Clear Intent

by Diane Benefiel

  “Up,” Owen shrieked, raising his arms to his father.

  Brad reached down to pluck Owen from the high chair and settle the toddler on his hip. “This fire is a monster,” he went on. “And as hot and dry as it’s been, it’s not slowing down any. Given the disasters that have happened recently in other parts of the state when communities weren’t evacuated in time, we’re not taking any chances. We’re implementing the plan the town emergency committee put together.” He nodded to the women. “Part of that plan is evacuating our elderly citizens and families with young children first.”

  “Wait, we need to help,” Maddy protested.

  “The hell you do,” Logan responded firmly. “You and the twins are getting out of here. I talked to your sister already, and you’re taking the twins to Bishop and staying with her until this fire is beat back.”

  Maddy’s expression showed resignation. “I hate being the little woman running from an emergency.”

  “It’s reality,” Emma said. “We’re moms with babies, and our priority has got to be keeping them safe.”

  “Glad you think so,” Brad said, “because you and Owen are going with Maddy to stay with Jenny.”

  The realization of how serious the situation had turned seemed to settle on the group. After a quick good-bye to her friends, Dory rose from her seat, not really surprised when Jack walked with her out the door. He rocked the off-duty cop look, with faded denim jeans and a navy t-shirt with HLPD emblazoned in block lettering across the back that was stretched by broad shoulders, and the cop belt with his badge and gun riding low on his hips.

  They stopped on the sidewalk, the smell of smoke heavy in the air. A reverberating whump-whump sound had Dory looking up to see the red and white Cal Fire helicopter flying overhead with its bucket hanging below.

  “They’re filling the bucket at the lake.” Jack brought his gaze back to hers. “Where’s Adrian? You two could join the Gallagher clan and stay in Bishop, too.”

  “Adrian is at my parents’ house, and they’re fine for now. Believe me, I don’t want to get caught in the fire, and when they issue mandatory orders, we’ll evacuate. But for the time being, they’re not in danger.”

  “Okay. Where are you going now?”

  “Dad has a horse trailer. I can borrow it and his truck. I left you a voicemail about it. I’ll help you and Garrett move whatever animals we can, and then if there’s still time, I can go to the Broken Arrow to see if they need help.” She caught his look. “I’ve got to do something productive, Jack. I can’t sit at home worrying about Rodrigo. That will make me crazy.”

  He studied her, the lines on his face reflecting the gravity of the situation. “All right. I appreciate your help. We’ve got ten horses at the Circle M. Last word from Garrett is that he’s trailered out six to the fairgrounds so far.”

  “Dad’s trailer will hold two, but I’ll make as many trips as needed.”

  He seemed to be considering her plan, then gave a brief nod.

  “I’m going with you.”

  “Weren’t you called up for duty?”

  “Yeah. We’ve got roadblocks up, so I’ll lead the way in my cruiser to get you through.”

  “I’m stopping at home to change." She gestured to her shorts and sandals. “This isn’t really practical for rescuing horses.”

  Jacks gaze drifted down her legs. “That’s a shame, but okay, I’ll meet you at your folks’ place.”

  Chapter Nine

  A short hour later, Dory drove carefully down the two-lane highway in her dad’s old pickup with his trailer behind, following Jack in his police SUV, its lights shining red and blue through the haze, with the siren muted. They passed Hangman Lake and climbed in elevation until cresting the ridge. As the road dropped into South Valley, Dory’s heart sank. What should have been a grand vista of forests and meadow framed by the towering granite peaks of the Sierra backcountry was now dominated by a monstrous plume of smoke billowing from the north. Her father had pressed a box of face masks into her hands as she’d prepared to leave, and now she was grateful because she was going to need them.

  Voluntary evacuation orders had been issued, and residents of the valley were fleeing, passing her as they drove in the opposite direction, many having packed their vehicles as full as possible. A pickup rumbled by, weighted down by plastic bins and large trash bags filled with possessions. She glanced across the valley and her stomach sank. The fire was much closer than she’d imagined, and in the distance orange flames shot high into the air as they consumed tall pines. A moment later, a sound built in a gathering crescendo and a giant jet airplane roared overhead. It banked, then flew low across the fire line to drop a long red plume of the fire retardant Phos-Chek before soaring back into the smoky air. Dory was constantly amazed at the vast quantity of resources the state government expended to block the forward momentum of fires and save people’s homes.

  Past the arch for the Broken Arrow, Dory saw that a large red fire vehicle had stopped in a pullout, lettering on the side of the truck reading Department of Corrections – CDF Fire Crew. Despite the less-than-adequate air conditioning in her dad’s truck, it felt like icy fingers were crawling up her back. She drew in a slow breath, and her hands gripping the steering wheel tightened until her knuckles shone white. What if Rodrigo was in that truck, even now plotting how he would escape from the crew?

  She’d left Adrian with her parents, but Rodrigo knew where they lived. If he escaped, he could go there, looking for her or Adrian. Crazy what-if scenarios played out in her head as she followed Jack onto the gravel road that led to the Circle M. She hated that it took only one little reminder and she was a quivering hot mess. She hated being afraid, hated giving someone else that power over her.

  Jack’s police cruiser slowed in the middle of the road, and Dory came to a stop behind it as the driver of a truck pulling a trailer from the opposite direction waved. The driver leaned out the window, and Dory recognized Garrett. After a brief conversation, the brothers parted ways, Dory waving when Garrett passed with a hand raised in acknowledgment.

  As they neared the barn, it became obvious that the approaching fire was alarming the livestock. Black cattle huddled along the barbed wire fence, their frightened lowing audible through the closed windows. Jack parked next to the large barn, and Dory swung the truck around so she could back the trailer up to the barn door. She grabbed two masks from the box and stepped out to be met by the muted roar of the fire and rising wind. In the short time since she’d followed Jack into the valley, more of the sky had become obscured. The sun glowed burnt orange through the haze, and the acrid smell of smoke permeated the air.

  Dory hurriedly adjusted the elastic straps of the mask around her head, then opened the back of the trailer and lowered the ramp while Jack pushed open the sliding barn door.

  He took a mask from her, fitting it on his face as he spoke. “We’ve got to move quick. The fire is pushing this way.”

  Dory looked around. The smoke billowed so thick she couldn’t make out normal landmarks. “How far away is it?”

  “Garrett’s estimate is less than half a mile.” Jack’s voice was low and urgent. “The last two horses are in the barn. Garrett had planned to come back for them and to free the cattle.” Ash was settling in Jack’s black hair and on the shoulders of his t-shirt in a parody of snowfall. “I told him you’d take the horses. We’ll load them up and once you’re on your way, I’ll take care of the cattle.”

  They entered the barn, Jack grabbing lead ropes from a hook on the wall. Shrill neighing greeted them as they moved to the stalls. Jack moved fast, clipping the lead onto the halter of a black and white piebald and opening the stall to lead it out. Dory grasped the rope and led the horse to the trailer. Horses could be difficult when scared, but luckily this one went up the ramp without a problem. Dory tied it to the bar in front, scooting back to jump off the ramp as Jack brought in an antsy bay gelding. He kept the lead tight, and within minutes, both the horses were secur
e. Jack shut the rear door of the trailer and secured the ramp, then came to stand in front of her as the horses moved restlessly inside the trailer.

  “You’re really going to let the cattle go?”

  “No other choice. The fire is moving too fast for us to get back here in time, and we don’t have enough trailers to ferry them out, regardless.”

  The roar of the fire had grown louder. She glanced across the meadows rimmed by pine forest. “Oh god.”

  Jack followed the direction of her gaze. Below the smoke, orange sheets of flame shot into the sky as they consumed a stand of pines with a roar they could hear even with the distance. The wind was pushing the fire into fresh fuel that it was consuming with a voracious appetite. A pair of deer broke from the trees, leaping over the fence and into the open grassland. A fire vehicle lumbered along a forest access road at the tree line, made small by the enormity of the conflagration beyond it. Dory thought it was the Department of Corrections truck she’d seen on their way in. Rodrigo could be with that crew. She shoved back the flash of fear. Dealing with here and now was the priority, not borrowing trouble.

  Jack opened the driver’s door of the pickup. “Get in the truck and go, Dory. I want you out of here.”

  “I’ll help you free these cattle so you can drive out with me.” She motioned to the herd huddled restlessly against the gate to the pasture.

  “No, go now.” His voice carried urgency as he gripped her hand, pulling her around to the driver’s door of the truck. He opened the door. “Get in. I’ll let this herd free, but there are others in the higher pastures. I’ve got to get to them while I still can. You need to go. Now.”

  Even with the mask, smoke irritated her lungs and her eyes stung. “No, Jack.” Freeing herself from his grip was as difficult as trying to break a steal clamp, so she braced her free hand against the door jamb. “You’ve got to leave with me. You’ll be trapped if that fire comes any closer.”

  “Those animals don’t stand a chance unless I open up the fence. I’ll be fine.” He grabbed her by the waist and lifted her onto the seat. He ripped off his mask, pulled hers down, and kissed her hard and fast. A second later, the door slammed shut and Jack was already jogging to the gate.

  Her stomach a nervous ball of dread, Dory started the pickup to drive back down the highway. She flipped on the headlights because the smoke was so thick it obscured the noonday sun. She tried to tell herself that the pain in her heart at the thought that she might have left Jack behind to die was what she would have felt for anyone, but she knew she was fooling herself.

  ***

  The crew filed out of the rig. Rodrigo shifted his pack so it rode easier on his back, resting the Pulaski on his shoulder. He surveyed the forest service road they’d been assigned to clear to act as a firebreak. The idiot TJ hadn’t shut his trap for more than ten seconds during the past hour. If Rod hadn’t learned some restraint in the past couple years, he’d have already used the Pulaski to bash the guy’s brains out. He intended to get to that at some point. The asshole was simply too stupid to go on living. But at the moment, Rodrigo’s irritation was tempered by a beautiful twist of fate that had dropped him smack-dab at the Circle M ranch. He knew this land. He’d spent plenty of time here as a teenager, hanging out with Jack. Before things had changed.

  Back then, he’d thought Jack had been a friend. Turned out that had been a big fucking lie, because a friend didn’t covet what was yours. And boy, had Jack coveted what belonged to Rodrigo. Maybe Rodrigo had pursued Dory Morales harder than he would have if Jack hadn’t been so obviously gone on her. She was a bit tall and skinny for Rodrigo’s tastes, but he appreciated the good-sized rack. He’d made sure Dory Morales had belonged to him and shoved that reality in Jack’s face at every opportunity.

  Now he was back, a stone’s throw from Jack’s family ranch, and his crew was charged with clearing any brush that had grown over the firebreak in order to protect that property. They had donned their smoke masks, so at least TJ’s constant yapping was muffled. The Circle M barn and ranch house loomed like shadows through the haze. The idea came that Rod could slip away and ransack the place, maybe torch it, and no one would be the wiser. It was likely going to go up regardless, but oh, the satisfaction of watching something that belonged to Jack Morgan burn. He hefted the Pulaski and hacked at tall bushes crowding into the firebreak while he considered the options. Even with the mask on, the smoke was choking. He uncapped his water bottle and pulled down the mask to take a swig, leaning against a tree to catch his breath. Across a wide stretch of open grassland headlights shone dimly through the smoke. Pork belly and the other guards lumbered to their feet. Wouldn’t do to get caught fat-assing while the inmates worked. A Hangman’s Loss police SUV, red and blue lights circling from the roof, pulled up from a rutted road.

  Jack Morgan stepped out and Rod could have shit a brick. Jack’s face was partially covered by a mask, but it was him. Though he drove an official vehicle, he wasn’t wearing the uniform that made him look like an oversize Boy Scout. Fuck. Jack turning up now was no accident. He was looking for him, wanted to lord it over Rodrigo, and his blood began to simmer. Jack spoke with the guards and Rodrigo knew that couldn’t be good for him.

  He turned his back, moving farther down the line where he was less likely to be noticed. He nudged TJ and motioned him to follow. It bugged the hell out of him how Jack Morgan acted like he was hot shit because he was a big-ass cop. Fury had Rodrigo’s pulse hammering in his ears. His breathing grew labored as anger coiled and sparked inside him like a live wire. Seeing Jack brought back all the hatred and loathing, and made Rodrigo want to lash out with killing fury at anything and anyone nearby.

  He hated Jack nearly as much as he hated Dory. In his mind’s eye he could visualize going after him with the Pulaski. Letting loose and swinging with all his might and laying the bastard open like a gutted trout.

  Rodrigo glanced over his shoulder. Jack stood next to pork belly, head cocked as he listened to whatever the fucker was saying, but all the while Rodrigo could tell he was scanning the crew. He could all but feel Jack’s gaze when it landed on him. As much as it galled him, Rodrigo ducked his head. He didn’t want trouble, at least not yet. He put his energy into clearing the brush, while taking quick looks to keep tabs on Jack. Moments later, pork belly nodded, and Jack got back in his black and white. He did a three-point turn and headed back the way he’d come.

  The fire roaring behind the crew matched Rodrigo’s mood, snapping and snarling as the smoke grew heavier. His eyes stung and lungs burned while his anger churned. Pork belly was coughing and listening to a radio. He motioned for the crew to follow him along the firebreak. Rodrigo hung back until he was last in the line, TJ following his lead. The smoke was so thick even the idiot had given up talking. Rodrigo slowed further, and when the rest of the crew followed the firebreak around an outcropping of rock, he grabbed TJ by the arm and pulled him into a streambed that ran along the dirt road Jack had just driven over.

  “What are we doing?” TJ’s voice rasped.

  “Taking a little break.” Rodrigo yanked TJ down beside him, then peered cautiously over the embankment. The crew was still making its way along the road and hadn’t noticed two of their members had gone AWOL.

  “We’re taking a break? Yeah, yeah, we need a break.” TJ’s bugged-out blue eyes were bloodshot. From behind the grubby mask he laughed with glee. “Where are we going?”

  “See that ranch house?”

  “We’re going there?” TJ’s voice rose in pitch. “I bet there’s food there. Good food. And real beds. I want to sleep in a real bed.”

  “We’re not going there to sleep, dumbass.” Rodrigo was no longer amazed at the incredibly stupid things that came out of TJ’s mouth. “The owners probably already evacuated,” Rodrigo mused aloud. Maybe. But if Jack had gone back to his brother’s ranch house, that could work out great. “We can help ourselves to some clothes. I’m done wearing this prison shit.”

  “
Yeah, we can get clothes. We’re done with this prison shit.”

  Still clutching his Pulaski, Rodrigo bent double and ran along the dry creek bed, TJ clambering after him.

  They crawled up the rocky embankment, loose soil crumbling beneath them as they climbed. By the time they reached the top, both were covered in dirt and TJ had lost his grip on his Pulaski.

  “Leave it,” Rodrigo barked when TJ would have gone back to retrieve it.

  They’d come up behind the Circle M barn. A look back over his shoulder told Rodrigo that, so far, the fire was contained at the far side of the pastures. It might stay over there since the green pasture grass wouldn’t burn easily and formed an effective firebreak. Pork belly would notice their absence any minute now.

  “We’ll hit the house and get clothes, then look for a vehicle to get us out of here.”

  “Yeah, we need a vehicle to get us out of here,” TJ parroted, his voice reflecting his excitement.

  The smoke wasn’t quite as thick as it had been so Rodrigo pulled down his mask as he loped across the gravel drive to the front door of the ranch house. Without checking his momentum, he swung the Pulaski against the solid wood door, hitting it with a mighty crash that reverberated down his arms. Loosening the axe head from where it had embedded in the door, he swung again and again, until finally the door gave way and collapsed inward with a splintering of wood.

  Rodrigo paused in the doorway, almost regretting that no one appeared to be home.

  “Yee haw,” TJ shouted with glee, scrambling through the opening. He crossed the living room to the kitchen where he threw open cabinet doors, pulling out the contents. Boxes of multi-grain crackers and granola bars, organic whole grain cereal, and a bag of walnuts tumbled onto the counter and floor. “Shit,” TJ voice rose loudly in complaint, “they’re a bunch of health food freaks. I want some Cheetos, or some nachos with jalapeños, not this crap.”