Chapter 11: Truth

Later in the afternoon, Xander made a call and more people arrive to help search for the dogs and other animals.

"Dr. Carran," the fireman said. "Luckily, all of the animals had been set free before the fire. From what we can tell, no animals were in the building."

I nodded. "Thank you. But how could that be? How did they get free and not Maria and Macy?"

The fireman sighed. "I hate to say this, but it was arson. From the position of the bodies, it appears that the two ladies had been knocked unconscious before the fire was set, which would explain why you didn't hear any screams. Also, the arsonists probably set the animals free."

I nodded as tears welled up behind my eyes. "Why would they set the animals free but not Maria and Macy? It just doesn't make sense." I couldn't imagine what Macy and Maria had gone through in their final moments, conscious or not. "Is there any evidence, anything at all, that could tell us who did this?"

He shook his head. "No. But forensics is still worki