Rachel laid her head back down on the gravelly top of the garage – it was warm to the touch. ‘We’d better get off here – I know it’s attached and the fire’s definitely spread inside. The tar under the gravel is melting.’
As she spoke, one of their colleagues passed up another stretcher.
‘Howay, man,’ Rachel grumbled, ‘I’m sure I can manage if you help me down the ladder.’
‘Chief would have my life if you fell. Sorry Lynus – not worth my job. To the stretcher with you.’
‘You’re loving this, aren’t you? Prick.’
‘I am what I am,’ grinned Joey comically. ‘Come on, or do you need lifting in?’
Rachel shot him a glare but climbed into the stretcher, her cheeks stained red.
Once she was strapped in, Joey and Chris, one of the other firefighters, lifted her with ease and lowered her to the waiting hands of other team members. She was carried out to the waiting ambulance.
She made the mistake of glancing back at the house as she passed. It was an absolute mess – the fire was burning through the windows in every room – the hoses were aimed high with water gushing at a rate of around twenty bar. There were a few fire hydrants situated around the estate which the crew could obtain water from at a higher pressure than using the fire trucks. Even with the water gushing at such a high pressure, she knew it would take a while to get the fire under control.
Rachel heard the siren whistle away – that was the ambulance that carried Edina. What if she wasn’t OK? What if Joey was lying?
‘Cuz?’ Kevin’s voice came from the open door of the ambulance.
The paramedic looked up from beside Rachel – she’d been busily administering pain relief while placing the arm into a splint – Rachel was gritting her teeth and purposely ignoring her in an attempt to cope with the pain.
‘You’re family?’ asked the paramedic.
‘Yeah, I just… they took Ed in the other ambulance. Joanna and Heather went with her. There wasn’t room… ’ Rachel took in the tears in Kevin’s eyes, the heartbreak written all over his face.
‘Can he jump in with us, please? He is family.’
The paramedic smiled and nodded. ‘Have you been checked over?’
Kevin shook his head. ‘They were too busy with Ed. She’s not doing too well I think. Can we go now? I’ll get checked out at the hospital.’
‘Come and sit down, I’ll have a look at you. Gavin, you all set? I’ll close the door and we can head off.’ The female paramedic directed the question at her colleague in the driver’s seat who nodded in response.
29
9th October, 0215 hours – A&E Department, Darlington Memorial Hospital
Edina had started waking a few minutes ago but it was a struggle to open her eyes. She was nauseous and felt like she could sleep for a week. Her chest was really tight and breathing hurt. As the memories of the fire filtered into her mind, she struggled not to cough. She knew if she started it would be impossible to stop and she didn’t have the energy to cope with it.
One thought filled her mind, I’m alive!
She was doing her best to try and remember how it was she had got out of the fire but she couldn’t. The memory hovered on the periphery of her mind, taunting her. All she could remember was searing heat on her legs and feet.
Shifting position slightly she forced her eyes open and looked down at the bottom of the bed. Her feet were bandaged and raised on a pillow – the heat hadn’t been a dream.
The cannula in Edina’s hand tugged as she lifted her arm to try and feel whatever was over her face – an oxygen mask. She left it there – the cool air flowing through was easing her sore throat a little.
‘Kevin!’ she rasped, suddenly remembering he had been with her. She sat upright and the machines next to her bleeped frantically.
A nurse pushed the curtains aside and was at her side in no time.
‘Easy, Edina, you’re OK.’
Ed looked at her – she was black and had a full figure. Her name badge said Angelica, and putting her hand on Ed’s shoulder, she pushed her gently but firmly back down to a lying position.
‘Kevin,’ whispered Edina again. Her voice was hoarse and sounded as though she smoked forty a day.
‘He’s fine,’ said Angelica with a smile, ‘Look.’
She moved the curtains to one side so Edina could see around the rest of the room. It was a big room with six bays separated with curtain rails. Four of the other beds were occupied. Kevin, her mum, Heather and Rachel all smiled back at her, plainly relieved to see her conscious.
‘Now, young lady, you need to rest,’ said Angelica, moving her hand off Edina’s shoulder and making her way out of the room.
Ed nodded slowly in response, suddenly overwhelmed with tiredness. Her eyes fluttered closed and she fell into a dreamless sleep.
9th October, 0420 hours – Custody suite, Darlington Police Station
Susie hadn’t moved off the hard, blue plastic covered mattress. The blanket they’d given her was laid loosely over her but she wasn’t cold.
They’d taken everything off her before putting her in the cell. She’d been left with her underwear, trousers, t-shirt and hoody.
She’d stared at the ceiling so long that it looked like it was moving. The cell was basic and bare. It had a hard bed, attached to the floor, with the crap mattress on top, and a silver toilet in the corner. It was clean and smelled of bleach. The walls were close to her and if she stood beside the bed she’d be able to touch the walls on each side with her hands.
Sleep eluded her – she was knackered but she couldn’t drop off. The cell light high on the ceiling was turned on, and the cops kept opening the flap on the door every half hour to check on her. Almost as if she was expected to kill herself or something.
They didn’t know she had no intention of doing that.
She was sat trying to think of a way out. She hadn’t said a word since being booked in.
Making them believe she was crazy might be her only way out. She didn’t want to go to jail. She hadn’t done anything wrong. The only people she’d hurt had deserved it. It was all their fault. She started to seethe as Janelle and Heather entered her mind. She needed to get out to finish the job. It wasn’t fair that they should survive. The cop who brought her in had been overly chatty, trying to elicit a response. He’d told her it wasn’t as bad as she thought, and that Heather had lived.
Stupid bitches. They need to die.
‘So how are you going to do that then?’ argued her mind.
The smallest of smiles flittered over her lips – let them think I’m crazy of course.
A plan began to unfold.
Sitting up she pulled her hoody and t-shirt over her head, and unclipped her bra. What woman would ever sleep in her bra?
Susie pulled her t-shirt back on and folded her hoody, putting the bra in the middle of the folds. Then she laid back down, with her face on the hoody and pulled the blanket up to her head.
Let them think she was going to sleep.
Under the blanket and cover of the wall, she used her hand to gently pull the bra towards her and manoeuvred it around so the side was near her mouth.
Using her teeth, she gnawed her way through the material and carefully pulled the underwire free. They might have taken everything else off her but they hadn’t removed this.
Knowing it would hurt her teeth but not caring, she chewed on the end of the underwire, biting through the rubbery tip and using her molars to grind at the end. By the time she was done, her teeth had chipped and her mouth was filled with the metallic taste off the underwire. But the end was sharp.
Now all she had to do was wait for someone to come and get her.
Epilogue
Eight Weeks Later – Darlington Fire Station
Edina entered the code at the back door to the fire station and made her way upstairs. It was her first day back. The second degree burns to her feet had nearly healed. They were still sore but th
e scabs had dropped off and she knew it was time to go back.
She realised that for the first time in a long time, she felt great coming in to work. She knew now that no one was conspiring against her or hating her for what happened to Cameron. He’d been jailed for twelve years and the judge had specified no early release. He’d been dismissed from the fire service and she knew she’d never see him again.
Ed pushed open the door to the bait room and her mouth dropped open in a small ‘O’.
‘Surprise!’ yelled her colleagues who had placed ‘welcome home’ banners all over the room and had strewn balloons everywhere. She felt her eyes fill with tears. They came all too easy nowadays – she supposed after everything she’d been through it was OK to cry a little.
The chief made his way over to her and handed her a peanut butter dream Krispy Kreme doughnut.
‘A little birdie told me this was your favorite so I kept it for you,’ he whispered conspiratorially. ‘Welcome back, Blaze.’
He placed his arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze.
The station alarm sounded moments later and the crew made their way to the engines to head out and deal with whatever the job was, leaving Edina alone in the bait room with her doughnut.
She took in a deep breath, inhaling the scent of food, and the remnants of the aftershave and perfume her colleagues wore and she sighed.
The banners on the wall were right. She was home.
The Priory Hospital, Middleton-St-George
In another part of the county, Susie was sitting in a chair staring out of the window to the fields beyond. She ignored the bars on the outside, pretending they weren’t there.
She’d been successful in convincing the whole world and his dog that she was completely and utterly nuts. She’d even overheard the psychiatrist saying to someone else that she had possible schizophrenia and had suffered a psychotic episode.
It must look that way to everyone else. Not only had she killed people with fire, she’d managed to stab the detention officer in the neck with her underwire. It had been satisfying seeing his blood paint the cell walls and door – she’d intentionally gone for his jugular and her aim had been true. He’d survived, which was unintentional, but the attack, along with her talking to herself and maintaining the voices in her head had made her do what she did, and telling everyone who would listen that she’d do it again as she had no choice, had eventually resulted in the judge locking her up for her own safety, as well as for that of others, in the mental health hospital’s secure unit.
It was secure, too – but she knew she’d find a way out.
And when she did, Janelle and Heather would pay.
She glanced up vacantly as the nurse brought her medication over.
Dutifully, she placed the tablet in her mouth and took a sip from the plastic cup. He couldn’t see the tablet lodged between her teeth and cheek even though she opened her mouth to show him. He walked away and started giving medication to the other patients and she discreetly used her finger to hook the tablet out and placed it inside her bra. The fully cotton, non-underwired bra she’d been provided with upon her arrival.
Susie could bide her time – she knew how to be patient.
And when the opportunity arose, she’d get out of this place and finish the job that needed doing.
Turning her attention back towards the window, she stared at the fields beyond.
Hopefully it wouldn’t be long now.
THE END
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Acknowledgments
As always, Bloodhound Books make getting published an absolute pleasure – I’m honoured to work with such an amazing set of people. From the designer, to my lovely editor Claire, to Betsy and Fred, and the lovely Sarah and Alexina.
This book is based around arson, and the devastation fire can cause. Huge thanks to Fire Fighter Tanya Liversedge-Gell, and the fabulous Fire Investigator who wishes to remain anonymous. By answering my often odd questions, you’ve helped me form the story into a novel that hopefully gives an insight into the world of fire investigation to the readers. It wouldn’t have been possible without your help.
I couldn’t have written this novel without the patient help from some of the fab people I work with – CSM David Mason who is there with an answer for virtually any question – even the strange ones! Senior Lecture Dr Gary Currie who has been so supportive of my writing and career since day one – he’s always happy to help with anything (but not the hiding of the body – that I have to do on my own haha). Inspector Caz Shields who helps me out with any procedural issues I’m not sure on. And to all my CSI friends who are always there with inspiration and answers when I need them – you’re fabulous. Thank you.
My whole family are so supportive – my husband is now adept at making tea and putting it down without speaking whilst I’m ‘in the zone’, my mum forgoes our coffees to allow me to write and comes out on ‘wander days’ so I can find inspiration. The support and patience they provide is unwavering and constant. They all make me so proud every single day.
My close friends are my rocks – constant support through good and bad, and not being too shy to tell me when I’m doing something I shouldn’t be! You know who you are – but to mention a few names (by no means all) Claire, Angela, Dionne, Rachel, Vicky, Eileen, Michelle and Char. Keep shining like the stars you are.
Finally, I’d like to thank YOU, the reader. Writing really wouldn’t be as pleasurable without each and every one of you, whether I know you or not, you make my dreams a reality. It makes me proud to admit I’m a member of THE Book Club, UK Crime Book Club, Crime Book Club and Crime Fiction Addict on Facebook – these clubs make speaking to readers simple and I thoroughly enjoy the interaction, banter, and suggestions for books to read, characters and plots to write. I look forward to meeting more of you at the various events planned in the near future.
Watch You Burn Page 28