Page 81 of Betrayed

“Is everyone owning up to the other fires?”

“Yes, sir,” Zach said. “But no one knows about your house. Jeremiah was mad because whoever did it broke the rules of the dare.”

This was confirmation of the suspicion that someone other than a teenager targeted Logan.

Stillwater walked over and glared at the boys. “You two. Still sore about my telling you not to skate around the library where signs are posted telling you not to?”

The boys looked at the ground.

Logan said, “Is that why you picked Officer Stillwater’s trash can?”

The boys nodded.

Logan turned to Stillwater. “They’ve been informative about this stupid dare that’s floating around on social media.”

Stillwater crossed his arms. “Good. You two should be glad I was able to put it out easily.”

Brandon said, “We made sure we pulled it away from the house, so it wouldn’t damage anything else. Unlike the guys who got Cooper’s house.”

Logan glanced at Stillwater. “Did we get those kids?”

“Sure did. Arrested them at school on Friday.” He looked at the boys. “I thought that would convince you all to stop this nonsense.”

The sheepish expressions on the boys’ faces made Logan want to laugh.

Zach said, “They were in lockup all night.”

Logan nodded. “That can be arranged for the two of you too.”

Brandon pleaded, “But we didn’t catch the house on fire.”

“Yeah, but it’s still arson. You set a fire on purpose with the intention of destroying property.” Logan stepped toward the boys and lifted Zach to his feet. “To the station with you two.”

Stillwater took Brandon and, once both teens were secured in Logan’s squad car, motioned for him.

Logan stepped out of earshot of the boys and joined Stillwater, who said, “I’m fine if you just call their parents and don’t book them or anything, especially if they were helpful.”

“I can do that. I’ll give them a stern warning too.”

“Please. This has got to stop.”

“Agreed.”

Logan took the boys to the station and pretended to book them, putting them in holding while he went to call their parents.

Once they were on the way, Logan went to the boys and sat on the bench across from them in the holding cell.

“Now here’s the deal, guys: we’re gonna let you go. Your parents are coming to get you, but if you ever do something like this again, you’re going to be in more trouble than a skateboarder face-planting on a cactus.”

They both delivered a sincere yes, sir.

“And one more thing. Can you two do me a favor?”

Brandon jumped on it. “Whatever you want.”

“Let me know if you find out anything about other kids involved in these pranks, especially if you ever hear anything about my house. And encourage your friends to cut it out.”

“Yes, sir.” This one was more emphatic than the last.