Fighting the Fire Page 12

  Pop. The sphere disappeared.

  “Hey,” she said, surprised. “It worked!”

  “Yes.” Orenda smiled, hoisting herself up to sit in the chair.” I knew it. I taught hypnosis to your grandmother when we were young.” Orenda stopped, and then added “Mia, you have to promise me you’ll find her. You must.” Orenda sniffed and rubbed her fleshy hand across her nose. “Her granddaughter, with her powers. She will be very proud.”

  Find someone that would be happy she had these powers after she’d spent her life hating them? “I’ll look for her if you think that she’s still alive.”

  “She’s alive. I’ve seen the future, remember? I would know if she’d kicked the bucket. We’re too ornery to die yet.” Orenda let out a deep laugh. “You two have had enough for this afternoon. Go home and rest.”

  Cy rubbed his eyes and stood, stretching his long, tall body. “You said I went under too? What did you tell me?”

  “I told you to quack like a duck anytime someone said your name.” Cy’s eyes widened until Orenda slapped her leg, and laughed heartily. “No, I just told you to stop beating yourself up over things from your past. You’re a good man. You need to start believing it.”

  Cy dropped his gaze and blushed. “Thanks, Orenda. I’ll bring Mia back soon.” He stepped toward her, gave her a quick hug, and then a peck on the cheek.

  They rode quietly in the truck thinking about what had happened. When they arrived at the restaurant Cy followed Mia down the stairs to her room.

  “I want you to go over to Sally’s tonight. I can’t leave you here by yourself. I just…damn it, I’ll worry too much.”

  She started to say no but then bit her lip. “If that’s what you want. I know I promised.”

  Cy shook his head and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket to answer a call. “Hello? Captain?” He paused, listening, his brow furrowed in concentration. “(That’s) great news, thanks for calling me. I’ll tell her.”

  Mia cocked a sideways smile at him. “Why would the captain be calling about me?”

  “The investigators have released their findings on the fire at your house. They found a large amount of Methyl Ethyl Ketone in a metal can outside the house.”

  “Methyl Ethyl…”

  “It’s a fire accelerant. That’s what the investigators were looking for.” He pulled the truck to a stop and took his sunglasses off so she could see his eyes. “Fires start for all kinds of reasons—unwatched candles, cigarettes, faulty house wiring. But this proves a probable case for arson. This fire accelerant mainly is used in paints and other coatings. It was found in cans next to your house.”

  “I didn’t have any paint cans lying around.”

  Cy reached for her hand. “They have a case for arson.”

  Her head swam. It makes no sense. I had to have started the fire.”

  “Why are you so convinced you’re at fault? Mia. Look at me.” He tipped her chin toward him. “This means you didn’t start the fire and that the blue aura inside you is there for another reason. Let’s get going. We have to pick up your things and head to Sally’s, she’s holding dinner for us, and now there’s reason to celebrate. This is great.”

  Mia wasn’t as thrilled as Cy. He didn’t understand what it was like to live with that beast inside you every day, clawing to fight its way out.

  ****

  He watched in the dim early, evening light as Brennon and the woman got out of the pickup. Rolling down the side window, he pinched a wad of tobacco and shoved it between his lip and teeth.

  His foot hit the glass bottle filled with his urine and it rolled across the floor. How many days had he been in his car, waiting, watching? Brennon’s hideous red truck was easy to spot in town and follow. It stood out like a whore’s lipstick.

  How could Brennon be laughing? He didn’t deserve that. He watched him go up the front porch steps that led to Sally Parker’s house and growled.

  A tremble of pure, unadulterated pleasure coursed through him verging on sexual. He felt himself grow hard. Was it wrong to want this as much as he would a woman’s body? Parker, and the bitch from the fire all in one big package, just for him.

  It should be more difficult than this. It was too easy. After all these years. All these plans. Sometimes the simplest plans were the ones that worked best.

  Chapter 13

  Cy laid Mia’s bag on the edge of the bed and sat down. “The dinner was great.”

  Mia looked around the homey light blue room and dropped into a chair next to the window. She wrung her hands as nerves coursed through her. “I still don’t know if this is a good idea, Sally already has a full house with her cousin staying with her.”

  “Mary’s only going to be here for a few days and then she’ll be off to see her brother in Canada.”

  Mia chewed at the skin on her thumb. “Did you bring the blankets? Otherwise, I can’t take the chance of sleeping on the bed.”

  “You asked me that a hundred times. Remember what I said? They’re out in the car. I was just getting ready to bring them in and set you up for the night.”

  She stared out the window at the breeze blowing the trees. Why did she let Cy talk her into things?

  She hadn’t heard him get up or reach for her hand before it was too late. There was a pop of electricity, but Cy held on tightly. Ignoring it, he pulled her to her feet, and then looked down into her face.

  “Hey. Where’d you go? You were somewhere other than here a moment ago. Stop worrying.” He dipped his head capturing her lips against his. There was an audible snap, but he continued to deepen the kiss. She fought not to be dragged under, the slide of his mouth was overpowering, drugging her.

  Mia wedged her hand between them and struggled to push him away, but he held her firmly with an arm behind her back and finally broke the kiss.

  “How long are you going to keep pushing me away?” His blue gaze held hers in a lock as he whispered, “You know it’s okay to fall in love.”

  She tried to swallow but her mouth was dry. What did he know? People couldn’t just “fall in love.” They didn’t know anything about each other. He didn’t know how hard it was for her even to let someone get this close. Okay, maybe he did, but he seemed to be having a much easier time with it than she was.

  His words seemed complicated and way too much for her fogged brain to process.

  “It’s getting late. I’m going to grab the blankets out of my truck and say goodnight to Sally and Mary. Then I’ll be up to tuck you in.” He smiled sweetly and looked way too innocent after the kiss that had melted her shoes.

  ****

  She heard the door creak as he rapped his knuckles lightly. “The two of them have already gone off to bed.” Cy stripped the sheets off the bed and proceeded to remake it with the fire retardant blankets.

  He patted the turned down sheets and watched as Mia eased herself under the covers and then pulled the layers securely up around her midsection.

  “You look beautiful tonight,” he muttered as he ran a hand through the long strands of her ebony hair.

  Mia grinned. “You mean in my pink pajamas that make me look orange.” She paused, “Cy, I want you to stay. I really do. But it’s dangerous. I need water around me if anything happens and…”

  “I didn’t come in here to seduce you. If I had, you wouldn’t still be wearing those pink pajamas that make you look orange.” He winked and kissed her gently. “Honestly, I just came to say goodnight. So goodnight, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  With a quick kiss and a snap of electrical force, he rose to his feet, turned off the lights, and was gone. She already missed the warmth of his body.

  ****

  When the fire bells rang, Cy sat up and threw the covers off. It was still dark except for the faint glow of moonlight coming in through the open window. He was halfway down the stairs before he was even fully awake or at least that his brain had registered he was.

  Mario was by the engine pulling on his coat, his dark
thick hair sticking up in tufts as he ran a quick hand through it. The men looked at each other when the firehouse phone rang. Cy glanced at the wall clock that blinked 2:00 a.m. and reached to answer it.

  West repeated back the address. He dropped the receiver, as he ran yelling, “Move!”

  The address West repeated sank into Cy’s sleep-fogged brain.

  Emotions slammed into Cy like a freight train. His brain cleared to needle sharpness as he grabbed the keys off the hook along with his helmet and had the engine in drive before Mario was completely in the truck.

  “Jesus, Cy! What did West say?” Mario asked, confused.

  Cy could barely push the words out. “The fire’s at Sally Parker’s house.”

  ****

  “Come on!” Cy shouted as he pounded the steering wheel to blast the truck’s horn and swerved to avoid a car in his way.

  Mario looked over. “I’m sure Mia’s okay and Sally’s too tough to have anything bad happen to her.”

  The engine jerked to a stop as Cy shoved his helmet on and jumped out the door. West arrived and ran toward-s Cy.

  “I gotta grab my jacket and we’ll move. Mario, Ben should be here in a minute. Wait with the hose until you have backup.”

  Flames billowed from the small, older house as he ran closer. The sunny, bright yellow exterior paint was blistered and scorched in long black streaks, as flames licked up the outer walls. Molten ash swirled in dancing patterns as the intensity increased.

  The heat of the fire, even at this distance, prickled at his skin making it tight and hot as he flipped down his flash-hood. Taking the steps two at a time, he bashed the front door open with his shoulder and then took the stairs to the upstairs bedrooms at a dead run. “Sally! Mia!” he yelled. The captain raised his arm to shield the flames as he veered off to the first bedroom.

  Cy hit Mia’s door and rushed inside. “Mia!” Frantically he searched, finally finding her huddled in the corner. Surreal blue light lit the room as the orb pulsed around her

  Her face streaked with tears, Mia screamed, “No! Why did I listen to you? I knew I would hurt them. It’s your fault! You wouldn’t listen.”

  “Stop,” he commanded as she struggled to free herself from his grip. Ignoring her pleas, he scooped her up and ran for the door.

  “Put me down. Damn you! Leave me here.” She struggled in his arms and beat at his chest.

  When they reached the end of the hall Cy looked in the bedroom and saw West struggling to free Sally from fallen debris. He made a split-second decision knowing what might happen if he let Mia go. He bit hard on his lip until he tasted blood.

  “Mia! Run! I have to help the captain.”

  She looked at him. “Where’s Mary?”

  Cy looked down the hall engulfed in flames and shook his head. “Get out. I’ll get her.”

  He waited until Mia had run down the stairs and had safely gotten out of the house before he hurried into the bedroom.

  Seeing Cy, the captain shouted, “Pull! Her legs are trapped.”

  Soot covered Sally and the fire had scorched away patches of skin on her bare legs. Her body was sprawled on the floor by the window where she had attempted to escape, but smoke had overtaken her and she’d collapsed.

  “She’s unconscious, but she’s still alive,” West said.

  With one last pull, they freed her from the fallen boards. West dropped Sally’s limp form over his shoulder and headed toward the hall. “Did you find Mia?

  “Mia’s outside. Mary…”

  Cy ran to the door of the guest bedroom and threw it open. Fire whooshed out forcing him to take a step back. Thick black plumes of smoke filled the room and flames engulfed the bed along with the body on it.

  He punched the radio receiver on his chest. “There’s still someone in here. I need backup, now!”

  But Cy knew backup wasn’t needed, it was too late. Mary was dead.

  Scorched hair hung off the left side of her head and the skin of her face had been burned to black. Eyes stared blankly back at him and her mouth was open in an eternal scream. Cy struggled to pull her body free from the fire as he yelled, “Shit. I need backup!” He could hear his cries echo inside the hood as flames licked up the blankets and the bed frame crumbled beneath her.

  ****

  Cy dropped to his knees next to the stretcher and pulled off his helmet. “Have you seen Mia?” Cy asked West. He snatched Sally’s hand in a death grip as his gaze met the EMT’s. “Is she going to be okay?”

  Sally moaned, but her eyes remained closed as she tried to make an effort to move. Cy fought for the composure he usually demonstrated at fires, but it slipped from his grasp. No matter how many years he spent in the department he was never prepared for the fire victim to be someone he cared about. “Brown!” Cy shouted at the young EMT across from him. “I asked if she was going to be okay?”

  “Yes…Yes, I think so.” Joey Brown wiped his hand over his face. His fingers trembled as he plunged the IV needle into Sally’s arm. “When I got the call tonight, I never thought it would be Sally. She’s supposed to be here helping me, not the one that’s hurt.”

  Cy reached over and placed his hand on Brown’s shoulder to give a quick squeeze. “You’re her partner. She wouldn’t trust anyone more in the world to pull her through this.”

  It seemed to be the vote of confidence the young man needed as he treated her wounds. “Thanks. Would you help me lift the stretcher?”

  Sally’s eye’s fluttered open. “Cy.” She tried to smile.

  “Just rest now.”

  “Is Mia okay?”

  Cy looked back at the people in the driveway. “I think so.”

  “Mary?”

  He tried to hold his face impassive but felt a tear slip from the corner of his eye as he clutched Sally’s hand tighter and tipped his head down.

  “Oh…no,” her voice came out in a scratchy moan.

  His throat constricted. “I have to get back to the fire. You’re in the best hands possible with Joey. He’s going to take you to the hospital and I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He started to leave but turned back adding, “I love you, Sally. But you already know that.”

  Sally closed her eyes and nodded as he squeezed her shoulder and touched her forehead. He dipped his head and backed out of the emergency vehicle.

  Where the hell was Mia? He turned in a circle but couldn’t see her face in the crowd.

  “Cy.” West came towards him. “Backup’s here. They’ve sent another engine. I’m going to let the other men take it from here. You’ve had enough for tonight, but I have to show you something.”

  Water arced from the fire hoses onto the house where the fire seemed to be under control. Cy walked behind West to the side of the house. Debris crunched beneath their boots, as he kicked a board out of the way. Water dripped from the eaves and the smell of smoke hung heavy in the air.

  West stopped and pointed to the ground. Cy stooped to get a closer look. “Paint cans,” he said. “They’re in the same configuration as the ones the fire investigators found at Mia’s house the night her house burned. I’m not the investigator, but looking at the intensity of the fire, these cans were used as an accelerant to fuel it, and the fire started here.”

  Cy nodded at the scorched can. “Automotive paint?”

  “The same brand they found at Mia’s house.” West shook his head in disgust. “We’ve got a serial arsonist on our hands. This is his second fire and now there’s homicide attached to the charges. This time he’s screwed with our family. There won’t be another fire. I’m going to find that bastard myself.” There was blood in West’s eyes.

  Cy rose quickly. “I have to find Mia.”

  ****

  Cy drove through the deserted streets of Klahowya hoping to see her. When he’d stopped at the restaurant and found her clothes gone from her dresser, his hope faded. She was going to run, leave town, and leave him before knowing the truth. He knew when he had let her go at the house that she m
ight run. Guilt and fear driving her. She blamed herself for the fire and this would put her over the top.

  The arsonist was targeting Mia. It couldn’t be a coincidence. But it didn’t make sense. Had Mia lied to him about not knowing who might be after her? Who could she have upset enough that they would want her dead?

  When he pulled the truck back to the cabin, he sat for a moment and rested his head against the steering wheel to let the cool breeze of the night air pull the smell of smoke from his nose.

  The memories of Mary’s face surfaced, burned…so burned.

  The image swam behind his closed eyes. He reached for the door handle; the effort to push it open seemed overwhelming.

  His legs were heavy as he reached the top step and swung open the door of the cabin. He threw his backpack against the wall and staggered in.

  ****

  Mia looked out over the woods below as the first light of the morning rose from the sky turning it to dark red across the clouds. She heard the screen door creak and turned.

  “Mia, thank God, you’re—here.” His strong, tanned face was pale and drawn with darkness haunting his eyes. He quickly walked toward her, but she shook her head and he stopped.

  “I know. You’re as surprised as I am, but I had nowhere else to go. I packed my bag, I was going to run, but then I thought I couldn’t do that to you or Sally. Both of you have done so much for me. I have to face the consequences for what I did. I was going to go straight to the police and turn myself in, but then I…” she paused. “I wanted to see you one last time.”

  “Mia.” Cy took a step but she turned away from him.

  “I shouldn’t have come.” She choked on a sob.

  “You didn’t do it.”

  She turned on him. “I know you have feelings for me, but that doesn’t change the fact that I hurt two people. Wait…is Mary…”

  Cy closed his eyes and she knew the truth.

  “You can’t protect me. I’m a murderer.” Mia clutched a fist to her chest to push in the breath she couldn’t seem to take.

  “If you were lying I wouldn’t protect you. I couldn’t.” His eyes flashed to a darker blue. “Mary’s death is not your fault.”