Familiar Fire

by Caroline Burnes

  “Kate,” he whispered. “Kate.”

  He felt her stir beneath him. Turning her gently, he lifted her into his arms, away from the trail of fire eating slowly along the beam on which she’d fallen. Another moment or two and it would have reached her thick, glossy hair.

  “Easy, Kate,” he whispered. “Easy.” The weight of her in his arms was unbearably sweet.

  “Arf! Arf!” Ouzo’s excited bark came from the doorway.

  Kate’s face was smudged with soot but undamaged. A trickle of blood oozed from her right temple. She was breathing lightly, but a quick examination showed no other obvious injuries.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Jake said. Familiar darted toward the door, and Jake cradled Kate in his arms, protecting her with his chest as they rushed out of the building.

  As he came out the alley door, Jake was blinded by the explosion of television lights and photographers. The news media were hot on the story now. Though he attempted to negotiate the pack without revealing Kate’s identity, her brown sheriff’s uniform gave her away.

  “Is Sheriff McArdle injured?” the reporters called.

  Jake ignored them as he carried Kate to a waiting ambulance. Just as he was about to place her inside, she started coughing. Her eyes opened and she looked around as if she had no idea where she was or what she’d been doing. Looking up at him, her eyes narrowed.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  Jake sat her on the back of the ambulance. “Catch your breath and get your groundings,” he said. “You almost got yourself killed. What on earth were you doing in that building?”

  Kate’s last image was of the fireman—the man she’d assumed had come to rescue her, but had instead attempted to leave her unconscious in a burning building. In her heart she could not believe it was Jake—yet that was who she called out to, that was who she’d thought it was.

  For the first time in her career, Kate couldn’t trust her own vision, or her judgement.

  “Kate, can you understand me?” Jake’s voice was panicked.

  Was it sincere or a ploy? The memory of her actions came back to her and beneath the soot and dirt she knew her face was flushing. What she’d done was incredibly stupid. She’d gone into a burning building not to save a life but to retrieve a picture. Jake had talked to her about the past, about how she had to confront it, and it had almost cost her her life.

  “Get a doctor over here, fast!” Jake called out.

  “I’m okay,” she finally answered. She didn’t look at him. “Really, Jake.” She put a hand to her temple, feeling the knot. It had happened. Someone had tried to kill her. “I’m okay,” she said.

  “Sheriff McArdle, what happened?” A newscaster thrust a microphone at her.

  “I was making a last check of the building to be certain everyone was out A beam fell and struck my head.” Kate’s hand went involuntarily to her temple where a major headache had set up housekeeping.

  “Was Sheriff McArdle assisting the fire department?” the reporter asked Jake.

  Kate knew the reporter had gone to the heart of the matter. As sheriff, she had no authority to clear the building. It was a job for the fire department. If Jake actually knew what she’d been doing, he’d have good cause to publicly humiliate her.

  “We’re cooperating on the arsons,” Jake said, his curious gaze never leaving Kate’s.

  “Wouldn’t that chore have been better left to a trained firefighter?” the reporter pressed. A small crowd of additional reporters had gathered behind him. They were eagerly listening.

  “We had our hands full,” Jake said carefully. “The Sheriff was a big help. Now the building is clear and the fire is under control. I think you’ve got enough of a story.”

  Kate waited until the reporters were gone. Jake’s face showed his relief at seeing her safe, and his words confirmed it. “You scared me half to death.” His hand cupped her face. “When I couldn’t find you, I had a terrible vision of you in trouble.” A scowl crossed his face as he looked more closely at her temple. “I wasn’t far from the truth. What happened?”

  Kate brought the image of the masked fireman into her mind. He’d worn a yellow coat, a mask. He could have been any fireman at the scene. She thought back to the dark figure escaping Evelyn’s Boutique after the fire was set, the footprint that had been so conveniently left at Lookout Church. She’d believed Jake in the past. Before she thought of what she was doing, she placed her hand over his. “Someone attacked me, Jake. He struck me. I think he was trying to pin it on you.”

  Her words startled him to silence. When he finally spoke, it was to insist that she allow the paramedics, at least, to check her. He waved one over and as Jake watched, the medical expert examined Kate’s injuries.

  “One very lucky lady,” the paramedic proclaimed. “Minor smoke inhalation and a nasty knock on the head. Other than that, she’s going to be okay.”

  Jake thanked the man and when he was gone, Jake turned to Kate. His anger, which had been carefully concealed, shone clear in his eyes. “When I find whoever did this, Kate, he’ll be sorry of the day he was born.”

  “If I had died in the fire, it would have put you in a position where you would appear incompetent.” Even as she spoke she realized how her actions had jeopardized Jake’s career. “If I didn’t die, then the attacker assumed that I might blame you. He was about your size. He wore a mask that completely covered his face. As best I can remember, his hair was dark, like yours.”

  “This has gone beyond arson to attempted murder. My question is why?”

  “A good question,” Kate agreed. With each passing moment, she felt better, though her head throbbed painfully.

  Jake slowly shook his head. “The first thing we need to check is the fire equipment. We keep an inventory.”

  Kate thought of something. “How did you know I was in the building?”

  “I wouldn’t have known to go after you if it wasn’t for that cat and Ouzo.”

  “Familiar?” Kate had a moment’s anxiety until she spotted the black feline who sat by the ambulance cleaning his fur.

  “He’s fine and so is Ouzo. They alerted me to where you were.” Jake caught sight of several reporters still lurking on the scene. Stepping so that he blocked Kate from their view, he frowned down at her. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “How bad is the damage?” Kate looked behind him at the old building. It was still standing. She thought of the portrait and then forced it out of her mind. Listening to Jake and all of his drivel about the past had almost gotten her killed. That was exactly what the past was—a death trap. For those who weren’t smart enough to avoid it. And she was smart. Whatever the future held, she would never let Jake lure her back to the past.

  “It could have been a lot worse. The guys did a terrific job.” Some of the anger was gone from Jake’s voice, and he looked around to see that his men were still busy putting out the last smoldering remains.

  “And Alexis?” Kate kept her voice neutral.

  “She’s fine.” Jake shook his head. “The woman would have burned to death rather than jump out a window. With these old buildings so tight and close together, we couldn’t get a ladder truck in there. It was jump or burn.”

  “And you?” Kate looked up at him. “Are you okay?”

  Jake’s smile reflected the worry he heard in her question. “Fine. You’re the one we had to pull out of the building.”

  Kate sat up straighter. A bit of color had returned to her face and she brushed her tangled hair out of her eyes. “I think I owe Familiar something special.” She eased out of the ambulance and stood, shaky for a moment but quickly regaining her balance. “And I think I want to go back to the office, shower and change. I feel like an Oscar Meyer, the kind that’s cooked and ready for a bun.”

  Jake took her arm to steady her as they began to walk away. “Do you want my preliminary observations?”

  “Can’t wait,” she answered.

  “The fire started in t
he front, and there doesn’t appear to have been a chemical accelerant, which makes sense. With people gambling, it would have been hard to drag something like gasoline in.”

  Kate frowned. “The front is a strange place for a fire to start. I mean there’s nothing in there except tables and chairs. There’s not any electrical equipment or…” She shook her head. “I was hoping maybe this one would be an accident. I can’t believe someone would deliberately try to burn down a building so much a part of this town. Of the West.”

  “Believe it,” Jake said. He turned to the firemen gathered around the truck. “Make sure the fire is dead and then file an initial report with me. I want you all back at the fire station as soon as possible.” As Jake faced the men one by one, his tone softened. “You did a great job, guys.”

  “Yes—” Kate’s voice caught with emotion. “I want to thank you all.”

  From twenty yards away, a female voice called out. “Jake, darling, there you are. How can I ever thank you.” Alexis came toward them, a mint green cigarette in a holder.

  “Alexis,” Jake said carefully. “I see you’ve recovered from your fright.”

  “Jake, you absolutely saved my life.” She completely ignored Kate. “Those flames were practically licking at my heels. And there you were. My knight in shining armor.” Her eyelashes fluttered. Suddenly she stumbled slightly. “Oh, my,” she said. “I thought I was over the shock, but I feel a little…dizzy.” She put the back of her hand to her forehead. “Do you think you could take me some place where I could get some tea and compose myself?” She smiled shakily at Jake.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Jake could see Kate. Hell, he didn’t have to see her, he could almost feel the laughter she held inside. Her lip was curled in a perfect Elvis sneer.

  “Alexis, it’s late and I have a fire to investigate. I’m sure you’d rather I spent my time trying to discover who set fire to your casino—”

  Alexis waved a hand. “Don’t be foolish, Jake. Let one of your peons do the grunt work. I need someone to help me recover.” She sighed. “I was nearly frightened to death.”

  Jake gave Kate a sudden, inspired glance. “Alexis, Kate has some questions for you.”

  Without fumbling, Kate pulled a slightly damaged notebook from her pocket and a pen. “Ms. Redfield, do you have any idea why someone might want to burn down your establishment?” she asked.

  Alexis gave her a withering look. “Why are you always nipping at my heels like a little dog? I don’t have any enemies. Everyone likes me.”

  “What about Evelyn Winn?”

  Alexis fixed a glare on Kate, then caught herself and dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. “Oh, Evelyn wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

  “But you said—”

  “Fiddle on what I said before. I was angry at Evelyn. But after someone set fire to her boutique, we made up.” Her eyes narrowed. “Evelyn said you’d been by to talk with her. She said you harassed her.”

  Jake took Alexis’s arm. “I think Fireman Wells will take you over to the Brass Kettle for a cup of tea. Unless you’d prefer something stronger. I have some business with the sheriff.”

  Her bottom lip trembled. “I was hoping you’d have time to take me. I might be able to think of something that would help solve the arson. You know the representatives of the Dandy Diamond Casino were gambling in my casino last night. I was down there with them for a while, until the game got tedious beyond belief. You’d think casino corporate heads would know a little bit about gambling, wouldn’t you?”

  “Are you suggesting they started the fire? Do you have evidence?” Kate asked.

  “Don’t be a fool,” Alexis snapped. “They were sitting right at my best poker table. If I’d seen them start a fire I would have made them put it out.” She turned to Jake, pouting. “I could think better if I had some tea, and I need you to escort me.”

  Kate’s expression was carefully blank as she looked at Jake. “Maybe you should ply the lady with tea and learn her secrets,” she suggested.

  Jake didn’t need an interpreter to hear the sarcasm in Kate’s comment “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

  “Positive,” Kate replied. “Go on.”

  “I’ll check back with you as soon as I’m done here.” He searched her face for understanding. For a split second he thought he saw a glint of humor in Kate’s eyes, but then it was gone. “Will you keep an eye on Ouzo?”

  “My pleasure, and good luck,” Kate said.

  Pistol-Packin’ Mama needs a lesson in handling a man. You never let the competition walk off the playing field with the prize. Especially not if she’s “just going to borrow him for a few minutes.” Right. Alexis may say she wants a cup of tea but that woman wants to blend ole Jake into the fabric of her life.

  This calls for a drastic step. One that may even require a partnership with that canine furball. He was somewhat helpful during the fire. And he did take care of quenching the Reverend Lyte’s anger. The problem with Ouzo is that he’s over there scratching out an epic poem about his role.

  Why is it that dogs seem to think that every thought they have, every deed they do, should be immortalized in a song or poem? I swear, if he starts blathering poetry, that’s the end.

  Kate called Ouzo over, relieved to see he actually obeyed. But as soon as he saw Familiar, he began to bark. The cat, unperturbed, gave several low growls and hisses.

  So, ‘tis that black devil cat’s plan to enlist me. I’ll have him kissing the Blarney stone and reciting limericks. But even a blind man can see that Jake is being led to the slaughter by the woman in the bad plaid. That shade of green would be a killing crime in the old country. And Jake appears to be as goofy as a newborn lamb, bleating along in her wake. Why is it that the man can’t find a sensible woman to keep the hearth warm, dinner on the stove and a pint in the house? Aye, that Alexis Redfield is not the type to let a man keep his dog close at hand by the fire. No, she’s the kind who’d put one of those igloo doghouses in the back yard with a plaid pillow and a bowl of gruel. My future is at stake, so there-fore I must act.

  Kate was just about to snap Ouzo’s leash to his collar when the dog bolted. She darted right, instinctively assuming that Ouzo was headed for Susan Tanner’s and the joy of chasing cats. Instead, Ouzo lurched around Kate and headed straight for Jake. Just when it seemed the dog would bowl into Jake and Alexis, Ouzo cut a sharp right and snaked toward the smoldering building.

  “Jake!” Kate cried, getting his attention and pointing to the fleeing Ouzo.

  “Dang that dog,” Jake said. He started after Ouzo.

  “Jake, it’s only that old black stray. He’ll be fine,” Alexis said with some impatience. “I’m the one who’s been traumatized and frightened. I’m the one whose livelihood has just been burned beyond repair. I’m the one…” She faded to a stop as she realized Jake wasn’t staying around to listen.

  “Kate, please escort Ms. Redfield to have a cup of tea,” Jake called over his shoulder, his grin almost unbearably smug as he ran into the Golden Nugget after Ouzo.

  Chapter Ten

  The Brass Kettle contained more checks than chintz, and Kate figured that Alexis would feel perfectly at home among the matching tablecloths, napkins, curtains, rugs, aprons and placemats. Homes and restaurants where everything under the sun either matched or complemented each other had somehow become a craze. It was a little scary, Kate thought.

  The owner had been about to close—the late-night crowd not thick in an establishment that catered to young mothers and the older population. Kate prevailed on the young woman behind the counter to give her a few moments with Alexis. It was more the soot and dirt on Kate that won the day than her powers of persuasion.

  Kate sat with her back to the wall and watched as Alexis riffled through the different types of sweeteners, finally settling on lemon only. Alexis was obviously not happy that Jake had failed to accompany her. She had no use for Kate and didn’t bother to try and hide her sentiments. Kate was mild
ly amused. She sipped her tea and waited while Alexis entertained herself preparing hers.

  Although the fire had been horrific, Alexis seemed curiously undisturbed. The woman’s business was a total loss. Even if the shell of the old opera house could be saved, it would be months before the place could be renovated and new slot machines installed. Not to mention lighting, sound equipment—the expense was overwhelming, even to Kate.

  A dull pain throbbed in the region of Kate’s chest, and she realized that she didn’t want to think about the fire. What she’d tried to do by leaving Silver City fifteen years before, the fire had accomplished in a few hot hours. Her family’s past was totally erased. And though she recognized and accepted the real danger of sentiment, she still couldn’t help the sense of loss.

  Watching Alexis stir and sip her tea, Kate decided then and there never to mention the portrait or why she went back into the burning building. Never. Jake was wrong. One thing she had learned about mistakes—it was better to let foolish behavior fade. And her rescue attempt of the portrait was more than foolish. It could be considered irrational.

  It had put her in a position where someone had almost killed her.

  “Are you going to stare a hole in me or are you going to interrogate me?” Alexis asked, scowling.

  Kate composed her thoughts and asked her first question softly. “You mentioned that the DDC representatives were in the casino during the evening,” she said. Alexis focused on her tea cup. “Do you honestly think they might be responsible for the fire?”

  Alexis finally looked at her. “I don’t think anything. They were there. There were five of them. Five cheap men who wouldn’t go over a twenty-five-dollar bet.” She shrugged. “I have no idea what they might have done.”