A/N: Well, here's the last chappie! To find out what happens as a result of all the stuff that happened in this story, you'll have to read my next fic titled "Restricted Area". It's my favorite one so far, I believe, so it should be interesting to read. Enjoy, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review!

Fire Hazards

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Beginning of the End

“All right, you two troublemakers,” Sheriff Billings said to the arsonists, who were still under guard by Sam and Newt. “I’ve been hearing pretty nasty stories going around. I’m only sorry I was out of town the whole time. Now, let’s get some names.”

The skinny and shorter man replied, “The name’s Norman, and his name’s Reggie.”

The one named Reggie was the taller of the two, and also the biggest. He didn’t appear as bright as Norman, what with his dull expression. Oliver personally wanted to bury their heads in wet cement and leave them there after all they had done.

“But why did you want to burn down all these innocent people’s houses?” the aggravated attorney demanded to know. “You have to have a reason. Did someone hire you?”

“I’ll handle this, Douglas,” the sheriff butted in. “Did someone hire you?” Oliver rolled his eyes.

“Of course, stupid, we don’t do stuff like this without pay,” Norman retorted with a dry laugh.

“Who was he?”

He shrugged. “Don’t know. Some whacked out ex-lawyer.” (A/N: Remember this for the next story)

Lisa stared at her husband. “Olivah, you’re an ex-lawyer!”

“Lisa, please! Why would I want anyone’s home to catch on fire?”

“Must be some other lunatic then,” Fred Ziffel responded.

“Will you guys please be quiet?” Sheriff Billings asked firmly. “I’m afraid I’m taking you two boys downtown.”

He handcuffed them, then he and the deputy shoved them in one of the patrol cars. “Awful sorry this had to happen, folks. We’ll have these guys booked before you know it. Good day.”

The cars left the premises and Oliver couldn’t help but feel stunned. Good day? How was he supposed to have a good day? His house just caught on fire and his wife almost died!

“Uh, Mr. Douglas,” Sam said, breaking his thought. “We all really need to get on our way, so if you need anything, feel free to call any of us.”

“Yes, thank you,” Oliver replied, shaking his hand. “Oh, but this house! It’s going to take forever to build it back up!”

“Don’t forget everyone else’s houses,” Newt added, still upset that his house had burned to the ground.. “Some of us don’t even have a house anymore.”

“I think we ought to have a community project on this,” Doris thought out loud. “You know, where everyone helps everyone else build up their homes again.”

“That’s a great idea!” Oliver complimented her, wondering why he hadn’t thought of it. “We’ll get everyone together to discuss it. When should we start?”

“Olivah, it’s too late to start now,” Lisa yawned. “Besides, ve still have to find a place to stay for the night.”

“Oh, come on to the Shady Rest, there’s plenty of room,” Sam offered to them.

And so, the Douglases did stay the night at the Shady Rest Motel, as did almost every other soul without a home in the valley. Eb dropped by later after escorting Darlene home, whose father wasn’t so upset about the whole shenanigan after he heard the story on Eb “saving” Darlene’s life. Ralph and Mr. Kimball, the new soon-to-be married couple, dropped by the hospital to check on Alf, who was finally coming out of his unconscious state. Mr. Haney got Josie safely home, of course, but not before stealing a good-night kiss, but that’s another story.

Norman and Reggie went to the Pixley Penitentiary, where they were sentenced to a two-year term. As of yet, the name of the man who hired them has not been said. Building on the new houses began about a few days later after the incident, and everything was going along fine. So far...

To Be Continued...

So, who hired Norman and Reggie? And why would they want to burn everyone’s houses down? Will everyone be happy forever after? You’ll have to find out in the next story “Restricted Area” (which I need to finish writing!). It’s less sappy than this, it has WAY more drama and depression and stuff. But there are a few happy moments. I don’t believe I will finish posting it all the way through before summer gets here. I don’t know if I will get the internet when I go home for summer. But hopefully I will find a way! Happy Reading!