Chapter 14

Kristi sat between Hank O'Korn and Jared as the people on her shift gathered around the big table in the lounge. Captain Stewart stood at the head of the table with a man she recognized as arson investigator Dan Varney. She knew he'd addressed the others late yesterday. Both men had hard, serious expressions on their faces.

"I'm going to let Dan handle this meeting," Captain Stewart said. "He needs no introduction to all of you, and you're aware he's here because we have a serious problem."

Everyone was silent while they waited for Dan to begin. They had all worked the three recent terrible fires, and arson had been on everyone's mind.

"I'd like to have better news for you," he began, "but, unfortunately, we've determined that these fires were deliberately set. Arson. What we call, as you know, incendiary. They all began on the first floor, in the back, in an empty room. Piles of old cloths and newspapers were used, covered with paint thinner, which is a dangerous incendiary." He looke