"The house was under construction when it burned?" "Not much more than a shell," Jake confirmed. "The roof was on, and it was mostly closed in, but that was it." "And it was being built by a construction company, not an individual." "Yeah, a big company bought up a shitload of land on the island a few years ago, when one of the original owners finally sold out. They've been building on lots ever since. Usually have two or three houses going at the same time. Big crew." "Insurance?" "What you'd expect. Nothing excessive." Jake shrugged. "And nothing crooked that I could find. They build a house and then sell it, to either an individual, a co-op, or one of the properties groups that own rentals. Business as usual around here." Riley dropped the charred wood and absently brushed her hands together. "And your fire marshal is sure it was arson?" She was behaving as though this was her first visit here, although she had to assume that she'd been here to this site at least once before, and unbeknownst to the sheriff.
