Brody (Texas Boudreau Brotherhood #3) - Kathy Ivan
CHAPTER ONE
Watching the last smoldering board collapse onto the darkened, scorched earth, Brody Boudreau felt a growing weariness deep in his bones. This fire had burned hotter than an inferno. Hotter than a normal fire. His suspicion? It had been intentionally set. He’d wait until things cooled down enough to start a formal investigation, but his gut told him an accelerant aided in the destruction of the deserted old barn.
The only bright spot in an otherwise hellish night was the building had been abandoned years ago. Once a decent-sized working barn, now it was little more than a large empty structure. The aged and dry wood would have sparked like a rocket under normal circumstances. But this? Surveying the path of destruction leading away from the barn more than likely would prove to be gasoline, maybe kerosene.
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?”