Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
That must’ve been the nostalgia. Or was it the trauma?
“Hey, it’s Snuggles,” Kit laughed as he picked the panda bear up. It had been my favorite stuffed animal since I was six when I got it for my birthday.
“Can’t believe you left him behind. You monster,” Kieran smirked, bumping his shoulder against mine before making his way over to the closet.
While he dug around in there, I ventured over to my bookshelf, smiling at the sight of a few origami pieces and paper airplanes. My mom and I did origami, while my dad and I made paper airplanes and threw them all over the house. I couldn’t ever bring myself to get rid of them.
I picked up an origami boat, the back of it hitting one of the paper airplanes and sending it plummeting down to the ground.
“Shoot,” I muttered as I crouched down next to the side of the dresser, grabbing the paper airplane off the floor. Before I could straighten up, something caught my eye behind the bookshelf. Something protruding from the wall. “Guys, can you help me move this bookshelf?”
“See something?” Kieran asked as he and Kit got on either side of the bookshelf. They grabbed the sides and hauled the bookshelf forward away from the wall, my eyes catching the way their biceps flexed from the exertion.
I could admire them later. Right now, I was focused on the hidden compartment in the wall, closed off by a metal door. It reminded me of a built-in safe, but luckily, there was no combination for me to crack.
“Oh, yeah. I see something, alright,” I replied as I moved closer to the door, testing the flat handle until I heard a click. Please, let there be something in. Please. Please. Please.
I pulled open the door and stared inside at a thick manila folder. My heart pounded in my chest as I grabbed it and pulled it out, flipping open the top to reveal an old newspaper article.
Search Underway for Serial Arsonist Responsible for Rockview Fires
“This is it! This has to be it!” I gasped as I handed the article to Kit as they both crowded my sides. My eyes fell upon my mom’s handwritten notes, a jolt of pain lighting up my chest as my fingertips brushed the swirly writing. I focused on the actual words, tightening my jaw. “I suspect that there is more than one arsonist. Judging from the amount of effort and expertise, this has to be a multi-man operation.”
“So, we’re looking for more than one dangerous person? Great,” Kit sighed as he dragged his hand through his hair.
Kieran pulled a printed-out map of the town, motioning to a few red circles.
“I think this red circle is that old gym that shut down,” he said as he motioned to one of the circles.
“The one with the swimming pool?” I questioned him as I took a closer look at the map. What were the circles even pertaining to? There weren’t any notes on the map.
“Yeah, that one,” Kieran replied.
Kit pulled a photo out of the pile, frowning as he showed me.
“I don’t recognize these people,” he said, showing me a picture of four men standing outside on the sidewalk in front of a bar.
“Is it just me or does this picture look… sneaked? Like the photographer was hiding behind something,” I asked as I pointed to the brick wall on the right edge of the picture. It was also taken at a slight angle like the camera was poked out.
“If this is your mom’s picture, she didn’t want to be caught taking it,” Kieran pointed out before nodding to the guys. “They’re giving me a weird feeling.”
My brow furrowed as I stared at the men. They were dressed in suits and looked nice, but there was something off about them. They looked far too intimidating for some reason.
“They could have something to do with the fires. They could be our arsonists!” I told them, my pulse quickening.
Had we really found the answer?
“This is a lot of information to go through. I think we should bring everything to the crew and the police tomorrow,” Kit suggested. “But I think you’re right. We found exactly what we needed.”
I released a slow exhale, unable to keep it steady. After so many fires and so much research, I’d finally found the answer. Well, my mom had it all along.
“She did it… she really did it,” I murmured.
Kieran slipped his arm around my waist, while Kit’s arms went around my shoulders, sandwiching me and steadying me.
“She was awesome,” Kit said in a gentle voice.
“Our second mom,” Kieran added.
My bottom lip threatened to quiver as I nodded.
“I miss her… all the time,” I replied before looking between them. “I want to make her proud.”
“You’re finishing what she started,” Kit pointed out. “She’d be so damn proud.”