Burned

by Kristi Holl

  “If you don’t feel well later, do you promise to tell me?”

  Jeri nodded. “I promise.”

  “This creeps me out,” Rosa said. “Two fires in two days. Both in broad daylight.”

  “And no one sees anything suspicious before the fires break out,” Jeri added.

  Lyndsey cast a guilty look in Jeri’s direction and then turned around.

  Jeri chewed her lower lip. “Rosa, I still gotta run to the library, and then I’ll be right back.”

  “See you at the room,” Rosa said, shivering and stamping her feet. “It’s freezing out here.”

  Jeri pulled Lyndsey down the sidewalk. “What’s going on? You’re acting funny.” She touched Lyndsey’s arm. “Do you know something about the fire?”

  “No,” Lyndsey said. “Nothing.” She was quiet for another minute, but as they drew near McClellan House, her footsteps slowed. “I don’t really know anything about the fire.”

  Jeri frowned. “But you suspect something?”

  Lyndsey scuffed her shoe back and forth on the sidewalk. “I’d hate to get an innocent person in trouble.”

  “What do you know?” When she remained silent, Jeri gripped her arm. “You have to tell! Did you see something?”

  “It probably doesn’t mean anything …” Lyndsey took a deep breath. “When I ran to your dorm to call 9 - 1 - 1, I looked over my shoulder to see if any flames were spreading to the roof. That’s when I saw him.”

  “Saw who?”

  She paused. “Tim.”

  “What was he doing?”

  “Nothing really … except running away from the shed. He came from behind the building and headed toward the sports complex.”

  Jeri’s heart sank as she remembered the back door open a few inches. “Are you sure it was Tim?”

  “He was wearing that orange jacket with the owl on the back.”

  Jeri nodded. There was probably only one ugly jacket like that in the world. “Do you think he was coming out of the shed?”

  “It seemed like it.” Lyndsey looked troubled. “Maybe he started the fire by accident — playing with matches or something — and got scared and ran away.”

  Jeri knew that could easily have happened. And yet … the fireman was positive that the fire was set on purpose. What if Tim was the arsonist? Jeri’s heart beat faster at the idea. Maybe he couldn’t help it. Maybe his brain disorder also made him set fires.

  Her heart nearly stopped. If that were true, he might be planning — or setting — his next fire already! There was already one girl in the hospital. “You have to tell the investigator, Lyndsey.”

  “But what if I’m wrong? Or what if he has a good reason for running away?” Lyndsey wrung her hands. “I don’t want to get him in trouble. No real damage was done.”

  “Not this time, but people got hurt yesterday — including you! And what about next time? Whoever’s starting the fires—whether it’s Tim or someone else—will probably get sneakier. We were lucky yesterday and today. You can’t expect that to happen every time.”

  Lyndsey took a deep breath. “I’ll tell the Head what I saw.” She pulled her coat collar up higher. “First let’s ask Tim what he was doing and why he ran away. Maybe there’s a good explanation, and we won’t have to say anything.”

  Jeri thought about it for a moment. She didn’t want to falsely accuse Tim either. That would be mean. He got picked on too much as it was.

  “This is what I’ll do,” Jeri finally said. “Wait in your dorm, and I’ll look for him and ask him now.” She chewed her lower lip. “If I can’t find him soon, though, you’ll have to talk to the Head. If we wait, who knows what will go up in flames next?”

  6

  web of lies

  Jeri headed off across the Landmark campus toward the girls’ sports complex. There, she spotted Mr. Rankin using a weed trimmer around the edges of the softball field. Man, what a cold windy day to work outside. She shivered, partly from cold and partly from fear. Did Mr. Rankin even know about the shed fire yet?

  She entered the complex’s dome-shaped building. To her right, through the glass, four girls played on the indoor tennis court; half a dozen on her left watched TV while on treadmills. Straight ahead, five were working on movements in a self-defense class. Where could Tim be?

  Jeri was turning to leave when he emerged from the weights room. “Hi, Tim!” she called.

  He jerked his head up, tensed as if to run, and then recognized Jeri. “Hi!” he called, his face lighting up.

  “Whatcha doin'?”

  “Cleaning mats. Mr. Rankin told me to.”

  “You work hard around here,” Jeri said, trying to figure out how to bring up the fire. “I’d rather work outdoors than indoors though.”

  “Me too. I like to exercise the horses and scoop snow.”

  “And mow grass?” Jeri asked, watching his expression.

  Tim’s smile faded. “I can’t. I just clean the mowers.”

  “Were you working on one today in the shed?” she asked quietly.

  “No!” Tim backed away from her. “I was sweeping. I didn’t touch them.”

  “Are you sure?” Jeri asked, feeling a bit sick. “Someone saw you running away from the shed earlier. Why would you run away from sweeping?”

  Tim whipped his head from side to side, as if looking for escape.

  Jeri took a deep breath. “It was right after a fire started.”

  “What fire?” boomed a deep voice.

  Jeri jumped and whirled around. Mr. Rankin was stalking down the hall toward them.

  “I didn’t start no fire!” Tim cried.

  “What fire?” Mr. Rankin demanded again. “What are you talking about?”

  Jeri gulped and jammed her shaking hands into her jacket pockets. “There was a small fire at the shed where you keep the lawn mowers. I put it out with the fire extinguisher.”

  “Another fire? Was this one arson too?”

  God, I don’t want to say this! “Well … the fireman thought so,” she admitted.

  Mr. Rankin stared at Tim. “You were there this morning.”

  “I didn’t start a fire!” Tim wailed. “I didn’t!”

  By this time, half a dozen whispering girls had appeared in the hall from the aerobics room and self-defense class.

  Mr. Rankin folded his arms across his chest. “You said someone saw Mr. Norton here running away from the fire.

  Is that true?”

  “Not exactly. She wasn’t sure.”

  “She must have been pretty sure for you to question him.”

  Jeri took a deep breath. “She recognized his orange owl jacket.”

  Mr. Rankin glanced at Tim, who still wore the coat. “This calls for an investigation.” He faced Tim. “If the fire marshal backs up what Jeri said, you’re finished. You can’t break machinery and then set fire to it to cover the evidence.”

  “I didn’t!” Tim cried. “Don’t take away my job!”

  Without looking back, Mr. Rankin passed through the double glass doors and turned toward the administration building. Jeri’s stomach twisted in a painful knot. Within five minutes, the Head would know about Tim leaving the scene of the fire. She’d also wonder why Jeri hadn’t reported it right away herself. She turned back to Tim and was mortified to see tears in his eyes.

  “I thought you were my girlfriend,” he whispered.

  “I’m your friend,” Jeri corrected him. “I didn’t mean for Mr. Rankin to react that way, but I had to ask you.”

  “What will I tell Mom?” Tim wailed. “She’s proud of me working here!”

  Jeri closed her eyes briefly. Oh, why hadn’t she been more careful when she talked to him? Why had she blurted it out where anyone could overhear? This job meant everything to Tim — and she’d ruined it for him.

  “I bet the fire marshal will figure it out fast,” Jeri said, trying to sound confident. “You’ll probably be back here working next week.”

  She touched his sleeve, but h
e jerked away. Brushing at the tears on his plump cheeks, he shuffled down the hall and out the door.

  Feeling a bit light-headed, Jeri watched him go. She would be 100 percent responsible if he lost his job. What if he’d only run away because he was afraid of the fire, and he was too embarrassed to admit it? If only she could rewind the last fifteen minutes and do things differently.

  If Mr. Rankin’s attitude was any indication, Jeri was afraid people would be all too eager to believe Tim was guilty. After all, he was often picked on by the girls. The investigator could accuse him of taking revenge by burning buildings and trying to hurt them back.

  Could that be true? God, please don’t let Tim be punished for something he didn’t do.

  “Tim! Wait!” She ran after him, keeping his bright orange jacket in view. She was breathing hard by the time she caught up. “I want to talk to you.”

  He finally stopped. Pulling his ball cap low over his forehead, he crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Listen to me,” Jeri said quietly. “Mr. Rankin was mean to you. You’re a good worker.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Sure you are! I see you working hard all the time.”

  “But I’m dumb.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Tim hesitated. A frightened look came into his eyes. “I tried to put oil in a lawn mower once, but I spilled it.” Jeri’s heart quickened. “When did you do that?” Tim stared at the ground, silent. “When, Tim?”

  He sighed. “This morning—but you can’t tell!”

  Jeri let out her breath slowly. “Come sit down.” She motioned to a bench out of the wind under a nearby dogwood tree. The weak sun filtered down through the branches and newly formed leaves. Tim shuffled over and sat beside her. “Now tell me what happened.”

  Tim leaned his elbows on his knees and let his cap hang down between them. “I was sweeping the shed. Mr. Rankin had bought new oil. I decided to surprise him.”

  “By doing what?”

  “Putting oil in the mowers.” His shoulders slumped. “I spilled it all over.” He looked up, pure fear on his round face. “I was scared. I ran away and hid in the horse barn.”

  Jeri waited. And waited some more. “Then what?”

  He smiled lopsidedly. “I got hungry. My lunch box was in the shed. I went back to get it.”

  “Had you locked the shed up?” Jeri asked.

  “Me?” Tim cocked his head to one side. “I don’t have any keys.”

  Jeri nodded. So the shed was unlocked while Tim was hiding in the horse barn — unlocked and available to an arsonist.

  “Did you get your lunch then?”

  “No. I went in the back door. The mower was burning! The oil I spilled caught on fire somehow!”

  “So you were scared and ran away?”

  “Yes. I mean, no.” He shuddered. “I wasn’t scared of the fire. I was scared Mr. Rankin would blame me for it.”

  Jeri sighed. She could understand that. That must have been when Lyndsey saw him and recognized his jacket.

  “I need to ask you something, Tim.” Jeri slipped her arm through his so he wouldn’t run. “The fireman said someone tossed a match on some rags on the mower. Was that someone you?”

  “No! No!” He hit his head with his fists, over and over. “No, no, no!”

  “Stop that!” Jeri grabbed both his hands and pulled them down. She held onto his wrists until he calmed down, and then let them go. “It’s going to be all right, Tim. The investigators will find the truth.”

  Tim stared at the ground, silent. A few minutes later Jeri shivered, realizing suddenly how very cold she was. She ought to go pick up her library book, but she didn’t need Tim following her there. Enough was enough for one day. She stood up. “I’m heading back to the dorm now.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  No! Jeri took a deep breath. “You don’t need to do that. It’s out of your way.”

  “I don’t mind.” He got up too. “I’m not mad at you anymore.”

  “That’s good. I’m sorry you’ve had such a rotten day. Why don’t you get your bike and head home?” Jeri walked backwards down the sidewalk toward her dorm, ignoring the curious stares of girls they passed.

  “Tomorrow will be better,” Tim said, running clumsily to catch up. “That’s what Mom always says.”

  Jeri smiled. “Your mom sounds nice.”

  “She is.” Tim leaned close and whispered, “Mom adopted me.”

  “Really?” Jeri said, embarrassed at the surprise in her voice. So his mom had known there was something wrong with Tim, and she wanted him anyway. She’d chosen him, problems and all.

  “She says I’m special.” Tim clapped suddenly. “You want to come home with me and see her?”

  “I can’t leave campus.” At his crestfallen face, Jeri added, “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay.”

  As they approached Hampton House, Jeri felt her stomach tighten into a knot. She hoped no one was looking out a window right now. She had already been teased about that stuffed bunny enough to last a lifetime. Luckily the rolling gray clouds threatened rain, or more girls would be outside Rollerblading and biking.

  “Try to have a good Sunday tomorrow,” Jeri said. “Maybe by Monday or Tuesday all this will be over.” She turned to go in.

  “Stop!” Tim grabbed Jeri’s arm.

  Jeri frowned. “I have to get going, Tim.”

  “I want to ask you something.” Tim licked his lips, rubbed a hand back through his hair, and waved his ball cap back and forth. “Are you going to the whing-ding thing?”

  Jeri laughed. “Whing-ding thing?” Then she saw he was serious. “You mean the luau next weekend?”

  He nodded. “Carl and me—we’re folding tables when it’s over, so we get to come. Cindy and Linda get to come too.”

  “I’m helping decorate in the morning,” Jeri said, surprised the New Hope kids would be there. “Then I’ll go to the luau and dance later.”

  “Will you dance with me? And be my date?” Tim asked, grinning. He bounced up and down on the balls of his feet.

  Your date? “Gee, Tim, that’s nice of you to ask,” she stammered.

  “I can’t drive. Mom will pick you up.”

  “Wait, Tim. I have to say no. I’m too young to date.” It was true, and Jeri had never been more glad of the fact. “Mom won’t let me, and neither will Ms. Carter. No sixth grader gets to have a date for the dance.”

  “Let’s do everything else together then.”

  What had she gotten herself into? “I’m sure I’ll see you there,” she said slowly. “Either at the luau or watching the games. They’re having funny events like coconut bowling and a tropical three-legged race and bobbing for seashells.”

  “Be my partner in the three-legged race then!” Tim said. “I’m fast!”

  “I’m sure you are.” Jeri sighed. She’d daydreamed for weeks that Dallas would be her partner in the race. He probably wouldn’t ask, but he might. If she said yes to Tim, she’d be paired with him in front of both schools. She thought being kind to Tim would make her feel good — not eternally embarrassed.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she studied Tim’s hopeful expression. He’d already had such a rotten day. Being terrified when discovering the fire, then Mr. Rankin trying to get him fired from his job after she questioned Tim in front of him … Could she really add one more horrible thing to his day?

  She could almost hear her mom’s voice in her head. Treat everyone with respect and make them feel valued, she’d said. You can’t go wrong following the Golden Rule. “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.” Inwardly she sighed. Help me, God. I want to do what’s right.

  She forced herself to smile. “I’d be glad to be your racing partner. I bet we win!”

  “I’ll invite Mom to watch us. Then you can meet her.”

  Keep smiling. It’ll be okay, she reassured herself. Tim deserved a break. He truly was one of the nicest, ki
ndest boys she knew.

  At least, she hoped so. If she was wrong about him, she’d just made a date with an arsonist.

  7

  taking the heat

  At loose ends, Jeri wandered around her dorm room Saturday afternoon, too agitated to settle down anywhere for long. After she jumped up for the fourth time during their movie, Rosa put it on pause. “Got ants in your pants or what?”

  “Sorry.” She plopped back down in the beanbag chair and focused on the laptop screen. However, her mind kept worrying about Abby in the hospital, Tim getting fired, the three-legged race, the arsonist striking next …

  She jumped up again. “Let’s get outside,” she said. “Wanna go watch Nikki ride?”

  “No way, José.” Rosa shivered and pulled her comforter up to her neck. “The temperature dropped twenty degrees today.”

  Grabbing her heavy coat, Jeri dug in the pockets for gloves. “See you later.” Outside, the wind blasted her, making her gasp. Rosa was right. It felt like spring had retreated back into winter in a matter of hours. Jeri considered going back for her stocking cap, but just covered her ears with her hands instead and struck out across campus. Walking fast helped her warm up, plus work off some nervous energy.

  Soon her face was freezing though, and frigid air cut through her jeans. Up ahead was the Equestrian Center. It’d be cold in there too, but it’d be out of the wind. She might as well stop and watch Nikki practice. With the tri-state competition just ten days away, she practiced her dressage moves daily.

  The riding ring was empty though, so Jeri headed to Show Stopper’s stall. Nikki looked surprised to see her.

  “Hey! What’s up?”

  “Nothin'.” Jeri leaned over the stall door. “Just bored, I guess.” She had what her mom called the fidgets. She watched Nikki brush her horse for a minute. “I think I’ll do that too. See ya.” She headed around to the other side of the barn to where her rental horse, Prancer, had his stall. She rode him for her weekly lessons. She liked to pretend he belonged to her, but she actually shared him with a dozen other girls.

  As she rounded the corner, the lanky stable hand emerged just ahead from the tack room.