Double Inferno (The Sinful 7 of Delite, Texas 2)

“It’s another big fire. I need to go. I’ve got a bad feeling about this whole situation. I’m worried about Paula and leaving her.”

Matt took a deep breath and released it. “I’ll take care of her while you’re gone. She’ll be safe here. I’m worried about you. This guy starting the fires came onto our property. What if he does something to Paula?”

Tyler caressed her cheek, and she snuggled closer to Matt. Tyler smiled.

“I know, Matt. I’m worried, too, but she needs us. Only we can take care of her. She’s special, Matt.”

“I’ve been telling you that for months, but somebody was hung up on the age difference,” Matt teased.

Tyler chuckled. “She is too young. I don’t deserve her.”

“Sure you do. We’re all perfect together and some asshole is not going to ruin our happiness.”

“Damn straight.” Tyler rose from the bed. “I’ll call you later. Let her know I had to go.”

“I will.”

Chapter 11

He could hear the echo of radio chatter in the distance and the revving of diesel engines as the firefighters fought the terrible blaze. His heart pounded inside of his chest, his adrenaline pumped, and he tried his hardest to hide his smile. Explosion after explosion of the propane tanks that had lined each trailer left the smell of burning fuel in the air. He had no choice but to burn multiple units so his acts couldn’t be discovered right away. He felt the sweat drip from his brow and the black smoke fill the air. The police were there taping off the area and holding worried neighbors back and evacuating others who lived in the trailer park. It was a nice community. He knew that. These trailers were high end and well taken care of by a local landscape company. He knew the guy and would probably be drinking a beer with him tomorrow night at Dixie Chix. Paula. Oh yeah, this was all for Paula. His urge for her was getting out of control. His need to burn something to anger the man she was with now was important and a priority.

Just then, he saw the truck pull onto the scene. The fire inspector was there. He watched him, knowing that the man was big and physically fit. He had a superior personality and required respect and obedience, especially

from women. It seemed that Paula liked that kind of treatment, which both enraged him and made him smile. He had plans for her. Plans that involved tying her up and having his way with that luscious, flawless body of hers. He nearly came in his apartment as he watched the video he’d recorded of her in her room. She was sexy, youthful, and sweet.

His other plan was nearly complete. He would grab Paula and have what he deserved and be done fucking around. He would punish her and cleanse her of her sins before he took her. She needed cleansing after allowing the fire inspector and his brother to fuck her. He knew that was what they were doing. He knew they took Paula to their home.

The anger filled his belly as he passed some of the firefighters.

Patience. Just a little more patience and she’ll be mine.

* * * *

The fire had been extinguished. Only the smoldering ash on black tarred surfaces remained with its lingering, harsh scent. Tyler was used to this. He knew fire. He understood the power behind it. He also knew arson. He suspected it immediately when he came across a flash of black climbing up one part of a trailer that was located so close to the first trailer engulfed in flames earlier. Then four more homes caught ablaze, totaling six by the time firefighters got it under control. Tyler knew people who lived here, families with young children, elderly and single men and women. It was a nice community, but tonight it was a victim of arson.

He gathered his case, the one with all his gadgets and devices. He took samples of the things that stood out in his investigative mind. This was the fourth fire in several months. The hotel fire, just a week ago today, caused two deaths and numerous injuries. He was still waiting on the medical examiner’s report on the victims.

“Hey, Tyler, how’s it going?” Sheriff BJ Parker asked as he slowly approached.

Tyler was squatting down, taking some samples of what appeared to be leftover accelerant. He looked up at the sheriff, who appeared as if he had circles under his eyes from lack of sleep.

“Not looking like an accident, Sheriff. I don’t like this one bit.”

The sheriff let out and annoyed sigh.

“What the fuck is going on in this town? We’ve got this asshole after Paula, and now an arsonist setting fires.”

Tyler felt the worry in his gut. He thought about Paula but knew that Matt was with her and the security system was still on.

“I know, Sheriff. It’s fucking crazy. I’m waiting on some information on those two bodies found in the hotel. My investigation thus far indicates that the fire started in that room.”

“What about the body found here? You know that’s Carla Simpson’s trailer?” the sheriff asked, and Tyler nodded his head. She was a nice woman but a bit on the wild side.

“Do you think there’s a connection?”

“I’m adding up the dots and coming up with a pattern, but connecting them and being sure is difficult at this stage. My gut says it’s the same person setting these fires. If you look at the history of fire calls over the past five years in Delite, you’d see they were few and far between, and none got so bad that buildings were destroyed or people killed. In all four cases, an accelerant was used.”

“Is it the same accelerant?”