Page 45 of Too Much Heat

Once in his SUV, Lara asked, “Are you just hanging out at the firehouse?”

“No. I’ll also make sure the perimeter is secure. And I’ll follow you to calls.”

Joe scowled. “That means we have to tell the crew everything.”

Will glanced over at him. “You’re being stalked, Joe. Nothing for you to be ashamed of. And they deserve to know that.”

“I guess.”

They parked in Joe’s spot and got out of the car. Joe said, “We haven’t been back here since the explosion.”

“Yeah. I’m anxious I guess.” This from Lara.

“I’m here, so let that calm you. First, I’m going to walk the outside.”

Will headed to the side of the firehouse while Joe and Lara went into the kitchen.

Joe said, “Hey, guys. Good to see you.”

They hugged Joe and Lara both. Firefighters were an affectionate bunch and they’d been through something big together.

“Before breakfast I need to catch you up on some things that have happened. Let’s sit.”

They all got coffee then took places at the big table. Joe would tell them flat out. “I’m being stalked…”

When he finished, Gabe said, “So the explosion. That was meant to hurt you?”

“That’s what the police think. I do too.”

The back door opened and Will walked in. “Just in time,” Joe commented. “This is Will Kirkland. He owns a private security firm in Syracuse. The police hired him to guard me.”

They greeted Will. Both Gabe and Abe knew him personally as they’d grown up in Westwood like Joe. Thankfully, nobody asked about his previous job as a Secret Service agent.

Will said, “I’m going to check the whole place. You all can help.”

“What do we do?” Gage asked.

“We have to open every door and appliance. The stalker probably wouldn’t repeat his tactics and plant a bomb, but we have to be sure.”

They crew scoured the kitchen, then Will went into the common room. “Boy, this is a lot,” Danny said. “What do you think about it, Lara?”

“I’m glad someone’s watching Joe.”

“Yeah, me too.”

A call came an hour after breakfast. “Car accident on North Road and Coventry. Engine 1, Truck 1 go into service.”

They bounded out of the kitchen to the bay and Will joined them. No one spoke and they donned their gear. They piled into the rig and set off with the sirens blaring. Will followed in his car.

Joe read the report from his tablet. “A two-car crash blocking traffic. Approach from the north.”

“Not much info,” Gabe said.

“Sometimes that happens, but today it worries me. Be alert, everybody.”

When they arrived at the scene, the engine screeched to a halt and the truck wasn’t far behind. Cars had already parked on the side of the road and a group of people had gathered around. The others dismounted the rig.

Will said, “I’ll take care of the crowd.” He approached them. “You need to get back. This is a crime scene.” Reluctantly, the gawkers left.

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