The Wrong Bones (Widow's Island #10)(18)

Logan called out, “Hey! Did you know we’re under a fire ban?”

The man spun, clutching the box in both hands. Long brown hair hung in greasy waves alongside his face, and he sported an unkempt six-inch beard.

“There’s a statewide ban on fires due to dry conditions. You’re breaking the law.”

“What?” The man took a step back.

An ember jumped from the barrel, floated through the air, and landed on a pile of dead fir needles. Rushing forward, Logan kicked dirt over them. “What are you burning?”

“None of your fucking business.” The man glared at him. “This isn’t the state forest, Ranger Rick.”

“The name is Ranger Wilde,” Logan said. “And the fire ban covers the whole state, not just the park.”

“Whatever.” The man started to turn away, reaching into his box before pulling out another handful of paper. “You can’t do anything. You’re out of your jurisdiction.”

“But I’m not.” Tessa stepped out of the trees. “Sheriff’s department. Set down the box, and step away from the fire.”

The man eyed her uniform and circled behind the barrel. “Stop right there, or I’ll dump this barrel. I’ll set the whole place on fire.”

“Do you really want to be responsible for a wildfire?” Logan asked. “You can get ten years for arson.”

“You’re not taking me in.” The man held the papers over the barrel.

Logan didn’t think he was talking about arson. What has he done? And what is he burning?

“Step away from the fire,” Tessa ordered.

“Fuck you.” The man threw the papers on the fire, then tossed the wooden box on top. The fire crackled. Sparks sprayed into the air.

Cursing, Logan stomped around the yard, but he couldn’t put out all the sparks before the dried foliage ignited. Small embers caught on fir needles. Shit.

The man turned to run.

“Stop!” When he didn’t, Tessa drew her Taser from her belt and fired.

The man went down, his body twitching. While Tessa removed the barbs, Logan raced to the SUV and grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back. He returned to the yard and sprayed foam on every smoking ember. Then he sprayed the barrel. When he was sure all the sparks were extinguished, he set down the tank.

Tessa stood over the still-twitching man, no empathy on her face.

“You . . . bitch,” he gasped.

“Well, I’m a bitch with a badge and a Taser, so behave yourself.” Tessa hauled him to a sitting position. “What’s your name?”

“Fuck you.”

“And your first name, Mr. Fuck You?” She began emptying his pockets, pulling out a folding knife and a box of matches. “Where’s your wallet?”

He seethed, then shuddered again. “I don’t have to answer your questions.”

“Not talking?” Tessa asked. “Fine. We’ll go to the station and run your prints.” She hauled him to his feet by the biceps. “Logan, did that box burn?”

Logan peered into the barrel. “It did not.” He reached in and lifted the sopping-wet wooden box from the slimy mess. The wood was too thick to easily burn.

“That’s mine!” the man yelled.

“Are you going to cooperate?” Tessa asked.

He snapped his mouth closed.

“Fine.” Tessa started tugging him across the yard. Logan followed, carrying the box.

She gave the picnic table a side-eye. “What kind of bird did you eat?”

“A chicken,” the man said.

“Did you steal it?” Logan asked. He was thinking of Killer Hen, and he knew Tessa was also.

“No,” he said in a smug voice. “I caught it. It was wild.”

Tessa swore. She frog-marched the man back to her vehicle and locked him in the back.

Standing next to her, Logan said, “There are tons of chickens on this island. We’re pretty far from our place. The chances that he ate Killer are slim.”

“I know.” But she looked worried. Killer Hen made her crazy, but Logan knew Tessa was attached to the feisty bird.

“You miss her,” he joked.

Tessa snorted. “We have a complicated relationship.” She motioned to Logan. “Let’s do a quick check inside the house.”

“Do you have gloves?” Logan asked.

Tessa handed him a pair, and he tugged them on before lifting the lid on the wooden box. The inside was filled with photographs of a dark-haired woman in her late twenties. Logan moved a few pictures aside. “These were all taken at a distance.”

Tessa glanced inside. “Without her knowledge.”

“Was he stalking her?”

Tessa tilted her head to get a better look. “I don’t recognize any of the scenery.”

“I don’t think the pictures were taken on Widow’s.” Logan studied a photo of the woman crossing a parking lot. “This looks like a Walmart sign in the background.”

Widow’s didn’t have a Walmart.

“Let’s check inside the house,” Tessa said.

Logan closed the box, and they opened the front door. A foul odor filled the air. Logan set the wooden box on the floor by the front door. Tessa drew her gun as they went inside. The small house consisted of two bedrooms, a single bath, and a combination living room and kitchen. They quickly checked the rooms and found them empty.