Memphis May Fire (#1 of the Harleigh Lynn series)

Chapter Thirteen: Investigation

Harleigh looked at her feet and explained her theories. He seemed indifferent, and Harleigh couldn't tell from his expression whether it was real or fake.

Why can't I read him? she thought with annoyance as they piled into the car.

Everyone was silent and miserable, and Harleigh hated the smell of smoke all over her clothes. Parker met them inside the venue, showing them a large lobby with a few couches. It was gloomy, and they didn't bother to turn the lights on. Gene collapsed on a couch and Harleigh heard him start snoring in less than ten minutes. Wilma and Ari were shivering and still soaking wet, and Markov looked concerned.

"Don't you—," he began.

"I called Powell and he'll be here in a few to bring extra clothes and blankets," Ari explained.

"Well Gene doesn't seem to need one," Wilma said with a half-smile.

Harleigh curled into a ball on the other couch and tried not to let them see her crying.

Gene's snoring will cover any sound I make, she thought squeezing her eyes shut and trying to sleep.

By the time the sun began coming up, she was still awake, and Gene was still snoring, joined by Markov. Harleigh thought their twin snores made an odd harmony. She sat up, trying to be quiet, and saw that Wilma was also up and scrolling on her phone. Ari lay on the carpet, back turned, and she couldn't tell if he was awake or not. Harleigh folded up her blanket and looked through the clothes Powell had brought. None of them really suited her, but she settled on some black cargo pants and a light green shirt.

Harleigh retreated to the bathroom to change, and when she came back Gene attempted to wake up Markov. Markov pushed him away with a muttered curse and started going through his clothes. Ari hadn't moved, so Gene poked him.

"Bro, get up. Wilma, he's pretending to be dead again," he added as Ari didn't stir.

"That's not funny, Gene," Wilma said, "Not now. Let him sleep. He needs it."

He gave her an annoyed look and started trying to turn Ari over. Gene rolled him onto his back and peeled his eyelids open with two fingers.

"Ari, no dying allowed."

Ari slapped him and rubbed his face.

"I hate you," he muttered.

"Aren't you a little ray of sunshine?"

"I'm sorry, but I'll remind you that I woke to you sticking your fingers in my eyes," Ari growled, getting to his feet.

Gene stretched and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Ok, crew, let's get on it," Wilma said, "Where's that evidence box?"

A few hours later, Powell and Parker arrived with a few other officers and extra weapons for everyone. Harleigh and Gene went through the box of lost items leftover from the concert. Gene didn't speak to her, and Harleigh didn't care. Matty and his band also joined them for a while before disappearing into an empty room to rehearse.

By noon, Harleigh and Gene had examined every item in the evidence box, while everyone else inspected the remains of the blackened tour bus and visited the hospital

"There's nothing! No leads! The injured people saw nothing," Wilma complained, coming into the lobby, "I'm so over this."

"No traces in the tour bus either?" Gene guessed, turning to Ari.

He nodded.

"Nothing. Powell had tests done and still nothing. Powell said he already questioned the band, so we don't need anything more from them."

"So Harleigh was wrong," Gen said briskly, "Well, it figures."

"I'm going to get my keys and get us some lunch," Ari said, "Stay here and try to be useful."

He disappeared down the hallway and Harleigh sat down against the wall, pulling her phone out, ignoring Gene and Wilma. Ari came back running, his face tight, and Harleigh jumped up.

He handed a note to Wilma.

"Hi, Shalom. I'm here. Come and get me," she read.

"What the heck?" Gene shrieked, "How? What? I can't—I—,"

"I don't get it," Harleigh said, "Shalom?"

"That's what Gene calls Ari when he's trying to be annoying," Markov said.

Harleigh frowned, and Gene looked panicked.

"Nobody would know that!" he said, "No one!"

"Unless they were in the department."

"But even then!" Gene insisted, running both hands through his unruly hair, "I don't—,"

Wilma cleared her throat.

"Well, the bad guy is in the venue. Let's go find him. Before he kills us all," she pointed out.

Markov pulled out a gun.

"I'll find him."

"Markov, wait. Go with Wilma and listen to her. Don't do anything rash. Gene and Harleigh, you're together. I'll get Powell and warn him. Go. And don't hesitate to kill this person if it's necessary."

Gene's expression had gone dark.

"Oh it's necessary."

"Gene, just go." Ari said, darting back the way he'd come.

"We'll check the bathrooms and closets," Wilma said, "You guys get the auditorium and open spaces."

"No way." Gene said, "He's not going to be—,"

"Did we ask your opinion?" Markov asked, grey eyes glittering.

Gene huffed and headed towards the auditorium doors, so Harleigh followed.

He's clutching his gun too tight. He feels guilty, she thought with slight satisfaction, He doesn't know what to do, either. He's not walking very fast.

"You take the far half," she said.

"You take it," Gene spat, making his way through the seats.

Harleigh decided not to argue. Instead, she drifted across the floor and looked behind each row. The lights were on, but not all of them, and it cast the seats into a half-gloom. Nothing stirred, and Harleigh heard Gene muttering curses across from her. She finished checking the seats and moved to the stage.

The clean-up was complete, but Harleigh still pictured the grisly mess she'd seen yesterday. No one lurked behind the curtains or hid in the props and wires. She rubbed her scars and tried to think.

"There's no one here!" Gene yelled from somewhere nearby, "I'm going!"

Harleigh emerged from the curtains in time to see him disappear.

"We are supposed to be working together," she told the empty auditorium before charging after him.

She burst into the hallway and caught a glimpse of him stalking down the hallway where Wilma and Markov had gone. She ran after him, but he saw her and moved faster.

"Hey! They already checked over there!" Harleigh said, barreling down the hallway, "Gene get back here! That bathroom's out of order!" she warned as he headed for the farthest one, "The pipes burst and there's flooding—Powell told me. He's not going to be in there. Gene!"

He vanished into the men's bathroom and Harleigh hesitated. She decided not to go in, just in case. She positioned herself outside the door, determined to tackle him when he came out if she had to. Then she heard him scream and charged into the bathroom as the power went out.