I wanted to hang up.
But I needed the truth.
“What happened in the house?”
Denise inhaled.
“Howard opened the solvent can.”
The world stopped.
“Why?”
“He threatened to burn the ledger.”
She pressed a hand over her mouth.
“Your father said there were copies.”
“Then?”
“Howard poured solvent over papers.”
I could hear my heartbeat.
“Mom?”
“She moved toward the stairs.”
“To get Vicky?”
“Yes.”
My eyes burned.
“Howard knocked over a lamp.”
I went still.
“The fire started?”
“Not immediately.”
“What do you mean?”
“The lamp broke. There was a spark, but I didn’t see flames.”
She shook her head frantically.
“We all panicked. Your father shoved Howard toward the door. Your mother ran upstairs. I followed Howard outside.”
“The video.”
“Yes.”
“You were chasing him.”
“I told him we had to call police.”
“What did he give you?”
Denise looked at me.
“The solvent can.”
My skin crawled.
