Fire Escape

by J. R. Tate

  Grabbing the phone again, she thumbed through her contacts and paused on her name. No. She needed to wait a little longer. Ms. McGinnis didn't deserve it. Eva walked to the window and looked down on the street. It was getting dark and fog blanketed the area. She didn't like this. She didn't want to be a mother hen with him, but how inconsiderate could he be to not call her and at least tell her he wouldn't be home for awhile?

  What if he was drinking? She slid her back against the wall until she was sitting on the floor. He had been sober for several months. What if he relapsed and went back to drinking the high amounts he had been used to before? His body wouldn't be able to handle it. He could be passed out in a gutter somewhere.

  "Damn it, Mikey, where the hell are you?" she asked out loud, slamming her fists on the floor.

  Getting her phone for a third time, she called Captain Rooker. The chances of him knowing anything were slim, but maybe luck would finally be on her side.

  "Hello?"

  "Hey Cap, it's Eva." She tried to hide the worry, but her voice was so shaky that it was a failed attempt.

  "Crisante? Everything okay?"

  She felt a tear fall down the tip of her nose and wiped it away. "Have you heard from Michael?"

  "No, I can't say that I have. Just know he took some more personal time. What's going on?"

  Eva slumped down on the couch, her worry engulfing into a raging fire. "He's not answering his phone. He probably just lost track of time. I'm sorry to bother you, Cap."

  "Want me to try and call him?"

  She shook her head and looked up at the clock again. Time was crawling. "No. I'm gonna give him a little more time. Probably just my out of whack hormones going crazy."

  "You're probably right, Eva. He's probably just out with some friends. Let me know if you need any help later if he's still not home."

  "Thanks, Cap." She hung up the phone and ran her hands over her stomach. "Please, Mikey, come home."

  To pass time, she went to the bedroom and turned the TV on. There were some old sitcoms on and she hoped they would get her mind off of everything. Pulling his pillow next to her, she buried her face in it and took his smell in. It was musky, just like him. Though it wasn't much, it was comforting.

  Several shows played and before she knew it, it was after ten. She called him again and it went to voicemail. Taking a deep breath, she debated on calling Captain Rooker again. Maybe even his mother. It was now over twelve hours since he had left.

  Just as she was about to call Ms McGinnis, he heard the front door open and keys being thrown on a counter top. Sitting up in the bed, her heart raced. She didn't know if she should be mad and yell at him, or pull him in a hug and let it roll off of her back.

  The apartment was dark but she could make his outline out in the light that came in from the streetlights outside. His posture was slumped and he didn't say anything. Turning her bedside lamp on, she got her first good look at him. His hair was sticking out in every direction and he looked exhausted.

  "Mikey? Are you okay?" At least he wasn't drunk. She knew him well enough to be able to spot that immediately.

  He didn't answer and kicked his jeans off, followed by his shirt. Crawling in beside her, he stayed silent as he leaned over her and turned the lamp off. His hand went between her legs and he stroked her thigh. Damn it, how could she be mad?

  "Mikey, talk to me."

  His warm breath tickled her neck and he nibbled on her collar bone. His hand went inside her panties and she let out a deep moan. His mouth moved to her lips, where he kissed her seductively, his tongue dancing and pushing against hers. His whiskers were like sandpaper against her face and she loved it. He tasted so good and his touch lit a fire inside. His fingers moved in and out, fast and then slow, keeping her guessing.

  Moving on top of her, he wasted no time, thrusting inside of her. She let out a gasp at the sudden movement, but found herself muttering his name as he continued. Though the room was dark she could see right into his eyes. Neither parted their gaze and she tightened her thighs around him. Digging her nails in his back, his body lunged down. He put both of his arms on either side of her, making sure he didn't land on top of her.

  "Oh. My. God." Eva said, unable to think of anything else. Trying to catch her breath, she sat forward and buried her face in his smooth chest, feeling his taut muscles.

  After finishing, he kissed her forehead, her nose, her chin, and then her lips. "I'm so sorry for everything, Eva," he whispered, finally speaking to her. He hovered over her and her legs were still wrapped around him. She felt so safe, like they didn't have any problems at all.

  Grabbing the back of his neck, she pulled him down for another deep kiss. "Where were you, Mikey?"

  Rolling off of her, he pulled her in, hugging her from behind. "Went for a long walk. I'm sorry I didn't call you."

  "Don't ever do that again." She reminded herself not to nag him. "All I ask is that you let me know, okay?"

  Kissing the back of her head, she felt his body nestle into the mattress. In a few minutes he'd be snoozing. They both needed a good night's sleep. "Tell me about your visit with Viper in the morning. Let's just pretend none of this is happening right now."

  "Sounds good to me. Goodnight, babe. Love you."

  "Love you too."

  ***

  Michael had slept well up until around three AM. He had a vague dream that involved Viper and Gregg, but it was so jumbled that he couldn't make out any details. Turning on his side, he stared at the green lights from the alarm clock. With each minute that passed, his mind ran a mile a minute, developing ridiculous theories and scenarios that made sense to his tired mind. In reality, it was as if he were dreaming while awake.

  Texas was an hour behind New York time, which meant it was two AM where Casey was. Would he be awake? Grabbing his cell phone, he went into the living room. Eva was sleeping hard and he didn't want to wake her. Without over thinking it, he called his little brother. The other end rang about four times before a groggy voice answered.

  "Hello?"

  "Hey Casey, did I wake you?"

  "Who is this?" It was apparent he was still asleep.

  "It's me, Mikey. Sorry. You used to be a night owl. I figured you'd still be up."

  There was a short pause. "Mikey? Oh hey man, everything okay?"

  Letting out an awkward laugh, Michael paced back and forth, pausing as he stared at a picture of him and Eva taken a few weeks before. "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

  "Because it's two in the morning. What's up?"

  Michael laughed again. He was never a good liar. "I just... I needed to tell you something. You gotta promise me something first though."

  "What is it, Mikey?"

  Opening the refrigerator, he scanned over the food, nothing looking appetizing. "Don't say anything to mom. Can you do that for me?"

  This was too much to put on him, especially at this point in his recovery. It was hard enough for Michael and he had been sober a whole lot longer than him.

  "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't let this all out to you."

  "Hold on Mikey. You can't call me up in the middle of the night and then not finish what you originally started with. I won't tell mom, now let it out or I'm gonna reach through the phone and strangle your ass."

  He had learned tough love well, and it made Michael feel better. Sitting down at the kitchen table, he grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and rolled it across the surface. No more prolonging this. If it were reversed and Casey was doing this to him, he'd be livid.

  "It's about Viper. Some shit is going down and I don't know what's going to happen."

  "What kind of shit?"

  "Not sure if it's made the news down there, nor should it, but there's another string of warehouse fires happening around here. The police have questioned me about it and say I'm a person of interest. Viper is working with someone on the outside and is trying to frame me."

  "Damn, Mikey. How do you know it's Viper?"

 
He leaned back in his chair, realizing it was hard to break this kind of news to a man that used to look up to him. "I paid him a visit. Anyway, that's the whole song and dance. I don't know what will happen next, but I wanted you to know before you heard anything different. I needed to talk to someone other than Eva. She knows most of the details."

  "What about mom, Mikey?"

  "What about her?"

  "You just said, and I quote, that you wanted me to know before I heard anything different. Don't you think the same applies to her? She'll hear it on the news long before I ever will down here."

  Michael's eyes stung. Choking on his emotions, he pushed it aside. If telling Casey were this hard, breaking it to his mother would be ten times worse. Why was it like this? He was innocent. It shouldn't be this way.

  "I'm not ready yet. I'll tell her. I'm just not ready yet."

  "You better get ready quickly, bud. I hate to be so blunt, but this is gonna get ugly before it's all said and done. You know that, Mikey. And you know how the media blows everything way out of proportion to get ratings. A firefighter accused of arson. They're gonna have a field day with you, innocent or not."

  Michael closed his eyes. His brother was right. "I haven't been accused yet."

  "Yet. You know as well as I do that Viper isn't stupid. Whatever he's planning is gonna have some solidity to it."

  "I know." Glancing at the clock on the stove, he was surprised that forty five minutes had passed. "Look, I'm gonna let you go. I shouldn't have called so late. Thanks for letting me vent."

  "Keep me updated, Mikey. And please, don't hold off much longer on telling Mom. This could get out of hand or blow over, but I don't think you need to risk it."

  "I hear you." He hung the phone up and stared off into the darkness. Casey was one hundred percent right. Michael just didn't have the courage to break the news to her. He wasn't sure he'd ever get to that point.

  Going back into the living room, he turned the TV on to some random reality show. How would the department handle this once it broke out to the surface? Lieu knew about the cops, but what would happen once it got up to the brass downtown? His stomach churned and he ran to the bathroom, leaning over the toilet as he vomited. His abdomen lurched and it burned as he dry heaved. Hugging the porcelain, he closed his eyes, feeling the cool surface against his clammy skin. Sinking down onto the floor, he let out a groan.

  He had to figure this out. He had to get to the root of whoever named him off to the detectives. It all started there.

  ***

  After one of the longest nights of Michael's life, he had given Eva the full story behind his visit with Viper and his phone call with his brother. She hadn't really said much to it all, but it was so much to digest that he decided to give her time. Even though it was a scheduled day off from work, Michael went in to see if Gregg was around. He had no set way to handle anything. If Gregg was there he would take it by the minute, hoping he could compose himself. What he needed was an admission of guilt, or at least a confession that he had been in contact with Viper. It was a long shot, but he was desperate. Stranger things had happened.

  Captain Rooker was out on the sidewalk, smoking on a cigar as some of the men washed the truck down. "What are you doing here, McGinnis? I thought you were off today."

  "I am. Just wanted to see if Walsh was around."

  "He's off too. Eva called me yesterday. She was worried about you. Is everything okay?"

  "Okay is such a vague word, isn't it Captain? Are any of us truly okay?"

  His superior arched his eyebrow and took a long drag off of the cigar. "Getting all philosophical on me? Not your style, McGinnis. Stick to search and rescue."

  "When does Walsh work again?"

  "I surmise the same day you come back. Why are you suddenly so interested in his schedule?"

  Michael took a few steps back, feeling his phone buzz in his pocket. "No reason. I'll see you tomorrow." It was Eva calling. "Hey babe."

  "You need to get home right now."

  Walking in that direction, Michael felt a wave of heat rush over him. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

  "Detective Reynolds and Detective Vasquez are here. They haven't told me much, just that they need you here." There was panic in her voice. Picking his pace up, he tried to keep calm.

  "They might just need to follow up on the other day." He said it more to convince himself. "I'll be there shortly." He walked fast, his imagination kicking into overdrive. He imagined making a run for it. He could find his way up to Canada. At least he wouldn't be a headache to Eva anymore. Scoffing to himself, he couldn't believe he had conjured up such a thought. Running would make him look guiltier than anything. The best thing he could do at this point in time would be to cooperate and have faith in the system. It was just hard to do when everything was working against him.

  Pausing at his apartment door, he took a second to compose himself. He had no idea what to expect on the other side, but it was time to face whatever it would be. Grabbing the door knob, he swung it open, revealing the two detectives standing by the table. Eva was in the chair, her face red and tear soaked. This wasn't good.

  "Come on inside, Mr. McGinnis," Detective Reynolds said, motioning him toward her.

  "What's going on?" He looked over at Detective Vasquez who was on guard.

  Detective Reynolds stepped forward, her brow creased. "Michael McGinnis, you are under arrest. We need to take you down to the station for further questioning in regard to the warehouse fires set recently."

  Michael backed up a few steps and looked over at Eva. She couldn't even make eye contact with him and more tears flowed from her eyes. "You're arresting me?"

  Detective Vasquez stepped forward, pulling a pair of handcuffs from his belt. He twirled them on his finger, an arrogant smile parting his lips. "I highly advise you not to resist, Mr. McGinnis. Things are already looking pretty ugly for you."

  Holding his hands up, he told himself to cooperate. It was the only line of defense he had. Blowing up would add on to the apparent investigation they had going against him. "I'm not resisting, Detective." His voice shook and he glanced over at Eva again. Making eye contact with her for the first time, he tried to assure her that things would be okay. There was so much sorrow on her face. How could he convince her of that when he wasn't even sure of it himself? How in the hell had it come to this?

  "Face the wall, Mr. McGinnis." Detective Vasquez pushed him against it, frisking him. "You have the right to remain silent..." as the cop spouted off his Miranda rights, Michael looked back to the love of his life. Things seemed to be moving in slow motion. Staring him down, Eva nodded her head as if she understood. Michael's vision blurred and he ducked his head. Viper must've planted some solid evidence on him for the police to be able to make an arrest. The hole he was in was getting deeper and deeper.

  The cold metal of the handcuffs closed around his wrists. Detective Vasquez pulled him from the wall and lead him to the door.

  "Can I at least kiss my fiancé bye?"

  With some hesitation, Detective Reynolds allowed it. Pushing him toward her, he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss, taking in his last seconds with her for who knew how long. He wanted to wipe her tears away, to pull her in for a tight hug and never let her go. What was going through her mind? He needed to know she was still supporting him.

  "I love you, babe. Everything is going to be okay."

  She nodded and cupped his cheek. "I'll do what I can to get you the help you need."

  "Let's move it, McGinnis." Detective Vasquez grabbed his arm, tearing him from her. "It's time to get down to business."

  Looking over his shoulder, Michael stared at her, keeping his eyes trained on hers until they slammed the door, closing off any contact he would have with her. People in the lobby of the apartment building watched as they guided him toward the police cruiser. Just like before, it was all slow motion. It was like a bad dream that he couldn't wake up from. Any minute he had to jolt awake.


  No, this was real. Being shoved into the back of the cop car was the reminder. Next stop would be the police station where he'd be torn apart like the filthy pieces of scum who had actually committed a crime.

  Leaning his head against the window, he stared out onto the street, watching people pass by. Life went on for those around him, but as far as Michael was concerned, his life had come to a screeching halt. He was in trouble, and things were quickly getting worse.

  Chapter Thirteen

  As soon as the door shut behind Mikey and the detectives, Eva burst out in tears, panic setting in. She tried so hard to stay composed while they were there, but the look on his face as they took him away was obvious. He knew she was freaking out. Her fiancé had been arrested. For arson. What in the hell was going on?

  Running her hands over her hair, she tried to pull it together. She couldn't let it get the best of her. Mikey was depending on her. She was going to be his fighter on the outside. She felt nauseous. What kind of hell was he going to go through down at the station? She had seen her fair share of cop shows. Hopefully they didn't really act that way with the people they brought in for questioning.

  Sighing heavily, she grabbed her phone and did a search for lawyers. Her family had their own lawyer they had used for minimal things in the past, but there was no way he could handle a case of this caliber. So many times she had heard getting a lawyer was like an admission of guilt. The only way she saw it was Mikey needed one - a damn good one that would wipe away any doubt that the jury might have against him if this did get as far as court.

  Standing up, she scanned through the listings. Over a thousand had popped up and she felt overwhelmed. She needed to talk to someone. Who? How much did his mother know? It didn't matter. This would be the main headline in the newspaper the next morning with the facts blown completely out of proportion. Grabbing her jacket, she hurried out the door and hailed the first cab she came across. His mother had to know. Maybe she had a good suggestion for a lawyer. Her boys had been in legal trouble before. She'd know where to start.