Page 90 of Mountain Security

“Alex,” Beau said.

“Second floor. I’ve got her, but she’s non-responsive.”

Without waiting for an answer, he dropped the phone and felt for a pulse. It was there, throbbing steadily, and Alex felt a burst of relief so strong it would have sent him to his knees if he hadn’t already been there.

He was about to begin CPR when Yvette coughed, her entire body jerking with the effort.

“I’ve got you,” Alex said, struggling to get his voice to sound even. “I’ve got you.”

He helped raise her to a half-sitting position, her head on his lap.

“Alex,” she croaked.

Something wet landed on her tear-streaked cheek. It took him a moment to realize he was the one crying.

“Are you … okay?” Yvette whispered, clearly giving up on trying to raise her voice for the moment.

Alex nodded and rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand.

“I knew you’d get me out,” she croaked. A faint smile played on her lips. He wanted to kiss those lips over and over again, but settled for squeezing her hand.

He heard footsteps on the stairs.

“You’re going to be okay, Yvette,” he said.

Then Ry was beside him. He had oxygen with him, and placed it quickly over Yvette’s face. Immediately, she started breathing easier.

Ry looked at him. “You need some as well?” he asked.

Alex shook his head. “I was only inside for a second.”

Three men decked out in full firefighter’s uniforms ran by, following the smoke.

A few minutes later, it was over.

The crew leader came over, taking off his helmet. Alex stood up to talk to him and Beau, leaving Yvette with Ry.

“It was arson for sure,” the crew leader said. “They used paper, wood, and some accelerant.”

“They must have been watching,” Alex said. “When they saw Yvette head to the bathroom, they started the fire and locked her in.”

“Another warning?”

“That was no warning,” the crew leader said. “Nobody could survive a fire inside that small, enclosed space.”

Eventually, once the fire crew had taken the photographs and evidence they needed, and after sealing that bathroom shut, they said their goodbyes. Beau walked them outside.

Alex shivered.

She wouldn’t have survived.

He’d told her she’d be safe, and she’d almost died.

Ry came over to him. “She’s fine, Alex. Her throat will be a bit sore from smoke inhalation, but she’s going to be fine.” His friend touched his arm. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Alex nodded. He wanted to go back to Yvette’s side.

“Does she need to go to the hospital?”

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