Street Smart by Teyla Branton

Author:Teyla Branton [Branton, Teyla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Paranormal suspense, Paranormal mystery, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Woman sleuth, Thrillers, Occult & Supernatural, Contemporary romance, Clean and wholesome romance
ISBN: 978-1-948982-13-9
Publisher: White Star Press
Published: 2019-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Even from two blocks away I could smell the smoke. When I arrived at Manny’s, the road in front of the house was lined with two fire trucks and two police cars. Definitely not good. No wonder Manny hadn’t answered my call, and this must have been why Detective Howard had rushed away from the school.

I’d have a thing or two to say to him about that.

As I parked, one of the fire trucks pulled away. I could see people inside the house through the open door, so though the house was still smoking, the damage obviously wasn’t extensive. Neighbors from up and down the street were milling about in the street, talking excitedly.

Pushing through them, I hurried up the walkway. A police officer I knew only vaguely started to stop me at the door but let me through as he recognized me. I found Peirce, Detective Howard, Manny, and Drum in the kitchen, standing near the sliding glass door that was open to the back yard.

“What happened?” I asked.

For a moment, no one answered. Manny gazed at me with a broken look, Howard with irritation, and Drum with an angry glare.

“There was a fire in the Barnes’s crawlspace under the house,” Peirce said, his red hair looking more than ever like fire in the quiet room. “They were able to put it out before it did any damage to the main house, except for one of the bedrooms, but they’ve found Mrs. Barnes’s bike inside the crawlspace.”

“Pieces of it, you mean,” Manny shot. “Her perfect bike.” He stumbled to a chair and sank into it. “She loved it so much.”

“They think he did it.” Drum growled. “And used the fire to cover it up.” He glared at Howard. “No freakin’ way. You got this all wrong. Manny would never, ever hurt Sariah.”

Ignoring the outburst, Howard said, “That’s not the only evidence they found.”

“What else?” I demanded.

Howard met my gaze. “Some clothes and personal items that may have belonged to Sariah Barnes. We believe the fire was set to eliminate evidence—and it may have succeeded.”

He was probably right. I hadn’t found anything that obliterated imprints on objects, though they faded with time. Burning by fire might do the job.

“It wasn’t me,” Manny said, popping up from his chair with a sudden burst of energy. “Why would I hide her bike?”

Detective Howard rounded on him. “To make us think she left you. What did you do with her?”

His sureness ignited my fury, but it was to Manny I spoke. “I know you didn’t do this, and I will find out who did with or without Detective Howard’s help. In the meantime, don’t say another word.” To Howard, I added, “Are you going to arrest him? Because if not, he’ll be leaving with me now.”

“Oh, I’m going to arrest him.” Howard tossed a pair of handcuffs to Peirce. “Especially if he’s done talking.”

“He’s done talking,” Drum said. “We’ll get you an attorney. Don’t worry, buddy.”

Manny turned to him, eyes leaking. “Life’s not worth living without Sariah.

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