Page 64 of Last Chance Christmas
The gnawing in his gut had only intensified since they’d pulled up to the dilapidated Craftsman. But he tried to stay out of the way as other fire crews rushed across the small lawn in their black gear. Flames crawled up the right side of the building. Hoses crisscrossed the snow from the fire hydrant at the street to the crews fighting the blaze from outside.
But Della was inside. Inside where he couldn’t see her. He stuck close to her lieutenant. Patterson would be in communication with Della, but since her request for more water pressure, he hadn’t heard her voice.
“Is she okay in there?”
Amelia looked up from the water gauge she was checking. “Back off, Thomas. She’s a good firefighter.”
“I know, but…it’s been a while.”
“They’re busy, you know, doing their job.”
“And I’m doing mine. Something feels off here. Can’t you have them check in? Then I’ll back off.”
“Okay, okay.”
Amelia spoke into her radio. “Truck 14, check in. We okay in there?”
Nothing but static responded.
“Collins, Nixon, Lewis. How’s it looking?”
After a moment of silence, finally Amelia’s radio crackled. “Collins and I are fine. I don’t have line of sight on Nixon. Got any more water pressure?” It must’ve been Zoe. The voice was female, but not Della’s.
“I’m giving you all I got,” Amelia spoke into the radio. “Why isn’t Nixon responding? She should be giving the updates.”
“She’s checking the next room. We heard her talking a moment ago.”
Anthony’s gut clenched tighter. “She can’t be alone. They need to stay together.”
Amelia waved Anthony out of her face. So maybe he was invading her personal space. But Della. Where was she?
He took a tiny step back. “Get visual confirmation that she’s okay. Please.”
“Nixon, where are you? You should stick with Collins and Lewis.”
No response.
Amelia cleared her throat and tried again. “Lewis, check on Nixon. Collins, you handle the hose.”
“I’ll go find her,” Zoe said. “She might be helping someone and have her hands tied up.”
Anthony grabbed the radio from Amelia and pushed the button. “She can’t be alone, Zoe. I need to hear her voice, and you need to stay with her. Della, if you hear me, speak up?—”
Amelia yanked her radio back. “Anthony, I get that you’re worried, but if anyone is going to order them around, it’s me. They’re fighting a dangerous fire in there. We have protocols.”
“Does that include letting someone go alone into a different area? Why isn’t she answering the radio?”
“I don’t know. But before we jump to conclusions?—”
“Lieutenant? Lewis here. I’m not seeing Nixon. The smoke is super thick, but she was supposed to be in the next room. She’s not. Want me to check the rest of the house?”
Anthony almost snatched the radio again, but Amelia swerved away.
“I’ll send Rescue in. Zoe, get back to Collins and watch his back.” Amelia ran over to Bryce. “Nixon is missing in the house. Get someone in there to find her.”
Ridge Foster, Rescue 5’s lieutenant, grabbed a tank and mask. “I’ll look for her myself.”
“I’m coming with you.” Anthony reached for another air tank.
