“You killed Tim.” Tina shook her head and clung to her sister. “And you nearly killed Summer and Joe!”

Bill was shaking. “No. It was never about Tim.” His gaze landed on Summer. “Or you. I thought you couldn’t remember the fire, but that changed. I’m so sorry. And it certainly wasn’t about Joe. I didn’t even know he was there that night, I didn’t see his car.” He shook his head, looking more than a little crazy with his wild shock of gray hair waving around his face. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. But I just kept thinking that insurance is just one big huge scam anyway. No one was supposed to get hurt.”

“It’s too late for that.” Tina turned in Camille’s arms to bury her face and burst into tears.

“So what now, Bill?” Camille asked, holding her sobbing sister. “What are you going to do?”

Bill’s eyes shone with a tortured regret. “I don’t have a choice. There’s going to be one more fire.” He backed down a step. “One more terribly tragic fire.” He looked at the burning tip of his cigarette. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out some sort of remote. “I’ve learned a few things along the way. This time no one’s going to find any accelerant, or Tim’s old size eleven-and-a-half boot print.” He lifted his foot. “I’ve had these since the day he lent them to me fourteen years ago.” He let out a low grief-stricken sigh. “Don’t worry, this’ll be quick.” He held up the remote.

“Bill,” Tina choked out. “Don’t.”

“I have to,” he whispered.

“You won’t get away with this,” Summer said, and took a step toward him.

He lifted his lethal looking gouging tool. “I don’t want to use this, damn it. Just stay right there, and it will all be over soon, I promise.” He began to back down the stairs.

Go after him, a voice screamed inside Summer’s head. Don’t let him do this. She took a furtive step, and saw a long, lean shadow flattened on the lower stairs. Joe. Seeing him gave her courage, and she took another step.

“Summer, no,” her mother breathed.

Bill began to turn away, toward the shadow, and afraid for Joe, Summer made a split second decision. She leapt at Bill—and landed on the top few steps, arms empty, air flattened right out of her lungs. Joe had surged up, wrapped his arms around Bill’s lower legs, and pulled.

Bill went down hard, but so did Joe, the two of them entangled on the narrow, steep stairs. Wrestling, they grappled for space at the very edge, dangerously close to where the railing had collapsed.

Summer shoved upright to her knees. “Joe! Careful—”

But they rolled right off.

And fell into the dark, open chasm.

Chapter 27

Chapter 27