Red Nights - Shari J. Ryan Page 0,43
my ear and rub under my eyes, wiping at the caked on mascara that probably makes me look like a raccoon.
Caller: Miss Stone, this is Detective Louis with the Providence Police Department. Some things have come up during the investigation of your house fire that we’d like to discuss with you. Could you give us a call back here at: 401-423-7772 when you have a moment? Thank you.
My stomach goes sour. I might throw up. I haven’t had to deal with anyone in regard to the fire, in an official capacity anyway…not since I left the hospital. I wasn’t even sure how this would all work, but I guess I’ll find out.
I call back, each ring causing a minor heart attack. After asking to speak to Detective Louis, I’m on hold. There isn’t even any cheesy elevator music to distract me. It feels like an eternity. I just want to know what’s going on.
“This is Detective Louis.”
Oh God. “Hi…uh…Sir, this is Felicity Stone, returning your call about the house fire.”
He clears his throat and pauses before saying anything. “Thank you for returning my call, Miss Stone. We have the initial reports back from the fire department. It’s a brief summary, really. A more detailed investigation is in progress and we’ll have more information in the coming days or weeks.”
“Okay.”
“Miss Stone, it’s been determined that the fire was arson.” Arson.
As in, intentionally set…
“I don’t…what do you mean?” I ask, my voice shaking with every word.
“This is a very serious matter. And being that you’re the owner of the home and were present at the time of the fire, we need to ask you some questions.” My body goes cold, like I’ve been drained of all my blood. “What else do you need to know? I told Detective Earnst everything when I was in the hospital. “
“Miss Stone, in situations like this, we have to look at everyone involved as a potential suspect.” Suspect? They think I could have purposely set my house on fire?
“Why would I start a fire in my own home? A fire that killed my brother? My brother who I didn’t even know was home!” My anger is blatant, and I don’t care. I didn’t set my house on fire.
“It’s a formality, I assure you. We just need you to come down to the station to answer a few questions. Detective Earnst, the lead detective on the case, will be following up with you to schedule a time to speak. Have a good day.”
Have a good day? “Shit!” I yell a little too loud. I hear Aspen’s door fly open just before she reappears in my doorway, her eyes stretching open as she pulls her hair into a messy bun on the top of her head. “What’s wrong?”
“They want to question me. They said I’m a suspect, Aspen.” I’m shaking and stunned. I think I’ve forgotten how to blink, watching the cracks in the walls sway from side to side.
“Felicity,” her voice pulls me out of my gaze. She closes her eyes like she’s trying to comprehend everything I’m saying. “What are you talking about?”
“They’re calling the fire arson, and they said I’ll be questioned as a suspect,” I cry out. Then I lose it entirely, with unstoppable tears and an ache in my stomach that won’t go away until this is all cleared up. Aspen hands me a bunch of tissues and sits down next to me on the bed. Her hand on my back and her quiet shushes in my ear don’t help. They make my heart beat harder and heavier.
“It’s obviously going to be cleared up after they question you, hon. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Aspen, it may not have been me, but someone set my house on fire. How can you say I have nothing to worry about?”
Her hand stops moving up and down my back. I’m pretty sure she stops breathing for a second, too. “Who would do that?” She stands up, the tip of her thumb clamped between her teeth. She paces back and forth, like she’s thinking of possible suspects. “Were you drunk that night? Did you maybe do something you can’t remember?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I shout. “No, I wasn’t drunk that night. I worked all day, came home, made dinner and went to bed.”
“Okay, okay. I was just running through ideas in my head. Calm down.” She stops pacing, focusing her attention on me, her eyes large and her mouth agape. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said