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an emergency hearing. I’m picking up the children this afternoon. I’ve informed Ms. Stevens she had no right to take them the way she did.”
    â€œWhy did the hospital staff let her?”
    â€œBasically, she bullied them. A few of them knew she was the aunt so they assumed she had permission. Believe me, that kind of thing will not happen again.”
    She turned to Mitch, her eyes narrowing behind bifocals trimmed in silver. “Is there definitive proof that the parents are both deceased?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAnything else you can tell me that might help?”
    Jill interrupted. “Mr. Andrews was very close to the children and their parents. This is hard for him.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” the social worker said. “But I need to know everything.”
    â€œAsk me whatever you like,” he said flatly. “Those kids come first.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “Hang on a sec. I’ll check with mychief and see if the investigation has turned up anything new.”
    As Jill watched and listened, she saw his hazel eyes widen, then darken as he began to frown. Her gaze darted to Ms. Connors and she noticed that the other woman was also paying close attention.
    â€œI see,” Mitch said. “Is that public knowledge yet?”
    Jill found she was holding her breath.
    â€œHow about telling the kids’ social worker? Can I do that without jeopardizing the case?” Mitch asked.
    He apparently got the okay because he quickly bid the chief goodbye and faced Ms. Connors. Jill saw the muscles in his jaw clenching, twitching. Whatever he’d just learned, it was not good.
    â€œThe arson team from Little Rock found some chemical residue at the scene,” he announced.
    Jill assumed he meant plastic bits left over from the manufacture of the popular kitchen gadgets Pearson Products handled until he explained further.
    â€œThey’re positive the office was bombed. That’s what started the fire.” Mitch’s fists clenched at his sides. “This was no accident. Rob and Ellen were murdered.”
    Jill gasped. “Murdered? In Serenity? Things like that don’t happen here. They just don’t.”
    The social worker shook her head and nervously adjusted the position of her wire-rimmed glasses by pressing a finger to the bridge of her nose. “Apparently, it did this time. This changes everything. I’m not waiting. I’m going to pick up the children immediately.”
    â€œWe’ll come with you.”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary, Mr. Andrews. If I have problems I’ll ask the sheriff for assistance.”
    â€œI wasn’t talking about what Natalie may do,” Mitch explained. “I was offering to help you calm the boys. They know me so well they even refer to me as their uncle most of the time. They’ve only seen you once and that was under terrible circumstances. You’re about to take them from their aunt and she’s liable to resist. Who do you think they’ll listen to if things get rough, you or me?”
    â€œAll right.” Brenda eyed Jill. “Are you free to accompany us? I carry the necessary infant seats and restraints for older children in my car but I may need help with the baby. She was really upset when I picked her up last night and I wasn’t able to comfort her properly because I was driving.”
    â€œOf course. If you want, we can all go to my place to wait until you can get a temporary legal ruling.”
    â€œI wouldn’t want to put you out.”
    â€œNonsense. You know I’m already a foster parent so there should be no reason why my home wouldn’t be okay, at least as long as you’re there, too.”
    â€œAnd me,” Mitch said firmly. “I’m not letting those kids out of my sight until I’m sure they’re safe and well cared for. Rob would want it that way.”
    Although Jill