Page 179 of Fury
“My investigators found the point of origin,” said Detective Milholland. “It was on the ground, west side. A rag soaked in some type of accelerant. We found a second rag in the back, also on the west side.”
“My bedroom and guest room are on that side of the house,” Elsa said.
“Do you know if you’d turned those lights on?”
“My bedroom light was on, but the back room was dark. I was downstairs, in my family room, watching the news, and I fell asleep. When I woke up, the room was filling with smoke. I jumped up, hurried toward the front door, but I must’ve passed out because the next thing I remember is being outside.”
“The fire was started between ten-forty-five and eleven-oh-five,” said the detective.
“I know you both rescued Mrs. Santini, but I have to ask where you were at that time.”
“We were at the Blue Suit club,” Carrera said.
“Both of you?” the detective asked.
“Yes,” Slash replied.
“Are there any witnesses who can confirm that?”
“Yes,” Slash said. “We ran in tosaveher, but you consider us suspects?”
“I’m just doing my job.”
“That’s ridiculous,” G-ma said. “Utterly ridiculous.”
Slash regarded Carrera. “What do you think?”
Carrera nodded, once. “Tell him.”
Slash retrieved her handbag and showed the detective her FBI badge. “I’m on undercover assignment at Blue Suit, and Deputy Director Santini is making sure I don’t become the club’s eighth victim. If you start asking around, you’ll blow our cover, put us in danger, and the seven women who’ve gone missing from there will likely stay missing.” She arched an eyebrow. “Are we on the same pagenow, Detective Milholland?”
“Understood,” he replied, before addressing Elsa. “Mrs. Santini, is there anyone who stands to gain financially if you hadn’t survived?”
“Only my executor knows the details of my will,” she replied.
“Who is that?”
“My grandson, Luciano Santini. He’s very wealthy, so please don’t add him to your suspect list.”
The detective regarded Slash. “Could the arson have anything to do with your case?”
“Why go after Elsa?” Slash replied. “Why not come after me or Carrera?”
“I have no answers yet,” he said. “I’ll keep you posted as we sift through the debris. I’m hoping Mrs. Santini’s neighbors saw or heard something.”
“What about my grandmother’s things?” Carrera asked.
“The stairs are unreliable. The second floor is severely compromised.” He thanked them and showed himself out.
Elsa made her way toward Carrera’s office.
“I think we’ve got ourselves a new team member,” Slash said as Elsa vanished around the corner.
“Looks that way,” Carrera said.
Alone in the kitchen, he pulled her into his arms. “You have my word that I’ll do right by you.” He dropped a searing kiss on her lips.
She hitched her arms around his neck, kissed him back. “I believe you, but if you don’t, I’ll do to you what I’m going to do to Elwood Tosh.”
“What would that be?”
“Slit his fucking throat,” she replied.
