If You Play With Fire

Liam Casey and the chamber of the broom

Liam sneaked through the hallways of 51. He hoped he would not meet anyone. He came from his father's office, where he once again got in trouble. Matt found out he did not swallow the psychiatrist's medication. Do adults not understand their own stupidity or did this father actually believe the psychiatrist?

Now Liam was looking for a place where no one could stare at him. He was tired of those stupid remarks. Why do not they understand it? He is not an arsonist. It was a coincidence. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of course, firefighters and paramedics did not believe in coincidences - even if it is true.

Liam looked around. He was not observed. So he took advantage of the hour, opened the door and hid in the broom cupboard. With a blanket, a pillow, candies and drinks, he has set up his chamber comfortably.

He dug out a book and fled into the world of Harry Potter. He had one thing in common with Harry. Both were not believed. The ministry also denied the return of Voldemort for a very long time.

From time to time he also listened to the conversations of the firefighters. So he heard a conversation between Cruz and Otis.

"It's really fierce that Casey's job is at stake just because his son sets fires," Cruz said.

"If you ask me, education has gone awry," Otis said.

"Maybe Casey should think about sending Liam to a facility for troubled kids," Cruz mused.

"I can guarantee you one thing. No matter how many fires he'll lay, Casey would never send his son away," Otis said, "Even though it may be best for everyone."

Liam put his book aside. He did not know that by now his father's job was at stake. It was not his intention to put his dad in that position.

Liam took out his investigation from his backpack. On a map he marked the buildings, which were already flared. He tried to recognize a pattern, but he saw nothing. The only similarities were that all buildings have been empty for years and are located in the catchment area of 51.

"I'll get the broom!" Gabby called and opened the door. Liam heard her call and was already holding the broom in his hands to quickly close the door again.

"Oh thanks!", Gabby said, took the broom in the hand and wanted to go when she then turned around confused again. The broom cupboard could hardly put the broom in her hand, could it?

"Oh, here you are hiding!" Gabby said and Liam quickly formed a soft-spoken sign in front of his lips with his hand. Gabby put down the broom and squatted down to Liam.

"Matt's looking for you everywhere," she whispered, looking around the cozy room, "you made it very nice here."

"Don't tell anyone I'm here. Please," Liam said.

"I'm sure Matt will sooner or later look for you in the broom cupboard," she smirked.

"Then stop him," he said, "I don't want to get any more trouble."

"Then stop the arson."

"I'm innocent. Why does nobody believe me? You yourself said 'Liam Casey and arson? Never!' You were the last one who believed in me!" He hissed.

"What's that?" Gabby asked tensely, picking up the investigation folder, "You write down your own fires?" She asked.

"I'm investigating against the arsonist," Liam replied. However, he only earned a worried look from Gabby.

"Shall I give you some advice? Stop it! It doesn't matter if you're the arsonist or not. Stay out of this matter. And believe me, if you're discovered near a fire, Matt loses his rank and job. Would you like that?" Gabby asked and Liam shook his head. Of course he did not want it. And he knows that the fire department is the whole life of his dad.

"It wasn't me," Liam asserted.

"Do you know what's strange, since you've been house arrested and guarded by us around the clock, there was not a single case of arson anymore," said Gabby, "that makes you pretty suspicious, huh?"

Liam looked speechless. He did not think about that, but it was true. He did not get any text messages anymore.