Licorice Kisses by DiAnn Mills

Author:DiAnn Mills
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-02-08T05:00:00+00:00

Eleven

Regan reread the Harringer warehouse fire notes. He’d typed his investigative report from his tape recorder and printed out the pictures from his digital camera. The only fact he knew for sure was the point of origin, but the mystery still lay in the cause.

The main office had not fully burned, which allowed him to inspect the closet door housing the burglar and fire alarm systems. It seemed a bit peculiar for the arsonist to use a crowbar to gain access to the closet, then leave it there for the firefighters to find. Too simple, too easy. But the entry had allowed him to disconnect the wires to both systems.

Regan refused to list the cause of the fire as undetermined. By the time he finished probing through the remains, the arsonist had better be ready to confess or take the next flight out of the country.

Scrolling down his list of phone numbers on his personal digital assistant, Regan found Patrick Montgomery’s number. While he waited for the lawyer’s office to answer, he closed the door with his foot. No point in anyone else hearing the conversation. How stupid he’d felt when he’d learned Anita and Patrick’s relationship was business related—and for Rhonda’s sake. Good thing he hadn’t made a fool of himself that Sunday after church when he saw them together. Shaking his head, Regan listened for Patrick’s secretary to put him through.

“Patrick, Regan Moore here. I’ve been thinking we might help each other in a mutual venture.”

“How’s that?”

“By swapping a bit of information about a certain friend of ours.”

“And who are we talking about?”

“Craig Harringer.”

“Keep talking.” Regan heard the man’s chair turn. Obviously he had the attorney’s attention.

“You know his warehouse burned night before last, and I intend to announce arson in the morning.”

“Interesting.”

“Forced entry with a crowbar. One of the firefighters found it. Now someone could be holding a grudge against our buddy, or he might have had a hand in it himself. What puzzles me is his father holds the purse strings, but he’s always untied them the moment Craig squealed money. I don’t see why Craig would be pressed for money with Jacob always there to hand out more.”

“Except Jacob isn’t fueling Craig’s pockets anymore.”

Regan chuckled at Patrick’s choice of words. “Since when?”

“Since Rhonda took him to court this last time. When Craig beat her so badly she needed hospitalization, Jacob walked out of the courtroom.”

“I’d heard rumors about that but didn’t know for sure.” Regan tapped his pen on the desktop. “Interesting.”

“You stole my line.” This time Patrick laughed. “Truth is, Craig’s broke. Blown every penny.”

Motive.

“Do you suppose Jacob would talk to me?” Patrick asked.

“I doubt it. He threatened to sic his Doberman on me the last time I paid a call. So what are you thinking?”

“Oh. . .probably the same thing you are.”

Regan dropped his pen. “I’ll keep in touch. Talk to you soon.” He replaced the handset and stared wistfully out the window. Hard to believe September had come to Oklahoma with its still hot temps but a promise of cooler days to come.

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