Page 90 of Never Forget
I opened the door.
"Miss Donovan." Morrison nodded. "I'm sorry to stop by unannounced. Do you have a few minutes?"
"Of course."
He stepped aside. "These are Agent Brooks and Agent Whitfield from SLED."
SLED. The State Law Enforcement Division. They were the agency that showed up when something had outgrown the police department. When it was bigger than a city case. When somebody had to answer to the state.
I stepped back and let them in.
"Can I get you anything? Coffee, water?"
"We won't take up much of your time." Agent Brooks was the older of the two—graying at the temples, a soft Havensworth accent I hadn't expected. "May we sit?"
I waved them toward the kitchen table, cleared the legal pad, and sat across from them.
Morrison spoke first.
"We wanted to give you an update on the investigation into the fire at your house. We've been working leads since then."
"And?"
"Nothing concrete yet." Morrison's voice was careful. "But we've opened a broader investigation. SLED is assisting. Which is why Agent Brooks and Agent Whitfield are here."
I looked at Brooks.
"We're looking at a few angles," Brooks said. "One of them is your professional background. You've done investigative work that's moved legislation. Some of that work stepped on toes in New York. It's not out of the question that someone with a grudge from up there could have followed you down."
I nodded. That made sense. I'd thought about it myself.
"But we're also looking at the reform proposal you've been working on in Havensworth."
My stomach tightened and my breath caught.
Brooks caught it. His face stayed neutral.
"To be clear, Miss Donovan. We're not saying anyone from the fire department is connected to the arson. We don't have evidence pointing in that direction. But you've been publicly challenging a specific institution. Someone set your house on fire while you and your niece were sleeping in it. If we don't look at the institution you're challenging, we're not doing our job."
"I understand."
"We'd like to ask you some questions. About the proposal. About the people you've been working with. About anyone who might have expressed hostility toward what you're doing."
"Of course."
I walked them through it. The work I'd done with Megan and Danny. The dispatchers who'd signed on. The firefighters who'd signed on. The reception from Captain Sutton.
Brooks asked careful questions. Whitfield took notes. Morrison mostly listened.
"And Mr. Reeves?" Brooks asked. "How is he connected to the proposal?"
"He's been supporting me. Helping me collect signatures. Making introductions."
"He's a firefighter at Station 33."
"Yes."
"Same station your brother was assigned to."
