Read Arson Takes a Dare: The Third Marisa Adair Mystery Adventure (Marisa Adair Mysteries Book 3) for Free Online

and ignoring the reporter. “Mayla was supposed to go on vacation with her father and me. She called and told us to go on without her. She said she had a stomach bug. A twenty-four hour virus was going around. She said she’d take a day to recover and join us in Florida. As she innocently slept in her own room, an arsonist set fire to the building. Mayla perished.”
    The reporter sputtered. “Mrs. Kenton, the viewers want to know how you feel about winning the largest jackpot in Kentucky history.”
    On the screen, Berea’s face hardened. “I’ll give the jackpot to the person whose information leads to the arrest and conviction of the murderer.”
    The reporter forced a smile. “You heard it here first, folks. I’m Cara Hudson, reporting for WILY news.”
    Althea pushed her way through the cheering crowd. “Berea—”
    “Hold on, everyone.” Like a maestro in front of the orchestra, Berea raised her silver pointer. “That was filmed earlier today. Here’s an update to the story.”
    Appearing more poised, the reporter smiled into the camera. “Berea Kenton has offered her fifty-million-dollar jackpot to the person whose information leads to the arrest and conviction of her daughter’s killer.” The camera angle widened to include the man next to her. “Lieutenant Camden, what can you tell us?”
    His youthful face grim, the lieutenant shook his head. His short hair shone in the golden sunshine. His slight figure was covered by a dark suit, the pale blue shirt visible between the lapels. A thin navy tie bisected the shirt. “The case is open and will remain open until we find the killer. During the months before Miss Kenton’s death, an arsonist had targeted vacant homes in the area.”
    The reporter interrupted. “Your theory is the arsonist didn’t know Mayla was in the house, correct?”
    He nodded. “The previous fires had destroyed empty buildings.”
    “Since the fires stopped after Mayla’s death, do you think the arsonist was overcome by a sense of guilt?” The newscaster cocked her head.
    The lawman frowned. “Whether Mayla’s death was intentional or not, the outcome was the same. She died.”
    The pretty reporter bared her perfect teeth. “Lieutenant, will the fabulous reward goad the police force into solving this murder?”
    “That reporter is worse than Parvis Stidham.” Althea kept her voice low.
    “As an online investigative reporter, Parvis digs up the most titillating aspects of the story. He doesn’t necessarily care about the newsworthiness of the information.” Clay whispered. “He also went out of his way to hurt Marisa after their personal relationship fizzled. That woman is attacking Lieutenant Camden by putting the worst possible spin on the reward.”
    The lawman stared directly into the camera. “The Grayhampton Police Department revisits cold cases on a regular basis. Coincidentally, this case is on our radar. I personally spoke with Mrs. Kenton about her daughter’s death this past summer.”
    The reporter’s red lips tightened in disappointment.
    The lieutenant’s face took on a feral cast and his mouth thinned. “As with any case, active or cold, we’ll do our best to solve it, reward or no reward.”
    Clay touched Althea’s shoulder. “Parvis Stidham found out about your secret writing career and your use of Marisa’s life in your stories. He used the information to hurt Marisa and you,” he whispered. 
    Berea aimed the remote at the television, and powered it off. Her face was lit by fanatic fervor, her eyes glowing coals in her flushed face, “I’ve offered up a fortune as a reward. The case will finally be solved. Althea, I want you to write Mayla’s story. I know it will take time for you to capture all of the details of her life. By the time you finish, the killer will be in custody.”
    “Berea, I’m a novelist, not a true-crime writer. I can’t help you.” Althea opened the door. “I’m happy for your great luck. However, I’m