Page 50 of Anchor Point

But what would it feel like to have someone care about me? To check in with me daily like these people did with each other?

The thought left me unsettled.

I picked up the phone to call home. Hearing Rosie’s voice might settle some of this unease. I was supposed to be the mentor, though. Not the other way around. I was being ridiculous. It was too soon to feel this invested, to need Olivia and Rosie like I did. I hadn’t had a family in so long, I was grasping at the closest straw. This feeling, this want, was just my tender heart being stupid. I laid the phone back in the truck seat, shifted into gear, and drove back to the station.

Chapter Fifteen

Olivia

“The courthouse was originally built in 1904 and renovated in 1975.”

It was Friday afternoon, and I’d been invited to tour the historic landmark with Fire Marshal Harrison and City Manager Bloom. Bloom was giving me a history lesson, while Harrison asked the technical questions.

“And there was no damage when the tornado came through?” I asked. I’d done my research on the EF4 tornado that blazed a mile-wide path through the three counties, covering nearly thirty-eight miles.

“None,” Bloom replied. “We were very fortunate. Four blocks north, and this building would’ve been destroyed.”

The massive structure covered an entire city block. The exterior was red masonry, and a massive copper dome housed the clock that chimed every hour. The interior had a high ceiling and wood-paneled walls, polished to a shine and reflecting the sunlight coming through from all four entrances. An ornate dual staircase led to the second-floor courtroom, with historic wooden pews and more wood panels.

“This old wooden interior is a tinderbox if a fire ever gets started in here,” I noted.

Harrison nodded in agreement, making a note on his ever-present clipboard.

“The records indicate that the sprinkler system was updated?” Harrison asked.

Bloom hesitated before saying, “Yes.”

Harrison stopped writing and looked at the city manager. “You don’t sound very positive about that.”

“Problem is, there’s a narrow passageway into the clock tower, and we’ve had trouble getting water to that area.”

“That’s why we have our brave men and women of the fire department.” Mayor Smith’s voice echoed off the marble floor. “You don’t need to worry, Cornelius. Chief Hawkins’s crews can handle any disaster.” The round mayor turned toward a slim bespectacled young man following him. The guy sported a press badge.

“Henry, meet Chief Hawkins. First lady fire chief we’ve ever had. Henry here is an intern for the newspaper, doing his first big article about the city government,” Smith bragged.

Henry’s face turned pink under the attention. “It’s nice to meet you. Chief Hawkins, I was hoping to meet with you to discuss any agendas you might have for the fire department.”

Timid, a little bit like a fish out of water, Henry offered me a surprisingly firm handshake.

I smiled at him. “My main agenda is to improve our equipment and safety gear.”

“Now, Chief…” Smith gave me his politician smile. The placating one that I hated, all the while looking at the men around me with an expression of forgive her ignorance. “You know we try to do the best we can with the limited funds we have. But, by all means, feel free to update what you can within the current funding amount.”

Tension rippled through my shoulders. They’d spent all my money before I could even get started. I clenched my jaw to keep from spouting out all the ways the department’s budget had been mishandled previously.

“Fire Marshal Harrison, do you have any updates on the arson case?” Henry asked.

Harrison made another mark on his clipboard. “Nope.”

“Oh, come now. Give the boy a kernel of information,” Smith demanded. I wanted to step on that shiny polished boot of his and tell him to stuff it. He didn’t get to boss my staff around.

“Marshal Harrison’s investigation is ongoing and not for public record at this time.” I forced an icy current into my tone. Every time I was around the mayor, I could literally feel my blood pressure spiking.

Smith glared at me. Offended that I blatantly disobeyed his demand.

“Well, this is your notice to get prepared. I expect a public announcement next week. The citizens need to be aware of what’s happening in their community.”

Smith gave handshakes to the men, ignoring me as he ushered his young charge toward the staircase and presumably the historic courtroom.

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