by Piper Stone
As he waited he walked closer.
The Captain exhaled and shook his head.
“Yes, sir. I’m still here.” Stoker heard the answer and almost puked. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your information. Stay safe.”
“And?” the Captain barely managed.
“You need to call Sheriff James so he can arrest the arsonist.”
Stoker half stumbled to the door. When he opened the door, and took a step out of the office, every man, including Cooper, was waiting in a semi-circle, all wearing their uniforms. He walked toward Cooper, standing at full attention and after a few seconds, saluted. “Lieutenant Cooper McKenzie, the team would be honored if you would serve as our spotter.”
Chapter 18
Boom! Crack!
“Dear fucking God. Will you look at that?” Garcia peered out the window.
“Boys, we have a crown fire,” Riker hissed. “This shit is rolling through the tops of the trees.”
Stoker glanced at Cooper, who was actively searching for a jump spot. A single call. A single question and the answer he needed and he was thanking every God there was that Cooper was a black man. “What are you building in your garage?”
Cooper pulled away from the screen, a stoic look on his face. “What am I building? You’re going to have to come around more often to find out. I didn’t start these fires.”
“I know you didn’t. I’m glad you’re here.” Relief flooding him, Stoker adjusted his equipment and grabbed his helmet. “How long until we reach the spot?’
“Two minutes. Then we go,” Cooper called out. “Be careful. The radar is reporting a front moving in, bringing more wind.
“Fuck,” Riker hissed.
“This could get out of control,” Boone said under his breath.
“Gentleman, as you know this fire has been a blowup with rapid spread, no doubt caused by a bomb,” Antonio stated as he looked toward each man. “After we set control lines, we may need to create a backfire to try and direct the fire toward the rivers. If we are successful, the various fire departments can handle keeping the fire away from the town, but we have to work as a team and fast.”
“Yes, sir!” Boone stated.
“You got it.” Sawyer nodded.
“You bet.” Riker smiled. “Bring it on. We can do this.”
Stoker gave a respectful nod to Cooper and for the first time in two years, they were on the same wave length, a solid trust between them. He was also going to have to trust Antonio, allowing his anger to abate. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
“Stand ready,” Cooper told them. “Open the hatch. Twenty seconds out.”
A flash of the past raced in front of Stoker’s mind, the moment almost crippling. When he felt a hand wrap around his arm, giving a squeeze, he knew the ghosts would soon be eradicated.
“You can do this, my friend. Get out there and save the woman you love. I have your back,” Cooper stated, his eyes misting over.
“I know.” Stoker donned his helmet as Cooper stood. He smiled as Cooper checked his two parachutes, making certain everything was in order.
“We’re on final. Five seconds. Four. Three. Two. One. Go!”
“Oh my God!”
“Boone. Go make a scratch line,” Antonio called.
“Will do.”
Stoker heard Riker’s shouts as they advanced into the blaze, blanketing the area. He stood back, awestruck by the invasive blaze. “Giovanni. What direction?” he asked as he adjusted his microphone.
“The head is up to the right. We need to get ahead of this.”
As Antonio barked out directions to the rest of the team, he oriented himself to the area and the direction of his home. Jessica was a smart girl. She’d know to get out. At least he prayed she had.
In the next several minutes, they moved through the dense foliage, hacking away at vines and shrubs interfering with setting up a control line. The smoke was thick, hindering their progress. Everywhere they turned a spot fire started, embers flying several hundred feet from the source.
“Timber!” Garcia roared.
Boom!
Stoker cringed as the thudding sound of the tree falling rumbled through the area, a reminder of just how dangerous the operation really was. They sidestepped debris and continued pressing on, the heat becoming excruciating. Flames consumed every tree, creating a wall of fire.
“We’re losing control,” Sawyer called.
“Goddamn it! We can’t,” Antonio growled as he swung an ax.
Stoker followed closely behind and together they worked, the ditch hopefully wide enough to stop the path of the fire. Now, they had to try and turn the son of a bitch.
“Come on. Let’s get this motherfucker!”
They trudged onward, every man lost in the job at hand, the understanding they could lose control at any moment.
Boom! Crack!
Ssssss...
Antonio yanked his arm, pulling Stoker out of the way just as a tree broke in half, the fiery top roaring down to earth.
“Come on. Let’s keep moving.”
Whoosh! Boom!
Debris was falling everywhere and Stoker could see only a few inches in front of him, but they were making headway. They were turning the freaking fire line toward the river.
They reached the top of a ridge and had a break in the smoke. Peering up, Antonio gripped Stoker’s arm.
“Fuck me. A Fire Devil.”
Stoker looked out and could see the line of fire as the wind kicked up. The flames were moving straight for his house. “We have to turn the fire. We just have to.”
“We will. Trust me. We will.”
Jessica stood in horror, MacGyver by her side, as she and Stephanie stared at the television, the coverage on the fire intense. After the sound of the boom, they’d rushed outside, able to see the fire. They were close. Too close. At least four hours, if not longer had passed. She was terrified, fearful for the beautiful city that she’d come to love and horrified about Stoker. When he hadn’t answered his phone, and didn’t call her back, she feared the worst. They were up fighting the fire, trying to save lives.
“Dear God. Please help guide our firefighters. This is horrible.”
“This is caused by arson.”
Stephanie shook her head. “Yeah, I know. I only hope wherever Cooper is, he’s safe.”
Turning her head in Stephanie’s direction, she placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder, giving a comforting squeeze. “I’ll venture a guess he went to find Stoker and knew exactly where to go.”
She patted Jessica’s hand. “I pray to God we all live through this.”
She nodded as a breaking bulletin flashed across the screen. A single reporter smiled as she was introduced. In the background was a wall of fire in the distance. “Thank you, Jim. This is Debbie Wild reporting for Channel 8 news. While the reports are all over the place, here’s what we know right now that has been confirmed. We have four engine companies on the scene as well as the smoke jumping team. They have the fire twenty percent contained but given the shift in wind conditions, there is talk of what is called in smoke jumping terms as a Fire Devil situation.
This means a whirlwind of fire or in layman’s terms, one out of control. Let’s show you exactly where the fire is located. Please, and I can’t urge this enough, stay out of the areas at all costs and if you can get out, do so. This is a dangerous situation. It’s my understanding that the Mayor has called for the evacuation of several streets on the outskirts of town as well as the Governor has issued a state of emergency. From what the Mayor’s has been able to report, backup has been called in from other areas and should be here within the hour. Stay tuned as…” The reporter nodded and adjusted her earpiece. “Hold on, ladies and gentlemen. We have additional news.”
Jessica shivered and held her arms. “You should leave while you can. The fire is too close.”
“Come with me. We’ll take my jeep.”
“No, I can’t leave Ralph or Stoker’s horses.
I have to protect them.”
“Jessica, your life matters. Stoker would want you to be safe,” Stephanie insisted. “Ralph is an old coot, but he’d say save yourself.”
Jessica shook her head. “I just can’t leave them.”
“The fire is less than two miles away. Do you understand what that means?”
“Okay, the information has been confirmed. The Sheriff’s office reports that there is a suspect in custody charged with arson. While I don’t have the identity of the person being held, we’re checking to see if this is the same man from before, Cooper McKenzie, a long-time resident and marine vet. We’ll get back to you as soon as we know.”
“Oh no,” Stephanie slumped.
She pulled the woman into a hug. “I’m sure this isn’t Cooper. Go get your stuff and get out of here.”
“Jessica. Please.”
“I’ll be okay. I have to at least free the horses. Then I’ll leave if the situation isn’t any better. I promise.”
Stephanie exhaled and took both of Jessica’s hands into her own. “You’re stubborn. Just what Stoker needs.”
Jessica smiled. “Thank you. I think it might be the other way around. Now go.”
“Come on, baby. We’re going back to my cabin then daddy’s house. We have to free the horses.” Jessica heard the quiver in her voice and continued on the road, her windshield wipers going at full blast. The smoke was thick, acrid and she’d closed the vents in an effort to keep out as much of the smoke as possible.
MacGyver sat in the front seat, his body at full attention. He emitted a single whine every few seconds.
She reached over, placing her hand on the scruff of his neck. She’d been a damn fool not to leave, but she couldn’t leave the animals to die. Puffs of smoke, thick and black, rolled across the car. She pressed on the gas then the brake back and forth. Fear unlike anything she’d known remained furrowed in her belly, but she refused to give in. This was too important. Stoker needed her.
“Come on. Please, God. Please.” She hit the button for the windshield fluid, thankful the stream did clean away some of the smoke. She hummed a tune even though the radio was blaring away about the fire. Who the hell had they arrested? Not Cooper. He wasn’t their man. She wasn’t wrong. Couldn’t be wrong. Nope.
Blinking, she breathed a sigh of relief as the smoke cleared to the point she could drive almost normally. However, when she looked in the rearview mirror she was petrified. All she could see was a sea of orange. “God, help me.” She hit the gas and within three minutes was at the cabin. Thankfully, there was no damage and only minimal smoke surrounding the house and barn. When she eased out of the driver’s seat, she moaned.
Crack! Whoosh!
Sounds of the fire were all around her, coming from every direction. She’d quickly free the two horses then drive up to Stoker’s place. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” Her entire body shaking, she raced into the corral. The horses were already whinnying, sensing danger all around them. “Come on guys. I have to try get you out of here. Hopefully you know where to go to be safe.”
They didn’t fight her as she took them one by one out of the confined space. She patted their manes the issued slaps on their backsides. They responded as if knowing exactly what to do. Panting, she stood gawking at the oncoming fire then took off running toward the car.
“Come on, baby. We gotta get out of here.” When she turned the key, she heard a click. “No. Oh fuck, no.”
MacGyver whined, the sound pitiful.
“It’s okay.” Please, God. Let the car start.
Crack! Slam!
“Fuck!” She held her breath and tried again. As the engine sputtered to life, she groaned and jammed the gear into drive, roaring up the road toward Stoker’s. Evacuation. That was her only choice.
There was no way of telling when or if the fire would get to her, but she couldn’t take the chance. She also couldn’t take the car. What the hell was she going to do? Ride a horse? She groaned and brushed her hand through her hair. There was no way she could remember how to saddle a damn horse, let alone ride one out of here. What about the other two? She turned to glare at the road and could just make out a twinge of orange above the tree line. “Come on, boy. We need to get the horses.”
She rushed toward the house then stopped. What was she going to get now? Nothing mattered except trying to get out, save the horses. She raced to the barn, MacGyver following closely behind. Running inside, she could see the horses were agitated, their whinnying sounds creating a haunted echo.
“It’s okay. I’m going to get you out of here.” She fumbled with the first latch, taking a full two minutes before she was able to free the first horse. The second held the beautiful but skittish mare she’d ridden. She remembered the poor baby had been in a fire. “Whoa, Angel. Everything is going to be okay.”
The beauty kicked at the stall as she snapped her head.
“No. Stop. You can do this.”
Woof! Woof!
MacGyver danced around, the barking intense, as if a warning.
“I know. I’m hurrying.” Jessica slipped the latch and stood back, yanking open the door. She glanced out of the doors and while she didn’t see flames, the smoke was thicker.
The first horse raced out of the barn, her whiny heard above the crackling timbre.
Swallowing hard, she reached out to pet the mare, then shrunk back as she kicked out, almost hitting Jessica in the face. “What am I going to do?”
MacGyver ran to the other side of the barn, to the last closed door. Woof! Woof! He jerked up then stamped down on both paws.
“Okay. I’m getting him out.” Jessica had no trouble with the door, but as soon as Thor moved out of the stall, rearing up as his black eyes filled with fear, she moved back against the wall of the barn. Her only way out might be riding one of the horses. Tears formed in her eyes as she came to terms with the dire straits she was in, but she refused to die on this mountain.
Mac nuzzled her leg. Woof. When she didn’t respond, he repeated the move.
“I know, baby. I know. I just don’t know what to do.” She closed her eyes, praying to some God above for direction. When she looked again, the various saddles drew her attention. “Okay. Thor. You and me, baby. We can do this, but you have to trust me and I will need to trust you.” She petted his nose and leaned against him, controlling her breathing. To her surprise, the horse nuzzled, his sounds quiet and loving. She continued rubbing, whispering in his ear as she looked at the mare. How the hell could she do this?
She stepped away and thought about exactly what she’d seen Stoker do when he’d saddled the horses. As she tried to hoist the saddle, she groaned. “You can do this. You have to do this.” Inhaling, she breathed out and tried again. Every ounce of her upper arm strength was used to lift the heavy saddle then throwing it up and over the tall horse. Panting, she dropped her head. The scent of smoke was becoming choking.
She covered her mouth and fumbled to make certain everything was secure. “Okay, Thor. We’re going down to the water. We need to guide, Angel.” Her heart racing, she walked back to the mare, determined to bring her to safety. “Come on, baby. You can do this.”
Woof! Woof!
While Angel seemed comforted by MacGyver’s presence, she refused to allow Jessica to touch her. “Okay, girl. I don’t know what to do, but if you can understand me, you have to follow. Please follow us. I promise you everything will be okay.” She bent down, cupping MacGyver’s face in her hands. “Baby, we have to do this. Okay? I love you and I don’t want anything to happen to you so stay close behind us.” She wiped tears away and bit back a cough. It was now or never.
She managed to throw her leg over Thor’s back on the second attempt and gripped the reins. Looking back, she gave a nod of encouragement to the group and leaned down. “Come on. We can do this. You and me.”
As she rode out of the barn, visions of the amazing time she’d spent at this beautiful cabin, the love she found and the home
she wanted to create flashed in front of her eyes.
“Please, God. Save us.”
“No! You don’t understand. I have to go back up there! I have to look for Jessica!” Stoker screeched as he fought to get out of Garcia’s hands.
“Stop, buddy. Stop. Let the fireman do their jobs. You did all you could. We did all we could,” Garcia said as he yanked Stoker back.
Beads of sweat rolled down Stoker’s face as he glared up at the mountains. “I can’t lose her. I just can’t.”
Antonio walked closer, wiping his brow as he half smiled. “The fire is contained almost completely. We did everything we could to save your house.”
“But we have no idea if we did!” Stoker snapped then tilted back his head. “I’m sorry. I know we did everything we could do.” They’d been forced to move in another direction in order to continue turning the fire toward the river. While they’d been successful, he’d abandoned all hopes of being able to save his home.
Cooper walked toward him, nodding toward Garcia who let him go. “I might not know Jessica that well, but I can tell you this. She’s a tough lady. She’ll make it through this.”
“Yeah, she might have gotten out,” Boone offered.
“They did evacuate the area,” Sawyer added. “Two horses survived, walking out by themselves. That’s somethin’.
“Yeah.” Stoker looked at Cooper, nodding to the man who’d been at his side. “They were Ralph’s horses,” he whispered, more to himself.
Cooper shook his head and walked closer. “According to my sister, Jessica wanted to get to the animals and refused to come with Steph.”
Wiping his eyes furiously, Stoker walked past the line of fire engines and toward the mountains.
“You have to think positively.” Cooper was right behind him.
“I’m trying, but she only knows the river other than the main road. If she went that way…” Stoker was unable to finish. They’d sent the fire to the river. At minimum, she’d be overcome with smoke. Hours had gone by, night turning into morning, then into early evening. There was no way she could have survived. None.