Teacup Novellas 02 - Strike the Match by Diane Moody

tomorrow.”

 
    Chapter 8
     
    “Soup’s on!  I’m not going to call you all again.”
    Nita set a third bowl of chowder on the table as Keri and Tyler shuffled into the kitchen, then sliced a loaf of bread she’d baked that morning. “Sorry, Sis. Just finishing up a call with Bud.”
    Keri took a seat. “Any news?”
    A weary smile lifted a corner of his mouth. “Not really. Except I hear there’s a new reporter in town who’s been rather busy today.”
    She buttered a thick wedge of bread. “It’s no big deal, Dad. Just helping Grant over at the paper. Not exactly the New York Times .”
    “Well, I think it’s wonderful,” Nita added. “You and Grant will make a great team. You mark my words.”
    “There’s no ‘team’ in the making here, Aunt Nita. I’m just working for him. Temporarily, I might add.”
    “So what did you do on your first day on the job?” Tyler asked, digging his spoon into the creamy chowder.
    “Grant asked me to look into the fire investigation. See if we might help speed up the process.”
    “Is that so? And how do you plan to do that?”
    “I’m putting together a list of suspects.”
    “Suspects?” Nita asked, taking a seat. “Goodness, how do you even start on something like that?”
    “Oh, I’m just nosing around. Asking questions here and there. Had an interesting conversation with your neighbor, Aunt Nita. Bertie stopped by while I was over at the site poking around.”
      “Bertie’s on your list of suspects?” Tyler asked with a chuckle. “Might as well mark her off, pumpkin. She’s too busy watching her soap operas. No time for arson.”
    Nita laughed out loud. “That’s for sure. Between her soaps and her naps, she wouldn’t have a moment to spare. Certainly not long enough to torch a house like the Blankenships’. Trust me on that.” She tossed her brother a wink.
    “Very funny, you two. No, she’s not a suspect. Give me a little credit. I simply asked if she’d seen any strangers or kids hanging around the neighborhood. She couldn’t recall anything. Although, she flagged me down as I was leaving, saying she’d seen Jerry’s truck drive by quite often.”
    “I’ve seen him pass by too,” Tyler said. “He’s working on a house down the road. Makes sense he’d drive back and forth on his way there.”
    “Which I explained to Grant. But he seems to think everyone’s a suspect until proven innocent. Aunt Nita, why didn’t you warn me how stubborn he is? The man drives me nuts.”
    “Grant? He’s not stubborn. Doesn’t have a stubborn bone in his body. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Keri made a face at her but said nothing more about him. “Dad, in your heart of hearts, do you think Jerry would ever pull something like this to get even with you? Do you think he’s capable of such a thing?”
    Tyler finished a mouthful. “Jerry? No. He’s harmless. His bark is far worse than his bite. We’re still not on speaking terms, but that’s his choice, not mine.”
    “Well, he’s still downright rude to me whenever our paths cross in town,” Nita added. “I’m sorry for his losses, for the rough road he’s had, but that’s no excuse for his behavior. He needs to grow up and get over it.”
    Keri folded her napkin. “I have to say, Dad, I remember some pretty ugly arguments between you and Jerry when I was younger. First time I heard language like that.”
    “I never—”
    “I know. Not you, Dad. Him. He’s got quite a mouth when he’s tanked up.”
    “True. He deals with a lot of anger issues. Still does, from what I’m told. But that doesn’t make him an arsonist,” Tyler said. “You can cross him off your list, sweetheart.”
    “I guess. But Grant will want me to talk to him face to face. Any idea where I can find him?”
    “One of my guys told me he’s been in Portland for a few days. I’ll try to find out when he’s due back in town, if that would help.”
    “Speaking of Grant,” Nita