Were there spontaneous fires in Shiloh Springs? Of course, especially when it had been hot and dry throughout a good chunk of the past couple of years. There’d been little rain this summer, and while they weren’t in official drought conditions, the whole county was pretty darn close. Add in Texas’ one hundred plus degree days and you had the makings of a perfect storm.
He might have chalked this up to local teens, sneaking around, smoking and getting high, if this was the first building to go up in flames. Nope, it was the fourth in as many months, a distinct pattern as far as he was concerned. They’d been lucky so far, nobody got hurt, but it was only a matter of time before somebody got careless.
Time to nip it in the bud before things got worse.
“What do ya think, Brody?” Dwayne, one of the volunteer firefighters who’d shown up to help, stood beside him, sweat pouring down his face. Streaks of black soot covered his skin and hair, and he swiped a sweaty forearm across his brow. “Personally, I think we’ve got a firebug on our hands.”
“Hate to say it, but you might be right.” Brody pointed to the charred path leading toward the collapsed structure. “My guess? Looks like somebody used an accelerant. We’ll know more once we can get inside and check things out.”
“You gonna tell the sheriff?”
Brody nodded, shoulders slumped. “Don’t see I’ve got much choice. Too much of a coincidence having this many spontaneous fires break out. All at unoccupied properties or abandoned sites like this one.”
“I think we’re about ready to head back to the station. Need a lift?”
“Thanks, I’ve got my truck. I’m going to head over to the sheriff’s office, then try to grab a couple hours’ shut eye. Tell the guys I’ll talk to them later. Appreciate their hard work. They did a great job.”
“Sure thing, Chief.”
Dwayne walked away, helmet under his arm, to the fire truck where the others were checking the equipment and reloading it for the return trip. Brody was proud of his guys, men and women who worked tirelessly when called upon. Tonight had been no exception. They’d worked and trained, making sure they maintained a ready status for nights like this, and they’d done an exceptional job, and he’d make sure they knew how much they were valued and appreciated.
With a weary sigh, he climbed behind the wheel of his pickup and headed into Shiloh Springs proper, pulling up in front of the sheriff’s station. It was early, but he spotted his brother’s car parked a few yards up the street. Though barely light outside, he wasn’t surprised his big brother was already in the office. In his opinion, Rafe was the finest sheriff Shiloh Springs ever had, and he worked harder than anybody to make sure the folks in his county felt safe. Too bad the news Brody brought might chuck a spanner in the works.
He jumped at the loud knock on his window. His brother Chance stood outside. Rolling the window down, he scrubbed a hand over his face, noting the smoky, charred scent. Probably should have showered before heading here.
“Anything wrong?”
“Another fire, this time at the abandoned Summers’ place. It’s out now, but the barn is a total loss.”
“That’s what, the fourth one?”
Brody nodded and climbed out of the car. “Yeah. Decided to stop off and talk with Rafe, update him on what’s happening, before I head home and try and grab a couple hours’ shut eye. Probably could have slept at the station, but I need some time to clear my head.”
“I’m heading in to see Rafe too. Mind if I sit in?”
“Sure, I’d welcome your input, Mr. District Attorney. You’re gonna hear all about it anyway, might as well update you both on what we’ve found.”
Chance held the door open, and they headed back toward Rafe’s office. The rest of the office seemed empty, though it wouldn’t be for long. Soon there’d be deputies dealing with the daily grind of small-town crimes. Sally Anne covered dispatch, along with most of the clerical work, because dispatch for the Shiloh Springs sheriff’s department wasn’t a high demand occupation. Most times, folks’ problems got solved without anybody ever leaving the office.
Rafe sat behind his desk, a stack of folders hovering near the edge, a tricky balancing act. One good gust of wind and the leaning tower would topple over, spilling papers everywhere. He glanced up as Brody and Chance walked in, and tossed his pen onto the desk. “Morning. Why didn’t you bring coffee?”
“Good morning to you too, grouch. I’d planned on inviting you to breakfast at Daisy’s, but since you’re in a foul mood…”
“Sorry, Chance. I hate paperwork, and these new state requirements are making things worse. Nowadays, if somebody sneezes inside a cell, we have to write up a report and send it to half a dozen agencies. It’s beginning to look like I can’t get anything done except deal with bureaucracy. I didn’t sign up for this. But, that’s my headache. What brings you guys by this early?”
“Let Brody go first. He’s been up all night.”
Rafe’s eyes narrowed, taking in everything with that perceptive cop stare he’d perfected, and Brody rolled his eyes. Great, now big brother was going to go into protective mode, like he’d always done even when they were kids. Rafe’s protective streak was a mile wide, and he had the compassionate heart to match. There wasn’t anything wrong with him a shower and some uninterrupted sleep wouldn’t fix. At least nothing physical.
“We had another fire last night.” Brody ease onto the chair across from Rafe’s desk, and Chance slid onto the other. “I hate
