“Because, as you were told, you didn’t say which fire. The first fire wasn’t a total loss for the Martins. That one also had a very distinct smell of gasoline. If I were to speculate on how the fire was contained to the front of the home, I’d say it was the fire department who saved most of the home. The insurance company they had, the one they had doubled their insurance policy on within two days before the fire, said they could build onto the remaining house.” She pulled out the picture that was in the file of the crime scene of the second fire. “The second fire, as you can see here, took down the entire house. I’d like to say it was a total loss, but I can’t. The barn and several places that you can put items in to store were filled with their belongings. The only things left in the house that we could find were two cans of dog food, a couch older than the house, as well as some broken toys. Before you ask me how I knew they were broken, they were in melted pieces when they were retrieved from the fire.”
Peck just stared at her. She smiled at him again when she told him that was her professional opinion as an artist too. Piper flipped to the second picture and brought it up so everyone could see. Before she could talk about it, Peck interrupted her again.
“Ms. Warrior, I’m sure you have a great deal of what you might consider evidence to the contrary, but the Martins have lost their home. Everything they hold dear to their hearts. Everything you’re saying right now is only your opinion. What if I told you I have a person here in the courtroom today that discounts every part of your testimony?” Piper told him to bring them in. She’d compare her notes with his. “Are you telling me and this courtroom that you’re a better expert than the person I have? That’s sort of prejudiced, isn’t it?”
She stared at him for a moment. “What the hell are you talking about? I in no way implied, nor said, that I was better than anyone. I said—quite nicely, I think—that I’d compare notes with his. I never once, not ever in my career, said I was better than anyone.” He stared at her, his face getting redder by the moment. Not from embarrassment, but because his anger at her was filtering through his flippant attitude. “Are you going to call out your witness, or are you going to stand here like a fish with your mouth hanging open?”
Piper glanced down at the paperwork she’d been handed. Pulling out the second set of pictures, she stared it for several seconds before something about the name occurred to her. Reaching out to the others, Piper asked if one of them could look something up for her. It was Duncan who answered her call.
Sure. I’m sitting in front of the computer now. What do you need? She told him what she thought she’d found on the files. That shouldn’t take long. So, you think this is a family affair, do you? Well, well, well. You’re correct. Mrs. Patti Hanger is the sister to Mr. Denny Martin. And guess what? As you have figured out, Mr. Martin has a stepbrother who also suffered a tragic fire to his home. Mr. Garland’s home was a total loss as well. Let me check on something else for you here.
When Peck asked her a question, she asked for a moment. Shuffling around the papers, she was getting a better timeline of the things going with the fires. Then Duncan got back to her with more information.
They used different insurance companies for each home. Garland actually went to one out of state to cover his ass. Also, I was able to pull up some records with rental storage units. Each of them rented two storage units a week before the fires. I’m sure if we were to go and look, we’d see pretty much the same furniture in them that they’re claiming to have been destroyed in the fires. What else can I do for you, Piper?
You’ve done more than I thought I’d have right now. She smiled at Peck when he asked her if she was going to answer his question, a question she had no idea he’d asked. I have to go. Pecker head is wanting some information from me.
Duncan was laughing as she closed up the connection. He was still there, of course, but he was no longer speaking to her. When Piper asked Montgomery for a wipe-off board, he said he had one in his office. While it was being brought out, Piper made notes on the timeline of each of the fires and what the families had done leading up to it. This was going to be epic.
She was invited to have lunch with Montgomery after the arrests were made, and everyone was finished laughing. It had been funny, and having all her ducks in a row like she had really put Peck on the defense. He also was fined for contempt of court when he wouldn’t shut up while she was explaining her information.
Declining the invite was overrun when Montgomery took her by the hand and nearly dragged her to the little café inside the courthouse. She’d not even been aware there was one here. Enjoying a nice thick roast beef sandwich, Montgomery told her what his plan was for her.
“I’m not sure you heard, but I’m moving. Soon.” He told her it didn’t matter where she lived, so long as she was able to go to suspicious fire scenes. “You’re meaning all of them, aren’t you?”
“I am. You’ll be well compensated. Insurance will be paid by the state you’re working in. Also, all hotel and accommodations you need to stick around for a couple of days will be paid
