Chapter 24 #2
Clips of the lab, fully engulfed in flames, flashed through Tyler’s mind—closer, closer…
closer—and he closed his eyes, determined to focus.
The waves of fire, rolling up the walls and over the ceiling, scorching everything in its path.
The blast of heat, so powerful that he’d had to push himself through it, his muscles screaming with every step.
The containment system that had failed, the containers of ethanol, the HazMat suits…
Tyler’s chin snapped up, his pulse slamming in realization.
“The HazMat suits,” he blurted, winging his gaze over each of his squad-mates.
“Whoever set the fire couldn’t have just walked in and dumped all that ethanol in the lab and the ventilation system, then dropped a match and walked out.
He would’ve needed a HazMat suit to handle the ethanol alone. ”
“That’s true,” Hawk said. “The fumes alone could kill a person. Splashing it all over the place, then setting it on fire? No way anyone could do that without gear. The risk of smoke inhalation or being taken down by the heat would be too high.”
Tyler’s brain spun, all the pieces slotting into place with a click.
Christ, of course. “This guy knew there would be ethanol he could use as an accelerant in the lab. He knew exactly where to put it, and exactly where Navarro’s DNA was.
He knew how to take down the entire system to set this fire.
He had to have known there would be HazMat suits there to keep him protected while he did the job. ”
Dallas started to nod, catching on. “He’d have had to leave it behind and bank on it being destroyed by the fire, along with the DNA and any other evidence he’d been there. No way someone that smart would risk taking it with him and getting caught with it near the scene.”
Hawk’s green-gray eyes lit with realization. “But if it wasn’t destroyed, there’d be DNA on the respirator. If it matches Navarro’s, then we’ve got him for the arson.”
Adrenaline kicked Tyler in the throat, and he commanded his voice not to shake. “And even if it doesn’t, we could trace whoever it belongs to back to him,” he said, “and then we’d have them both.”
“I’ll call Addison,” Ryan said, his phone already in his hand.
Tyler had his at the ready, too. “I’ll call Nat. I’m going to need to look at the case file again.” He thought of Esme, and how Chloe would do anything to keep her safe.
He’d do anything to keep both of them safe. Nothing was going to happen to them on his watch. Not today. Not ever.
“It’s time to put this guy away for good.”
Simon read the report on the laptop in front of him. Calmly read it again. Digested all of the information within.
And then hurled the laptop against the wall.
Remington Fire Department, Arson Investigation Unit…reopened case #5193, Dynamics Lab Corp…forensic testing performed on items recovered from the scene…DNA results pending…investigation active.
Simon picked up his phone, not even waiting for Runner’s obnoxious greeting to come over the line. “Please tell me why the RFD has re-opened the arson investigation on the lab fire.”
“Well, hello, to you, too,” Runner grumbled.
Simon clenched his teeth so hard, his molars were in danger of cracking. “Do not toy with me. Your last report on that investigation was that it had been shelved as a cold case due to lack of evidence. I want to know what has changed.”
“Just a swing in the dark, but I’m guessing they found evidence,” Runner said, and Simon mentally upped the body count on his To Do list.
For now, though, he needed the information. “As we’ve established before, I don’t pay you to guess.”
“You don’t pay me to set fires, either. I got you in the door and killed the containment systems. That was my job.” At Simon’s silence, Runner let out a slow sigh, followed by the tapping of keys in the background. “Fine. I’m looking.” More tapping, then, “Huh, that’s interesting.”
Simon gripped the phone to his ear. He did not have the patience for this. “What?”
“Okay, it looks like the Arson Investigation Unit reopened the case after a search of the inventory from the fire scene turned up a HazMat suit. Or what was left of one, anyway. It was pretty badly damaged by the fire. But that’s not what has my Spidey senses tingling.”
Putting a pin in the HazMat suit, Simon prompted, “I’m listening.”
“The guy who had the case reopened is one of the rescue squad firefighters who responded to the call. The same one who was poking around at the scene a couple of weeks ago with that redhead.”
“Tyler Gates.” Simon never forgot details, especially not ones that could cause a threat. Damn it! He’d known Gates might try to play hero after he’d gone sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. But he hadn’t counted on the firefighter actually being smarter than he looked.
Not that he was as smart as Simon. There had been dozens of HazMat suits in the lab, and Simon had placed his where he’d been sure it would be destroyed, just like Leo’s DNA.
This wasn’t anything to worry about. Gates might have had a lucky idea, but it wouldn’t get him or the Arson Investigation Unit anywhere.
Simon’s plan had been perfect. He didn’t make mistakes. His suit had been destroyed.
“That’s him,” Runner said. “I’m assuming you want me to keep tabs on him?”
“For now,” Simon said dismissively before changing tack. He could deal with the firefighter if he had to, but right now, there were more pressing matters at hand. “Where are you on the witness?”
Runner’s pause was not a good sign. “I told you, it’s going to take time.”
“And I told you I don’t care,” Simon said in reminder.
“Look, this isn’t like an action movie, okay?
I can’t just hit, like, six fucking keys and then tell you in a creepy hacker voice, ‘I’m in.
’ Real access to a highly secure database is like brain surgery, only with higher stakes, especially if I need to get in and out undetected. I can’t make it go any faster.”
You absolute weakling. His mother’s voice was cold in his ear. You think you’re smarter than Leo? Please. You can’t even get this one thing done. You’re worthless. You’ve always been worthless. Worthless. Worthless. WORTHLESS.
Just like that, Simon’s calm disintegrated.
“You have forty-eight hours to figure something out. I don’t care what it takes. I want the name of that witness, even if it kills you.”