My Apartment Burned Down. My Parents Said, “Not Our Problem.” Then the Fire Investigator Called.

number to a batch sold at Henderson’s Hardware, three miles from your parents’ house.” Another photo appeared on his screen—grainy security footage from a store checkout counter. “Eight days before your fire. Cash purchase.”

The woman in the footage had brown hair, familiar posture, a purse I recognized.

“Is that—”

“We’ll need official identification.continue reading …