Page 4 of Scorched Secrets

“A house fire?” She continued holding on to his arm as if needing the support.

“No way to say for sure.” Car fires were more common in the summer, especially those cars that weren’t well maintained. Lack of coolant often caused engines to overheat.

Different from the car fire that had damaged Faye’s car. That fire had been started in the back seat, not the engine. The entire interior had been toast, and based on the year, make, and model, he felt certain her insurance company would consider it totaled.

They were heading in the same direction as the smoke, which gave him a bad feeling. He shot a glance at Faye, her gaze still lingering on the smoke.

“What if that’s a house fire in my neighborhood?” Her voice was low and husky.

“We’ll find out soon enough.” The words had barely cleared his lips when the sirens grew impossibly loud. In his rearview mirror, he saw the fire rig he’d been on just a few hours ago coming up behind him.

Wrenching the wheel, he moved his Jeep over to the side of the road to give the fire truck room to pass by. A second rig came up next, along with an ambulance. All three vehicles sped past, intent on responding to the scene. The keen sense of dread grew worse as he pulled out to follow behind them.

Faye gripped his arm tightly. “Colin? Could it be my house?”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions.” He did his best to sound calm, but deep down, he feared she might be right. It would be a huge coincidence if one of her neighbors’ houses started on fire less than an hour after her car had been targeted by arson.

He turned to head down Sunny Creek Parkway, then had to stop when the road was completely blocked off by the fire trucks. Shifting the Jeep into reverse, he backed up and then parked along the side of the road.

“It is my house!” Faye abruptly released him to push open her car door. The locks were still engaged, so she fumbled to hit the unlock button to get out.

“Faye, wait! We don’t know that.” He caught her hand. “Hold on, they’re not going to let you get close to the scene. Wait here, I’ll go and check things out.”

“It’s my house, see? I live in the white Cape Cod.”

Feeling grim, he watched as firefighters surrounded the house, aiming their fire hoses at the blaze. There were several areas along the house where the fire had progressed, making him realize this was also the work of arson.

Sure, there could be an electrical fire, but he didn’t think that was the case. No, just like the fire in Faye’s car, this one had been deliberately set.

As if reading his mind, Faye whispered, “Why is this happening?” Her blue eyes were wide and tortured. “My car and my house? Why?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” He squeezed her hand and jumped out of the car. He’d barely made it a few feet before an explosion rocked the earth.

He fell onto his hands and knees but quickly pushed up and kept going. His firefighter brothers and sisters were over there! The smoke was thicker now, making it impossible to see.

Coughing, he pulled the collar of his T-shirt up and over his nose and mouth to keep from inhaling so much of the thick smoke and soot. He didn’t have any protective gear, and the blaze from the fire was hot on his skin. Raking his gaze over the area, he searched for his firefighter family.

Two guys emerged from the smoke, each carrying one of their fellow firefighters over their shoulders in the typical fireman carry. “This way,” Colin shouted, gesturing for them to follow to the clearing in the road.

The firefighters gently placed their fellow firefighters on the ground to be examined. Colin took the one closest to him. Out of nowhere, Faye was there, too, examining the other firefighter.

Together they worked on his teammates, using rescue supplies from the ambulance. Even as Colin started an IV, then placed a breathing tube down Larry’s throat, he silently prayed for God to save these two injured men.

Chapter Two

Focusing on caring for the injured firefighters helped keep the shock and fear at bay. Faye diagnosed the firefighter she was working on with a concussion and what appeared to be a broken wrist. No other obvious signs of injury, but he’d need an abdominal and pelvic CT scan to be sure.

When the firefighter woke up and groaned, she couldn’t hide her relief. The firefighter who’d carried him over had called him by name, so she used it now. “Mike? I’m Dr. Faye. You have a concussion and a fractured wrist, but you’re going to be okay. Just rest here for a few minutes.”

“What about Larry?” Mike peered up at her in confusion. “He was right beside me.”

“I’m going to check on him now, but I need you to stay here.” She patted his arm, then rose to her feet, stumbling over to check on the second firefighter. Colin looked up at her, his expression grim. “Larry hasn’t woken up yet, and his pupils are unequal. I inserted an airway, but I’m concerned about him.”

“Let me take a look.” She used her phone flashlight to check Larry’s pupils. Her stomach knotted with concern when she noted his left pupil was completely blown. She glanced over at the ambulance crew. “Get him transported to Trinity ASAP! I’ll call to let them know he’s on the way.”

The crew jumped to do her bidding, lifting Larry up onto the stretcher, then wheeling him to the waiting rig. Moments later, he was tucked inside and on his way to the medical center.

True to her word, she called her colleagues to clue them in. “Injured firefighter on his way, severe head injury, left pupil blown. Make sure the neurosurgeon is available to take him to the OR.”

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