Fire Games

by Mark Stewart

  DETECTIVE KENDAL snatched the note from the carpet and stuffed it deep into his coat pocket. Seeing the small coffee table in easy reach, he kicked it across the room.

  Tani stared at her father through wide, terrified eyes. Starting to cry she looked up at her mum.

  “Where’s Tegan?”

  Marg buried her head in her hands and sobbed.

  Kendal gave his wife a quick hug, kissed Tani on the top of her head and sprinted towards the door. For a single heartbeat, he paused to blink away his tears and swallow his emotions.

  “Both of you go back to bed. I’ll find Tegan by sun-up. Patrick has struck for the last time. The home he has set on fire is located three streets from here. Tonight will be the last fire. Love you.”

  Kendal didn’t waste time waiting for a reply. He sprinted to his unmarked police car parked in the driveway. Hearing the engine roar, he looked at his wife sobbing at the front door. They made eye contact. He sent her a genuine smile. His eyes feasted on her long black hair. One of her many attributes he loved. He first noticed her back in high school. They were in the same psychology class. Margaret went on to study teaching. Two months before her twenty-first birthday she said yes to his marriage proposal. It was the day he graduated from the Police Academy. He gave her a reassuring nod and drove off down the road.

  Kendal pushed the accelerator to its stop. Smoke billowed from the back tyres. Three fire engines, seven police cars, and an ambulance were driven at speed towards Ashton court. He joined in the convoy by bringing up the rear. Overhead the police helicopter’s spotlight cut the darkness, turning it into daylight. He sensed a change. This time, Patrick had no way to escape. This fire was going to be his last. There wasn’t going to be any finale.

  Kendal drove into the court and was forced to park eighty feet from house number thirteen. The two-storey house appeared to be completely engulfed in yellow flames.

  Sprinting up the court, Kendal pulled his gun out of his shoulder holster. His gaze darted back and forth searching the shadows. The lights from neighboring houses were burning bright, and a constant throng of people spewed onto the road to take a gander at the scene. Soon people from other streets will join the sea of faces and Patrick could easily vanish. Kendal had to work fast.

  “Fire Chief, I need the house searched. I have information my daughter might be inside.”

  “Forget it. This house is about to drop.”

  Kendal grabbed the big man by the collar and yelled through clenched teeth.

  “You have to. My daughter’s life is at risk.”

  “Read my lips. No. If anyone is still inside that house, they’re dead. The smoke is un-breathable. The heat is unbearable. Detective, forget it.”

  “Give me a hose; I’m going in.”

  “No, you’re not. All you can do is pray everyone got out.”

  Deep down Kendal knew the fire chief was right. He marched away and followed a group of uniformed cops towards the backyard. His eyes searched the windows looking for a lull in the flames so he could find a way to get into the house. Seeing Constable Susie Alderson marching towards him, Kendal barked orders.

  “I want you to take two blue uniform cops and search the adjoining front yards for the arsonist. I don’t want him to mingle with the crowd. He goes by the name of Patrick. Everyone else, fan out, I want this property locked so tight a snail will tremble.”

  The rookie cop glared. “Got a description of the arsonist?”

  “No, I don’t,” he bellowed.

  “I feel sorry for your wife,” she growled. “In the three months we’ve known each other, Arsehole is too good a word to describe you.”

  Kendal peeled his stare off the fire to stare at the young cop.

  “Stop rolling your brown eyes; you look too much like a school girl in love with the arsonist. Quit stalling and go. I don’t want Patrick to escape. If you see my daughter, yell.” Satisfied Alderson was scooting off to begin her search, Kendal refocused on the fire. He saw a small window near the rear of the house and decided it could be his one and only chance to slip inside.

  A man in a dinner suit came running up the drive. “Excuse me,” he called. “Excuse me.”

  Kendal half turned and eyeballed the medium built pale skinned man.

  “Who are you? Why are you wet?”

  “I’m Weakom. Daniel Weakom. You are?” He extended his hand in a friendly gesture.

  “Detective Kendal and I’m busy.” Kendal ignored the man’s invitation to shake hands.

  “Sir, I won’t hold you up. I need to find Detective Claire Ambroso, the undercover cop. She’s my soul mate. We’ve been together for three months.”

  “Interesting number; when I see her, I’ll let her know you’re looking for her.”

  Kendal turned his back on the man. Staring at the house, he saw flames licking the glass window closest to him. His heart sunk to the lowest he’d ever felt.

  “You don’t understand,” sobbed the man.

  Kendal wore a look of a thunderstorm. He turned, squaring himself to the man. He reached out and grabbed him by the arm.

  “You don’t understand. My daughter might be in that house. You’re stopping me from finding her. Now get out of my face.”

  Deciding attack was his only option Kendal sprinted for the window.

  “She was supposed to be babysitting in the burning house tonight,” called Weakom.

  The house creaked violently. In one massive groan, the structure imploded.

  Estimating he could be only twenty feet from the window Kendal dropped to all fours and threw up. Thoughts tumbled over each other in his mind. Each passing second his stomach churned into tighter knots. Finally arranging several thoughts in a positive order, he remained thinking about two. Surely Claire wasn’t in the house. He didn’t want to attend a double funeral.

  A shout from the backyard interrupted his thoughts.

  “I’ve found the arsonist, and there are survivors.”

  Fourteen police sprinted past the remnants of the smoldering crumpled house.

  “Move it or lose it,” Kendal yelled at the sea of blue uniforms blocking his way.

  At the shallow end of the pool, two people stood, both were female, one white the other looked to have an olive complexion. The white woman was holding a baby wrapped in a blue blanket.

  “Don’t shoot,” yelled the darker woman, shaking her police badge at the crowd.

  “Claire, what are you doing in the pool? Have you seen Tegan tonight?” yelled Kendal, housing his gun.

  “She wasn’t in the house at the time of the fire. Only the baby and I were. As for the doctor, I am trying to protect her from any gun happy, trigger pulling, bozo cowboys.”

  Kendal studied the woman standing waist deep in water. “Doctor,” he echoed.

  “This courageous lady just happened to be driving past the neighbourhood on her way home when she saw the flames. Hearing a baby crying and a splash, she unselfishly ran past the burning house and saved both the baby and myself from drowning. She reckons she saw someone jump the side fence. She informed me the person was bleeding from a gash in the leg.”

  Kendal barked out news orders. “Detective Philips, check out the fence. Alderson, go find Weakom, he’s the one wearing a wet dinner suit.” Refocusing on the doctor, he frowned. “How could you tell the person who jumped the fence had a gash in the leg?”

  “My ten years experience as a medical doctor. In the light from the fire, I watched a person wearing a balaclava limping rather profusely towards the fence, climb it and jump over. I am positive if you examine the surrounding area you’ll find traces of blood.”

  Kendal reached out his hand to help both ladies from the pool. He even took off his coat and draped it over the doctor’s shoulders.

  The woman smiled. After handing the baby to a police officer, she pulled up the hem of her blue jeans.

  “As you can see, Detective, I have no cuts.”

  Kendal stared at the woman’s legs. “Nic
e tattoo of a moth.”

  “I apologize I did not catch your first name?”

  “I’m a little slow on introductions. I’m Detective Alan Kendal, Melbourne Homicide.”

  They shook hands in a business-like manner.

  “I understand. You were trying to catch the arsonist. If you do not mind, I want to go home and change before I catch a chill.”

  “I won’t keep you long. How do you know I’m looking for an arsonist? The house fire could’ve been an accident.”

  “This size house, burning to the ground in a few minutes. In my opinion, it must have been deliberate. What do you think?”

  Kendal grunted and sent the woman a morose look.

  “Detective, I do not know what you are thinking. I only did what anybody else would have done, and being a doctor, I feel it was my duty to do all I could to help. You should be delighted I managed to save this young lady and the baby from drowning.”

  “Lucky for Claire you came along.”

  “Sorry, I could not get a description of the person running off. It all happened so terribly fast, and it was dark. My first job was to help the baby and the young woman. They were lying face down in the water.”

  “Again, I thank you, Doctor. I don't want to appear rude I don’t know your name.”

  “I am sorry once again, Detective. I am Dr. Ashlee Clarke.”

  “Before I changed the subject you looked as though you wanted to explain about the tattoo.”

  “Yes. My Uncle had just opened a local tattoo parlor in Melbourne. I think I was seven when he asked for my permission. I happened to be his first client. It was supposed to be a butterfly.”

  “Thanks for clearing up any future misconstrue. Can I reach you at the hospital tomorrow?” asked Kendal. “In case I have a few more questions.”

  “Not till late. The day after, around five in the afternoon will be most suitable. I have a strenuous eighteen holes of golf tomorrow.”

  “Naturally,” replied Kendal. “Could you stay here for five or so more minutes? I’ll have someone take your statement.”

  “Very well,” moaned Dr. Clarke.

  Seeing Constable Peterson walking towards him Kendal ushered the doctor his way. He turned to face Claire.

  “Go to the hospital before you catch a cold. I don’t suppose you’ve seen any sign of Tegan around here tonight?”

  Claire’s eyes widened. Between coughs, she slowly shook her head.

  “No. That’s the second time you’ve asked. Is Tegan missing? Does Margaret know?”

  Fishing for the note in his pocket Kendal’s brow wrinkled. He thrust it at her.

  Claire read the note. She looked up, her eyes full of tears. She slapped him on the shoulder.

  “Sugar, don’t worry, I’ll be out of the hospital before breakfast. I’ll help you find her. My guess is she’s nowhere near the house. Don’t forget I’ve been here all night.”

  A plain-clothes detective trotted up. “You might want to take a look at this,” he blurted in a monotone voice.

  Kendal watched the ambulance boys help Claire onto a stretcher and wheel her up the drive to a waiting ambulance. Kendal turned his attention on the young cold-faced man. Fresh to the job, Philips was his partner three months earlier. They had been partners for a week when Kendal approached Captain Hughes. He told him he’d take his complaint all the way to the top if he couldn’t work alone. Unless Kendal was under orders to take on a partner his mind was unchangeable. He didn’t want another dead partner.

  Philips pointed a crooked finger to a red blotchy trail.

  “A preliminary search at the side fence closest to the pool has uncovered a small trail of blood. It leads from the pool to the fence. It looks like Dr. Goody two shoes just happen to be correct. I’ll take a sample of the blood and have pathology run a test on it in the morning to make sure it’s human blood.”

  Kendal scratched his chin and gazed intently at the fence.

  “Good work, Philips. Patrick did a good job on this house.” He looked around. “Where’s the baby?”

  “The ambulance boys transported him to the hospital. They said he’s fine. Apparently, the doctor reported the fire and requested an ambulance.”

  Kendal sent Philips an extra long stare.

  “What?”

  “You said the Doctor reported the house fire?”

  “Yes. Is it that important?”

  “The information could be. I’ll keep the info under my hat for now.”

  Kendal slapped Philips on the shoulder. Together they walked towards a poolside table.

  “Constable Peterson, after you get a full statement from the doctor you can send her home. When she’s on her way locate constable Alderson and Weakom we need to have a chat.”

  “I’ll go find Alderson,” advised Philips.

  Kendal watched him limp towards the front yard as his mobile phone sounded. He lifted it to his ear.

  “Patrick here, don’t say a word, just listen.”

  Kendal turned in tight circles studying everyone, the bushes, and every dark shadow in the backyard for the arsonist. Seeing no one talking on the phone, he ran after Philips. A barrage of newspaper reporters yelling at him for an interview blocked his path. Kendal was forced to cover his one free ear and march back to the pool area for some silence.

  “It’s so nice of you to come to the pool party and invite all your friends. Shame I couldn’t stay around to enjoy it. I know you’ll understand. I’m glad the doctor turned up. If it wasn’t for her, who knows, you might’ve caught me. I’ll be in touch so we can have a good long talk.”

  The phone went dead.

  Kendal stood next to the pool. Again he watched everyone in the backyard. No one seemed suspicious, but he knew Patrick must be close. His stare widened as his gaze swept the backyard and every shadow for the third time. Nothing and nobody looked to be out of place. He walked over to the poolside table and found Peterson and the doctor shaking hands.

  Peterson downed his pen and housed a clipboard under his arm.

  “Thank you, Miss Clarke. Your statement on tonight was quite detailed. You can now go home.”

  Dr. Clarke smiled, handed Kendal his coat back, shook his hand and started walking up the drive. She had only completed several steps when she stopped to look at Kendal.

  “Excuse me, Detective, do not worry, I am confident the offender will be stopped. Tomorrow is another day.”

  He looked into the woman’s luring sky blue eyes and lustful looks. His eyes narrowed. She seemed familiar. Was it the way she looked at him or a familiar mannerism. He felt positive they had met somewhere a long time ago. He put his thoughts deep in his memory, vowing to recollect the scene at a later date when he didn’t feel so tired.

  “I’ll catch the arsonist,” he insisted confidently. “Go home before you catch a cold.”

  The doctor nodded a polite goodnight. She left Kendal dousing his mind with her movements.

  Displaying a tight grin, Peterson slapped him on the shoulder.

  “Mate, she’s out of your league.”

  “There’s something about that woman.”

  “There certainly is. I love the way she walks and how her hair hangs when it’s wet.”

  “I reckon she knows more than she’s saying.”

  Peterson snorted. “How can a beautiful woman be bad?”

  Kendal raised his eyebrows, cleared his throat and stood non-committal. They watched the doctor’s walk in silence. The last trace of her silhouette had long been swallowed up by the darkness before Peterson’s voice ended the scene.

  “Have you been able to discover any more leads on the arsonist’s where-a-bouts?” His voice sounded like he had lost the love of his life.

  “Yes. No. I don’t know. I felt positive tonight I’d catch the mongrel. He’s vanished and has taken a hostage.”

  “Anyone, you know?”

  “My daughter,” growled Kendal.

  Movement at the top of the drive broke Kendal’s hy
pnotic stare. He ran to intercept. The ambulance boys who were wheeling Claire up the drive on a stretcher ignored his request to stop. He rudely pushed an officer out of the way.

  “Claire, I forgot to ask, how do you feel?”

  She looked at Kendal and grinned from underneath the oxygen mask. She coughed several times before attempting to answer.

  “When you feel up to it, I’ll need a full report on my desk about tonight. By the way, do you know a bloke named Weakom?”

  Before Claire could answer, she was wheeled away.

  Kendal watched the ambulance slowly dividing the forty plus people who were still loitering in the court. Looking around Kendal spied Constable Alderson. He walked up and grabbed her arm.

  “Where are Weakom and Philips?”

  The rookie bit her bottom lip. She shrugged. “They must’ve slipped away.”

  Kendal felt drained. He was suffering from the lack of sleep and slowly walked towards his car. It had been a long night. He needed to sit and reflect.

  “Leaving so soon?” rebuked a deep voice.

  Kendal searched the surrounds. He found the man standing under a large tree on his right.

  “Captain Hughes, what brings you out this time of night?”

  “To see if you caught the arsonist. By the look on your face, I’d say you missed, again.”

  “Yes, however, I got close.”

  “Close isn’t good enough. Catch the bum, soon, or else.”

  “Or else what Cap?”

  Captain Hughes grunted and walked off to his car.

  Kendal stood watching the tall man drive off into the night. Opening his car door, Kendal slipped behind the steering wheel. He sat staring at the fire truck’s red and blue flashing lights.

  “Patrick, where are you hiding?” he heard himself say. “Mark my words. I’ll get you next time. There’s always the next time.” Kendal turned the ignition key. The engine roared to life a moment before his mobile phone started playing a ring tone someone had downloaded off the Internet. Lifting his phone to his ear, he mumbled. “What is that lousy tune?”

  “Hey, Coppa; going so soon?”

  Kendal’s eyes bulged. He started to swear through the phone.

  “Calm yourself, Coppa. How on earth can you think straight? You must be over exhausted. My advice to you is not to drive home. You might have an accident and die. Have you any idea what it takes to break in a new cop?”

  Kendal sat up straight, his gaze darting about in all directions. His thoughts flashed back to Philips and Weakom.

  “Patrick, where are you? Can you see me?”

  “Kendal, Kendal, Kendal. How many times do I have to spell the words Fire Games? I’ve told you before, can’t you remember?”

  “Tell me again.”

  Patrick groaned into the phone. “We’re playing a game. You’re my partner. At the moment, I can’t say your performance is too thrilling. You’re letting the team down.”

  “I demand you tell me where you and Tegan are?”

  “If I tell you, I’ll be breaking the rules. You have to guess.”

  “What happens if I want to stop playing?”

  Silence marred the airways. Kendal fidgeted in the dark waiting for an answer.

  “Patrick, are you still there?”

  “I’m still here.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “To stop playing would be a shame. Yes, a real shame.” He sighed. “You will have to die.”

  The only noise coming from the phone was the rhythmic high-pitched beep. Kendal shook his head and buried his mobile phone in his pocket.

  CHAPTER FOUR