Page 71 of Shadows of Obsession

The marshals picked through the debris methodically, lifting scorched beams and charred planks as they searched for any clue that might reveal where the fire had started. They worked with long metal tools, sifting through the ashes with measured precision, careful not to disturb the site more than necessary.

Every so often, one of them would hold something up, a melted piece of metal, a fragment of wiring, or a section of the cabin's wallthat had collapsed inward, to inspect it under the harsh white beam of a flashlight.

The scene was a stark reminder of how quickly fire could destroy, leaving little more than ruin in its wake.

I noticed Anna shiver again despite her efforts to stay warm. Without thinking, I slipped off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

She looked up at me in surprise, and I offered a small, tired smile. At least I could do that much for her.

She mouthed a quiet "thank you" and pulled the jacket tighter around herself. The gesture seemed to ease some of the tension in her body, and I felt a flicker of relief.

As the marshals continued their work, the ranch hands gathered nearby, murmuring in low voices about the fire. Denny stood with one of the marshals, gesturing toward the remains and explaining the cabin's layout before the blaze.

We all knew that once the cause was confirmed, we'd have to take extra precautions to make sure this never happened again.

One of the fire marshals, a tall man with a neatly trimmed beard and a badge that glinted in the dim light, approached Denny, extending a hand in greeting.

"Mr. Gibbons," the marshal began, his voice steady but edged with fatigue, "we've examined the structure and most of the debris. We can't make any definitive conclusions tonight, but based on our preliminary findings, the fire seems to have started at the base of the cabin. Could've been right against the outside wall, possibly an issue with the wiring or an external source. Or it may have originated on the inside wall, which would suggest an outlet or some kind of electrical malfunction."

Denny nodded, taking in the information, his gaze flicking to the smoldering ruins. "Any idea how long it'll take for a full report?"

The marshal shrugged. "Hard to say. We'll need to analyze the samples we collected and go through all the evidence. Could take a week, maybe more. We'll keep you posted."

They shook hands again before the marshal turned to rejoin his team as they packed up their equipment. A week felt like a long time to wait for answers.

As the fire department and marshals drove off, the ranch settled into a tense quiet. Smoke still lingered, and the faint smell of burnt wood clung to everything.

Anna and I exchanged a look, both feeling the weight of what had happened. Chester, still alert and pacing, followed as we turned toward the house.

At least it was over. At least everyone was safe.

But the questions—how it started, what it meant—lingered in my mind, casting a shadow over the otherwise calm night.

Inside, the house felt strangely still. The usual sounds of the ranch seemed muted, dampened by exhaustion and the echo of chaos. Anna went straight to the kitchen, her steps heavy, and I followed, my thoughts already shifting to the practical. We needed to eat, get cleaned up, and try to process this.

I opened the fridge and started pulling out ingredients without much thought. My hands moved on autopilot, chopping vegetables, seasoning meat, setting the pan to heat.

Anna joined me, wordless, setting the table as if routine could fill the silence. The clink of dishes and the soft hum of the stove were the only sounds in the kitchen.

The uncertainty surrounding the fire's cause pressed down on both of us. It was one more thing to worry about. One more threat we didn't see coming.

The thought crossed my mind unbidden:What if it wasn't an accident?I shoved the suspicion aside. No point speculating until we had the marshal's report.

Dinner was simple, nothing fancy, just fuel. But neither of us felt much like eating. I watched Anna push her food around her plate, her appetite dulled by the lingering shock.

I ate in silence, my mind running through what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. The reality that the fire could have spread farther, putting everyone at risk, weighed heavy.

Despite everything, I was grateful no one had been hurt and that the fire hadn't reached the other buildings. But the questions stayed, like smoke that wouldn't clear.

I pushed my food around, already thinking about tomorrow. There was no putting it off any longer, I had to deal with Jared. I needed to get him into town, find him a place, get him out of my cabin.

And I couldn't leave Anna here alone.

I glanced across the table at her. She looked distant, her mind still caught somewhere in the flames.

"I need to go into town tomorrow," I said finally, breaking the silence. "I'm bringing Jared with me." I hesitated, then added, "Would you mind coming along?"

Anna