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told when and where she could see the kids.
    Still annoyed and disappointed, he glanced at the calendar. Next weekend would actually be perfect to take care of this last detail. He had no plans because he'd expected to have the kids. Everyone in his circle thought he'd have the kids too. Could work in his favor.
    He slammed the folder closed. Yes, indeed, fate seemed to smile at destiny and shine on him.

    "MAN, THIS IS WHERE she's living?" Maddox stared at the government-subsidized temporary housing unit. The shotgun-style house looked to be in desperate need of repair. Paint peeling, loose boards, and tape covering breaks in the window.
    Houston shut off the unmarked cruiser's engine. "This is where records show Ms. Sally Caldwell and her kids living for the time being."
    "No wonder she got approved for Hope for Homes." Maddox opened the door and stood on the cracked sidewalk.
    Maddox fell into step beside Houston and made his way up the rickety stairs. The handrail wobbled under his grip. The place should be condemned.
    Houston took a breath, then rapped on the front door. The splintered wood vibrated in the hinges.
    Shuffling sounded from the other side of the hollow door. "Who is it?" a hesitant female asked.
    "Sheriff's department. We need to speak to Sally Caldwell."
    A dead bolt clicked, then the door creaked open. A woman's face peered in the crack. "I'm Sally Caldwell. Can I see a badge, please?"
    While Houston pulled his out, Maddox inventoried every detail about her appearance. Probably stood about five foot even. Couldn't tell about her build because she used the door as a shield. Wrinkles had etched deep into her face, belying the fact that he knew she was only twenty-six years old. Her eyes were the color of warm chocolate, at least two shades darker than her creamy cocoa skin tone.
    She narrowed her eyes to study Houston's badge, then opened the door, stepped over the threshold, and shut the door behind her. "What's this about?" She hugged herself.
    Against the chill . . . or them?
    Houston's smile seeped into his voice. "We understand you're set to move into a new Hope-for-Homes site soon."
    She nodded. "In thirteen days." When she smiled, a mouthful of snow white teeth flashed in the midday sun. "We're excited. The kids made a countdown calendar."
    Something in Maddox's chest tightened. Poor woman. Didn't know yet that her kids' and her dreams had burned to the ground early this morning. He cleared his throat. "Ms. Caldwell, we're sorry to have to tell you, but there was a fire at the site this morning."
    Her expressive eyes widened. "What happened? Was there much damage?"
    Houston laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Ms. Caldwell. The house is a total loss."
    Tears pooled in her eyes. She sucked in air and grabbed the doorjamb. "All our work . . ."
    Maddox glanced back to the cruiser. He'd never been able to handle a crying woman. Suspects he could take—their tears were normally as false as their statements. But a woman crying in pain . . . he didn't know how to process that.
    "I'm so sorry." Houston was so much better at handling women. Probably learned a lot from being married for nearly three decades.
    She sniffed. "What happened?"
    Maddox met her painful stare. "Arson."
    She blinked rapidly, seeming to take in the information. Then her chin jutted out and she made eye contact again. "Well, praise God we hadn't already moved in or we'd have lost everything."
    Was she kidding? She'd just been told her new house had been burned down—deliberately—and she was praising God? She couldn't be serious. These religious nuts had no sense at all.
    "Was anyone hurt?"
    His partner caught his eye before focusing back on her. "Actually, Ms. Caldwell, there was a body found in the house."
    Her tears returned. "Oh, dear Lord, someone died in the fire? Who?"
    "That's what we're trying to find out." Maddox waited until she faced him again before he continued. "Do you have any idea who might've been in the house?"