Chapter 45
Victor
“Yes, sir, that’s what the kids told us.
” My voice is raspy and tired. We’ve gone over the story so many times with this officer, I’m just not sure what the problem is.
This is starting to feel like an interrogation.
Of course, it doesn’t help that we’re in this room.
No windows, a table, and three chairs pushed into a corner with our backs against the wall, and a detective sitting between us and the door.
I’m pretty sure that criminals on prime-time crime shows had better digs during questioning.
“I know you’re both tired, Mr. and Mrs. Scott.
I just want to go over what I have one more time, then you can head out.
” Gabbi and I nod. “The girls said they were up late watching TV in the living room when they smelled burning. They got up and looked around the house to see if something was burning. When they reached the staircase, they saw smoke and flames coming from the oldest’s bedroom.
” He looks down at his paper, “Kerri’s room, correct?
” Gabbi and I both tell him that’s the same story the girls told us.
“Okay, so when they saw the flames and smoke, they ran next door to the Harris’ house to speak with their son, one, Trip Harris?” Jesus christ, we’ve already told him his name like a million fucking times.
“Yes, Trip Harris is a friend of the family. We told them to go to him if there were any issues.” I’m trying to keep the irritation from my voice, but I can only hold back so much.
“Right, Trip is a family friend. So that would be why he ran into your burning house and moved all of your vehicles to the street?” The suspicion in this officer’s voice is about to set me the fuck off.
“Yes,” I answer through gritted teeth. When Trip told us that he ran in the damn burning house to move our vehicles, I could have ripped a car door off, I was so mad at him for putting himself in danger for material shit.
Instead, I just hugged him and told him I was glad he was safe and thanked him again for protecting the girls.
“Okay, and you all were out of town until you received a phone call from your daughter, to which you all immediately drove home?” I can feel Gabbi’s anger seeping out of her pores as the officer finishes his ‘recap’.
“YES! What the hell is going on right now? Why does this feel like an interrogation?” There’s my fireball. God, it’s so hot when she gets like this.
“Ma’am, please calm down.” It feels like ice water was just poured on me, and I’m pretty sure gasoline was just splashed on Gabbi’s fire. I need to diffuse this; otherwise, I might end up having to bail my sexy ass wife out of jail.
“Officer,” I look at his name tag like I couldn’t be bothered to know his name, “Buchannon, I think what my wife is trying to say is that we lost our house last night, and our kids are traumatized. Can you please tell us the reason we’ve gone over this story fifteen times now?”
The officer lets out a sigh right before he rocks my world for the second time in twelve hours. “There’s suspicion that this was arson.”
“What!?!” Gabbi and I are both taken aback by his words.
“The pattern of the fire, where it started, the lack of simple explanations…there’s also evidence that an accelerant may have been used.”
“And you believe that our daughters are responsible for this?” Gabbi asks in disbelief.
“Honestly, Mrs. Scott, we don’t know. What we do know is that Trip Harris has made a name for himself around here, which seemed to carry over from his previous place of residence. I just want you to know we’re looking into it, so your house is a crime scene until further notice.”
For fuck’s sake!