Edward dialed Bella’s number for the hundredth time since they returned back to the fire investigation lab. It went straight to voicemail. He frowned, hanging up without leaving a message. He tried it again and again, each time going to voicemail. “Damn it. Chief?”
“What is it, Edward?” Charlie replied.
“Have you tried calling Bella or Renee?” he asked. “Have you called the cops?”
“I’ve called the cops and they’re sending someone to talk to me regarding the coffee shop fire,” Charlie answered. “Rose is still on the phone with the commissioner.”
“Try calling your wife, Chief. I’ve got this sinking feeling that something’s happened to Bella and Renee,” Edward choked out.
“Okay, Edward,” Charlie agreed, nodding as he took out his cell phone. He dialed Renee’s number and it also went to voicemail. “She’s not answering.”
“Not answering or going straight to voicemail,” Edward pressed.
“Voicemail,” Charlie snapped. “What’s the difference? They were going to a spa today. Their phones may be off.” Edward gave his boss an exasperated look. “You’re freaking out.”
“You should be doing the same,” Edward muttered. “Someone is targeting your family, Chief. Your wife, your daughter, my girlfriend … are a part of your family. Something’s not right.”
As Edward said that, a pair of detectives came walking into the lab. “Chief Swan?” asked the male detective. Charlie nodded. “I’m Detective Jacob Black and this is my partner, Detective Leah Clearwater. We’ve been assigned to the fire at La Marzocco.”
“Yes, thank you for coming by,” Charlie said, shaking their hands. “This is one of my best and brightest, Lieutenant Edward Cullen. He started the investigation at the coffee shop. My other lead investigator is in my office, on the phone with the fire commissioner, Lieutenant Rosalie Hale. Do you have news about the victim found in the fire?”
“We’re still waiting for the autopsy results,” Detective Clearwater said, reading from a small notepad. “The remains were horribly burnt. Dental records will probably be used to identify the victim. However, the only thing that the coroner said was that they were certain that the victim was male.”
“Did they die before or after the fire?” Edward asked.
“Before,” Detective Clearwater answered.
“So, obviously with that death, this is a criminal investigation,” Detective Black said. “And, on your call, you mentioned that you believe that a number of fires are connected. What do you think that connection is?”
“Chief Swan,” Edward replied, blinking to his boss. “Every fire has been connected to him. It started over five years ago with the fire near the Benaroya Center …”
“The fire where you lost your daughter?” Detective Black asked. Charlie nodded, his heart clenching. “I read about that in the newspaper. I’d gone to that concert before she’d died with my girlfriend at the time. She was a huge fan of your daughter, following her career since she’d started at the Seattle Symphony. It was over my head, to be honest, but I wanted to make my girlfriend happy. I’m so sorry for your loss, Chief Swan.”
“Um, yes,” Charlie said, his brows pulling together. “And, thank you for your condolences.”
“My partner has a case of lack of filter,” Detective Clearwater deadpanned. “Brilliant detective. Doesn’t think before he speaks.” She glowered at her partner, who rolled his eyes.
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