A Brush with Murder by Bailee Abbott

Author:Bailee Abbott [Abbott, Bailee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Chapter Eleven

Smoke rose from the roof of Quaint Décor, but the backdrop of an inky sky made the trail barely noticeable. The smell that teared my eyes and the crackling flames, though, told the story. I stood next to Izzie, several yards away from the sight. Detective Barrett had gone to assist in whatever way possible. Ross joined him. The scene left me both sad and terrified. Firefighters hosed the roof while others broke the front window glass to search inside. I shuddered at the thought of what they might find. Or who.

“Is that Penny?” Izzie pointed to a spot directly in front of her shop, The Healing Touch. “And is Hunter right next to her?”

I blinked to relieve the sting in my eyes. Penny stood with her arms tightly crossed while shaking her head. Izzie was right. The detective stood next to the shop owner. In the next instant, he walked away. After a brief pause to say something to one of the firefighters, he headed our way. I could see beyond him as men came out of Quaint Décor. My knees weakened. They weren’t carrying a gurney or a body bag, thank goodness.

“I’m heading back to the office. Everything’s under control here, and I need to file a report.” He paused. “Thank you for inviting me to your event. Sorry things didn’t go like you planned.”

I bypassed the pleasantries and zoned in on one tiny detail. “File a report? Why do you need to file a report?”

“Well, seems the men found traces of a flammable liquid, and rags soaked in kerosene were left by the door.”

My heartbeat skipped. “The fire wasn’t an accident.” I played connect the facts, and it took me down a path I didn’t care to go down. My head shot up and my eyes widened to stare at Detective Barrett.

His look told me he was thinking the same thing.

“Oh wow. Do you think the guys from Infinity did this?” Izzie’s voice squeaked.

I bit my lip. Make that three minds thinking alike.

“Until I have the evidence to prove it, I can’t say.” Barrett stroked his jaw. “Just in case, I’ll ask the sheriff to have a couple of his deputies patrol the alley. If this was the work of an arsonist, he or she might return and set fire to more shops.”

Izzie hiccupped. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

I wrapped my arm around her waist while shooting Detective Barrett a steely glare. Even if it was unintentional, his suggestion about a crazy arsonist had set off Izzie’s panic button. “Let’s go close up the shop. I doubt anyone will come back to finish their paintings this evening.”

“The paintings!” Izzie dug her nails into my arm.

I winced and detached her fingers, one by one. “Don’t worry. We can email the guests and reschedule the event. You’ll see. Everything will be fine.”

“Chloe’s right. Safer to close up shop and go home,” Detective Barrett said.

“Yep. That’s where we’ll be as soon as possible. Come on, Izzie.” I tugged at her sleeve to hurry away.

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