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Exactly what the arsonist had intended.
“We’re definitely going to need a new place to live,” Nova said.
Booth studied Nova. She still hadn’t looked at him, and now her eyes stayed fixed on the blackened and charred remnants of the building.
He needed to touch base with his partner, Crispin, and see if his old friend knew why this had happened. No way could it be a coincidence, trapping him inside and trying to kill him.
It had to mean Booth was getting close to something.
He raked a hand through his sticky hair. “And to think I was looking forward to a hot shower.”
“I can hit you with the fire hose.” Finn looked Booth up and down. “Come to think of it, that might be the only way to get that muck off you.”
Booth nodded to the remnants of jump base. “What’s the situation?”
Finn exhaled a deep breath. “The fire got between the floors. The offices and sleeping quarters caved in, but the ready room and most of our gear is unharmed.”
“I guess Nova’s right,” Booth said. “We can’t stay here. It’s not safe. Besides, it’s a crime scene.”
Nova nodded. “So where do we go?”
“Sophie talked with Miles and suggested campin’ out at her ranch,” Finn said. “She has a garage where we can set up the speed racks, and you can store cargo in the barn with the horses. Fire management agreed, and Logan, Vince, Eric, and JoJo are heading back to help make the move.”
“I guess it’s a bath in the horse trough, then.” Booth shot a look to Nova. “Should work. What do you think, Boss Lady?”
“We’d be with the horses?” Nova shifted her weight.
Finn chuckled. “Not with them, but they do live on the ranch.”
“Is Sheriff Hutchinson still around?” Booth searched the faces but didn’t see him.
“Just got here a few minutes ago. He’s in the hangar.” Finn jerked his chin in that direction.
“Thanks.” Booth took a step, but Nova stopped him.
“I’m coming with you.” Her face was smeared with layers of soot and ash. Remnants of her willingness to risk her life and everything she had just to save lives.
“No.” The last thing he wanted was her overhearing answers to difficult questions.
Her eyebrows went up. “I was there. And it wasn’t a request. C’mon.”
Sheriff Hutchinson paced near the entrance, phone to his ear. Booth waited until he finished his call before he approached. “Hey, Sheriff. I’m Booth Wilder, and this is Nova Burns.”
“Just the two I needed to see.” He nodded to Nova. “You were in the visitors’ center, right?”
“Yes, sir,” Nova said.
He hooked a thumb on his duty belt. “What’s your take on the fire?”
“Arson,” she said.
“You seem certain.”
Nova nodded. “I know fire. We had spot fires at every exit, and someone had jammed the doors so we couldn’t escape.”
“And we had a run-in with the arsonist,” Booth interjected.
“That so?” The sheriff crooked a finger. “I think you two better come with me.”
