“An hour ago, maybe less. We were called immediately by the other occupants of the building. I have the call log if you give me a moment.”
Senior Officer Lord consulted her laptop. “10:42pm to be precise.”
“I presume it’s too early to tell what caused it?”
“Arson … very plain. Probably triggered by something as crude as pouring a flammable substance all over the floor of the flat. The only saving grace is that the walls of this former factory have been treated with fire retardant paint. Otherwise, the other occupants might have had a tough time escaping.”
“A professional job?” Pole zipped up his biker jacket. The wind had picked up and the charred building still showed a few incandescent spots that the firefighters were tackling.
“Too early to tell, Inspector … It does not take a pro to spill petrol over a surface and strike a match. But we’ll know more once we have analysed the pattern of the fire.”
“You mean, whatever substance was used would have been poured precisely for maximum impact?”
“That’s right.” A firefighter approached Senior Officer Lord. She nodded towards the smouldering structure.
“How many sources of fire left?”
“Only two small residual spots …” The young man’s face was well shielded by his protective helmet, perspiration still pearling on his forehead.”
“Great job.” Senior Officer Lord smiled.
“Thanks Cap … glad the wind only picked up now.”
“Always grateful for small mercies.” The young man disappeared back towards the blackened structure.
“Is it possible to take a look inside?” Pole ventured. “Following one of your firefighters.”
“Unless you are a fire expert you won’t gather very much from what you see.”
“I just want to get a feel. But I wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk.”
Senior Officer Lord sized up Pole for a moment and called one of her men.
“Is it safe enough for DCI Pole to enter?”
The young man eyed Pole for a short moment.
“With breathing apparatus, that could work. But we turn back if I spot anything I don’t like.”
Pole nodded.
“Alright DCI Pole … but no heroics.” She grinned.
“I have seen the Towering Inferno … I’ll be as good as gold.”
Senior Officer Lord squinted for a moment and burst into laughter. The film dated back to the mid-70s. Pole grinned in turn. She would have been born around the time it came out.
“The only reason I know that film is because I started an impressive collection of disaster movies when I was a teenager.”
The young firefighter came back with a breathing mask, helmet and fireproof jacket and trousers. Pole dropped his helmet near his bike … “Now I feel like Steve McQueen.”
“With this bike of yours, you’re convincing … remember though, no heroics.”
Pole gave the thumbs up and followed his guide into the building.
* * *
The acrid smell of melted plastic and burnt paint seeped through the filters of his helmet. The stairwell was covered with a thick layer of soot that felt sticky to the touch. The old factory had been split into four lofts, only three of which were occupied.
Pole soon arrived in front of Cora’s door. It was wide open and he noticed that it had not been forced open. Whoever had set the place alight had entered the property after opening the door with a key.
Inside the loft the fire had ravaged anything that was combustible. Before that, however, the place had been gone through. The debris of broken pottery had not been caused by collapsing shelves. The bookcase had been thrown down, its contents spilling over the floor. Cushions had been scattered around, now blackened and half burnt. The coffee table stood on its side. Glass shattered everywhere.
Pole’s guide indicated he should be careful. The fire had started to eat through the structure of the building and a hole had appeared in the middle of the room. Pole suspected it must have been one of the combustion spots where flammable liquid had been poured. Looking at the room, Pole recognised the same pattern on the east side of the large lounge. Something to remember. The liquid had not been poured randomly but placed methodically at the chosen points. Not a random act of arson or a burglar gone mad. Someone had been seeking to cover their tracks.
Pole’s companion suddenly nudged him. A faint glow had appeared near a spot in the floor that threatened to collapse. “We need to go.” He called the team and a couple of firefighters rushed through the main door as they were leaving the flat.
“The wind is not helping,” he said as they descended the stairwell in haste. Pole thanked him and let him go back to his task of securing the building.
Senior Officer Lord had moved to the east side of the property. Pole handed back his equipment and changed back into his biker jacket. He hesitated for a moment. She must have sensed him looking in her direction. She waved a hand and called him over. “What do you make of it … if anything?”
“I’ll answer your question if you answer mine first.”
“Go on.”
“Would a well-positioned number of fires around a room cause the floor to collapse rapidly?”
Senior Officer Lord looked surprised. This was an astute technical question.
“If you know what you are doing and you know the structure of the building … yes, that would be possible.”
Pole nodded and ran his hand through his hair.
“Then I know what I’m looking at.”
Chapter Three
Cora was still wrapped up in the blanket Nancy had thrown around her shoulders when she was carried unconscious into the flat. She was hugging a large mug, the contents of which smelt delicious. Pole had announced himself with a short ring, using his set of keys to let himself in.
“NCA has been.” Nancy had stood up and moved to the hallway to greet him. She managed a smile. It was good to have his solid presence to share the load of a case. A few years ago, she would have
