Blue Smoke

spoken with our former housekeeper.”
    “Former?” Reena prompted.
    “I fired her yesterday. There’s no question she’s responsible. No one else had our security code. I told you that was a mistake,” she said to her husband.
    “She came highly recommended,” he reminded her. “And she’s worked for us for six years. What possible reason would Annie have to start a fire in our house?”
    “People don’t need a reason to do destructive things. They just do them. Have you spoken with her?” Ella demanded.
    “We will be.”
    “I don’t understand why she wasn’t first on your list. Why you’ve dragged us down here at a time like this. Do you have any idea how much time and stress and energy are involved after you’ve had a fire in your home?”
    “Actually, I do,” Reena said. “I’m sorry you have to deal with it.”
    “I had several thousand dollars’ worth of personal items destroyed, not to mention the damage to my home. I’ve had to cancel appointments, completely rearrange my schedule—”
    “Ella.” There was a weariness in William Parker’s voice, and it sounded habitual to Reena.
    “Don’t Ella me,” she snapped. “I’m the one dealing with all the details. Not that you ever—” She cut herself off, lifted a hand. “I’m sorry. I’m very upset.”
    “Understandable. Can you tell us how often you go up to the attic?” O’Donnell asked.
    “At least once a month. And I have—had—the housekeeper clean up there regularly.”
    “Mr. Parker?”
    “Two, three times a year, I guess. Hauling stuff up or down. Christmas decorations, that sort of thing.”
    “Trevor?”
    “Trevor’s not allowed in the attic,” Ella cut in.

    Reena caught the quick glance he shot his mother before he went back to staring at the table.
    “I used to like to play in the attic when I was a kid.” Reena spoke casually. “All kinds of interesting stuff up there.”
    “I said he isn’t allowed.”
    “What a boy isn’t allowed and what he does are often the same things. According to our information, Trevor occasionally hooks school.”
    “Once—and he’s not allowed to play with the boy responsible. I don’t see what business that is of yours.”
    “Trevor wasn’t in school on the morning of the fire. Were you, Trevor?”
    “Of course he was.” Anger and impatience sharpened Ella’s voice to a pinpoint. “My husband picked him up after we learned about the fire.”
    “But you weren’t in school until nearly noon, isn’t that right, Trevor? You came in late. With a note that said you had a doctor’s appointment.”
    “That’s ridiculous.”
    “Mrs. Parker.” O’Donnell spoke in his slow, patient drawl. “Any reason you can’t let your boy answer for himself?”
    “I’m his mother, and I’m not going to allow him to be interrogated or browbeaten by the police. We’ve been victimized, and now you’re making some sort of veiled accusation involving a nine-year-old boy.” She pushed to her feet. “I’ve had enough. Come on, Trevor.”
    “Ella, shut up. Just shut the hell up for five damn minutes.” William dismissed her, focused on the boy. “Trevor, did you skip school again?”
    The boy jerked a shoulder, stared at the table. But Reena saw the gleam of tears in his eyes.
    “Did you go up into the attic that morning, Trevor?” she asked quietly. “Maybe just to play, just to hang out?”
    “I don’t want you questioning him,” Ella said.
    “I do.” Her husband rose. “If you can’t handle it, step out of the room. But I’m going to hear what Trevor has to say.”
    “Like you care. Like you care about either of us. You’re so busy screwing your big-breasted blonde you don’t have time to care.”
    “I’m so busy trying to tolerate living in the same house with you, I haven’t cared enough. About Trevor.”

    “I didn’t hear you deny cheating on me, you son of a bitch.”
    “Stop it! Stop it!” Trevor clamped his hands over his ears. “Stop yelling all the time! I didn’t mean to do it. I didn’t mean it. I just wanted to see what would happen.”
    “Oh my God. Oh my God, Trevor. What have you done? Don’t say another word. I’m not letting him say another word,” Ella said to Reena. “I’m calling my lawyer.”
    “Back off, Ella.” William laid his hand on his son’s shoulder. Then he lowered his head, rested it against the top of his son’s. “I’m sorry, kiddo. Your mom and I have messed things up good. We’re going to