Obsessed

by Margaret Daley

* * *

  Having worked all day Friday nonstop on the two fires started by an arsonist, possibly the same person, Quinn was ready to go home and pay attention to Brutus. He’d texted Serena when she was leaving school to see if she would either take Brutus over to her house or put his dog inside his house. He got a brief reply of yes. Nothing else. For some reason, her response nagged at him.

  He pulled into his garage, went into his house, and called out, “Brutus.” His Great Dane didn’t come into the kitchen, which meant he was over at Serena’s.

  Good—because he wanted to spend the evening getting to know her.

  His cell phone rang as he made his way outside on his front porch. “Hi, Brock. Do you have any more test results back?” Earlier, Quinn had learned the accelerant was ethyl ether, highly flammable.

  “We’re working on the components of the timer and making a list of people who bought ethyl ether. What I’m calling about right now is to tell you that Mark Johnson was found—dead.”

  “Where was he, and how did he die?”

  “It looks like overexposure to ethyl ether but still needs to be confirmed. He was found in the trunk of his car stashed in the woods near the lake outside town. Two fishermen came upon the vehicle and called 9-1-1.”

  “Thanks for letting me know. I can’t emphasize it enough. We have to find this arsonist. I’m going to check nationwide about this guy’s MO.”

  “So will I.”

  Quinn continued his trek to Serena’s. She needed to know. He hadn’t wanted to tell her too much until he knew more. She answered the doorbell within half a minute. Her tense shoulders sagged, and a smile of relief washed over her face. Brutus stuck his head out between Serena and the doorframe.

  Quinn grinned at his Great Dane. “There you are. I wondered where you were.” He rubbed his dog’s head. “Visiting your girlfriend?”

  Brutus barked while Susie poked her head out between his two front legs.

  When Quinn shifted his attention to Serena, his heartbeat accelerated. He hadn’t seen her since late Wednesday night and had missed her. “Can I come in?”

  She blushed and stepped out of the entrance. “I’m glad to see you. I left a note on your back door and a message on your phone about eating lunch with me. I was worried when you didn’t come to lunch at the high school, and I didn’t hear from you.”

  “I did get your message on the phone after you had lunch, but I couldn’t get back to you right away. I never saw a note on my back door when I came by to check on Brutus this morning. Maybe it fell off or the wind whisked it away.” He gestured toward his gate to the backyard.

  “When I got home, I’d let Susie outside, and Brutus started barking then she did too. I didn’t want the neighbors to get upset at the racket. I looked for the note on the door and ground when I went to bring Brutus over here. I didn’t see it anywhere, so I thought you’d gotten it.”

  “The note is probably down the street somewhere. I would have loved to eat lunch with you, but today I wouldn’t have been able to. I was working the two arson cases. I’m worried this arsonist might strike again soon.”

  Serena’s eyes darkened. She opened and closed her hands at her side. “We need to talk. I think Blaine was targeted because he put Susie in his house and went to school.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “A gut feeling.” She walked into the living room and sat on the couch. “Tell me how the fire at Blaine’s happened.”

  “Do you know anything about this guy setting fires?”

  “Maybe I’m overreacting to something that happened in my hometown.” Serena clamped her jaws together.

  Quinn thought about pressing her on her comment, but fear stared back at him. The urge to hold her and keep her safe overwhelmed him, surprising him with the fervent feeling. “The fire at Blaine’s house started upstairs. One ignition point was in his room, most likely hidden from him, so possibly in his closet. Since the flooring collapsed, it’s hard to tell for sure, but the burn pattern on the wall where his closet had been supports that theory. A second ignition point was in the bedroom across from Blaine’s.”

  “How was Mark’s fire started?”

  “The same way. The only thing different was people weren’t in the house.”

  “But we don’t know where Mark is. He could be dead somewhere else.”

  Quinn drew in a deep breath. “About Mark, I heard from the police about him today. Mark was found today, dead in his car at the lake outside town.”

  Tears swelled into her eyes. She swallowed hard. “Both had a tie to me. I dated Mark for a while, and Blaine was one of my students who put Susie in his house on Tuesday morning.”

  Surprised by her statement, he glanced from Serena to Susie lying next to Brutus. “Did Blaine tell you that?”

  “Yes. He apologized when I went to see him earlier today.”

  “Did he have anything to do with Susie returning to your backyard?”

  She shook her head.

  “So, he didn’t leave his kitchen door open?”

  “No. Susie was gone when he came home. I thought about asking him more questions, but I didn’t want to overtax him. He’s coughing and wheezing, and his voice is hoarse.”

  “I have to see him tomorrow. I’ll ask him. If he didn’t find the door open nor leave it open, then that probably means the arsonist was in the house when we saw the open back door on Wednesday. That’ll help with the timeline, and if we find the arsonist, it will help in proving the case against him.” He moved closer and took her hand. “What’s happening with you? Why do you think this may be connected to your hometown? What happened there?”

  Serena closed her eyes for a few seconds. A tear coursed down her cheek. “I left my hometown and changed my identity because I had a stalker. I dated Don Whitman for six months, and we were serious, even discussing getting married. We were exclusive until Don decided to date another woman while going out with me. When I found that out, I broke off our relationship. Not long after that, Don’s house was burned down under similar conditions as you described for Mark and Blaine. Don wasn’t in his home, but he disappeared, and to this day, his family doesn’t know where he is. After what you’ve said, it’s possible he’s dead, but his body’s never been found.”

  “The fire you’re talking about was in Savannah?”

  Her cheeks reddened. “As I said, I had to change my identity. That was part of my new identity through the Safe Haven Program. I grew up in Mobile.”

  “What was your name before?”

  “Kathleen Franklin. When I left my job, family, and friends, I didn’t tell them where I was going or who I would be. I knew I had to make a clean break with my past after the stalker was waiting for me in my own home. He wasn’t going to let me go, but I got away from him.” Another tear ran down her face. “Leaving my family and friends was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and you’re the only person I’ve told.”

  The trust she had given him awed Quinn. He would do everything to make sure nothing happened to her. “You have no idea who the stalker was in Mobile?”

  “No. The person I suspected is in jail right now and couldn’t be doing this. So, either I was wrong about him and there was someone else, or this has nothing to do with me and Mobile.”

  “But you’re connected to the people whose houses were burned down. I’d like to call the Mobile Fire Department about Don Whitman’s fire. It might help us, especially if there’s a connection.” He put his hand on her shoulder and kneaded her tight muscles. “You aren’t alone. I’m determined to figure out what happened with the two housefires.”

  “Yeah, but arsonists can be hard to catch.”

  He slid his arm across her shoulders and pulled her close. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.”

  Serena laid her head against him. “If it’s someone from my past, I should be able to recognize him.”

  “He could be hiding from you. Remember you never knew who it was.”

  “Or he
’s changed his appearance.” She looked up at Quinn. “This isn’t making me feel better.”

  He cupped her face with one hand. “I’m going to repeat. You aren’t alone. This may have nothing to do with what happened in Mobile.”

  “I hope so. I don’t want it to ruin my whole life.”

  He leaned slowly toward her and brushed his lips across hers. When he claimed her mouth in a deep kiss, he wound his arms around her and held her close. She snuggled even nearer—much like Susie cuddling against Brutus.

  If only he could keep Serena by his side at all times. He couldn’t believe how important she was to him in a short time. These feelings scared him. He didn’t want to be cast to the side as he had been by his high school sweetheart. Her betrayal made him doubt his judgment. Yet, Serena’s confession earlier had taken their relationship to another level. She trusted him when she had a good reason not to with her past relationships.

  Father, I need Your help. Show me the way to protect Serena and find the arsonist before another person dies.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next morning, cupping her warm mug of coffee, Serena stared out the kitchen window at Susie and Brutus in the backyard. The Great Dane spent his time snooping along the rear fence with her poodle trailing him, doing the same thing. With her alarm on and Brutus staying overnight, she’d felt safe.

  When she lifted her gaze, she caught sight of the burnt shell of the Wests’ home, a constant reminder that she could be in danger, too. Lord, I’m not running again. All I can do now is put my total trust in You. This guy has to be stopped. Running away won’t lead to his identity. I’m scared. Help me find this obsessed stalker.

  She bowed her head and closed her eyes, trying to imagine a life without fear, always wondering if he would find her.

  Trust Me.

  She raised her chin and looked at Susie and Brutus heading toward the kitchen door. The chimes sounded throughout her house. She quickly let the dogs inside then hurried into the foyer, placing the mug on a table nearby. After checking through the peephole, she let Quinn inside. He carried two cups in a holder and a paper bag.

  He held it up. “I brought breakfast. I hope you’re hungry. I couldn’t decide which kind of donut you would like so I got one of each.”

  She smiled. “How many are you talking about?”

  “Eight. I understand from a couple of firefighters that Sweet Haven has the best donuts in town.”

  “That’s across town.”

  “You’re worth it. Nothing will go to waste.” Quinn walked to the kitchen and put the donuts in the middle of the table.

  “That’s what I’m afraid of. I hate wasting good food, so you’re forcing me to have at least four of them. Shame on you.” She couldn’t contain her laughter. Quinn made her forget her worries for a few minutes.

  “I can take it. I’ve got big shoulders.”

  Serena ran her gaze slowly down and then up his body, admiring his muscular chest and arms that his T-shirt didn’t completely hide. “I totally agree.” She winked at him then crossed to the cabinets and withdrew two dessert plates. She set them down on the table then took a seat.

  Quinn passed her one of the cups. “Another recommendation I got was Olivia’s Café Delight’s coffee.”

  “It sounds like you’re settling in with Firehouse 14.”

  “Yep.” Quinn tore the sack, so the donuts were spread out before them. “You get first choice.”

  “You really did get one of everything.” She snatched up a glazed donut. “Simple and delicious,” she said then took a large bite. “Mmm.” As she devoured the treat, she decided to tell Quinn about a plan she’d come up with in the middle of the night. It might be a way to lure the arsonist out. She had to do something with Mark murdered and Blaine nearly being killed.

  While Quinn picked his donut, Serena got up and let Susie and Brutus, who were standing by the door, out in the backyard again. She couldn’t take her eyes off the burnt remains behind her. The charred view gave her the strength to approach Quinn.

  As he ate his bear claw, she settled into her chair and took her next one, a cream-filled delight. “I have an idea of a way to catch the arsonist.”

  “What?” He licked his fingers then drank a long sip of his coffee.

  “If the arsonist is my stalker from Mobile, we can lure him out by pretending to be a couple.” Before he could say anything, she held up her hand to stop his protest. “You see the connection between the fires, and you know what to expect from him. And you have Brutus. He can smell an accelerant and warn you before it goes off.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not worried about me. It’s too dangerous for you.”

  “So far he hasn’t hurt me.” The time the stalker had been in her house flashed through her mind. That was the reason she fled Mobile. His obsession with her began at the end of her junior year of high school with an occasional gift left for her. It escalated when she became serious about Don.

  “What about the time he was in your house? If you hadn’t gotten away from him, he could have hurt you.”

  “But I did get away. I wasn’t going to let him win. We need to see if it’s the same person. What if this doesn’t have anything to do with me? Yes, Blaine is connected to me as teacher and student, but Blaine really didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “He had Susie in his house.”

  “He damaged my fence, but when he put Susie in his house that morning, he intended to return her after school that day. Whoever’s doing this must be caught. I’m willing to help.”

  “I need to call Detective Harris. He’s on this case. The only way I’ll agree is if you have police protection.”

  “It’s not me I’m worried about. It’s others. It’s you. I have to fight him. If changing my identity didn’t stop him, then I have two solutions—keep moving and never stay in one place long, and I don’t want a life like that, or I can stay and fight him.” Again, tears filled her eyes. She dropped her head, so he couldn’t see how upset she was.

  He scooted his chair back and came around, squatting next to her, one hand resting on the back slat of her seat. “That’s why I’m going to do what I can to make sure you’re safe. I’ll call Detective Harris and have him come over here. We’ll come up with something to help you.” He reached up and wiped her tears away. “I don’t want you leaving Cimarron City. But I also don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I don’t want to get hurt or leave either. I love my job.” And I’m attracted to you—more than I should be, considering what happens to a guy I care about.

  He rose, taking her hands and drawing her to her feet. He embraced her and held her against his chest. His arms around her made her feel safe. For so many years she hadn’t.

  Trust Me.

  Those words were a reminder that the Lord was in control. He could do so much more than she ever could.

  The sound of Quinn’s heart beating steadily calmed her. She tilted her head back and peered up into his endearing face. “Thank you for caring.”

  The gentle look in his eyes melted her heart. She leaned against him and wrapped her arms around him.

  “I must admit the idea of playing your boyfriend is appealing. I would enjoy doing that.”

  “It wouldn’t be a hardship for me either.”

  He chuckled. “Maybe we should practice. I’d want to be authentic in my performance.”

  She looked up into his face.

  His blue eyes twinkled. “Not a bad idea, huh?”

  His mouth slowly closed the space between hers. When his lips settled on hers, she never wanted the kiss to end.

  * * *

  Quinn let Detective Brock Harris into his house. “I’m glad you were on duty today. Let’s go into the living room where Serena and I tell you about our plan.”

  Brock raised his eyebrows. “What plan?”

  “To catch the arsonist.”

  “I appreciate all your evidence and help on the two cases, but it’s my job to catch the guy
.”

  “We have a theory. I’ve researched three similar arson cases in Mobile.” Quinn led the way to the living room where Serena sat on the couch. He took a seat next to her while Brock occupied a lounge chair across from them.

  “Nothing nearer than Mobile?”

  “Not in Oklahoma. The reason I checked with Mobile is because Serena was originally from there. I’m going to let her tell you her story and explain the need to keep some of the information just between us.”

  Brock switched his attention to Serena. “What’s going on?”

  Serena sat forward, her hands clasped together. After she told Brock what happened in Mobile with her stalker and Don’s fire, she relaxed her tense shoulders and reclined back. “I didn’t know that there had been two other fires similar to Don Whitman’s until Quinn called the fire department arson division this morning. One of the houses was the home I rented. Thankfully, I’d already left, and no one was in the place at the time of the fire. I’m not familiar with the other house, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t tied to me.”

  Listening to Serena tell the story again reinforced Quinn’s determination to solve this case. “Which may be the key to the arsonist. For sure, two of the fires in Mobile are connected because of Serena. The last fire was only eight months ago. The use of the same method and accelerant indicates this could be the same person as in Mobile. The Mobile Fire Department is sending me all the records on the three arson fires.”

  “Whose house was the third’s?” Brock asked as he wrote in his pad.

  “Bob Broussard.” Quinn glanced at Serena. “But she doesn’t know a Bob Broussard.”

  “But I do know a Robbie Broussard. It could be the same person. Robbie was the eldest son of my stepfather. When my mother married Pete Broussard, I met Robbie at their wedding. He was fourteen. I was twelve. But other than seeing him a few more times, we didn’t really know each other, and our connection ended when my stepfather died—in that fire I told you about, Quinn.”

  He straightened. “Tell Brock about it.”