"Mr. Oyler? Would you please come in?"

"Please, call me Thomas."

I followed the police officer to the interrogation room. She wouldn't shut up about this being just like an interview and that I wasn't under fire. I truly wondered if there was anything about me that made her think I was nervous.

We both went to opposite sides of the table, and I promptly refused a glass of water offered for me out of sheer courtesy once I was seated. The sooner I'd be out of this place, the better.

As the officer took a glass of water for herself and gathered the appropriate files and documents, I looked around the room. It was...surprisingly blank. Perhaps too early in their investigation to have an ample amount of evidence to make any sort of impression. Shame, it would have been amusing to see where their trail is leading them.

Glancing down at the table, I couldn't help but notice it was the same kind of reinforced table with built-in hooks to chain cuffs to. I pushed one finger against them, feeling the metal press against the imitation-leather glove. Sturdy. Unmoving. Something to keep in mind to avoid getting here in handcuffs.

"Are you cold?" the officer asked as she put the files on the table. Following her gaze, I could tell she was looking at my hands. "We can turn up the heat if you'd like." she offered before sitting down in front of me. I'd be damned if she didn't mention 'we' to make sure I know that whatever I do, I won't be facing her alone.

How stupid does she think I am? "There's no need for that, the temperature here is just right." I saw that. That split-second glance directed at my black gloves. It's as if she was expecting me to take them off, if I didn't have any reason to keep them on.

"Well then." she cleared her throat, dropping the gloves' issue on her own accord. "Do you know why you were summoned here, Thomas?" she reached for one of the files. A quick scan of everything visible to me from across the table revealed nothing but familiar names. Except for one. It was the tag on the officer's uniform.

It read Sophie Cooper.

"I've been asked here as..." I linger, making it sound like I have at least a hint of doubt. "A character witness, I believe?"

She nodded and pulled a document out of one of the files, placing it in front of me. There was a photo of a young man attached to the autopsy report of 'Matthew Martin'.

The cause of death was labeled 'severe fire damage and smoke inhalation'.

More details mentioned 'mangled teeth and jaws' and a 'hole in the throat'.

Sophie cleared her throat again as I went to flip the page over. I stopped, as she probably expected me to, and looked up at her. "We have attached photos of the body from the crime scene itself as well as some from the autopsy." she warned. "I'd advise you against flipping that page if you're not the type with a strong stomach."

Even though I was really curious to see how well their forensic photographer captured this piece of human charcoal and how it looks under the sterile, white light of the autopsy room, I let go of the page and put my hand over it. "Thank you, officer," I nodded at her to show my gratitude. "Even the written details sound pretty gruesome."

"We wouldn't want such a willing cooperator to get too discouraged by the very thing he's trying to prevent." she smiled heartily, and I did my best to return a gesture without it looking too forced. Seeing as she hardly looked my way but instead focused on the file, I'd bet she didn't notice. "Are you familiar with the victim, Thomas?" she asked, pointing at the attached photo.

Of course I was. "Just barely." it'd be impossible to deny knowing him at all. "He worked at the shop for just over a month...maybe two." I never actually kept track. "You should probably ask the manager, Charles, if you want to find out more about Matthew's employment."

"As a matter of fact, we have." she grabbed the file from under my hand. Looking straight at her, I moved my arm as the paper was tugged beneath it. "He said you shared a couple of smoke breaks with him."

Nice one, Charles. "And?" I kept staring forward, and Sophie stared back when putting the files aside, still smiling. She wasn't new to this; most people would buck out of prolonged eye contact by now. Then again, these should be some of the training investigators go through. "I don't talk much to people on smoke breaks." I clarified, as she was clearly waiting for my comment on the fact Charles brought up to the investigating team. "You can ask anyone else that ever had a smoke with me, that I savor the peace and quiet of my breaks."

Speaking of which, all this talking really had my craving for a smoke spiking. If I'm really not 'under fire' and only here because Charles testified that I may know this Matthew guy because he insisted on trying to befriend me, officer Cooper shouldn't have much to pry on.

I doubt they can even legally keep me here unless they have some sort of evidence or warrant against me. Sophie closed Matthew's file, and I watched as she pulled the rest of the victims' files and spread them open in front of me, covering most of the table.

Her voice had a tone of finality to it, indicating this part of the investigation is nearing its end. "Do you know any of the other victims?"

Every. Single. One. "I think I've heard some of the names on the news, in the past year." I told her after a quick scan of the names, just to make sure. "But no one that I personally knew."

"I see." the officer let out a slow sigh and collected the files back. "Thank you again for your cooperation, Mr. Oyler." Sophie then got up and reached her hand to shake mine. I was reluctant, but it'd be a shame to ruin such a well-orchestrated conversation over faulty mannerism, so I shook it back firmly, telling her it was an honor 'serving the force as much as a civilian as myself can', before turning to take my leave.

Just as I reached into the inside of my jacket to pull out my pack of cigarettes and lighter, I heard the officer hurrying in my wake shortly after walking past the guards standing at the station's entrance. A couple of unnecessarily jumpy guards, by how they tensed up when I turned around with one hand inside my jacket. Although if I actually had a gun on my person, they'd have to worry about how they missed it in the first place, when I walked in.

They kept eyeing me as the officer approached, making sure I have no harmful intention, until I finally pulled my lighter and a smoke, and they eased back into place.

"You really bolted out of there." She commented and stopped next to me. "I just wanted to ask you to contact us if you remember anything else that may help, either about Mr. Martin or the killer. Just call and tell the operator that you have some information for the 'Fahrenheit' investigation."

"'Fahrenheit'? Aren't you classy." I stuck the cigarette between my teeth and brought the lighter up, flicking up the flame and shielding it from the wind, inhaling deep and feeling the ashy smoke filling up my chest cavity. "But this really didn't call for chasing me down; I'm sure you can find my number and send a text." I stuffed my lighter back into my pocket and turned my head around to breath out the smoke. Wouldn't like to be disrespectful. "Anything else you'd like to discuss?"

"Well, since you've asked..." she straightened up. "I had no business asking before, since it's has nothing to do with 'Fahrenheit', but I was just curious," she stopped, lingering, and I saw another brief glance she threw down, around my collarbone. "Were you in the service?"

Sharp lady. Not a lot of people take any notice of my dog-tags. "I get asked that a lot. But no, I wasn't." I told her, taking another drag, and dryly adding, "Couldn't if I wanted to. Medical setbacks."

She smiled and placed her hands on her hips. "That's a shame; I would've offered you to be more than a character witness in the station."

"On what basis?"

"You gave the impression of being willing to help beyond your civil duties." her tone sounded as if she meant this as a compliment. "We could always use more personnel on the force."

Or maybe it was more of a luring advertising tone. "I'm flattered, Mrs. Cooper, but-"

"Please, just Ms. Cooper." She interrupted. "Actually, Sophie is just fine, too."

"I don't think I'm police material, Sophie." I picked up from where she stopped me, breathing in another dose of nicotine. "But I appreciate the offer."

"I'll keep it open, then." she nodded and turned to head back to the station. "Keep us posted."

I breathed out the smoke again and turned around, grinding my teeth around the butt of the cigarette. She's a little too perceptive for my taste. Too many questions, like the new guy. But her questions extend far beyond me, I can't control the input of information she gets from others. Letting this go on would be careless.

However, a single lady, in the lead of an investigation and likely consumed by her work...

That couldn't be too hard. I've certainly had kills more complicated than that.

I'll just have to make sure this won't be going in the right direction.

I followed the investigation from afar as much as I could through various media. This had me listening on conversation more than I would like to in order to gather information, but since 'Fahrenheit' became a matter of public concern, everyone seemed to have a say in the matter.

Even the staff at the Auto-Shop wouldn't shut up about this, since now it became clear beyond any doubt that the painfully enthusiastic 'new guy' was the unlikely victim of the homicidal arsonist that is loose in the city. 'The Infernal'. That was a nice alias one of the newspapers conjured. 'Jack the Ripper with a Lighter' was admittedly not as clever, but I'm certainly flattered at being compared to such a classic urban legend.

Although, one alias struck me in particular - 'Kerosene Killer'. Beautiful alliteration; makes in memorable. But the article itself brought up some unconfirmed findings from the murder scenes and autopsies, traces of flammable fluids; fuels and oils.

Confirmed or not, this will give the cops idea for leads if they're not already following them, and these type of materials could be traceable. I'd call to through them off track, but some time has to pass to not associate me with it. Time is something I don't have, if they really are following those traces of substance.

I shake my box of cigarettes before pulling out another one. The box is almost empty. One more is in stock, the last one. It's almost time.

As its far end burned to flaky ashes, I breathed a lungful and sat down at my porch, looking over the rooftops to the setting sun as it colored the skies in the incredible, blazing colors of fire. It's like the whole world was set ablaze, left but a little spot of orange glow in the vast vacuum of space.

What a sight it'll be. I let the smoke out, but the thought alone made my insides feel as though they're filled with smoldering embers. If only I could make it last...

I spent the remainder of my packs making all of the necessary settings and adjustments to the thwarting of this 'Fahrenheit' ordeal. I had to nip this thing at the bud; cut off the snakes head before it bites.

Little Miss Cooper was really all that I had expected following our first and only meeting. A small apartment, company car, no flat-mates; long shifts, sometimes double; doesn't live around anyone else from the station, so no carpools.

It was almost too easy; I had victims living with families, in apartments.

But the undeniable fact was there, clear as day - she's a police officer. Being the head of an investigating team, I couldn't really gauge her physical prowess, and for my own safety had to assume she's always armed in some way. Even a none-lethal weapon like a taser gun could spell bad news at least and likely to put me under trial. Or just put an end to me, simple as that.

True, I could have picked another victim and slightly change my methods, just to throw them off a little, but I might also give them more to work with. I thought I was cautious before, but apparently - not enough.

Regardless, can't do much about this now. Already set an alibi and informed Charles of it...Would've taken him out long ago if I didn't need that job for all of the conveniently available supplies it offers. He only hired me in the first place because he was short on people and kept me around because I'm a damn good welder. A new boss probably wouldn't be all that impressed.

Ah, but I digress. Don't let me bore you.

With a final exhale of bright smoke I pressed the butt of my last cigarette into the ashtray, glancing at my phone. Almost time to go.

Knowing this all has to be perfectly orchestrated, I took in one last view of the dying fire in the sky, as the sun set lower and welcomed the dark, blue hues of the night. After savoring the last streaks of gold in the horizon, I walked back inside to get my bearing and went out.

Just to make sure we were on the same page, I took out my phone to call the police station, asking to speak to Officer Cooper regarding 'Fahrenheit', for the second time today.

"Hello, Sophie- Yes, I know I said there was something important, But I couldn't make it to the station."

"No, this really isn't something to discuss on the phone. You understand, don't you?"

"I know. I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning."

"So sorry to keep you waiting in the station. You must be tired."

"Yes, that's fair."

"Have a safe walk home."

I opened my phone to check my schedule for tomorrow. Good thing I made sure to clear that morning.

Wouldn't want dear Officer Cooper to be kept waiting for naught.