Santa Sleuth (11 page)

“An accident?”

“It’s feasible that the grill was left on and a flammable object such as a piece of paper or a napkin came into contact with the greasy surface and became enflamed. The real problem is that the fire burned through the wall behind the grill and entered the storage area, where a large quantity of fire starter was stored.”

“Ellie uses the fire starter for the outdoor BBQs in the summer and the warming pits in the winter.”

“Once the fire hit the accelerant the place went up quick. It was an old building and the wood walls and floors were nothing more than kindling for the fire. It’s a good thing you got out when you did.”

I took a minute to wrap my head around what Wiley was telling me while he shoveled more of his food into his mouth. “So it’s possible that someone could have stabbed Jason and left and the fire could have started at some point after that?”

“Sure, it’s possible. Hard to tell at this point if the killer set the fire to cover up any evidence that was left behind or if he somehow knocked something onto the hot grill but left before whatever it was burst into flame.”

The possibility that the fire was an accident created a whole new list of suspects in my mind. Kelly Arlington, for one. It had been speculated that she’d come to and stabbed Jason, but I hadn’t seen her setting fire to the place. What if she came to after Jason knocked me out, grabbed a knife—which could very well have been sitting on the counter, although I didn’t specifically remember one being there—stabbed Jason, and then passed out once again? The fire started, I woke up, saw the flames, grabbed Kelly, and got us both out of there. I tried to remember the placement of Kelly’s body during the course of the event. When I’d regained consciousness and seen the flames she was near the counter, not all that far from where Jason’s body was. I tried to remember where she had initially fallen. The whole thing was still a blur, but it seemed to me that she was closer to the door than to the counter. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t remember with any certainty, but the fact that the fire could have been an accident gave me a new train of thought to consider.

“Did you notice anything else that might help to explain what happened?” I asked.

“The place was already totally engulfed when we arrived. You were lying in the snow, not all that far from the building, next to Kelly. You were both unconscious. We had you transported to the hospital and then we worked to make certain the fire wouldn’t spread to any nearby trees.”

“So you didn’t try to retrieve Jason’s body at that point?”

“No. It was obvious that if anyone was inside the building they were already dead and it was much too dangerous to enter the building. This casserole is really good.” Wiley shoveled another forkful of food into his mouth. “Tell Ellie thanks from all of us.”

“I will. And thanks for the information. Did Jeremy call you about the puppies?”

“He did, and I have two of them at my house. Don’t worry; my power runs on a generator so they’re nice and toasty warm. I’m going to stop off to check on them when we head back out.”

“Did you happen to see Zak and Levi when you were out and about today?” I asked. “They’re in Zak’s truck.”

“I didn’t see them, but I overheard one of the guy’s mention that they were going to check on some of the folks who live off the old county road. It’s pretty isolated out there with the electricity being off and all.”

“Do you remember when that was?”

“Guessing about two hours ago or thereabouts.”

“Even with the road conditions, that seems like a long time.”

“I wouldn’t worry. Zak and Levi both know how to deal with the snow and road conditions. Chances are they might have been invited in to one of the homes they went to check on to warm up. Most of the homes out there have wood stoves.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I shouldn’t worry. Enjoy the rest of your dinner. Jeremy and I really should be getting back to the community center. I’m sure Ellie and the kitchen crew need our help.”

After saying our good-byes, we headed back out to my truck.

“Wiley said Zak and Levi went to check on the residents who live off the old county road two hours ago. They really should be back by now. I’m getting worried that they might have slid off the road and are sitting in a ditch. I’m going to go look for them. I can drop you back at the community center if you’d prefer.”

“If you’re going out into the county in this storm I’m going with you. Let’s let someone know where we’re going, though, just in case
we
get stuck.”

I called Ellie, who asked if she could come along after I informed her of our plans. The food had all been served and the natives were getting restless. She confessed that she was ready for some fresh air and a break from the noise and busyness of the community center. I told her to let Phyllis and a few others know where we were going and then meet us out in the front of the building. If everything was fine and Zak and Levi didn’t need rescuing, we should be back in thirty minutes tops.

“Do you have a shovel and tow chain in the truck?” Jeremy asked.

I nodded. “I also have tire chains, and my dad gave the winch a tune-up before he left on his trip. There’s no way we’re getting stuck.”

My dad had specially outfitted the truck I use when I first began working in animal rescue. It was not only large and heavy with a high clearance but he’d had it specially weighted to provide maximum traction. It was a four-wheel-drive monster that was close to impossible to find a parking space for but could handle pretty much any weather conditions you threw at it.

I pulled up in front of the community center, where Ellie was waiting. She climbed inside and I pulled back onto Main.

“Thanks for picking me up. I really needed a break from the ruckus.”

“No problem,” I answered. “It’s pretty loud with so many people packed into such a small space.”

“Yeah, it’s really great that everyone has come together and seems to be having a great time, but with everyone talking at once it’s louder in that building than a rock concert.”

“Why do you think I keep volunteering for things that take me outside?”

I filled Jeremy and Ellie in on my conversation with Wiley as I slowly navigated the road out of town.

“Wow,” Ellie responded. “The fire was an accident?”

“Maybe. Wiley wasn’t certain, but based on the sequence of events it very well could have been.”

“I’m honestly not sure if that makes me feel better or worse. If it was an accident, then my decision to keep the fire starter in the storeroom could be the primary reason the building was a total loss.”

“Someone still had to have knocked something onto the grill and Kelly still had to have left the grill on,” I pointed out.

“It is odd that Kelly would have left the grill on,” Ellie commented. “She’s usually pretty careful about that.”

“What if she turned the grill on because she was going to make herself something to eat and then Jason came in and distracted her?” Jeremy suggested.

“I suppose it could have happened that way,” Ellie said. “If the grill hadn’t been cleaned yet there would be residual grease on it, and if a flammable object came into contact with it when it was hot it could have burst into flames.”

“So if the fire was an accident are you back to thinking Kelly might have stabbed Jason?” Jeremy asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe. She said she didn’t, but she’s also said on more than one occasion that she can’t remember what happened from the time I first arrived until she woke up in the hospital. What if she woke up and saw me on the floor? Maybe she was just trying to protect me, or maybe Jason came after her and she was trying to protect herself. If there was a knife on the counter she would be the one to have put it there. Maybe she remembered the knife, grabbed it, stabbed Jason, and then passed out.”

“What about the man you thought you saw?” Jeremy asked.

“I don’t know. I feel like I remember someone else coming in, but it isn’t clear, so I can’t be certain. I wish the fog that’s been hindering my memories would clear a bit.”

I pulled off the main highway onto the old county road. The main highway leading out of town had been recently plowed and the snow had slowed considerably, so navigating wasn’t too bad. The old road, which was only used by the local residents once the new one was built almost ten years ago, was an entirely different story. Luckily, there were snow poles to sort of identify the road; otherwise I would have ended up in someone’s pasture more likely than not.

“I hope we don’t get stuck,” Ellie worried.

“If we do I’ll winch us out.”

I drove slowly as I tried to figure out exactly where the road ended and the shoulder began. The homes on this stretch of road were scattered pretty sparsely. It was as much as a quarter of a mile between driveways at some points. Most of the homes were dark, leading me to believe that the majority of the residents had gone into town before the snow got too deep. It took longer than I’d anticipated to make it to the end of the road. I was disappointed that we hadn’t found Zak’s truck. On the other hand, I was relieved that he hadn’t gotten stuck. I pulled into the last driveway at the end of the road only to find Zak’s truck parked in front of a mostly dark house. There was a slight flicker of light from the back of the house, which I assumed came from a wood fire and candles.

“I wonder what the guys are doing here,” Ellie murmured.

“Isn’t this where Hilary Fineland lives?” I asked.

“Yeah, I think it is,” Jeremy answered.

Hilary was pregnant with her first child. She wasn’t due for another month, so I really hoped everything was okay, but I did notice that her husband’s truck wasn’t in front of the house. Ellie, Jeremy, and I got out and approached the house.

The situation was exactly as I’d feared. Hilary was in labor and her husband, Jerry, who had gone for help because the phone wasn’t working, had never come back.

“What can we do?” I asked Zak, who seemed to have taken charge of the situation.

“It looks like we’re going to need to deliver this baby,” Zak informed me. “It’s much too late to leave here and I haven’t been able to get through to Jerry to see if help is on the way.”

I went into the room where Hilary was in bed. Tears were streaming down her face, although I wasn’t certain whether they were the result of pain or fear or both.

I took the woman’s hand in mine. “Hey, Hilary. Zak and I are going to help you deliver your baby and Ellie is going to help you with your breathing. I just need you to relax as much as you can.”

“Do you know how to deliver a baby?”

“Actually, I delivered my sister Harper. It’s easier than you think. I’m going to go wash my hands and Zak is going to gather a few supplies. Ellie is going to stay here with you, but we’ll be back in just a few minutes.”

“Okay.” Hilary actually looked a bit more confident.

“Are you okay to do this?” Zak asked when we left the bedroom.

“Do we have a choice?”

“No,” Zak admitted. “I guess not. How did you find us?”

“I got worried when I couldn’t get hold of you so I came looking. Why didn’t you just put her in your truck and take her into town?”

“The labor came on quick. Jerry was already gone when Levi and I stopped by. I was afraid she would deliver during the drive into town. I was also afraid we could get stuck. We talked about it and decided it was best just to stay put and hope for the best.”

“Okay.” I took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”

Luckily, the labor was quick and the delivery problem-free. I stood back and watched Hilary as she cuddled her new baby. I could hear the sound of plows in the distance. Chances were help was finally on the way.

I couldn’t help but notice Ellie watching Hilary. She had a smile on her face that didn’t quite conceal a look of longing. I noticed Levi watching Ellie, and I couldn’t help but see the look of sadness that washed over his face.

Chapter 9

Monday, December 21

If any of you have ever wondered what happens when you combine a hundred rolls of wrapping paper, twenty bags of bows, yards of ribbon, and twenty-seven eager helpers, the answer is total insanity. Granted it was the wonderful sort of insanity that occurred when people you loved came together to lend their support for a magical cause. Alex and Eve’s toy drive for their Secret Santa program had been such a huge success that my bet was that there wouldn’t be a single child in all of Ashton Falls who would have to do without this coming Christmas morning.

“I hope you won’t be needing your living room between now and Wednesday,” Phyllis commented.

“I’ve already shooed Zak and the boys into the den with strict instructions that the living room is off limits until Alex, Eve, and I are able to make the deliveries.”

“Brooklyn, Pepper, and I are available to help with deliveries as well if you need some extra hands,” Phyllis offered.

“I thought Alex said Brooklyn was going home for Christmas.”

“She was. She actually had an airline ticket for last Saturday, but the flight was canceled due to the storm. I offered to help her make new arrangements, but she said she was on the fence about going home anyway, and because Pepper was staying, she wanted to be here with her new family for the holiday.”

I could see Phyllis was delighted by the turn of events.

“I’m sure we can use all your help. We’ll meet here at the house on Wednesday morning and map out a delivery plan.”

“Where should I put these cookies?” Town librarian and my grandpa’s girlfriend Hazel Hampton asked after joining us.

“Just put them on the table with the other things.” It seemed that pretty much everyone who’d come by to help today had brought cookies, candy, or other holiday treats. “Where’s Grandpa?”

“He headed back to the den to hang out with Zak. It looks like you have a great turnout.”

“And it’s a good thing too. I can’t believe how many toys the girls managed to collect. They worked really hard and I couldn’t be prouder.”

I watched as Hazel walked to the dessert table to drop off her offering. I was having the best time. Everyone was in a happy and festive mood as they wrapped gifts and talked about their own holiday plans.