“I have a gun,” Tina said feebly.

“Do you know how to use it?”

“Sort of.”

“Look, I understand wanting to leave your past behind. But if you have any reason to think someone from your past burned down your store, you can’t just ignore it.”

“I know…”

“Who is it,” Bette asked. “An abusive ex?”

Tins shook her head. “It’s better if you don’t know. I better go.” Tina leaned over and gave Bette a quick hug. “Thanks for being such a good friend.”

Tina stood up to leave and Bette grabbed her hand. “Tina, wait.”

“Yeah?”

“You will tell the police, won’t you?”

“I’ll think about it. It’s a long walk to the station.”

“Let me drive you,” Bette said.

“I’ll be fine. See you.”

Tina pulled her hand away and hurried out of Bette’s modest home. She walked quickly in the direction of the police station, thinking all the way about what Bette had said. Tina had been clinging to the hope that the fire was just an accident but she had no other choice now but to tell the police about her suspicions. She kept checking over her shoulder to make sure she wasn’t being followed.

She was out of breath and rather shaky when she finally made it to the police station. She went up to the counter, gave her name, and asked to see the sheriff.

She was led into Sheriff Ikes’ office and told to wait. She had just say down when the Sheriff barreled in, followed by the lone detective on Mercy’s small police force. Tina had spoken briefly to the detective yesterday, but she didn’t remember his name.

“Miss Miller,” the Sheriff greeted her with a nod of his head and sat down behind his desk. The detective nodded at Tina and leaned against the wall.

“Sorry to have to break this news to you and have you come down here again,” Sheriff Ikes began, “We just have a few more questions to ask.”

Tina nodded.

The sheriff glanced at the detective and he spoke up. Tina disliked the way he was looking at her. His eyes were hard and slid over her in a way that made Tina feel slimy.