Chapter 4
Helen Grace flashed her warrant card and slipped under the police cordon, walking quickly toward the heart of the chaos.
Three fire engines were parked outside Travell’s Timber Yard, and more than a dozen firefighters were tackling a blaze of monumental proportions.
Even from this safe distance, Helen could feel the intense heat—it rolled over her, clinging to her hair, her eyes, her throat, seeming to revel in its power and appetite for destruction.
Travell’s Timber Yard was one of the largest in Southampton, a prosperous family business popular with tradesmen and builders for the length of Hampshire.
But little or nothing of this successful venture would survive the night.
From humble beginnings, this city center outlet had grown year on year, culminating in the construction of a huge warehouse where timber of every variety, shape and size could be found.
Helen watched now as this cavernous building raged in flame, its metal skeleton shrieking in the heat as the windows shattered and fire rained down like confetti from the disintegrating roof.
“Who the hell are you? You can’t be here.”
Helen turned to see a firefighter from the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service approaching her. His face was caked in dirt and sweat.
“Detective Inspector Helen Grace, Major Incident Team, and actually I have every right—”
“I don’t care if you’re Sherlock Holmes. That roof is going to go any second and I don’t want anyone standing nearby when it does.”
Helen cast an eye over the roof in question. It was buckling now as the fire ripped through it, seeking new fuel and fresh oxygen. Instinctively she took a step back.
“Keep going. There’s nothing for you here.”
“Who’s in charge?”
“Sergeant Carter, but he’s a bit busy at the moment.”
“Who’s the fire investigation officer on duty?”
“No idea.”
He walked back toward the fire engines—two of which were now moving away from the scene.
“You’re leaving?” Helen asked, incredulous.
“Nothing we can do here, except contain it. So we’re being sent elsewhere.”
“What are we looking at? Any chance it could have been accidental? An electricity short? Discarded cigarette?”
The exhausted firefighter cast a withering look in her direction. “Three major fires on the same night. All starting within an hour of each other. This wasn’t an accident.” He fixed her with a fierce stare. “Someone’s been having a bit of fun.”
The lead fire engine paused as it passed, allowing the firefighter time to clamber up into the passenger seat.
He didn’t look back at Helen—she was already forgotten, he and his team discussing the trials that still lay ahead.
Helen watched the flashing blue lights disappear down the street before returning her attention to the huge conflagration behind.
Seconds later, the roof collapsed inward, sending a vast cloud of hot smoke and ash billowing toward her.