Hurricane Read Free

already?” he asked as she joined them.
    Harmon nodded. “I already know her.”
    “I hear you’re one of my witnesses. What are you doing here?”
    “Witnesses? I thought you were on the police force,” Harmon said.
    “I was. Left about ten years ago. I’m a fire investigator now. So, how did it come about that you were here?” Keenan asked.
    “We handle the security for the businesses here.”
    “Who’s ‘we’?”
    “HJC Security Specialists, the security firm I co-own with Jordan Locke and Carlton Bunnell,” Harmon replied.
    “I know a little about Carlton from his time on the force. Jordan Locke—any relation to the other witness?”
    “Yes. She’s Jules’ cousin,” Harmon said.
    “Okay. You got here quickly.”
    “Our firm is on the property here at Kindred Place. Eight-one-seven-three Kindred Place, to be exact. It’s on the left side of the road adjacent to this one.”
    Keenan nodded. When he’d come in he’d seen the huge, tasteful sign stating ‘Kindred Place’. He’d driven by here often enough on his way to Delko Street, where he worked at the firehouse, but he hadn’t had a reason to come to Kindred Place before. Although Woodbury Avenue was commercial, the set-up of this place wasn’t like those he usually saw in the area. Driving in, he would have thought he was coming to someone’s private home, not businesses.
    “Is it usual for Miss Locke to be working here so late?”
    “Sometimes she does, but not here. This is still being built. She’d be working out of Moments, at the top of this road. Actually, she just got back tonight from a business trip.”
    “What is Moments, and what does she do there?”
    “Moments is an event planning company, and she’s one of the main planners,” Harmon said easily.
    “I notice there are a few businesses here. Break them down for me with names of the owners.”
    Keenan made notes as Harmon provided the information. The area had six businesses in total. The whole area was set up in a loop. Visitors came in the right side then went out of the left. From the entrance, in order, there was an interior designer, an architectural group and Moments Deuce. At the crest and down a slight incline was Moments, the event planning company, which according to Harmon was the largest place and land space, since they held events there. When you departed from Moments going towards the exit, using the left side, there was the security firm, a landscaper’s and a bed and breakfast. Once he had all the names and official addresses of the businesses, he noticed something interesting about the owners.
    “Why does each business have a Locke listed as one of the owners?”
    “They own the land jointly. Bought it to set up the businesses that they are involved in. None of us had any problems with it, since it made sense, and we had it set up legally to use the land for the businesses.”
    Keenan glanced back at the smouldering area of the structure. The arrangement seemed to be well thought out, but, with fires, he never knew what he would find behind the scenes. Family might act like they got along but that wasn’t always reality. He had been called in to determine if this was arson or accidental and he suspected this coincidence would have something to do with his findings. He returned his attention to Harmon and continued with his questions.
    Once done, he shook his friend’s hand. “That’s it for now. Might have some more questions during my investigation. I’ll be in touch.”
    “I’ll answer any questions you may have. But make sure to call me, even if you don’t have any questions. Don’t lose touch again, or I’ll have to hunt you down,” Harmon said.
    “I won’t. What’s the best way to get a hold of the owners of all the businesses—including this one?” He gestured with his notebook to the building.
    “They’re probably all at the hospital with Jules. I’m heading over there.”
    He frowned, not liking that. He preferred