firefighters. Lora’s house. He knew she loved that place.
His gaze slipped to her. “You didn’t see him either?” Kenton asked Lora, his thumb brushing over the inside of her wrist. Her pulse pounded fast there, racing beneath his touch.
Her lips twisted. “I only saw the fire.”
“To come right up here and light her place, with the cops in the area…” Jon whistled. “The bastard’s got balls.”
Not for long. “What are you doing here?” Kenton asked him, brows pulling low. “I thought you and Monica were heading back to the hotel.”
Jon looked at Lora. “I was worried. Just like you. I wanted to make sure all was quiet in Spade’s world.”
But all hadn’t been quiet.
Lora laughed. A startled, hard chuckle. “Then I’m glad I’ve got two obsessive agents worrying about me.” She shot a glance toward the smoke. “If I’d been asleep, at least I know you would have been there for me. Gotten me out.”
Hell, yeah.
“Lora?”
They all turned at the call, and Kenton saw Seth MacIntyre jump out of the county arson truck. Seth hurried toward them. He winced a bit as he walked, favoring his leg. “I… heard… on the radio.” His gait picked up as he rushed toward her. His hand lifted as if he’d reach for her and hug her the way the others had, but then he shifted his stance and pulled back.
“Get your men working this arson right now,” Kenton told him and kept his hand on Lora’s back.
Seth nodded in fast agreement. “I’ll be with them, every step.” His gaze dipped back to Lora. “Are you going back to the firehouse? I can let you know what I find—”
“We’re staying until the scene is secure.” Because he knew that with an arson scene, the faster you processed evidence, the better chance you had of finding clues. The fire hadn’t gotten out of control. This time, they’d caught it early.
And maybe they’d find some clues.
Kenton hoped the perp had made a mistake. The cops were already interviewing Lora’s neighbors, looking for someone who might have seen something.
Like the truck that Bob had described.
Or an ass**le in a baseball cap.
Seth shoved a hand through his hair, wrecking the smooth style. “I’ll search every inch of the scene and interview every responder here.” His eyes were still on Lora. “I’m… sorry.”
Now that had her looking away from the flames.
“You were right.” Seth’s lips tightened. “I should have listened to you sooner. Maybe if I had… shit, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”
Kenton expected her to shoot back with a “Damn straight” but she just nodded and said, “Yes.”
“We’re gonna catch him, Lora,” Seth promised. “Carter…” His hands clenched into fists.
Kenton heard the echo of pain in that name and felt Lora stiffen.
“Carter’s gonna get his justice,” Seth said.
“All the victims deserve justice.” Kenton pushed Lora forward. He wanted her checked out by the EMTs. “And the perp starting the fires will get exactly what he deserves.” He’d make sure of it.
The SSD wouldn’t be leaving Charlottesville until they’d apprehended their serial. Since the unit had opened, no perp had gotten away from them.
Phoenix damn well wouldn’t be the first.
He waved to the closest EMT, motioning the guy over.
“No, Kenton,” Lora protested, “I’m fine, I don’t need…”
He brushed his lips over hers. Screw anyone watching. “Get checked, for me.”
She swallowed. “F-fine.”
When he was certain that she was secure, Kenton turned and surveyed the scene. Not just Lora’s yard, but the street, all the houses, every hiding spot he could see.
Jon strode to his side.
“You’ve watched before,” Kenton said. “But you didn’t see the guy here.” And if Jon hadn’t seen him, that meant the perp hadn’t come in close, then. He’d stayed back and probably watched through binoculars as he cased the street. Kenton ran a hand through his hair. “But this time, he had to get close to watch before he set the fire. A patrol was circling, so he would’ve needed a place to hide, a real close spot, while he waited for the cops to leave.”
Kenton’s gaze drifted over the area. There were a few hiding spots that caught his eye. The thick patch of trees to the right. The shadows near the garage on the left. “Where would you hide?” Kenton asked Jon because he knew Jon would find the best spot, the one that would provide a perfect view and the most protection.
“That’s where I hid before.” Jon pointed to the twisting trees.
They took off together, hurrying forward. Jon shone the flashlight on the ground as they tracked.
“Sonofabitch.” Kenton’s breath rushed out when he saw the match. One lone match had been snapped in half and tossed onto the ground. “Let’s get that in to the crime scene guys. Maybe the bastard left us some DNA.” A long shot, because this killer was very organized.
But Phoenix didn’t usually have to worry about leaving prints behind at the fire scenes. The flames destroyed the evidence.
Kenton stared down at that match. Maybe rage had made the perp sloppy. Maybe he’d made one dumb mistake.
If he had screwed up, then… we’ve got you, Phoenix.
They didn’t speak during the ride back to Kenton’s hotel. Lora knew that she could have stayed at the fire station, but the simple truth was that she’d wanted to be with Kenton.