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Smoke.
Angel’s gaze slashed to Presley, who was already moving. It was a risk to take Mia with him, but no way did he want to leave her alone with Dwight, so he took hold of her hand and hurried off with Presley and her. The moment they reached the foyer, they saw the smoke billowing down the stairs.
“I’m calling the fire department,” Presley said, taking out his phone while the three of them started up the stairs for a closer look.
A glance over his shoulder let him know that RJ and Melanie had rushed into the foyer as well.
“What’s happening?” Melanie blurted.
Angel didn’t answer. He just went up a few more steps and saw exactly what he’d expected to see.
The flames shooting out the doorway of Kenton’s room.
“Hell,” Angel spat out, and he ran to the closet in the foyer where he recalled there was a fire extinguisher. One was indeed there, and he grabbed it and started barreling up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
“I’ll get the fire extinguisher from the kitchen,” RJ shouted, and he ran in that direction.
Angel shot Presley a glance that he hoped conveyed his concerns. He needed Presley to keep an eye on Mia in case this turned into some kind of full-blown attack. After all, the gunman was still at large.
And Dwight was right here in the house.
So was Birdie, and she was still high on Angel’s suspect list.
Presley picked up on the glance because he moved next to Mia and he drew his gun. Ruby was already on the phone with someone, probably the fire department. Melanie was grabbing spare blankets and throws that she took from a chest in the living room.
While Dwight stood there, watching.
And while Roger whisked Birdie out the door.
Angel hurried to Kenton’s room, staying back in case the fire rushed out at him. It didn’t, but he couldn’t see anything but flames. However, he could smell something.
Gasoline.
He hadn’t thought for one second that this was some kind of accident, and the accelerant proved it. Now, the question was had Dwight set it or was someone else responsible?
Angel took aim with the fire extinguisher, spraying the doorway. Thankfully, the extinguisher was large, the type businesses often had around, and he was able to douse enough of the flames so he could see inside.
Shit.
The fire was mainly on the bed, which was fully ablaze, but the black smoke had already coated the walls and ceiling. It was a good thing the CSIs had already gathered what they could.
But did the arsonist know that? Or was this some attempt to destroy potential evidence?
Angel hoped he’d have the answers to that soon.
He heard the footsteps behind him and saw RJ rushing toward him with a second fire extinguisher. They released the foam together, taking direct aim at the bed now that the fire had been put out in the doorway. They continued to battle the flames until the bed was completely coated.
With his breath gusting, RJ stood back, taking in the damage. And Angel saw something on the man’s face that surprised him.
Relief?
He had to be wrong about that, didn’t he? But he couldn’t be sure.
Shit.
Was RJ responsible for this? And if so, what the hell else had he done?
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