Page 34 of Burning Justice

Mack’s cheeks flared pink. “For some more than others.”

She was going to kill Kane. “I think we’re late for the briefing.” She took the stairs, jogging up like she normally did.

Mack raced her, and they stepped out into the upstairs hall, laughing. Flushed, which was good because no one would think it was about Kane.

Rio stood in the far corner, talking to Mitch and Tucker. Why was the FBI at their morning briefing? The rest of the hotshots were here, Grizz and Saxon talking. They were only missing Hammer, who’d gone out with the smokejumpers. Raine was over by the window, looking out at something or someone outside.

“All right, everyone.” Tucker clicked his remote, and the screen lit with a map of the area. “There’s a big storm coming in tonight with the potential for lightning. So we’re expecting fire activity to increase over the next few days. As such, Rio is here to update you all on the ongoing investigation. That way you’ll know the Feds are taking care of their business, and you can all take care of yours. Namely, fighting fire.”

Kane handed Maria a mug of black coffee and settled into the seat beside her.

“As you may know”—Rio shot them a pointed look—“we made a number of arrests last night. But no dice on the canister or the man we ID’d as the guy who first escaped with it. Or your father, Sanchez. Sorry.”

She nodded.

Rio continued. “We’re questioning Robert Howards, but he seems to have few direct ties to these people. At least, not ones we can present to a judge.”

Maria glanced at Raine.

Kane said, “How’s that possible, considering who he had at his house?”

Raine glanced over. “It was a birthday party.”

In the light of day, it didn’t look like she was so inclined to trust them. Someone had killed Raine’s father. Maria could certainly understand not wanting to drag anyone else into it.

If her dad had been killed instead of just being missing? Maria wasn’t sure she wanted to think about how far she would go to get justice. Question was, who would be the target of Raine’s vengeance?

“We also brought in Elias Redding last night for questioning. Though apparently, he had only arrived by helicopter a short time before. We have no idea where he was coming from.”

“How does he know Robert Howards?” Maria figured they had to be connected. Why else would Elias have shown up to the party?

“They’re business associates.” Rio glanced around. “Unless anyone here has information they’d like to share with the FBI about the nature of their relationship?”

Raine glanced at Maria. Maria said nothing. Even Mack seemed to know something was up, but he’d probably heard the guys talking last night after they got back. Still, the kid kept his mouth shut.

“That’s what I thought,” Rio said. “I’ve got to get back to Anchorage after I check in with Crew and Tristan.”

Raine stiffened in her chair.

What was that reaction about?

Mitch said, “Crew is gassing up the bus. He’s going to drive these guys to the fire. Not sure about Tristan.”

“Got it.” Rio headed for the door.

“We all good?” Tucker asked. “No one itching to go solo, save the world?”

Alone was just asking for trouble.

No one said anything, but only because whatever they did, it would happen as a team.

“Great. Have a safe day.”

Nine hours later—not that Kane was counting—they loaded back onto the bus. All of them were covered in sweat and completely exhausted. Kane should’ve been hungry, but they’d had MREs for lunch, and those things had enough calories to keep an elephant going for three days.

Mack slumped into a seat, lying down with his knees on the end of the seat and his feet in the aisle. “Someone wake me when we get back to the base.”

Saxon kicked the kid’s foot. “Sure, but you won’t like how I do it.”

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