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Chapter 17

Dan Scott had died of bacterial infection that easily invaded his body through his burn wounds. The fire that burned Dan's Dealership and ultimately landed him in the hospital, was still under investigation. With Tree Hill being a small community, they simply just didn't have the personnel or tools to find the arsonist. Some people wondered if it would ever get solved, while others, just simply forgot about it - but there was some or someone who would never forget about it.

Everyone who was in Tree Hill and knew Dan were now paying their last respects at his funeral. Although Dan was hated by most, they still showed up only because they feared that Dan would get to them some how, even in death.

But there were some who never feared him. Whitey Durham was one of them. If there was one thing about Dan that he was going to miss, it was the hateful banter that they exchanged every basketball season. Dan made a fine sparing partner, but would never outwit the old and wise Whitey.

For years Keith Scott cleaned up after his younger brother's messes – raising his nephew as if he was his own and Keith even taught Dan the mechanics of cars. One would think that Dan would be greatful for his brother's help, but not Dan. For years he took advantage of his kindness. Being the guy Keith was, he didn't care because that's what brothers were suppossed to do - stand by each other no matter what. But Keith was also naive. He never thought that Dan would be so cruel in planning revenge against his own brother for sleeping with his wife. And it was a plan that got out of control.

She was nothing but a mere pond in his game of life. Emily Carr-Scott, was a victim of a series of misfortunes that landed her debt. Dan provided her with a way out - a plan that would ultimately change her life. She didn't expect to fall in love with the man she was supposed to deceive and it angered Dan. But he promised to keep it a secret. And Dan kept his promise…he wouldn't tell anyone, instead, he craftily spun a plan using other ponds in his evil game to reveal her true identity. It left Emily ostracized from Tree Hill and from the man she wanted to marry. She had no choice. There was only one thing Emily could do...and that was to take matters into her own hands.

The abandoned son who was lucky enough to escape Dan's parenting but still suffered from his father's negligence. Lucas Scott hated his father for so long and wanted nothing to do with him. It took him years to take him down, but this summer, Lucas finally defeated Dan Scott.

The curly blonde who captured the heart of both Scott boys: Peyton Sawyer. She was nothing but a pretty girl who was once a mere distraction to Nathan's pro career – at least that's what Dan thought of him. But to her, Dan was a monster. She saw first hand at what Dan was capable of and the influence he had over his sons. He controlled Nathan's life and poisoned Lucas's mind. Dan was an evil man who didn't deserve to live.

The unwanted daughter-in-law: Haley James-Scott. She was never welcomed into his family. She was an even bigger distraction to Nathan's basketball career. His son was captivated by her – nearly giving up his basketball dreams and nearly giving up his life in a car crash. Dan had to stop her but he made the fatal mistake by underestimating her.

If anyone had lived in hell, it was Deb Scott, after all, she married the devil himself. For years she spent her life being his wife because of one night. Aside from her reason for marring Dan, Deb did actually fall in love with him. At times, Dan was a good husband - faithful and loving. But in more times than not, Dan only cared about one thing - himself. And by the time she realized that, it was too late. For years she tried to free herself and Nathan from his grasp, but he was always there to stop them. This time it was different, Deb was now set free.

Those were just a few of the people who were in Tree Hill. But what about the people who weren't?

Brooke Davis. She was too self-involved to notice the death grip he had on his son's life. Lucas never opened up to her or even mentioned Dan while they were together. It wasn't until that summer when she realized just how evil he was. Away from Tree Hill, she not only realized the kind of person she was and the kind of person she wanted to be, but she also saw the kind of boy Nathan really was – and he was better off without Dan.

His child prodigy. The son who he raised and had been there for him since the day he was born. And since that day, he controlled Nathan Scott's life. Basketball drills, basketball stats, weights, morning and afternoon runs, basketball…anything that would elevate his game. Dan demanded nothing but the best and for a while, Nathan obeyed. But since he met Haley, things changed. Nathan started seeing the kind of man Dan really was. He had destroyed the lives of so many and Nathan had to put a stop to it before it was too late.

The professor, Andy Hargrove, proved to be a valiant competitor. He had no idea the kind of power Dan had. It wasn't until Dan went after the women Andy fell in love with, did he step in. Sure he was young and didn't have the cold heart that Dan had, but Andy did have the brains and guts to go head to head with Dan. And that was enough because in the end, Dan would get schooled.

Finally, the woman Dan had loved, but left: Karen Roe. She was perhaps the only one in Tree Hill who had reason to watch Dan burn in hell. He had left her to pursue his dream and ended up with another woman and child instead. He had left her alone to raise their child with very little support. But Karen was no fool. She knew the type of man he was and made sure that he had nothing to do with Lucas's life. Although she had gotten her way, the fact that her son had to grow up without a father still hurt her.

But what got her the most was that even after all these years; Dan seemed to want to be a part of Lucas's life. He had somehow convinced Lucas to move in with him and offered him a job to work along side him at the dealership. Karen didn't know what to do but there was one thing that she did know…there was no way that she would ever let Dan be a part of her son's life and she would do anything to stop him.

There was eleven. Eleven known suspects. These were the people who were the closest and the most affected by Dan. But who was the one responsible for setting the world free of Dan Scott?

There was one. One person who set the blaze. And he was the one responsible for setting the world free of Dan Scott.

But, there was more. More than one person was involved.

Somewhere in New Zealand

"Are you sure everything is ok..." Andy Hargrove said into the phone.

Karen and Andy were spending a day at beach when Andy received a phone call.

"Alright, if there is anything else that I can do, just let me know...ok...You take care of yourself...I will. Thanks, bye,"

Andy ended his call and looked at Karen who was sitting besided, listening to his half of his conversation, "That was Deb,"

"How is she?"

"She's ok. A little shaky, but she'll be alright,"

"I can't believe this, Andy. I can't believe we did this,"

He put his hand on hers, "I know. But we have to let it go now. Karen, we're not the ones responsible but we know who are,"

"I know. But keeping it a secret...we're just as responsible,"

Flashback

He was on his way to the airport when he saw the flames. Bright orange and red flames flickered inside Dan's office. Without hesitation Andy pulled into the car lot and jumped out of the car. For a second he was memorized by the raging fire and without taking his eyes off the fire he pulled out his cell phone. He was about to dial 911 when he saw them.

Andy saw two figures inside: one sitting in the office chair, making no attempt to move: the other, slowly trying to crawl out of the burning building. He dropped his phone and ran in to help.

By the time he dragged the body out of the burning building, Andy was exhausted. He staggered a bit as he tried to go back in for the second person. Andy coughed and tried to get clean oxygen into this lungs. He was too weak to go back in. That's when he felt a strong pair of hands pull him back from the building.

"Go on, get out of here. Get Whitey out of here," Keith yelled at Andy just before he went in to save his brother.