Firestorm (17 page)

Funny how things changed. Last night she'd been scared to death of the darkness and creaking of the warehouse. She'd been thinking of trying to find someplace else to stay. But now she couldn't wait to get inside her little room on the third floor, where she'd be safe.

B
altimore,” Silver said when he threw open Kerry's door. “Carmela Ruiz was in Baltimore two weeks ago.”

Kerry jumped to her feet. “How do you know? Her mother?”

He shook his head. “Carmela has a sister, Rosa, and she was there when Ledbruk's man, Bushly, was questioning her mother. Evidently he was pretty convincing about the seriousness of Carmela's situation. He said Rosa didn't say anything while he was talking to her mother, but she ran after him and caught him at his car. She was pretty scared. She told him Carmela had called her twice and told her she was in Baltimore and having trouble getting work.”

“Did she tell her where she was staying?”

He shook his head. “Just that it was Baltimore.”

“How many of those warehouses on our list were in Baltimore?”

“Forty-seven. Come on. Let's go. Ledbruk's men are already on their way to start a search, and he's called in some of the local police to help, but time's running out. We have four hours if Trask wasn't lying to you.”

She was already on her way to the door with Sam at her heels. “Where's Ledbruk starting?”

“South. We'll begin in the north side of town.” He was running down the stairs. “Unless you have a better idea.”

She shook her head. “I don't have a clue.” She made a face as she glanced at Sam, who was skidding down the staircase at top speed. “Hell, maybe we should follow Trask's advice and take Sam to sniff out the son of a bitch.”

“Not a good idea.” Silver smiled as he opened the front door. “I'd rather rely on you.”

“So would I.” She turned to George, who had just come out of the library. “Will you have someone take care of—” She stopped. “Never mind. We're taking Sam with us.”

“Why?” George asked.

“I'm not sure.” A hunch? She signaled to Sam. “But it just occurred to me that Trask mentioned Sam in both conversations with me. It probably didn't mean anything, but I don't want to take a chance that he might have been trying to—” She headed for the door. “We're taking him.”

S
am was barking in ecstatic greeting as Kerry and Silver climbed back into the SUV.

“Oh, for Pete's sake, shut up, Sam,” Kerry said in exasperation. “You just saw us fifteen minutes ago.” And it was fifteen minutes too long. This was the fourth warehouse they'd searched, and they weren't moving fast enough. She grabbed the list and checked off the two warehouses they'd searched on this block. “There's another warehouse ten minutes from here. Giliad Storage on Baker Street.”

Silver nodded as he started the SUV. “Call George and check and see if Ledbruk has found anything.”

“He said he'd let us know.” She dialed the phone anyway. Maybe they'd gone through a dead-zone area for her cell. At this point she'd reach for any straw.

“No break,” George said when she reached him. “I contacted Ledbruk ten minutes ago. They hadn't found anything, and he was pretty uptight.” He was silent. “It's getting close to the wire.”

“We know that,” she said jerkily. “Let us know if you hear anything.” She hung up. “Ledbruk hasn't found anything. Hurry.”

“I'm hurrying.” He glanced at her. “We still have an hour. A lot can happen in an hour.”

“Yeah, Carmela Ruiz could burn up in that warehouse.” She aimed her flashlight on the list. “There's another warehouse about ten minutes from Giliad. We should try— Stop that, Sam.” The dog had jumped up on the back of the seat and was nuzzling her ear. “I don't want to play. No games.”

“We should have left him at home,” Silver said. “We don't need—”

“Game.” Kerry sat upright in the seat. “This is a game Trask is playing with me, and he had to give me a clue if he wanted me to find that warehouse. He wouldn't want me to bring Sam to muddy up the situation, but he suggested I do it twice. Why?”

Silver's eyes narrowed on her face. “You tell me.”

Her gaze was flying down the list. “I don't know. But maybe he— Samson Tobacco Storage.” Her eyes widened with excitement. “Sam. Samson.”

“It's a stretch.”

“Do you have a better idea?”

He shook his head. “Where is this warehouse?”

She checked the address against the map. “On the waterfront. Thirty minutes.”

“Get on the phone and have Ledbruk send some agents there.” His foot pressed the accelerator, and the SUV jumped forward. “They might be able to reach it before we do.”

T
rask checked his watch.

Ten more minutes.

She should be here by now, he thought in disappointment. Perhaps she wasn't as clever as he'd thought. He'd been sure that she would make the connection.
He
would have put two and two together, and they were so much alike.

Come on, Kerry. Let me show you my power.

Five more minutes passed.

He made a final adjustment of the dish that he'd aimed at the window of the third floor of the warehouse across the street. Carmela was in a little cubbyhole down the hall, but if the dish was working properly, the fire would block her exit route.

Where are you, Kerry?

T
en more minutes.” Silver's foot pressed on the accelerator. “And Ledbruk may already be there, Kerry.”

“And he may not.” Kerry's teeth bit down on her lower lip. “All I could tell him was that I had a hunch. He may not consider a hunch valid enough to rush over there.”

“He's not an ass. Trust him.”

She shook her head, reached for her telephone, and started to dial.

“Who are you calling?” Silver asked.

“Someone I do trust.”

S
irens.

Trask went still, his gaze on the flashing red lights of the three fire trucks at least seven blocks away. There was no question they were coming in this direction.

“Good girl,” he murmured. She hadn't failed the test—yet. Kerry had figured out where the warehouse was located, but she wasn't going to get here in time to save the target. All he had to do was press the switch in his hand and get out of here. Too bad he couldn't stay and enjoy the fruits of his planning, but there would be firemen and police all over the place in minutes.

Kerry had cheated him out of that pleasure. It was strange that he felt no anger toward her. In fact, there was pride mixed with his disappointment. A pride resembling the way he felt when he saw Firestorm at work.

But he had to inflict the same disappointment, to make her realize that she hadn't really succeeded. It was only fair.

He pressed the red switch.

S
moke!

Carmela woke with a start, struggling for breath.

The office was filled with smoke so thick she could barely see. But what she did see terrified her. A red glare outlined the door across the room.

Fire.

Holy Mother of God, she was going to die.

No. She wouldn't die. Find a way out.

She was on her feet, running toward the door.

She threw it open.

The hall was a blazing inferno. The flames were eating the stairs going down to the first floor like a hungry beast. The fire was traveling at an incredible speed, already igniting the second floor.

But the stairs going up to the roof were untouched—so far.

She started toward the staircase.

Heat.

Searing heat.

She reached the stairs and started up them. She could see a door at the top of the winding staircase.

What if that door was locked?

No choice.

Sweet Jesus, the steps behind her were blazing.

Oh, God, let the door be unlocked.

K
erry and Silver were still five minutes away when Kerry heard the distant wail of sirens.

Relief soared through her. “They're on their way. They must be almost—”

Pain.

Tearing through her temples.

Swirling down into darkness.

Ugliness.

Filth.

Fire. Fire. Fire.

“Kerry?”

She couldn't answer. Fire was licking, swirling around her and . . . him. Trask. They were together, and Firestorm was—

“Kerry.” This time it was a demand from Silver. “Fight it. Fight him.”

Fight him. Yes, she couldn't be pulled into that darkness. She struggled. Hard. So hard.

Free.

Yet not free.

“What's happening?” Silver asked.

“He's done it,” Kerry whispered. “He wanted to wait until I got there, but he was worried about being discovered.”

“He ignited the warehouse?”

“Yes. He was in the building across from the warehouse, but he's out in the street now.”

“Where?”

“Back door. Not the street where the warehouse—” She closed her eyes. “Jesus, he's thinking about Carmela. He's wishing— No way out for her. But he wanted to see it.”

“Why isn't there a way out for her?”

“He started the fire on the floor where she was sleeping. Firestorm travels too fast . . .” She was shaking. “She's going to die. He knows she's going to die.”

“I'm going to call Ledbruk and see if he can intercept Trask. Tell me where he is.”

“She's going to die,” she whispered.

“Kerry.”

“He's two blocks away and getting into a dark-gray van. He's driving away. He's looking back over his shoulder and he can see the warehouse. It looks like one big pillar of fire. No one could get out of that building. He's very satisfied. He's imagining Carmela in the fire. Her flesh is burning, blackening—”

“Okay, get away from him.”

“She's going to die.”

“Kerry, can you see the license number of his van?”

“No, I can only see what he sees.”

She was vaguely aware of Silver dialing, talking on the phone. Then she couldn't hear anything but Trask.

Firestorm. Biting, tearing, devouring. The child was doing well. He hoped Kerry had reached the fire and could feel the power. Someday they would have to stand together and watch—

He was gone.

And the darkness and pain vanished with him.

“Out of range?”

She realized Silver's gaze was fastened on her face. “I guess. He's not there anymore.”

“You stayed with him a long time.”

“Did I?” She hadn't been aware of the passage of time. “Did you reach Ledbruk?”

“Yes. They've put an all-points bulletin out on a gray van. Can you remember any of the streets he passed?”

She shook her head. “Not when he was thinking about Carmela. It was too— Oh, my God.” They had turned the corner and she saw the warehouse. “He's right,” she whispered. “A pillar of flame.” She could feel her stomach knot. How could anyone survive in that fire?

Stop being a defeatist. She'd fought enough fires to know that many times people miraculously survived in conditions that seemed impossible.

Carmela needed a miracle.

“She's not dead yet,” Silver said as he parked a short distance behind the fire truck. “Scared shitless, but not dead.”

Her gaze flew to his face. “You're sure?”

“I couldn't help but be sure. Her mind's screaming bloody murder. I couldn't close her out if I wanted to.”

In Kerry's desperation she'd forgotten for the moment that Trask's ability to block Silver's intrusion was the rare exception. Of course he'd be able to reach Carmela. “She's all right?”

“Her back is burned. She couldn't get the door to the roof open. She thought it was locked, but it was only stuck. But it took her long enough that the fire reached her. She had to roll on the cement once she broke out onto the roof.”

Her gaze searched the top of the building. The entire warehouse was engulfed, and she could barely see the low brick parapet surrounding the roof for the billowing clouds of smoke. “She's up there? Why doesn't she come to the edge and try to call out?”

“She's scared and almost in shock. She's curled up in the corner behind an air-conditioning unit.” He paused. “But she doesn't have much time. She's thinking the roof is hot beneath her legs. She doesn't realize it's going to cave.”

“Then tell her.”

“It's not that easy. I'm dealing with hysteria, and I'm not familiar with her mind.”

“You said you liked to fix things. Well, fix her, dammit. Save her. Make her do what you want her to do.”

“Then tell me how those firemen can get her down.”

She tried to think. “No helicopter. Too dangerous with those flames practically engulfing the roof. No ladder. She'll have to jump.”

“Where?”

“Not much choice. South side of the building would allow them more room to set up. If the wall keeps standing.”

“And if I can talk her into jumping. The parapet has to be scorching hot, and there are flames licking at it. She'll know there's a good chance she'll be burned.”

“Are you saying you won't try?”

“No.” He got out of the car. “I'm saying that you'd better get your ass in gear and try to talk those firemen into setting up for a jump. If I do get her off that roof, I want someone ready to catch her.” He leaned against the SUV, his gaze on the roof. “Move.”

12
                                                                                                                                                

H
urt.

Carmela whimpered as she drew closer to the air conditioner. The metal was turning hot. The whole world was turning hot.

It's not hot down in the street.

Can't get there. Stairs are gone.

Jump. They're waiting for you.

No, someone will come. I heard the sirens.

Not in time. The roof is going to go any minute. You know it. You can feel the heat.

She looked at the flames licking over the parapet surrounding the roof.

They'll come.

A sudden pain shot through her scorched back.

Hurt!

It will get worse. Unless you get off the roof.

No.

She cried out as another ripple of pain jolted through her.

Yes. You need help. Move toward the south wall.

I can't do— She screamed. Hurts!

Then crawl toward that parapet. They'll take care of you when you reach the street.

Hurts too much.

The pain will stop when you jump.

It will kill me.

Staying here will kill you.

Afraid. Always been afraid of heights.

Not anymore. I promise when you jump you won't be afraid.

Can't do it . . .

Then you'll hurt.

Pain. Pain. Pain.

T
here's no one in that building,” Commander Jureski said impatiently. “I checked with the owner. The warehouse is vacant.”

“That doesn't mean there couldn't be trespassers,” Kerry said. “You know that as well as I do. There
is
a trespasser. A young girl. She's on the roof.”

“You saw her?”

She jerked her head toward Silver leaning against the SUV. “No, but my friend did.”

The commander glanced at Silver. “He seems really concerned,” he said sarcastically. “He looks like he's working out an algebra problem.”

“He saw her,” she repeated. “She was at the south wall, but she's afraid to jump. You make it safe for her.”

“It won't be safe no matter what we do.” He frowned, his gaze on the roof. “Christ, there's no way she can jump without going through those flames. I've never seen a fire like this.”

“It's her only chance,” Kerry said desperately. “Just get ready for her. Please, Commander.”

He hesitated. “You're sure she's up there?”

“I'm sure.”

“Shit.” He turned and strode toward the truck as he reached for his phone. “We'll get ready and we'll focus the hoses on that area. I hope to hell you're right about her wanting to jump. That roof's going to go any minute.”

“She'll jump.” Kerry prayed she was telling the truth. She'd done all she could. She turned and went back to the SUV, but she wasn't about to talk to Silver. His expression was intent, abstracted, and there was no way she wanted to disturb him. She stood on the other side of the SUV, staring up at the roof.

Oh, God, get her down, Silver.

G
et closer to the wall.

It's too hot. Carmela shuddered as she saw the flames leaping up to melt the tar on the parapet. I'll catch fire. I should wait for them to come.

You can't wait. You have to jump now.

A sudden spray of water leapt over the wall.

See, they know you're here. They're trying to help you to jump. Now, get under that spray and get wet. You'll be less likely to catch fire when you jump.

Carmela edged closer until she was under the spray. She cried out and recoiled as the water sprayed her burned back. Hurts.

It will hurt more if you don't jump. I promise you. Now, move. Take a deep breath, run, and dive over the wall. Don't think. Just do it.

She didn't move.

Do it!

K
erry held her breath, her eyes on the roof.

Come on, Carmela.

Christ, how terrifying the idea of jumping must be to that scared girl on the roof. There was so much smoke, she doubted if Carmela could even see the ground. She'd have to dive through smoke and fire, not knowing what lay beneath her. Could Silver make her do it?

There was a rumble as the north side of the warehouse began to crumble.

Oh, God, jump, Carmela.

J
ump! Now!

No.

No more time. You're going over.

The hell I am.

The hell you aren't.

And Carmela found herself running toward the south wall. God, what was she doing? This was crazy. She had to stop. But she couldn't stop.

Dive over the edge. Dive over the edge.

She dove over the edge and was enveloped in spray and flame as she hurtled toward the ground.

A scream tore from her throat as the fire reached out, enveloping her.

S
he's down.” Kerry grabbed Silver's arm. “I saw her hit the mat. Come on.”

“Right.” He shook his head to clear it. “Let's go.” He strode toward the crowd of firemen and medics gathered around the
mat.

“Is she alive?” Kerry asked as she caught up with him. “Do you know if—”

“She's alive,” Silver interrupted. “I don't know how badly she's hurt. I broke with her after she jumped.” He pushed through the crowd until he could see Carmela. She was lying still and pale, curled up on the plastic as the medic placed an oxygen mask over her mouth and nose. Her clothes were in tatters, and the hair around her face was charred.

“She looks terrible,” Kerry whispered. “Poor kid.”

“Stubborn kid,” Silver said grimly. “I thought I'd never get her to dive off that roof. I finally had to go in and take over.”

“Why didn't you do that to begin with?”

“I didn't want to damage her. It's always possible when force is an issue.”

She looked at him. “And did you?”

“We'll see when she wakes up.”

“If she wakes up.” Kerry turned back to watch the medics working over the girl. Don't give up, Carmela. Trask wants you to give up. Don't let him win.

S
he's going to make it,” Silver said as he came back into the waiting room after talking to the emergency-room doctor. “Some second-degree burns on her back. Shock. Smoke inhalation.” He paused. “Mental disorientation.”

Kerry stiffened. “Damage?”

“I won't know until she rouses again. I don't think so.”

“But you don't know?”

“What do you want me to say? I'd like to reassure you, but I can't.” His lips tightened. “Hell, I'd like to reassure myself. Do you think I want that guilt hanging over me? She's only a kid.”

She felt a rush of sympathy as she saw his face. “You had to do it. You had no choice. She would have burned to death.”

“That's what I'm telling myself.” He moved over to the window. “You don't have to stay here. It may be hours before she wakes. I'll call you.”

He was hurting, and she suddenly knew she couldn't stand abandoning him. “I'll stay.”

“To hold my hand? That maternal streak surfacing again? I don't need it, Kerry.”

“Shut up.” She sat down again. “I'm staying.”

He looked back at her and then shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

He was tough, gruff, and often surly, but now she knew what lay beneath that defense. She leaned back against the wall. “Don't worry, I will.”

C
armela didn't rouse for another eight hours.

Kerry was half dozing when she saw Silver suddenly go rigid in his chair. “What?”

He didn't answer, his expression holding the same intensity he'd shown when Carmela was on the roof.

She waited, holding her breath.

It was ten minutes before Silver looked at her and smiled. “She's okay.”

Kerry let her breath out in a little rush. “No side effects?”

“No damage. She was a little worried because she thought she was hearing voices on the roof. I was able to convince her that it was shock that made her imagination go haywire. When she wakes up again, she'll believe that jumping was entirely her idea.”

“Good. I haven't seen her mother. Where is she?”

He shook his head. “She hasn't shown up.”

“Then maybe Carmela had good reason to run away. What mother would leave her daughter sick and alone in a hospital?” She stood up. “Let's go and ask if we can see her.”

“She won't know who we are.”

“That doesn't matter. I'll tell her we're from social services or something. I've thought about her, worried about her, ever since Trask told me he'd chosen his victim. I can't walk away without seeing her up close and personal.”

He rose to his feet. “Then by all means let's go visit the kid.”

I
don't want to talk to you.” Carmela was gazing warily at Kerry. “And I'm not answering any questions.”

“No questions.” Kerry smiled. “We just dropped in to see if there was anything we could do.”

“You can get me out of this hospital. I can't afford it.”

“You don't have to worry. Your bill is being paid by the owner of the warehouse. He's just hoping you won't sue him.”

She frowned doubtfully. “Really?”

“I promise you won't get a bill,” Silver said. “Just concentrate on getting well.”

She was silent a moment. “Is he really worried I'll sue him? Do you suppose you could get a settlement from him?”

Kerry felt a twinge of disappointment. “Possibly. What did you have in mind?”

“Not much. Just enough to set me up in an apartment and keep us going until I get a job.”

“Us?”

“I want my sister, Rosa, with me.” Her hands clenched on the sheet. “I promised her.”

“And how old is Rosa?”

“Twelve.”

“Then she's a minor just as you are,” Kerry said. “The courts aren't going to let her leave your mother. They'll probably insist on you returning.”

“No!” She drew a deep breath. “I'm not going back.”

“Why not?”

“I don't have to tell you anything. I just don't want to.”

“That's not an acceptable reason.”

“She won't want me back. I was in the way.” She moistened her lips. “Rosa's in the way too. She's better off with me.”

“Why is she in the way?”

“She just is.” She gazed at Kerry defiantly. “Now, you find out if you can get that money out of that warehouse owner. But don't tell my mother.”

“Because she'd take it?” Silver asked.

“I didn't say that,” Carmela said. “Don't you try to get my mother in trouble. None of this is her fault.”

“Then whose fault is it?” Kerry asked.

“The boyfriend,” Silver said suddenly. “What's his name? Don . . . Harvey?”

Carmela eyes widened. “How the hell do you know about Don?”

Kerry glanced at Silver.

He shrugged. “The police had to go to the apartment to inform your mother about what happened to you. Harvey lives with your mother. Right?”

She hesitated. “Yes.”

“And that's the reason you left home.”

“It's not her fault. She needs someone and she can't help—She's lonely. We're not enough for her.”

“You don't like him?”

She glared at him. “I don't want to answer any questions about Mom and Don.”

“Your mother's not here. She's had plenty of time to make the trip after she was told you were injured.”

“She's got a job. They probably wouldn't let her off work.”

Kerry was beginning to actively dislike Carmela's mother. “I'm sure you're right.”

“I don't want to talk anymore.” Carmela closed her eyes. “If you want to help, you just see if you can get me that money.”

“We do want to help,” Kerry said gently. “You rest and do what the staff tells you and we'll see what we can do.” She gestured to Silver as she started for the door. “Maybe there's a way out for Rosa.”

“You don't have to find a way out. I found it. I'll take care of my sister. If you can't get her out, I will.” Carmela's eyes opened as the door started to close behind them. “Now, you find me money to support her.”

“What happened with her mother?” Kerry asked Silver as they walked down the hall. “I assume you didn't find out about her boyfriend from George or Ledbruk?”

He shook his head. “It's all she can think about right now. She's worried about her sister.”

“Let me guess. Her mother's boyfriend raped Carmela?”

He nodded. “And her mother wouldn't believe her when she told her. She didn't want her relationship jeopardized by an uncomfortable truth. Carmela took off two days later, but she's afraid for her younger sister.”

Kerry felt sick. “She's only twelve.”

“And Carmela is fifteen. Not much difference.”

Kerry shook her head. “But refusing to face facts and rejecting a daughter who's been hurt are two different things. I can't believe she didn't come when the authorities told her that Carmela was here.”

“Believe it. She made her choice. In her eyes, Carmela was trying to destroy her relationship with Harvey. She's probably built up an entire scenario for herself why she was better off without Carmela. I'd bet in her mind Carmela is a liar and a threat and deserves to be cast out.”

“Some mother.”

He smiled. “Some women aren't as maternal as you are, Kerry.”

“Then some women should be tarred and feathered. It's common decency to do the—” She stopped. There was no use giving in to anger. “You know, children are so vulnerable. And they hate believing their parents are scum. I'll bet Carmela will fight to protect her mother to the last breath.”

“No bet. She's very loyal.”

“We're getting Rosa out of that house.”

“Yes.”

“And we're finding a place for Carmela where she'll be safe.”

“Yes.”

She grimaced. “You were going to do it anyway, weren't you?”

“Was I?”

“Yes, you feel a certain . . . closeness with her. For all your claims of keeping detached, you weren't able to do it with her. I wonder how often you manage it.”