Page 51 of Beyond Perfect

He locked up, followed Caleb to the driveway and got in his car. After they started moving, Jackson asked, “How do you know about this?”

“Annie called me. Mick Thomas had phoned Diego. I tried to contact Maisy and she didn’t answer. Nobody seems to know exactly where she is.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Jackson saw the ugly black smoke before they arrived. They drove into the large parking lot, away from the fire trucks. The warehouse was decimated.

Jackson and Caleb rushed to Diego and Annie who were standing watch. His heart galloped in his chest. Helpless, he stuck his hands in his pockets.

Radios blared but he couldn’t make out any words.

Diego said, “Come on, let’s get a bit closer.”

He walked up front like an automaton. Mick Thomas caught sight of them and crossed to them. The chief’s face was grim. “Romano was working in an area at the far west side. They got a heat signature and Joe rushed into a side room. The victim and Romano were in a section where they keep gasoline, turpentine and acetone that the firefighters didn’t know were there.”

He swallowed hard. “To make matters worse, several timbers fell, blocking the entrance, and pinning Joe’s leg, so he’s immobilized. Right now, he’s communicating by radio. The other person in there is unconscious.”

The world dimmed. The place could blow at any minute.

Joe Romano could die.

* * *

Maisy had ignored her brother’s calls. She was driving around, trying to banish the images from last night of her and Jackson making love. Finally, she stopped at a convenience store for a bottle of water. When she got back in the car, something made her check her voicemail. One from Caleb.

“Maisy, Joe Romano is trapped in a fire. Long story how I know. You told me how much Joe means to Jackson. I’m heading to his house to take him to the fire. You should come to the scene.” He left an address.

At first, she couldn’t move. Then she remembered the course of events after Denzi died. Jackson had literally fled to Joe, his friend who knew what he was going through. If Joe died…she put the car in drive then tore out of the parking lot. She tried notto imagine what Jackson might be feeling because it wouldn’t be good.

When she arrived, she parked next to Caleb’s car and jogged up to the scene. The night was filled with the loud hum of the trucks and shouts coming from personnel. The fire was out and the smoke diminished. There was still a lot of activity. Catching sight of Caleb, Annie and Diego, and Jackson, she crossed to them.

She touched his shoulder. “Jackson.”

He turned to her. His eyes were bleak and his face…tortured. She threw herself at him. He didn’t hold her at first then he grabbed onto her tightly. When he drew back, she took his hand.

Caleb moved in close to her. “Joe’s trapped like I said on the phone message but they lost communication with him.”

It was worse.

They waited.

* * *

The updates were spaced out:

“A specialized fire crew which has every extrication tool available has arrived at the scene.”

“It was darker inside. Black smoke is toxic.”

“The Hazmat team considers the warehouse a risk to anyone who enters. They’re calling a Mayday.”

* * *

That was it. Jackson couldn’t stay here any longer. He let go of Maisy’s hand and stumbled away. She caught up to him. “You can’t leave your friend.”

“There’s no hope.”

“There’s always hope. You owe it to him to be here. What if he gets rescued and you’re gone?”

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