Page 11 of The Smart Killer

She narrowed her gaze. Noah wanted to interject but restrained himself.

“Has Jason made any new friends since last year?” Ray asked.

“If he has, he doesn’t bring them around.”

“And your neighbor. Adam Johnson. Did you ever see or hear anything unusual around his home in the days or weeks leading up to the fire?”

She took a sip of her coffee. “Like?”

“Strangers. I mean, living in a cul-de-sac, I’d expect you’d see the same faces. It’s not like people pass through here.”

“None that stand out.”

He closed his notebook. “Well, thank you for your time. If you remember anything, don’t hesitate to get in contact.” Rayhanded her a card with the department's number on it. “An officer or myself will be at the hospital this morning to collect Jason.”

As they walked toward the door, Denise cleared her throat. “Is he being arrested?”

“Detained while we conduct our investigation.”

“When will he be released?”

“Soon. If all is good after we question him.”

“Jason didn’t start that fire.”

Ray paused in the doorway. “Ma’am, with all due respect, how can you be sure when you weren’t there?”

“Because my son saw who was responsible.”

4

“Adam Johnson,” Jason said as he lay in the hospital bed. The accusation was insane but expected from a kid who had been found stumbling around incoherently and was as high as a kite. Doctors had confirmed that he’d had a concoction of drugs in his system. “It was him.”

Ray squeezed the bridge of his nose, glanced at Noah, and jerked his head toward the door. They walked out.

Noah closed the door behind him.

Ray looked back through the small pane of dividing glass at the kid. “The mother is as delusional as the kid. I’m beginning to think we should get her tested for drug use.”

“Did you get confirmation from the M.E. that Adam was among the dead?”

He scoffed. “Are you serious? You didn’t buy that, did you?”

“I’ve heard stranger things.”

Ray looked back into the room, shaking his head.

“Ray. Did you get confirmation?”

He sighed. “Only about Callie’s sister. They were still in the process of identifying the others. But, c’mon...” He turned and waved him off. “Adam’s vehicle was at the house. A neighbor sawhim go in with Hannah. Four bodies were found. Look, I will get some coffee; you want one?”

“Sure. Black.”

“Laying off the cream?”

“Trying to watch the waistline.”

Ray chuckled. “Hell of a thing getting old, isn’t it, brother?”