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back the third time she’d decided to play hardball. “You said if there was ever anything I needed, I just had to ask. Remember? I’m asking, Doug.”
    He slowed to a stop several yards ahead of her and then turned around. “You got me there.”
    â€œHow is John John?” She peered at the little baby, with his cap of dark hair and the nose so like his father’s.
    â€œJohn John is fine, fine, as we are fond of saying. Thanks to you.”
    She smiled, remembering the day when they’d arrived to find him barely breathing due to a respiratory infection, mother hysterical, dad trying to remember his infant CPR, hands shaking so badly he could hardly hang on to the baby. She stabilized the child and transported him to the hospital, where he fully recovered. Ivy figured the parents might never do so after a scare like that. “He looks like the strong, silent type.”
    â€œAs the guy who hands over the 4:00 a.m. bottle, I would have to disagree about the silent part. Anyway, I really do need to get him home, Ivy. So what can I do for you?”
    â€œI want to know what’s going on with the investigation. The house on Alder Street?”
    â€œIt’s pending.”
    â€œThat’s not enough.”
    He sighed. “Ivy, I like you. You’re a ferociously determined person with a heart of gold, but Chief Strong isn’t too happy with you right now. She ordered me to keep you out of the whole thing. You understand, don’t you?”
    Ivy’s gut clenched. “I got hurt in that fire. I have a right to know. And a friend of mine is involved. I’m afraid he’s headed for trouble.”
    He rubbed a hand over his chin. “Look, I can tell you it was arson. Does that help?”
    â€œI already knew that. What was the ignition source?”
    He laughed. “Nice try. You know I couldn’t tell you that even if you weren’t in the doghouse with Strong.”
    â€œCome on, Doug. Don’t I get anything at all? We’ve worked together for a long time.”
    â€œYes.” He sighed. “And you saved my son’s life so I’ll throw you a bone here, but if this info gets out anywhere, we’re both toast. You got me?”
    She nodded.
    â€œI’m pretty sure that whoever torched that place was trying to make sure someone died in that fire.”
    Her mouth fell open. “What? How do you know that?”
    â€œDid you have a hard time opening the bedroom door?”
    She recalled it had taken both Jeff and her to pry it open and they’d still had to batter the door across the threshold. “Yeah, as a matter of fact.”
    â€œThat’s because someone jammed something in the frame so tight no one could have gotten it out.”
    The enormity of it hit her. “So the arsonist was hoping to prevent someone from escaping, probably Cyril, but there was no body recovered. How did he get out?”
    â€œNot sure. It’s conceivable they both climbed down the oak tree that’s outside his window. It’s not an easy climb, but when you’re faced with burning to death it might have its appeal. This is all theoretical, of course.”
    Ivy could picture it. Cyril, in a panic with smoke filling his room, shimmied down the tree and ran. She would make the same risky choice in the face of burning to death, especially with the door wedged shut. “I wonder who wanted Cyril dead.”
    He pulled the shade more fully over the baby’s head. “I don’t know, Ivy, but you need to leave that up to the police and on-duty people to find out. You should focus on recovery. And remember, you never heard any of this from me.” He jogged away.
    Leave it up to the police? Sure, she would, but it wouldn’t hurt to look into things since she unfortunately had the time and she had the uneasy feeling Moe was involved. She felt sort of like a big sister to the guy. It pained her to think he might be