Fire Storm (The Gathering Storm Book 2)

by Marlow Kelly

  The smoke cleared in time for her to see Moore kick Tim in the stomach, launching him through the air. He landed in a clump of shrubs.

  Her heart stopped. She couldn’t let Tim die. Before she could think about her reaction her SIG Sauer was aimed at Moore’s chest. “Stop,” she yelled. But the thunderous rumble of flames and splintering wood drowned out her voice.

  Moore rushed at Tim, a long deadly blade in his hand ready to strike.

  Tim surged to his feet in time to block Moore’s thrust with his elbow.

  Smoke hid them, again. Dana scrambled up the slope, grabbing at roots and spiky shrubs with her free hand, never taking her gaze from the spot she’d last seen Tim.

  The wind shifted. Tim rolled to the side, his hand going for the knife at his waist.

  Moore neared, preparing for another kick. Tim grabbed Moore’s heel with one hand while slicing at the back of his ankle with the other. Moore didn’t react, which suggested Tim had stabbed his boot. Tim stabbed again. This time Moore tensed and tried to pull away. Then he changed tactic. Using his good leg, Moore jumped and twisted, yanking his injured leg out of Tim’s grasp. The knife was still lodged in Moore’s calf. Tim had lost his weapon.

  Dana raised her weapon to shoot, but another waft of smoke obliterated them from view. She sprinted closer, trying desperately to see through the yellow fog.

  The haze cleared. Tim rose to his feet. Using his foot, he kicked a branch off the forest floor and caught it in his right hand.

  Moore charged, pulling his knife arm back, ready to strike.

  Dana aimed and fired.

  Moore crumpled to the ground.

  She’d shot him. This wasn’t like before. There was no second-guessing, no uncertainty. She had stopped him. That was her job, to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. She hadn’t hesitated, hadn’t faltered. She had no doubts about her actions. Ethan Moore had murdered Booley and been intent on killing Tim.

  Tim? Where was he? She was about to call his name when he appeared by her side. He bent over, resting his arms on his knees, gasping for breath. “I knew you could do it.”

  She patted along his torso, checking for broken bones. “Are you hurt?”

  He straightened. “No, just bruises. You?”

  She stared at Moore’s body as he lay on his side ten feet in front of her, blood flowing freely from a wound at his head. “I need to see if he’s alive.”

  The loud crack of splintering wood sounded, followed by the crash of a falling tree.

  Tim grabbed her hand and tugged her down the incline toward the creek. “We need to go,” he shouted in her ear so he could be heard above the roar of the wildfire.

  She pulled her hand out of his grasp. “I need to check his vital signs. If he’s alive, then we’ll drag him out of here and he can be charged.”

  A thunderous snap reverberated through the forest as another tree splintered. Tim threw her down the slope away from the inferno. They rolled, eventually coming to a stop at the bottom of the incline.

  Dana righted herself. She stared up at the mass of flames and smoke.

  Tim wrapped an arm around her waist, yanking her farther down the slope. “You have to leave him. We’re out of time. Michael is meeting us at the bridge.” It didn’t feel right abandoning Ethan Moore’s body, but they had no choice. They slid down the incline toward the stream.

  She hadn’t realized she was so close to the road. Tim was safe. They had a way out of here. For the first time in a long while she was grateful she was a good shot.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Tim released a deep breath as his truck skidded to a stop at the roadblock created by Officer Robinson. The police cruiser was parked sideways across the street at the four-way stop in the center of town. A low-lying plane flew overhead, dropping red retardant on the forest and the houses on the west side of Hopefalls. Fire trucks screamed past, their sirens blaring as they headed to the fire.

  Cars loaded with boxes, suitcases, valuables, and other personal treasures filed into the eastbound lane of the highway, heading away from the fire, and to the safety of Granite City. It was the only option. All the other roads led into the wilderness. It would be all too easy for civilians to become trapped. Once in Granite City they could go in multiple directions to escape the blaze.

  Tim climbed out of the vehicle. Sweat coated his body and his dry tongue smacked against the roof of his mouth. They were lucky. Michael had been waiting for them at the bridge. The heat from the blaze was devastating. The fact that Tim had managed to drive through it, and the three of them had emerged unscathed was nothing short of a miracle. It was an experience he never wanted to relive.

  One glance at Dana told him she was in the same condition. Her short blond hair was soaked from root to tip, and her shirt stuck to her body, accentuating her shape.

  Michael sat stone-faced in the back of the truck. If he was in any pain, he didn’t let on.

  Dana slid out of the pickup and headed toward Officer Robinson. “Fill me in.”

  Tim trailed after her, not ready to leave her side. The fire, Ethan Moore and the fear she might get hurt, or worse, chilled him to the core. Moore took pleasure in other people’s pain. He’d seen the euphoric delight in Moore’s eyes when they’d been locked in combat.

  Officer Robinson cleared his throat and then said, “The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has issued an evacuation order.”

  “How many people have left?” Dana was in full cop mode now.

  “I don’t know. I’ve been busy stopping sightseers.”

  Tim joined them. “Sightseers?” He couldn’t believe anyone would want to get close to a forest fire.

  Dana thumped her fist against the roof of the cruiser, her frustration evident. “Those idiots who drive to a disaster area so they can see it or take a picture because they think it won’t kill them.”

  Officer Robinson pointed toward the police station. “I have Shelly coordinating the evacuation. Volunteers are going door-to-door, making sure everyone is out.”

  “I can help,” Tim offered.

  “Me, too.” Michael carefully eased out of the vehicle.

  Dana pressed her lips into a thin line as her gaze fell on Michael’s cane.

  Michael grunted and then said, “I wasn’t thinking of anything that involved moving. I can help with the phones and organizing shit.”

  Dana nodded. “I can take you to the police station, but Shelly’s in charge, and if she tells you to get lost, you’re on your own.” She then sat sideways in the driver’s seat of the cruiser and grabbed the radio. Shelly, this is Dana. I’m okay. You?”

  “Oh, thank God.” The older woman’s voice crackled over the line.

  Dana didn’t bother with niceties. “How’s the evacuation going?”

  “Slow. Buses have left the school with all the kids accounted for.”

  “Was Logan with them?”

  Xavier waved his hand in front of her face, interrupting her. “Yes, I put him on there myself.”

  She smiled, relieved. “Thanks.”

  The radio buzzed, and Shelly answered, “Yes. He’s fine. I have Joe and Victoria helping the older folks. Everyone else is leaving of their own accord. I have everywhere covered but The Heights.”

  Dana keyed the mic. “Copy. Stand by.” She looked at Officer Robinson. “That makes sense. It’s up on the hill out of the way. Plus, it’s the least populated area.”

  Officer Robinson stared up the road that led to The Heights. It was deserted. “The only local who lives there is the mayor. The rest are holiday homes, and there’s no way to tell if those owners are visiting or not.”

  “Speaking of the mayor…”

  Officer Robinson shook his head. “No, there’s still no sign of him.”

  Dana spoke into the radio. “I’ll cover The Heights. I’ll—”

  Tim put his hand over the receiver. “No damn way are you going up there alone.”

  She took her
finger off the mic button and stared at him. “I’m a cop—”

  “And we just encountered a knife-wielding maniac—”

  “Who’s dead.”

  He crouched down in front of her. “I get it, but we just went through a heap load of crap, and I’m not ready to have you go off on your own.” He knew he needed to learn his boundaries when it came to her job, but he couldn’t do that right now. He was too emotional, too raw. When Moore had attacked him the second time, he’d feared for Dana. If Moore had taken him out, then who would protect her? The fact that she had saved him and hadn’t needed protecting didn’t matter.

  She cupped his face with her hand. “You got stabbed. You need to go and get stitched up.”

  She had a point. Dried blood caked his shoulder blade and down his arm. The pain wasn’t too bad, and his ribs were just bruised. He’d been hurt worse.

  She patted his face and then pushed his good shoulder. “Plus, I’m pissed because you lied to me.”

  “When did I—”

  “Follow the creek? Are you really going to tell me you didn’t point me in that direction because it was safer? While you hunted Moore.”

  Shit. He didn’t realize he’d been so transparent. He probably should apologize, but he couldn’t. Given the choice, he would do it all over again. “What do you want me to say? I’m not sorry. Most of the time I’m laidback. I don’t sweat the little stuff, but I’m still deadly. And you”—he poked her shoulder for emphasis—“don’t have to go it alone. I’m here for you, but it only works if you take the help that’s offered. You wanted to go after Moore, but I couldn’t let you die. I will always have your back, no matter what.”

  Her eyes glistened. “I never thought—”

  “Ethan Moore is a killer who knows how to use a knife. So do I.” It was as simple as that. She would have to decide if she could accept him. He knew he was a man of contradictions. He was easygoing by nature, but life had taught him how to be tough and how to kill. And some lessons couldn’t be unlearned.

  She stared into the distance for a moment and then nodded. “You still need medical attention. I can drop you and Michael off at the police station. You can wait for me there.”

  “No.” He shook his head, his answer emphatic.

  She opened her mouth to argue.

  He stopped her by putting a finger to her lips. “I get it. This is what you do. And I respect that, but you saw the cabin, what was left of Booley’s body. I was scared. I thought that freak would hurt you. I’m just not ready to let go. Give me this one. Let me go with you. Besides, you left your cruiser at the ranch so we need to take my truck. I go where it goes.”

  She gave him a small smile. “Okay, but as soon as we’re done, you’re getting stitched up.”

  “I promise.”

  She keyed the mic again. “I’m dropping off a friend at the station. His name is Michael. Tim will come with me to The Heights.”

  Chapter Forty

  Tim’s big truck was surprisingly easy to handle. Dana drove up to the heights, mainly because she needed to be in control. Tim’s words at the roadblock had unsettled her more than she wanted to admit. She hadn’t realized she had been trying to do everything herself, but his words rang true. It wasn’t that she had anything to prove; it was more a question of trust. She had never trusted the men in her life, not after Oliver had dumped her. But she was no longer a pregnant teenager, and Tim was nothing like Logan’s father.

  Tim was asking—no, demanding—she give more of herself. He hadn’t ordered her. He was just so unreserved and relentless in his care of her. How could she resist? And why would she want to? The answer was simple—she didn’t. She’d been getting in her own way, putting up roadblocks.

  No, that wasn’t technically true. She’d tried to keep him at arm’s length because he was a suspect in Ben’s homicide. But she was now convinced Ethan Moore had killed Ben. Later she would sort through the why and the how of the case. For now, all she wanted was to clear the town, get Tim the care he needed, and check on Logan.

  She fished her smartphone from her jeans and put it on speaker. She only hoped Logan was in an area that had cell service.

  He picked up on the first ring. “Mom, are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.” She wouldn’t mention Ethan Moore, Tim’s injuries, or the fire. She simply needed to hear Logan’s voice, know he was okay, and reassure him. “I’m going to help with the evacuation and then leave. Where are you now?”

  “I’m on the school bus. They said they’re taking us to a school in Granite City. We’re going to be fed and housed in the gym.”

  She hated the idea of him going through this alone. He wasn’t a little kid and he didn’t need her around, but still, this was an extreme situation. If she couldn’t be there with him, she hoped he had someone he could count on. “Are any of your friends with you?”

  “Most of the kids went with their parents. Those of us who were left were put on the bus.”

  Her chest tightened as guilt threatened to suffocate her. From the corner of her eye she saw Tim roll his eyes, but he said nothing. Logan was manipulating her, trying to make her feel guilty, and it worked.

  “As I said, do you have any friends on the bus?”

  “Yes, Mia’s here.”

  “Good, I like her.”

  “Yeah, me too.” Logan’s voice had softened.

  “If you want, I can come pick you up now so you don’t have to spend any time at the school.” That wasn’t true. She had to help the citizens of Hopefalls, but she could call someone in the Granite City–Elkhead County Police Department and see if they had anyone who could collect him.

  “No, that’s fine. I’m good,” he assured her.

  She tried not to laugh. He wanted to stay with Mia.

  She said goodbye and disconnected.

  Tim grinned as he straightened in the passenger seat. “Shame on you.”

  “What?”

  “You knew he wanted to stay, and you didn’t call him out for trying to guilt you.”

  She laughed. “Let him try. I figure he’s allowed to get a few jabs in. I haven’t made it easy for him over the years.”

  “You mean being a cop or a single mom.”

  “Both.”

  Dried blood crusted the left side of Tim’s back and down his arm. His dirt-covered face was also bruised with one eye swollen, and the way he held his left arm across his chest bothered her. “Your ribs are broken, aren’t they?”

  He stared ahead, not meeting her eye. “No, they’re just bruised.”

  “How do you know? You could be hurt worse than you realize.”

  “I’m not in enough pain to have any broken bones.” He straightened and then winced. “Mostly, I just ache.”

  She shook her head. “I should have taken you to get checked out.”

  “We’ve been through this.”

  “Damn it. I know you’re tough, but you’re still human. I want you in one piece, whole and healthy.”

  His hazel eyes slanted to her. “I like you, too.” He grinned, making her breath hitch. Damn, the man was fine.

  Dana parked and forced herself to concentrate on the task at hand. “There are only eight houses. Let’s split up. We’ll stay within yelling distance.”

  “Most of these places look empty.” Tim seemed tired. The adrenalin crash was probably hitting him now. She felt it herself, but probably not to the same degree. It wasn’t just the fatigue and exhaustion. Even if he’d had no injuries, he would hurt all over.

  She climbed out of the truck, eager to finish and get him the medical care he needed. “You’re right. They probably are empty except for the mayor’s house. I’ll start there. You go to the one next door.”

  He nodded and jogged up the street, keeping his left arm close to his chest.

  Dana walked up the rocky path that led to the large log house the mayor called home. Mrs. Harris opened the door as she approached. She was wearing jeans, a turtleneck, and a windbreaker. C
asual clothes. And yet she still managed to look as if she’d just stepped off the cover of a magazine. A small yappy dog barked and ran out. It bounced around Dana’s legs, snapping and whining. Zoe did nothing to discipline the little beast. Instead, her cold, hard gaze settled on Dana. “I’m not leaving without Paul.”

  She spun and flounced back into the house, dismissing her. The nasty dog trotted after its master.

  Dana wasn’t sure what to make of Zoe’s demeanor. They’d had a good relationship until recently, not close, but always respectful. Things had changed on the night of the town meeting when the police chief’s deceit had been uncovered. Maybe she was angry because she agreed with Booley’s assessment of Tim. Whatever the reason for her change in attitude, Dana couldn’t leave her to burn to death or be suffocated by smoke.

  She followed Zoe into a bright, airy living room. “Where is the mayor? The town council has been looking for him.”

  All the furniture looked to be expensive with antiques artistically placed on end tables and the mantle. A huge plant sat in the arch between the living room and the kitchen. Garish, frilly curtains were drawn back, allowing light to stream through a wall of windows. On a clear day, she would’ve been able to see Molly’s Mountain. All she could see now was a gray plume of smoke that stretched hundreds of feet into the air.

  “He’s away on town business.” Zoe waved a dismissive hand as she sat in a chair positioned to take advantage of the view.

  Dana tried to reason with her. “Then you can leave without him.”

  “That’s out of the question. Paul would expect me to stay.”

  Dana closed her eyes, burying her frustration. Then she strode to the window and pointed at the wildfire. “Look. There’s not going to be a town if they can’t get this fire under control.”

  The dog scratched at the backdoor.

  “One second. If I don’t let Missy out, she’ll make a mess on my new hardwood floor.” Zoe rushed to give the little beast access to the yard.

  Her gaze fell on the large plant. It was massive, with hanging flowers of pink and orange that reminded her of ornate bells or maybe…trumpets. She gasped. This was the angel’s trumpet. She recognized it from pictures on the Internet. What did the article say? The seeds of the brugmansia were used to make the drug, devil’s breath. Had Zoe or the mayor caused Ben’s death? She was getting ahead of herself. After all, what motive could they possibly have? Ben’s homicide had delayed the mine. That couldn’t be in their favor.