Page 30 of Too Much Heat

“Get him out. We got a crisis at Engine 1.”

The chief came on. “This better be good, Romano.”

“The stove in our firehouse exploded.”

“Exploded?”

“A blast came from the kitchen. I’ve heard explosions before, Chief. This didn’t feel electrical and that stove’s brand new. It was on fire. The way it was burning was odd. I put it out with the fire extinguisher but I think you should call the arson squad.”

“That’s a pretty big leap. Anybody hurt?”

“Minor stuff.”

“I’ll be right there. Stay out of the kitchen.”

When Joe disconnected, he said, “Fuck it,” and called the police. Asked for the chief and was connected right away. Explained the situation.

The cops arrived before the fire chief. Chief Thomas and two officers entered the bunkroom. “You guys all right?”

“Yeah, shaken up.”

“Okay. We’ll take a look.”

Joe reiterated, “It sounded like an explosion.”

“So you said on the phone. Sit tight.”

After Thomas went out to the kitchen, they all waited in the bunkroom.

Lara set the ice pack on the bed and stood. “That’s enough ice. I need ibuprofen.” She left the room and he heard water running in the bathroom.

“I don’t get it,” Danny said propping himself up on pillows now. “Why would the stove explode?”

“Malfunction,” Pike suggested.

“Obviously something was wrong with it or with the installation.”

They were relieved. But Joe wasn’t. He strongly suspected sabotage.

* * *

After Lara took the medicine, she was walking out of the bathroom when she saw people in the kitchen. She went to the doorway but moved out of sight.

Chief Thomas, another man and Joe were talking. The other guy said, “I’m sorry to say, Captain Romano, but we found this. It’s an incendiary device. A small one, not meant to burn the place down.”

“Damn it.”

A phone rang. Someone answered it. “Hello. Yeah, I’ll be right there.” Then, “Chief, there’s another call for the bomb squad. I should take this to the lab anyway. See if we can get more information from it.”

“Go ahead. Thanks, Bill.”

She heard the back door close.

“Chief, I have to tell you something.” Joe sounded annoyed. “Odd things have happened to me.”

“Like what?”

“First, one morning I found holes all over my backyard.”

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