Get interrupted.

As you ask that question, a police man clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

“What you will be doing is staying in the area! If you try to leave, you will be detained! This town does have a motel you can rent rooms from, and they stay open late. I can’t promise they have any rooms available.” He then gave you the address and directions. It wasn’t far from the shops.

“In fact, I think I will escort you there so we know where you will be staying. I’ll even call ahead and check to see if they have at least 4 rooms.”

He went slightly away from your group, and called the place. Soon he returned and told you “You are partly in luck, and partly not. They have three rooms available. They all have two beds each. You will have to pick your rooms, and who you will stay with.”

He nodded to some police cars. “Get in. Your own cars are going to be examined.”

You swear. “SHIT! And I just got replacement clothes. Now I have to do more shopping!”

The cop seems sympathetic. “Yeah, that does suck. Good news is we can check the cars much quicker than the house.”

Mark was nervous. “Ah, how long until you check it and we can move back?”

“Not any time soon. Before we can even start to examine it, we will have to check the supports. It will have to be slow as they will need to be kitted out for asbestos. You have fire and flooding damage there.

“Then there will be the insurance inspectors. That is before the possibility of you recovering things. With asbestos, it they might just evacuate the surrounding houses for a bit and demolish the place, destroying everything. Searching for evidence will be a factor in the final choice, but the safety of those who would go in is even greater.”

Putting on some fake cheer. “Sure you might be screwed with fire and water damage, but you might be able to sue for being sold a place with asbestos. Of course, you might not. Still, if you can find a lawyer who is willing to take your case, possibly pro bono. Call it a hunch, but I don’t think your finances are going to be very good for a while.”

You give a humorless laugh. “Please, you have to have money before you can worry about having enough.”

With that you walk over to the cop cars.