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  Quinn picked up his camera and returned to the yard. Before taking photos of the scene, he took out his cell phone and placed a call to Serena. He was prepared to leave a message and was surprised when she answered.

  “Is something wrong, Quinn?”

  “I wanted to let you know that Mark Johnson’s house burned down this morning.”

  “Oh, no. How? Did he return home?”

  “Not that I know. I don’t have any theories on the cause of the fire. I’m processing the scene now. Do you know of any family members, especially ones in Cimarron City or near here?”

  “He didn’t talk much about his family. He mentioned he grew up in Albany, New York.”

  “Thanks. I’ll get with the police. How about his friends?”

  “He only talked about people at work. He moved here about five years ago.”

  “From Albany?” Quinn walked toward the burnt house.

  “You know he never said. I assumed that he came from where he grew up, but that might not be true. Maybe some of the information is inside. How bad was the fire?”

  “Total. The stone fireplace is standing as well as the rock exterior where it was. The wooden part of the structure is eighty percent gone. The place went up fast.” Which reinforced his conjecture of more than one point of ignition. “I’ll talk with you tomorrow. Remember our walk at five.”

  “See you then. If I can remember anything that might help you, I’ll call you.”

  When Quinn disconnected the call, he slipped his phone into his pocket then began taking pictures of the scene. Knowing the owner was missing meant he most likely would be working with the police. From the time the first neighbor called the fire department to report flames near the garage to when fire trucks arrived on the scene had been five minutes. By then, the whole structure had been engulfed in flames and part of their duty had been to keep it from spreading to other homes. He had a gut feeling something wasn’t right with this case.

  Chapter Seven

  Tuesday afternoon, Quinn crossed the empty classroom and shook hands with Jay Thompson, his friend from high school. “I got your text and thought I’d stop by.”

  “Perfect timing. I’m leaving to go to the baseball field for practice. When I was talking with Serena at lunch, she mentioned you were her neighbor. Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I was going to, but after yesterday, my first day on the job, I have an arson case, which I’ll work mainly during my two days off.”

  “Arson? Where?”

  “Not too far from here. A house on Oak Street.”

  “It was burned down on purpose? I saw the smoke yesterday on the way to school. What happened?”

  “I can’t go into details at this time, but it’s been designated as an arson case.” Quinn had just come from the fire department headquarters after notifying them and the police of the multiple ignition points started possibly with delayed timers. Whoever burned down the house didn’t try to hide the fact it was arson.

  “Why don’t you go with me to the baseball field? You would be a perfect lay coach for the team. You’re one of the reasons we won the state championship for two years in high school.”

  “My schedule can be crazy. I work twenty-four hour shifts with two days off. In part of my off time, I’ll have to work on arson cases. Of course, that time will vary depending on if I have an arson case.”

  “I’m flexible. If you can work with the pitchers when you can, that would be great. No one’s broken your state record on strikeouts. Your picture is still hanging in the field house.”

  “Okay. I’ll help where I can. I was going to talk to you about working with the youth like in a big brother program, but for the time being, this would be nice, especially since I have an arson case the first day on duty.”

  “Do you have time to go to the baseball field this afternoon?” Jay asked.

  “Yeah, but I need to see someone first.”

  “You know where it is. I’ll see you over there.”

  Quinn left Jay’s classroom and walked down the hall to Serena’s. It was her planning period, too. When he entered her room, she sat at her desk with a red pen in her hand and a stack of papers in front of her. “I thought I would stop by and say hi,” he said to a surprised Serena who lifted her head, her eyes widening.

  She smiled and rose. “What brought you here?”

  “Jay wants me to help with the baseball team.” Although his friend had asked, Quinn had been tempted to drop by and see Serena anyway. He missed seeing her on Monday. “I can tell you Brutus was happy you came over and let him out yesterday.”

  “Do you know how hard it was to get Susie to leave?”

  “Was it anything like Brutus digging under the fence to get to Susie?”

  “I had to chase her around your house. She’s always come before when I called her. Brutus isn’t a good role model for her.”

  “We can put that to the test later today while walking. And speaking about our walk, can we meet at six since I’ll be at the baseball field at least until five thirty?”

  “Sounds good. I can finish grading those papers,” she gestured to the stack on her desk, “and be free the rest of the evening. I’ll stay here and not even take work home with me.”

  “Great. I’d better go.”

  “Oh, did you find out what caused the fire at Mark’s house?”

  “Someone set it and wanted to make sure the place was totally destroyed.”

  * * *

  With her classroom windows facing west, Serena didn’t realize it was five forty already. She’d finished the papers and even entered the students’ grades on the computer, but it was time to go. She was looking forward to walking Susie with Quinn and Brutus. While she was at Quinn’s house yesterday, Brutus obeyed every command she gave him. She was going to start working with Susie on obedience.

  Serena quickly gathered up her purse, left her room, and locked the door. Heading toward where she always parked, the oval on the other side of the school, she wondered if she was the only one in the building. The sound of her heels clicking against the tiled floor echoed down the empty, darkened hallway. She turned a corner and started along the corridor that led outside, light streaming through the double doors. A noise behind her prompted her to glance over her shoulder at the same time as increasing her pace. The hairs on her nape tingled.

  Did someone dart back around the corner?

  As she neared the second classroom on the right, the door suddenly opened, nearly knocking into her. She stumbled, clutching a locker handle to keep her standing. Her heartbeat tripled its pace.

  Aaron Prescott, clasping the handle of his briefcase, peered around the door, saw her and hurried to her. “I’m so sorry. I was in a rush. I didn’t realize anyone was still here.”

  She relaxed. Aaron was a new teacher who joined the staff second semester because the one who used to head the English as a Second Language program was in a car wreck during the winter break. The staff, including her, raved about Aaron, who had a gift for languages. “No problem. I should have been walking in the middle of the hallway. I’m running late and wasn’t thinking.” That and she didn’t like being alone in the building so late. Her vivid imagination had started weaving stories in her mind.

  He strolled next to her. “What kept you here this late?”

  “Grading papers. But I’m not taking them home with me tonight.”

  Aaron lifted his briefcase. “I am. How’s Miguel doing in English?”

  “Great. His writing is really improving. Thanks for your help.”

  “As you said, no problem. It’s part of my job description.”

  “I heard Libby’s turned in her resignation. She won’t be coming back to the ESL program.”

  “Yes. The principal told me today and asked me to remain in the position next year.”

  “And what did you say?”

  He smiled. “I said yes.”

  “Good.”

  Aaron held the door open for her as t
hey exited the high school. “Have a restful evening.” He veered off to the left.

  Serena checked her watch and hurried her steps. She’d barely get home by six. Good thing she lived close to the high school.

  When she pulled into her garage, Quinn and Brutus were sitting on her porch. They were two minutes early according to her car clock. She walked out of the garage, pushing the button to lower the door.

  “Sorry. Time slipped away from me. Good news. I graded all my papers. Come in. It won’t take me long to change shoes and clothes.”

  “I’ll get Susie and put her leash on.”

  “Thanks.” She rushed to her bedroom and threw on shorts and a T-shirt then tied her tennis shoes and returned to the foyer. “Two minutes. A new world record for getting ready.”

  Quinn laughed. “I only arrived home five minutes before you. Ready?”

  “Yes.” After she left her house and locked the door, she paused on the porch and took a deep breath, finally calm after leaving the school. She never used to be suspicious and nervous until she discovered she had a stalker. Even after three years without a problem in her new town, she’d never totally relaxed.

  “How was your day?” Quinn asked as they started toward the other end of the block, away from the park.

  She started to tell him about getting scared when she left her classroom, but she didn’t want to dwell on her fanciful imagination. “Uneventful and I want to keep it that way. How about baseball practice?”

  “I enjoyed it and hope to work with the pitchers a couple of times a week when I’m off.”

  “Pitching?”

  “I used to play on the same baseball team as Jay. I was a pitcher. Jay and I were friends in high school. He played first base and is a perfect choice to be the baseball head coach.”

  As Serena walked up the street behind their houses, the trees that lined the road made the evening darker even though the sun hadn’t sunk below the horizon yet. “I thought of another student I have who lives near me.” She nodded her head toward a two-story house. “Blaine lives right behind me. He’s in my last hour. If he applied himself, he could make an A, but I won’t be surprised if he drops out of school, and that’s sad.”

  “Is it the people he associates with?”

  “No, not really. At lunch I’ve seen him with a couple of boys sometimes. I’ve tried to talk to him, but he just shuts down. I was talking. He wasn’t listening.”

  “I gather he isn’t into sports.”

  “Not on any teams that I know of.”

  “Does he work after school?”

  “Yes, at the vet I take Susie to. He seems to love animals and is good with Susie.” At the end of the block, they turned onto the short street across the park. “And across from Keith, there’s another student I have in my first hour, three doors down from my house. A solid B student who works hard for his grade. Joshua is a nice kid. He kind of blends in with those around him.” When they passed Joshua’s place, she gestured toward it. She glimpsed her student sitting on a porch swing.

  When he saw her, he leaped up and headed toward her. “Ms. Remington, I looked at my grade online. I need to get it up to an A. Can I do some extra work to improve my grade?”

  She stopped on the sidewalk and introduced Joshua to Quinn. “I’ll have a couple of opportunities in these next two months.”

  “Thanks.” The teenager looked at Quinn. “May I pet your dog? I’ve never seen one so big.”

  “Yes. Brutus is large for a Great Dane but gentle.”

  As Joshua stroked Brutus, Susie tugged on her leash, so she could weave around the teen’s legs.

  Afraid Susie might trip Joshua, Serena picked up her poodle.

  Susie yelped.

  Joshua stopped petting Brutus and turned his attention to her dog. Her pet licked Joshua’s hand.

  “She likes you.”

  “I’m good with animals.”

  “Do you have a pet?” Serena asked.

  “No.” Her student sighed, his shoulders drooping. He glanced at his home. “I’d better get my homework done. Bye.” He jogged to the porch and waved as he went inside.

  Quinn started forward. “He seems like a nice kid.”

  “He is. From his other grades I’ve seen, he’s really good at math and science.” Serena stopped on the sidewalk in front of her house. “After sitting for hours grading papers at my desk, this walk was just what I needed.”

  “Good. Let’s do it tomorrow. I’m almost finished unpacking. We can go wherever you want—to the park, somewhere new, or what we did tonight. Your choice.”

  “It sounds like a good idea. See you tomorrow at five?”

  As she walked to her porch, Quinn watched her from the sidewalk. She waved to him as she shut the front door.

  “It’s just you and me now.” She stooped next to Susie and unlatched the leash then stroked her before picking up her pet and holding her against her chest. “You have Brutus wrapped around your paw.”

  Susie barked when Serena said Brutus.

  She laughed. “You’ve got it bad. And I have to admit I really like Quinn.”

  She headed for the kitchen and fixed dinner for Susie then herself. Maybe tomorrow after their walk she could ask Quinn and Brutus in to eat. On the way home from school, she could stop at the grocery store and pick up something that would be easy to throw together.

  After they ate, Serena let Susie outside to romp. She stood at the kitchen window watching her explore the backyard.

  Her cell phone rang, and she went to the counter where she’d put it when she came inside earlier. Quinn. As she punched the accept button, she smiled. She leaned back against the cabinet and asked, “Miss me already?”

  “The second I stepped away from you.”

  “Is that teasing I hear in your voice?”

  “Maybe a smidgen.” A deep woof sounded at the end of what Quinn said.

  “Is that Brutus?”

  “Yeah. He just started. He must want to go out back. He’s at the door, scratching it and now, as you can hear, barking.”

  The noise of Quinn opening his door didn’t lessen Brutus’s clamor.

  “He just charged out of here like he saw a squirrel. I’ll call you back after I see what he’s doing.”

  It could be a cat. There were several that roamed the block. Serena stepped out onto the patio to call Susie in while Brutus continued his racket. The one security lamp wasn’t enough for her to see everything in the yard. She went inside and flipped on all her lights, which illuminated the whole area. A raccoon or an animal like that, on the top of the back fence, scurried away.

  “Susie, come in.”

  Her poodle looked at her then charged down the fence line, yelping the whole way, as though she had a chance at catching the raccoon. She was definitely going to see about obedience school for that dog. At the corner with Quinn’s yard, her dog continued her barking in harmony with Brutus.

  “Shh, Susie.”

  On the other side of the fence, Quinn said, “Silence. Brutus, heel.”

  The Great Dane must have because quiet reigned in Quinn’s yard.

  Serena quickly snatched up Susie who growled.

  “Okay over there?” Quinn asked.

  “Other than having an unruly dog, yes. That’s the first time I’ve seen a raccoon around here.”

  “It could have been a skunk.”

  “Well, then I guess we’re lucky. At least we know our dogs are aware of what’s going on around here. See you tomorrow.”

  “Good night, Serena.”

  She carried her poodle into her house. The long day was catching up with her, and she needed to be at school early tomorrow morning for a faculty meeting. After setting the alarm, she got ready for bed. With Susie lying next to her, Serena picked up her mystery book she was in the middle of and thought she’d finish the chapter she started the night before. As she read, her eyelids grew heavy…

  The next thing she realized her alarm clock was buzzing and Susie wa
s licking her face. She groaned and turned away from her pet to see what time it was. She shot straight up in bed. She had to be at school in less than twenty minutes. She never slept through the alarm.

  Susie barked.

  “Okay. I know you need to go out.”

  She turned off her alarm and let her pet outside then rushed back to her bedroom and hurriedly dressed for school. When she returned to the kitchen, she decided to drive by a fast food place and grab something for breakfast as well as a tall coffee. She stepped out onto the patio and called Susie.

  Nothing.

  She said her name again and again as she searched her yard. She looked every possible place her dog would hide.

  No Susie.

  She checked the gate.

  Closed.

  Then where in the world was her pet?

  At Quinn’s again?

  Serena opened her gate and then tried to get into Quinn’s backyard, but there was a lock on his gate now. She charged toward Quinn’s front porch and pushed the bell, leaving her finger on it.

  The door swung wide open.

  Quinn stood in the entrance in gym shorts and a T-shirt, sleepy eyed, his dark hair messy as though he’d just gotten up. Worse, Brutus came to his side—with no Susie.

  Quinn yawned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Has Brutus been outside this morning?”

  “No, we were both asleep until a moment ago when someone woke us up.”

  “I’m sorry, but Susie is gone again. Please check to see if she’s in your backyard. I tried, but you put a lock on the gate.”

  Quinn swung the door wide to allow her inside. “I put it on yesterday. Was your gate open?”

  “No.” She followed him through his house and stepped outside with him and Brutus, scanning the enclosed area.

  “Brutus, find Susie.”

  His dog ran out into the yard and sniffed the air. He stood on his back legs, peeking over the fence. Then he jumped down and sat.

  “She isn’t here,” Serena murmured. “This time she’s gone.”