Read Online Outback Blaze by Rachael Johns - Free Book Online

the Undies Run. Participants run around town in their underwear and get sponsors to donate money for the Auxilliary.’
    â€˜I see. How many other people were there?’
    She did a mental head count. ‘Nine others.’
    â€˜And did your parents call and tell you their shop was on fire?’
    â€˜No. One of the men at the hall – Adam Burton,’ she clarified, ‘smelt smoke. We all went outside. The fire alarms had started blaring and then Drew, I mean, Constable Noble, got a call on his phone. He confirmed there was a fire and told me it was at my parents’ shop.’
    â€˜Constable Noble was there?’ The investigator raised one eyebrow.
    â€˜Yes. He’s going to do the run but wasn’t part of the photoshoot.’
    Another meaningful nod. Ruby wished she could read the thoughts going through this man’s head. ‘Do you know where your parents were prior to the fire?’
    Her heart walloped against her chest cavity for no good reason. ‘Yes, they were at home.’ And right now she wished she’d been there with them to give them an alibi.
    â€˜Are you sure of that?’
    â€˜Yes,’ she said emphatically. ‘They were already in their pajamas when I left and Mum never goes out on Tuesday nights. She watches The X Factor religiously.’
    â€˜Did they call you when they found out about the fire?’
    â€˜No.’ Ruby realised she had no idea how her parents discovered the fire. She guessed the security company had called them when the alarms went off. ‘I think they were too preoccupied with getting to the shop. They arrived just as I did.’
    The investigator said nothing for a few moments. He simply stared at her, making her more irrationally nervous. ‘Okay,’ he said after what seemed like an eternity, ‘I understand you are an employee at The Ag Store?’
    â€˜Yes,’ she said. ‘I began working for my parents earlier this year.’
    â€˜And do you get along with the other employees?’
    â€˜Of course. Everyone else has worked there for years and they were all very welcoming when I started.’
    â€˜You lived in Perth before?’
    She nodded. ‘On the outskirts near Byford.’
    â€˜Why did you return?’ he asked, leaning back in his chair.
    â€˜I don’t see what that’s got to do with anything,’ Ruby snapped and immediately wished she hadn’t. ‘I broke up with my fiancé. Since I worked for his family and lived with him, I needed a place to stay that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg. Coming home seemed the logical thing to do.’
    He nodded, seemingly accepting this reason. She tried not to sigh in relief – happy he hadn’t delved deeper. She hated going over what had happened with anyone. That time in her life was something she wanted to move on from.
    His next few questions seemed more suited to her parents, but not wanting to get him offside, Ruby answered as best she could, telling him who else had keys to the building, how long her parents had owned the business, listing the other employees and as much as she knew about the customers and suppliers. She couldn’t tell him about insurance policies but hoped her parents had them up to date.
    â€˜And what about anyone with a grudge against your mother or father?’ he asked, changing the direction of the conversation.
    â€˜I can’t think of anyone,’ she said honestly. ‘They serve the community well, ordering in special products when people need them and always supporting local charities and events. Are you sure it’s arson?’
    The idea of anyone – even teenagers – in their community being capable of such horrible actions was hard to imagine. And if they didn’t catch the culprit, would it happen again?
    â€˜We’ll know more once we’ve been inside.’ The investigator leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, folding