Brody had returned to the cove last year to take over as fire chief investigator when Brody’s father and Catalina Cove’s longtime fire chief investigator retired early due to illness. Brody’s father had passed away nine months ago. Kaegan always liked Brody and knew he was well respected in the cove and many were glad he’d returned.

“You got something for me, Brody?” he asked, offering him a chair. He’d known that Brody and his team arrived early that morning to check out the damage on the ship.

“Yes, Kaegan. It was arson.”

Kaegan went still for a minute. “Arson?”

“Yes. I suspected it Saturday night but wanted to wait until I did a thorough inspection to be sure.”

Kaegan was dumbfounded. “Who would want to deliberately start a fire on my ship?”

Brody shrugged. “I don’t know. The perpetrator was sloppy, or he didn’t care if it was discovered the fire was caused by arson. He was quick and tossed one of those lighter-fluid containers in a ball filled with heat with the intent for it to catch fire. It did. I guess they hadn’t counted on Elton being on board that night. It’s a good thing he was, otherwise there would have been more damage.”

Kaegan nodded, still perplexed. He had arrived back in Catalina Cove yesterday evening after having shared a wonderful time in Boston with Bryce. “What happens next?”

Brody stood. “Now I work with Sawyer to bring the person to justice. A copy of my report will be filed with your insurance carrier and a copy will be given to Sawyer. More than likely the two of us will be meeting with you sometime this week. When will be a good time?”

“Whenever it’s best for you guys. I’ll make time.”

After Brody left, Kaegan went to the window and looked out at the impaired ship. Sawyer had been right about the damage being minor. However, knowing the fire had been deliberately set was a game changer. Who would do such a thing? Why?

Kaegan knew there’d been a rash of arson-related fires in several parishes in Louisiana over the past year, but none in Catalina Cove. Churches, vacant homes and warehouses had been torched, but this was the first time he’d heard of a fire deliberately being set on a boat or ship.

He needed to call his office staff together and let them know. With small-town gossip the way it was, it wouldn’t be long before news spread. He would rather they hear it from him. Moving to his desk, he pushed a button on the intercom.

“Yes, Kaegan?”

“Willa, please get everyone together for a meeting in my office.”

“Okay.”

Ten minutes later his office was filled with the members of his office staff—Willa, Faith and Toby. He rarely called these types of gatherings in his office unless it was to announce big news. Just that morning he’d gotten them together to announce the expansion and they’d been all excited about it. Now this.