Blue Smoke Read Online Free PDF Page A

the sort of woman men stood for. “I wouldn’t mind something cold, and a little more of your time.”
    The living room was colorful. He thought bold colors would suit a woman like Bianca Hale. It was tidy, the furniture far from new, but polished recently enough that he caught the drift of lemon oil. There were sketches on the walls, pastel chalk portraits of the family, simply framed. Someone had a good eye and a talented hand.
    â€œWho’s the artist?”
    â€œThat would be me.” Bianca poured lemonade over ice. “My hobby.”
    â€œThey’re great.”
    â€œMama had drawings in the shop, too,” Reena added. “I liked the one of Dad best. He had a big chef’s hat on and was tossing a pizza. It’s gone now, isn’t it? Burned up.”
    â€œI’ll draw another. Even better.”
    â€œAnd there was the old dollar. My Poppi framed the first dollar he made when he opened Sirico’s. And the map of Italy, and the cross Nuni had blessed by the Pope and—”
    â€œCatarina.” Bianca held up a hand to stop the flow. “When something’s gone it’s better to think of what you still have, and what you can make from it.”
    â€œSomebody started the fire, on purpose. Somebody didn’t care about your drawings or the cross or anything. Or even that Pete and Theresa and the baby were inside.”
    â€œWhat?” Bianca braced a hand on the back of a chair. “What’re you saying? Is this true?”
    â€œWe’re jumping a little ahead. An arson inspector will—”
    â€œArson.” Now Bianca lowered herself into the chair. “Oh my God. Oh sweet Jesus.”
    â€œMrs. Hale, I’ve reported my initial findings to the police department’s arson unit. My job is to inspect the building and determine if the fire should be investigated as incendiary. Someone from the arson unit will inspect the building, conduct an investigation.”
    â€œWhy don’t you?” Reena demanded. “You know.”
    John looked at her, those tired and intelligent amber eyes. Yeah, he thought. He knew. “If the fire was deliberate, then it’s a crime, and the police take over.”
    â€œBut you know.”
    No, the kid didn’t miss a trick. “I contacted the police because when I inspected the building I found what appears to be signs of forced entry. The smoke detectors were disabled. I found what appear to be multiple points of origin.”
    â€œWhat’s a point of origin?” Reena asked.
    â€œThat means that the fire started in more than one place, and from the burn patterns, from the way the fire marked certain areas of the floor, the walls, the furnishings, and the residue, it appears that gasoline was used as a starter, along with what we call trailers. Other fuel, like newspaper or waxed paper, books of matches. It looks as though someone broke in, set trailers through the dining areas and back to the kitchen. You had more fuel back there: pressurized cans, wood cabinets. The framing throughout, the tables, chairs. Gasoline, most likely, was poured over the floor, the furnishings, splashed on the walls. The fire was already involved by the time Reena went outside.”
    â€œWho would do that? Deliberately do that?” Gib shook his head. “I could see a couple of stupid kids breaking in, messing around, having an accident, but you’re talking about deliberately trying to burn us out—with a family upstairs. Who would do that?”
    â€œThat’s what I’m asking you. Is there anyone who has a grudge against you or your family?”
    â€œNo. No, God, we’ve lived in this neighborhood for fifteen years. Bianca grew up here. Sirico’s is an institution.”
    â€œA competitor?”
    â€œI know everyone who runs a restaurant in the area. We’re on good terms.”
    â€œA former employee, maybe. Or someone who works for you who