“What is it?”
The tears rolled down her cheeks, and then the anger hit her gut at the realization of those words.
“I saw the killer, the arsonist. I know what he looks like.”
Chapter 13
Trent was typing away on the laptop as Serefina and his cousins gathered around the kitchen table. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He couldn’t comprehend that the arsonist had risked revealing his identity to Serefina. He must have thought that she would die there, too. But she didn’t. And the fact that her name had such significance, and that she was burned and survived, had to be making this guy insane. This could be the opportunity they were looking for. This could be the means to an end of putting Matt, Marco, and all those other innocent victims to rest. Their families could finally find closure, if they could just confirm this guy’s name and identity.
Serefina was a nervous wreck. She was trying to be strong, and his cousins were very supportive, but they were scared, too. Understandably so. This arsonist was a monster, and they all wanted him captured and put away for life.
Trent put his arm around her shoulders as he turned the computer screen toward her.
“Here are a bunch of pictures of guys who have been arrested before for arson. Small offenses, but they’re in the system. If we don’t come up with a definite match, then I did put a call in to one of my friends in the bureau.”
“Why? Those guys wanted to wait and allow him to come after Serefina and the other last survivor. Why would you trust them, Trent?” Ace asked.
“Ace, they have the technology and abilities to take a minimal description like what Serefina remembers and put it through a database of every person in every state, never mind the world. I don’t have that type of technology in our small department. If it can help us identify this shithead and find him, I think we should keep all our options opened.”
Serefina squeezed Ace’s hand as he sat next to her by the computer.
“I sent my friend a full description as you recalled, as well as the words left on the note and the ones he said to you. Something has to give. I also called the detectives from the other victim’s case to see if that comment makes sense to them or in any evidence they found.” Just then Trent’s cell phone rang. He stood up and left the room.
Ace looked at Serefina.
* * * *
“Just take your time and if you can’t be sure, don’t worry. We’ll figure out another way to identify this guy. I just want you safe,” Ace said.
Serefina nodded her head and then looked around the room at her family as well as Ice and Bull. They all looked so worried, and she hated that.
As she looked through the photos, thinking how all these men had committed arson and were out there, she felt sick, but determined. Then Trent returned to the room.
“I have some news. The detectives working the case of the couple who died in their home said that the arson investigator there found some evidence left behind. They weren’t sure what it meant. There were remnants of a poster, one advertising the nightclub that burned down, and this sign. Does this picture, this symbol, mean anything to you? Have you maybe seen it before?” Trent asked as he passed along his cell phone, showing Serefina the picture.
She looked at it with Ace, Ice, and Bull looking at it as well.
“I don’t know what it is. I’ve never seen it before.”
She handed the phone back to Trent.
“The detectives and arson investigator don’t know either. They’re trying to see if they can link it to other arson fires across the United States.”
“Across the United States? They think this guy is a serial arsonist? Someone whose been doing this for a long time?” the chief asked.
“It appears that way, Chief. Maybe you guys were right about this guy being an arsonist for hire. I think that’s the next avenue I’m going to pursue and a call with the Feds to get them moving on finding this guy.”
“You would think that they would want to stop him from hurting or killing other people. What would make them hold back?” Serefina asked. Her father placed his arm over her shoulder and pulled her by his side.
“I’d hate to think that this has something to do with politics or money, but what else could be going on?”
“That’s our job, and we’ll handle it. You all keep Serefina safe and watch over her at all times. We’ll be in touch,” Trent stated. Then they all shook hands before Trent and Buddy left their house to continue the investigation.
Chapter 14
Denis was looking at the computer. He wanted to see his fire angel. He was yearning to see how resilient she really was to the power of the master and to fire. He thought of numerous ways to challenge her power. He even thought about tying her up and leaving her in the basement of the condominium fire as it exploded. But then his heart ached with the loss. He never felt remorse for killing or burning people alive. He never even cared. He wasn’t a complete psycho though. He realized soon enough that the right people paid for his talents. They paid good money. His brother Duggy introduced him to many big shot political figures and businessmen who were unscrupulous and heartless in their attempts to become more powerful. They were stupid, and so insignificant to the big picture.
But he wasn’t. Denis knew exactly what was to come. The fire of all fires. The one that no one would live to tell about because they would all be dead. But he wouldn’t be. Denis understood and respected his master and his guidance. Lately he had been speaking to Denis more often, and to him that meant that the master trusted him. The power the master gave him was great. So wouldn’t it be the perfect show of respect and gratitude to the Master to bring the fire of angel to him, and offer her as a gift to his power?
He smiled as he thought about making a plan. Maybe there should be a ceremony?
“Hey, how is that plan coming along? Kent Fredrickson is getting antsy. He wants to move on it. It’s been nearly two weeks,” Duggy said, interrupting his thoughts.
“A few more days. This has to be perfect so we can leave with our prize.”
And please my master with the angel of fire.
“Fine. Just a few more days. By the end of the week we need to move. There’s been some chatter about the other fires and those damn people you killed. I don’t know why you couldn’t just leave them alone. Who cares that they lived?”
“I care. The master cares. They die, and the woman is next.”
“About that woman, do you think it’s worth it to risk everything we’ve been working on to take her along with us? You know she is going to try to escape. We’re going to have to make it clear from the start that we’re in charge.”
“I’m in charge of her. She’s mine, not yours. Remember that.”
Duggy raised his hands in the air.
“Okay, little brother. I’ve got it. Let’s get this over with and get the hell out of this town.”
Denis watched his brother leave and he heard the voice in his head.
Your brother doesn’t believe in me and my power. Do you believe him? Are you going to let him take your woman from you? He wants her, and he’s bossed you around for years. He’ll take her from you.
Denise covered his ears as he stared at the picture of the angel of fire.
“She is mine. He can’t have her. I believe in you, Master, and will do whatever you ask of me to prove that I believe.”
Your brother stands in the way. He is weak and he cannot be trusted. You know what to do.
Denis squinted his eyes and looked out toward the doorway. He could hear the television blaring. He looked around the room, stood up, and packed his bags. He had the entire apartment wired. He could make it look like an electrical fire while his brother burned to death. He pulled out the small brown wooden box and the three syringes he had left. His brother wouldn’t be able to move, and he wouldn’t feel a thing as he died. That was the least he could offer him while still serving the master.
He looked back at the screen.
“Tomorrow, I come for you. Tonight, I finish this job and take what is mine. Angel of fire, prepare to meet your destiny.”
* * * *
Serefina walked into the bathroom to find Bull under the spray of water in the shower. He looked so tired, his head was down as the water flowed over him. His tattoos looked so fierce. There was the skeleton dressed in full Marine gear and the one matching Ice’s and Ace’s. There was one with four firefighter helmets lined up with their names and the word “brothers” linking them.
Bull was the quietest of the three brothers.
It had been over a week since Trent showed up at her parents’ house. A week of not seeing Tasha and her friends out of fear that some guy lurked in the dark shadows of the night watching her. A week of nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat screaming Matt’s name or even Ice’s, Ace’s, and Bull’s. She knew they were affected, too. Thoughts of Marco and fears of losing her ruled their thoughts.
She was on edge even now, this late at night, as Bull returned from his shift. The men altered their shifts and their buddies at the department took on extra hours so that they could be with Serefina. That was what firefighters did. That was the brotherhood they shared and the strength of the connection.
She slowly removed the robe, her body naked after sharing hours making love with Ice and then Ace earlier. She wanted Bull. She needed him and his strong embrace, his wide shoulders and his silent yet healing personality. It was crazy, but in the last week and a half she had grown to love them so much. She knew she would die without them, and the real possibility that it could happen had her grasping every opportunity to enjoy them. It wasn’t that she was giving up or accepting that this arsonist would win, because he’d won before. No, it was a way to hold on to happiness and perfection for as long as she could, while in her mind she made a plan to end this mystery and bring justice to all, even if it meant doing it herself.