Retribution (Otter Creek Book 8)

by Rebecca Deel

  “What kind of tattoo?” Anne Marie’s pen hovered over her notepad.

  “I can’t remember. The image never takes shape.”

  “The knowledge is buried in your mind, babe. The mist you told me about is your mind’s way of protecting you from remembering the trauma.” Quinn lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of hers. “You’ve been dreaming about this for years, obsessively watching for tattoos in case you spotted one like the kidnapper’s ink job, haven’t you? I had buddies in the military who were into tattoos before the top brass started regulating how much and what type of ink we could get.”

  She eyed him curiously. “You have a tattoo?”

  He grinned at her. “Pay attention to my left shoulder blade when I have my shirt off.” Quinn sobered. “What one category of tattoos made you react negatively every time you saw it, Heidi?”

  She stared at the table again, frowning in concentration. “I don’t like snake tattoos, but I don’t like snakes in general.”

  “Don’t blame you,” Anne Marie said. “Creepy things. Aside from the snakes, which tattoos made you break out into a sweat?”

  Heidi’s head jerked up. “Naval symbols.”

  “Naval symbols,” Al repeated slowly, his expression controlled. “Like a sail?”

  “Maybe, although that doesn’t sound right to me.”

  “A sailboat?” This from Anne Marie.

  Her eyes widened. Quinn could almost see the mist parting in a wave of insight. “An anchor, as in the military symbol for the Navy.”

  The door to the interrogation room burst open and a middle-aged man with black hair barged in. His brown eyes narrowed at the sight of Al sitting at the table. “Got to roll, Salinger. You, too, Al.”

  This must be the elusive Ivan Bennett, Junior.

  “Me?” Al’s eyebrows rose. “I’m retired, son. I don’t have to roll anywhere, at least not yet.”

  “You’ll want to roll for this call, old man. A neighbor reported a fire at your house.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Heidi leaned forward in the SUV to see Al’s house better. Two firefighters wielded axes on the roof while the others from the Black River Volunteer Fire Department maneuvered hoses for better angles to attack the raging fire. Smoke billowed from windows, tongues of red, orange, and blue licking at the late afternoon air.

  Oh, man. Al’s house was engulfed in flames. She was not an expert, but his house appeared a total loss. Heidi glanced over her shoulder at the old man watching the flames in silence, sympathy and horror fighting for dominance. How could this have happened? Quinn’s friend had done nothing wrong. “I’m so sorry, Al. This is all my fault.”

  Ancient blue eyes turned her direction. “Nonsense, young lady. This could have been an accident.”

  “You don’t believe that,” Quinn said, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel, glaring at the ongoing destruction.

  Al was silent a moment. “With the fires in Heidi’s past, I don’t believe this is a coincidence. My concern is how quickly Bennett will point a finger at her.”

  Her stomach clenched. Not again. At least this time she had multiple witnesses to her location when the fire started. “Can’t blame me this time. I wasn’t near your house when the fire started and I have several policemen who saw me somewhere else.”

  “Doesn’t mean he won’t try, Heidi.”

  They watched in silence for more than two hours until the fire crews climbed aboard the trucks and left the scene. Nearer to the smoldering remains of Al’s house, Anne Marie and Ivan stood, arguing. They couldn’t hear the conversation, but the evidence was clear. Red faces, finger pointing, scowls, all with Ivan towering over his more petite partner. Anne Marie finally stalked away toward the other side of what remained of the house. Ivan strode toward Quinn’s SUV.

  “I’ll head him off,” Quinn murmured, opening his door.

  “We’ll all get out,” Al said. “I need to see what’s left anyway.”

  Heidi surveyed the charred structure. Al must want closure. Although the fire crew had fought hard, nothing but ash and leaning towers of blackened building material were left.

  Outside the SUV, Heidi and the others started toward Graham’s house. The acrid scent of smoke and burned plastic stung their noses as they neared the structure.

  Ivan stopped five feet from them, arms crossed, body blocking the sidewalk. “Sorry, old man,” he said to Al, a smirk on his face. “Fire marshal says it’s a total loss.”

  “I see. Good thing I have insurance.”

  “Yeah, about that. It’s going to be a while before your claim will be processed.”

  “Why?”

  Heidi could guess. She’d heard this song and dance before. Many times before.

  “The fire was deliberately set.”

  “How do you know it wasn’t an electrical short? The house was old.”

  “Unless you routinely set old fashioned gas cans against the side of your house, I’d say this is going to be a slam dunk for the arson investigator.” He turned his cold gaze to Heidi. “It will be my job to find evidence against the little firebug and toss her behind bars.”

  Quinn edged in front of Heidi. “Her? You insinuating that Heidi set this fire, Bennett?”

  “Katie Henderson has a history of setting fires, Gallagher.”

  “I was never charged with arson, Detective.” Heidi wondered at his words. He knew her birth name already? When had the detective had time to run a background check on her? Or had he learned the truth from his partner? She wasn’t keeping her birth name a secret. The one thing she was careful not to reveal to Anne Marie was all the identity changes. She and Levi hadn’t gone through official channels to change their identities. What good would it have done to do so? The arsonist/kidnapper would have known where she was and blown the reason for hiding her identity in the first place. “I was just a kid. Why would I burn my own house down?”

  “Two houses, Henderson. Killed two families in the process.”

  “That’s enough, Ivan,” Al snapped. “You have no proof. You know better than to accuse Heidi Thompson of something with no proof.”

  “You should be backing me, old man. I’m doing the job you and Dad never finished.”

  “No proof, Ivan. You seem to think Heidi is behind this fire. Why?”

  “She’s a firebug, Graham, with a long history of suspicious fires associated with her. Neighbors saw her at your house not long ago.”

  “Heidi and I both were here,” Quinn said. “We were together the whole time when we visited with Al.”

  “He’s right,” Al said flatly. “She never left the living room and neither did Quinn. Where does the fire marshal think the fire started?”

  “Office,” Bennett muttered.

  “She didn’t set the fire, Ivan.”

  “So maybe Henderson didn’t leave your sight.” The detective tossed a glance full of suspicion at Heidi. “An accelerant was used to spur the fire along. Who’s to say she didn’t pour gasoline around the outside of your house and strike a match. Wouldn’t take long and lover boy here would cover for her.”

  Quinn got up into Bennett’s face. “You better get your facts lined up before you start throwing accusations around, Bennett. As soon as we left Al’s place, Heidi and I drove to Winston Drive to look for you. We talked to Sully. He can verify our story. Then we went to the station to talk to your partner. Since Heidi was in town, she figured you and Anne Marie might like to talk to the only kidnapping witness. After all, you’ve been assigned the cold case. I’m assuming you want to solve it.”

  “What’s this about gasoline?” Heidi asked. “The fire marshal says gas was the accelerant?”

  “Hard to miss an old-fashioned red gas can near the point of origin, Henderson.”

  An invisible band tightened around Heidi’s chest so she felt as though she couldn’t draw a breath. How was this possible? She’d only been in town a few hours. Who hated her that much?

  “You�
��re nothing but trouble, Henderson. Why are you in town?”

  Quinn reached behind himself and grasped her hand. “We came for two reason. First, we came to tell my family that Heidi and I are getting married. Second, we need to find out who kidnapped Heidi when she was a child.”

  “That’s my job.”

  “Yeah? You’re doing a lousy job of it, Bennett. When you have proof Heidi’s behind this fire, you come find us. Al, you ready to go?”

  “This is a crime scene,” Bennett snapped. “You can’t trespass.”

  “It’s his house and he used to be a cop. He knows how this works. Al wants to see what’s left. That’s what we’re going to do. You don’t trust us? Tag along and make sure we don’t make off with any evidence of our guilt.” He turned, circled Heidi’s waist with his arm and urged her past the glowering detective.

  The stench grew stronger the closer they came to the blackened structure. Al circled what remained of his house, sadness in his eyes. His attention paused on the gas can near the corner of the house. He turned toward Quinn. “Someone is trying to set up your girlfriend, son,” he murmured. “The arsonist hasn’t been able to kill her. Could be he or she wants to put her in prison to get her out of the way.”

  “Or shut her up.” Quinn pressed a gentle kiss to Heidi’s forehead. “Al, let’s get out of here. There’s nothing for you to salvage. I’m sorry, sir.”

  The former detective waved that aside. “It’s only a house, which can be replaced. I’m glad no one was hurt. Well, I suppose I should find somewhere to stay for a while.”

  “Come with us.” Quinn dropped a hand on his shoulder. “Mom has extra room and you know she’ll be glad to have the company. You can stay with her until you decide what to do next.”

  A short nod. “Thank you. I think I might do that.” His expression hardened. “I assume you have an extra weapon handy.”

  Quinn smiled. “Along with the ammunition.”

  “Good. Someone destroyed mine. I’d like to borrow yours until I arrange to purchase a new one. Staying in your mother’s home will allow me to keep an eye on her. I’m afraid none of us will be safe until the arsonist is behind bars.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Quinn leaned close to Heidi and whispered in her ear. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “Need to report to Josh and Maddox.” After dropping a light kiss on her perfect lips, he rose from the sofa and left Heidi in the company of his family and Al. Quinn walked into the kitchen, snagged his jacket off the barstool, and stepped outside on the deck, closing the door behind himself.

  A crisp, cool breeze blew against his face, a welcome respite from the warmth of the house, teeming with family. Though he loved them all fiercely, that many people in such close proximity got to him after a while. He zipped his jacket, settled in the deck chair, and propped his feet on the railing. Quinn called Josh first, knowing his friend would be on duty soon.

  “Quinn, how’s it going?”

  He didn’t bother with niceties. “There’s been another fire.”

  “Sit rep.”

  “This time a family friend lost his home. He was one of the original detectives who investigated Heidi’s kidnapping. Some of the local cops think Heidi’s to blame for the latest fire.”

  Silence a moment. “Is she?”

  “No. She had no motive or opportunity. It was the arsonist, Josh. He left behind a gas can similar to the one he left at her place and all the other fires.”

  “Guess that confirms your theory that Heidi’s problems stem from her kidnapping. Sounds like this guy is desperate.”

  Quinn frowned, thinking back through the conversations he’d had with Anne Marie and Ivan. “There must be a woman involved in this somewhere.”

  “A woman? Why do you say that?”

  “Anne Marie Salinger, one of the detectives investigating the case, kept asking Heidi if she was sure the second kidnapper was a man. Something must have led them to believe a woman might have been Henderson’s partner.”

  “Wouldn’t the detectives assigned the original case have interviewed Heidi at the time?”

  “They did. She said she told them it was a man, but right after her interview, the rest of her family was murdered and she just quit talking for a few months.” He explained about the new information his girlfriend had given Anne Marie. “Bennett is convinced Heidi is guilty, Josh. According to those who know him, he won’t bother digging deep into the case. Anne Marie does the work which solves most of their cases.”

  “You have to see it from their perspective, Quinn. On the surface, Heidi looks guilty. When a suspect’s name pops up that many times in the course of investigations, there’s usually a reason and it won’t be a good one.”

  “She’s a victim, not a criminal.”

  “I believe that, too. Doesn’t change the appearance.”

  “Then why did you ask me if she set the fire?”

  “You need to be sure of her before you get in any deeper with Heidi emotionally.”

  Quinn huffed out a laugh. “Too late, my friend.”

  “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

  “Head over heels. I’m going to marry that woman as soon as possible.”

  “There’s no chance she’s pulling a fast one?”

  “None,” he said, voice firm. “Heidi was with me in a station full of cops when Al’s house was torched.”

  A chuckle from Durango’s leader. “A fact which probably frosts the real arsonist. Hard to pin this fire on her with so many credible witnesses. Do you need Durango in Black River?”

  “Rio is marrying Darcy in two days. He shouldn’t be concerned about anything but his bride to be.”

  “The rest of us can make the drive easily.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I can handle this on my own.”

  “If you need us, call. We’ll be there. What does Maddox say?”

  “He’s the next call.” After that, he’d touch base with Zane. Hopefully, he’d completed the background checks on the Bennetts. Now, Quinn had a new name. Anne Marie Salinger. He thought she was clean. With Heidi’s safety on the line, he wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

  “Call him. Get his take on this. Let me know if you need us.”

  “Copy that, Major.” He ended the call, then reported to Maddox.

  His boss sighed. “Not what I wanted to hear. Your friend has insurance?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I’ll have Zane look into it. Maybe we can move things faster for him. Levi cooperating?”

  Quinn debated telling Maddox how much trouble Heidi’s cousin had been causing. Since threatened with losing his protection detail, Levi had at least made an effort to cooperate. “He’s fine.”

  “Angel and Dane?”

  “Green.” No other way to say it. They needed more training, but at least they were teachable.

  “Agreed. You can expect them to join your training classes after you wrap up the arsonist.”

  Wonderful. Did that mean Levi would be sticking around Otter Creek? “Yes, sir.”

  “What do you need from me?”

  “Zane. He’s doing research for me.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Check on the whereabouts of the trainees we cut loose from PSI. I want to make sure they aren’t in the mix.”

  “I’ll get back to you as soon as I confirm their locations.” He ended the call.

  Zane answered on the first ring. “I was getting ready to call. How is it going?”

  Quinn brought his friend up to speed.

  “No injuries?”

  “No one was home.”

  “Lucky.”

  “Not so much for the arsonist.”

  “Oh?”

  “The Black River cops think Heidi set the fire.” His lips curved. “She’s amazing, but even she can’t be in two places at once. We were at the police station in the interrogation room when the fire started.” />
  Zane burst into laughter. “Nice. Listen, I dug into the background of Ivan Bennett and his children.”

  Quinn gripped his cell phone tighter. “And?”

  “Bennett Senior had a solid record, several commendations in his file. Close rate was pretty good. Not as good as Ethan Blackhawk’s, but noteworthy. From all accounts, he adored his wife and kids.”

  “Wife still alive?”

  “Died in a car wreck ten years ago.”

  “Finances?”

  “Well, that’s the interesting thing. He lived off his salary and a small inheritance left to him by his grandmother. The psychiatric facility Aurora is in is a private one. Very exclusive.”

  “In others words, very expensive.”

  “No way could he pay for that with his monthly cash flow.”

  “Is it possible someone high up in the facility owed Bennett a favor or he knew someone who cut him a break on the price?”

  “Not that I can find. Looks like he paid full price in cash every month.”

  Quinn sat up, feet dropping to the wooden deck. “Cash?”

  “That’s right. I can’t find a source for that cash, Quinn. I’ll keep digging, but $5,000 a month isn’t chump change.”

  “Insurance didn’t cover the expense?”

  “The insurance kicks in a thousand every month.”

  So where did Bennett get the money? He could guess. Five million dollars would last a long time if you only spent $5,000 a month. The question he needed to answer was which male Bennett was involved, the father or the son? “Who covered the expenses after Bennett Senior was admitted to the facility?”

  “Junior. Same deal. Cash payments. And before you ask, I can’t find a source for his cash flow either.”

  “Keep digging. What did you find on Aurora?”

  “She’s been in the Hermitage Hills facility for twenty years.”

  “How long after Heidi’s kidnapping was she institutionalized?”

  “A few weeks. She had been seeing a psychiatrist for years, though.”

  “Any idea why?”

  “Not for the treatment as she was growing up. However, when I dug into the Hermitage Hills records, I learned Aurora was institutionalized after her boyfriend was arrested and convicted of kidnapping Heidi and her sister. She was Caleb Henderson’s lover.”