You Can't Run by Hope Davis (best way to read books .txt) 📗

Naya started laughing. “Now you’re talking like we’re in a relationship or something. But if you must know, I have a date tomorrow afternoon.”

Atlas chuckled. “Well, I guess we better solve this case tonight then, huh?”

She rolled her eyes. “Come on, we can do a half day on Sunday.”

“Correction, you can. I do whatever I want, I’m not the one with a date.”

“Oh right, I forgot.” Naya laughed and was still smiling  as they pulled off the highway onto the same long stretch of road that was starting to feel familiar with how often they’d be down it lately. She finished selecting a wheelchair, not that she knew much about them and just went based on reviews, and used her apple pay to pay for expedited shipping. The chair would be delivered on Tuesday.

“Did you look into the process of what happens to land when there is no next of kin?” She felt a little bad she hadn’t had time to look it up herself, but she felt the night before had been an extenuating circumstance.

Atlas shook his head. “I shouldn’t say that I didn’t because I did. More so, I couldn’t find a procedure. It looks like everyone who has land has some sort of next of kin, or a designated beneficiary of some kind in a will. Even if they have to notify a second cousin twice removed or it’s donated to charity or something. So, someone out there owns that land, it’s just a matter of figuring out who.”

“Time to dive into David Smith’s life?”

“Exactly. And we will do that as soon as we get another look at this dilapidated house. See if we can find any clues.” He exaggerated the last part, as if they were characters on a children’s TV show, it made Naya’s mind wander..

“Did you always plan on being a detective when you got older?” she asked hesitantly.

“I guess. Like you, I’ve always had a knack and drive for it I guess.”

She accepted his answer and watched as Benjamin’s house went by. She sense something off about that guy, she wished she could put her finger on what it was.

“What the?!”

Naya’s head snapped up at the exclamation just as Atlas sped closer and then slammed the car into park on the dirt path. Her eyes immediately met the reason for his shouting as she took in the structure.

It was on fire.

They both ran out of the car and towards the building, coughing as smoke blew in their face. By the time they were a football field away they could both tell it was too late, even if there was someone inside there was nothing they could do.

Always quick on his feet, Atlas was already on his phone describing where they were to the fire department. It would take them fifteen minutes to get there. Hopefully the fire would stay contained to just the building until then.

Just then a loud crack sliced through the air and Naya watched in slow motion as the ceiling of the building fell in. She covered her nose and mouth with her shirt and backed away from the fire, careful not to turn her back to it, Atlas following suit and standing next to her.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” He asked after a moment.

“Yep.” She was indeed.

“He was the only person besides police personnel who knew we were looking into this.”

“Exactly.” Naya watched as the outside walls of the house began to crumble, unable to stand any longer. Their evidence, whatever that could’ve been, was literally burning to the ground in front of their eyes.

They were still standing there when the fire trucks came blaring in with their sirens a few minutes later. They soon had the fire under control, and it was swiftly put out. Atlas and Naya described the situation to the fire chief who promised to keep them clued-in during his investigation. With nothing left for them to do there, they returned to the car.

“Well,” She looked towards Atlas, “Why don’t we go pay a visit to our favorite farmer?”

“We really do think on the same wavelength. Let’s go.” He put the car into reverse to avoid the firetrucks parked along the dirt road in front of them, they pulled away as the firemen continued sifting through the rubble that remained of the homestead.

He turned onto the road and they were both quiet as they made the short drive to Benjamin’s place.

He parked a little ways back from the house, effectively blocking the dirt access road with the vehicle.

“I’m not taking any chances. You go to the front and knock. I’m going around back.”

“Copy that.”

They both climbed out of the vehicle and Naya walked towards the front door.

“Mr. Rodgers?” She called out as she knocked. There was a red truck sitting unoccupied in the driveway. “Are you home? It’s detective Largusa.” Atlas who was waiting by the corner of the house motioned for her to knock again, so she did.

“Mr. Rodgers? Can we talk to you please?” She tried the knob, it was locked.

When there was still no answer, Atlas motioned that he was going around back and that she should give him time to get to the other side and then kick down the door. She gave him one last chance.

“Mr. Rodgers? I’m coming in!” The door buckled like it was made of kindling,  giving way much less resistance than she expected.

The room was dingy and dark, the only light from the two windows that were covered with dirty old curtains that might’ve been white once. The back door knob spun and opened, revealing Atlas, walked in and they made eye contact. The front door had been locked, but not the back.

As if he could read her mind Atlas shrugged and continued to poke around.

They explored the room,