The Fire Inside (15 page)

From the back, Tess heard gasps go through
the group as a whole.

Another recruit called out, “Yeah, but that
was a fluke. Wasn’t it?”

Ian shrugged. “That particular incident
was
unusual. But there
have
been shootings at
firefighters of some form in Dallas, Kansas City, Austin and other
cities.

“Why?” another recruit asked.

“Because we’re authority figures. Remember
that, too, when you enter buildings. Anyone inside could hold a
grudge against you and what you symbolize. Early in my career, we
went into a house, on a call to pump out a basement. A woman was in
the living room, but there were four doors around it, and I had the
thought that we could be ambushed easily if somebody wanted to hurt
us.”

“Did they?”

“No, but the officer in charge was worried
about the gas and electric. We could have been killed if the
captain hadn’t been so circumspect.”

Ian looked to her and Olive. “Captain
Hennessey, Captain Righetti, do you want to add anything to this
part of the discussion?”

Olive sighed. “Unfortunately, it’s a fact of
firefighting today that someone might take out their issues, real
or imagined, on us. This new phenomenon is just something else we
have to deal with.”

Tess strode to the front of the room so she
could see the kids face-to-face. “I’m in Hidden Cove temporarily,
but I live in the same county as those Webster, New York,
firefighters who were killed. The guy who shot them was disturbed.
Yes, he set fire to his sister’s house, and to her, too.” Tess
remembered those dark days of feeling so bad for her comrades and
scrounging for things the department could do for the ones
affected. “Truthfully, it was horrendous. All firefighters in the
county mourned what happened for a long time. The Webster crews
still aren’t over it.”

Olive stepped up to Tess. “There’s only so
much you can do to protect yourself from this kind of thing. Being
aware and watchful for strangers near the fire ground is the first
step.”

Tess didn’t let this go. Best they know
everything now. “I’ll bet you’re thinking there’s already too much
to deal with when you reach a fire, get ready and go inside. But
believe me, shootings are a real danger.” At their horrified
expressions, she added, “If you can’t handle it, you shouldn’t be
here.”

Ian took over again. “Well, to be fair,
eventually arriving at the fire ground and going into a fire will
become second nature, and you’ll use muscle memory to get ready.
You’ll actually have time to assess the situation. Any more
questions?”

Somebody raised his hand. Mauro again.

Tess had a feeling Mauro was going to muddy
the waters. “Yes?”

“Can I ask Captain Woodward a question?”

Ian nodded. “Of course.”

“You obviously weren’t safe on the fire
ground. That’s why you’re in that thing.” He pointed to the chair.
“How can you tell anybody they can be safe?”

“You’re out of line, recruit,” Tess
snapped.

“No, that’s okay.” Ian’s voice was calm.
“I’ll answer that. What’s your name, son? I can’t see your
tag.”

“Dan Mauro.”

“To be blunt, Dan, you’re right. You’ll be
walking into burning buildings, so you’ll never be safe in the role
of a firefighter. And if bombs fall from the sky, we’re all at
risk. But there are precautions you can learn about ahead of time
and take at the scene. But to answer your question about me, I’ve
studied first responders’ procedures during terror attacks, which
were developed by national experts. However, it was experiencing
them firsthand that gave me insight into what to do, as well as
making me highly motivated—that means pissed as hell—so I’m
probably better equipped than anyone else to prepare you. One thing
you have to learn is to benefit from the experience of those who’ve
come before you. And be cautious with your safety. You can’t save
anybody if you’re dead.”

Unnerved by the boy’s rudeness, Tess didn’t
address him further. She’d ask Olive if they should do anything
about the boy’s attitude.

Ian motioned to Tess. “Captain Righetti will
now cover safety on heavily trafficked roads when there’s been a
car accident.”

She took the clicker from Ian. “Here’s a
scene I want you to ponder.” She put up on the screen the video of
an accident. “An SUV had T-boned a sedan, and the vehicles were
entwined.” The sound of cars whizzing by was deafening, the speed
of them, too fast. “Watch the firefighters and how they’re forced
to work on the road…”

o0o

Every year, Olive Hennessey held a gathering
for the instructors at her house at the beginning of the recruit
class. Since she’d had plans with her son last night, the shindig
took place on day two. Jack rang the doorbell of her home in a
regentrified part of the city, appreciating the brick and mortar
that had gone into the place.

Olive smiled when she saw him on the stoop.
“Hey, Jack.” She nodded to what he carried. “You’re such a doll,
Doc.” She accepted the scotch and sniffed at the pretty yellow
daisies. “Thanks.”

“Thank you for having us all. I’m sorry I’m
late.”

“No worries. Some others just got here.”

He stepped into the foyer. To the left was a
large living room with built-in bookshelves, a high ceiling and
plenty of windows, where the Academy staff mingled with each other.
He scanned the group and zeroed in on Tess, talking to Quinn
Frazier. Jack hadn’t slept much after she called him last night,
because he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Tonight, she wore a pretty two-piece red
dress that swirled at her knees. Her high-heeled sandals made her
bare legs look a mile long. Hell, she was feminine as all get out!
He’d better be careful he didn’t ogle her in public.

“We’re having drinks in here,” Olive told
him. “The enclosed porch in the rear is set for dinner. There’s a
cross breeze between the back and front.”

Jack sniffed. “Is that barbeque I smell?”

“Yep, from Sticky Lips.”

“Man, I love that place.”

“Go ahead, mingle. I’ve got to make sure
everything’s ready at the same time.”

From across the room, Larissa glanced over,
and he waved but went to get a drink at the bar in the corner. Tess
left Frazier and came up to him.

“Hi,” he said as easily as he could. Damn it
all, she had makeup on, and her eyes glimmered with it.

Her face was flushed. “Hi.”

He took in the red dress up close. It hugged
every single curve she had. Clearing his throat, he asked, “So, did
you sleep the rest of the night?”

“Yeah. I dozed off while you were
talking.”

“I know. I heard you snoring.”

Her mouth fell open. “You did not.”

“Scout’s honor.” Another grin. “I’m glad you
called me.”

“I shouldn’t have.”

“Why did you?”

“When I wake up from a nightmare like that,
I’m unsteady and I feel…alone, I guess. It’s happened since Joey
died.”

“I’m always here if you need me.”

“You’re a nice guy, Jack. I said some
not
nice things to you in the past and you’re still kind to
me.”

“I care about you, Tess.” Reaching out, he
squeezed her arm. Which was a mistake. Her skin was as soft as
down. “I’ve tried to tell you that.”

She just nodded. “I’m going to go see if I
can help Olive.”

As she walked away, he couldn’t help but
notice the feminine sway of her hips. Turning away from her, he
poured some scotch and downed it.

Dinner was called soon. When he reached the
porch, he saw the backyard garden, the crocus and irises blooming
in a myriad of colors.

Once people were seated, Olive lifted a glass
of ruby red wine. “Okay, here’s the rules. No talk about the
recruits tonight. We’re going to binge on fatty foods and get to
know each other better or catch up with those you’ve worked with
before. No work stuff.”

Jenkins murmured, “Thank God. It’s only day
two and I already feel inundated.”

“As they say, eat, drink and be merry.”

Jack would try to follow Olive’s advice.

o0o

Because Wednesday afternoon turned out to be
balmy, Jack led the recruits out the back of the Fire Academy to a
pavilion that held picnic tables. He’d ordered pizza and soda for
them, and it waited on the tables under the roof, out of the sun.
Quiet as usual, they found seats in an orderly fashion. He took a
place in front of them, sitting on a tabletop so they could all see
him. “Hi, everybody. As you know, I’m Jack Harrison. You can be
informal and just call me Doc or Captain.” He nodded to them. “And
take off your ties. Loosen your collar. Let down some.”

Blank looks. When one finally followed his
suggestion, the others did, too.

“You’re here because the department thinks
you should have a place to talk about your training experiences and
ask any questions you have or share concerns that might arise about
your future as a firefighter.”

Some nods.

He told them how he saw the group running,
then asked if they had concerns today. None. Expecting this, he
said, “Get in groups of five at a table, talk to each other.” They
moved, but when no one started a conversation, he handed out slips
of paper.

“Since you seem reluctant to speak today, I’d
like you to write down one thing you think will be easy for you in
your training and one thing that you might have difficulty with.
Don’t put your names on the papers. I won’t try to decipher your
handwriting, so no worries there. I’ll collect them and read them
aloud. If you want to talk about what you said, then we will. If
you don’t, at least you’ll know how the rest of you are feeling.
Deal?”

Most of them nodded.

“For those of you who haven’t agreed, I’ll
tell you right now this is an order.”

They wrote, and after five minutes, Jack
collected the sheets.

“Sight unseen, I’m going to read them so
you’ll know I’m not censoring anything. First, “‘I was blown away
by the discussion of people shooting at firefighters.’”

Jack paused. “Of course you were. It’s a grim
reality of the job. Maybe we can discuss that more in here.”

Many of the kids eased back in their chairs,
shoulders relaxing. Jack read another. “‘I’m not fit enough. I can
tell after only three days.’” Jack smiled. “Then, take Cory Cameron
up on his offer of classes three times a week. I guarantee he’ll
get you in shape.”

He heard a few sighs.

Other thoughts followed. How they admired Ian
Woodward, and if he could still fight terrorism, so could they.
Some were worried about the course work.

“You know, learning everything in that
monstrous text you’re assigned is always a concern for recruits.
I’m going to talk to the chief about some tutoring. I should have
thought about it before.”

By the time Jack got to the last paper, he
was relieved. Until he saw what was written. But a deal was a deal.
He read, “Captain Righetti seems like a real bitch to me.”

And so it began.

o0o

Standing at the edge of the huge indoor pool,
Tess grinned. “God, this is fun!”

Beside her, Zach squeezed her neck. “See? You
should stay in Hidden Cove forever!”

“Great to have you here, Tess.” Jenn stood
next to her two brothers. Tess wore one of her cousin’s bathing
suits, a modest black-and-white thing. Jenn’s was red. Zach’s
trunks, of course, were wild and loud. “We have these fundraisers
all the time.”

The Hidden Cove Fire Department knew how to
have good times as well as fight fires. Since it was too cool yet
to swim outside, this fundraiser for Hale’s Haven had been planned
at the Hidden Cove Y. They had to hold it on Thursday night,
though, because the Y couldn’t close to their membership on
weekends. The pool was Olympic size, with Jacuzzis and kiddie pools
surrounding it. For a twenty-dollar donation, families or single
people would stream in from six to ten o’clock, eat, swim and
support a good cause.

Mitch approached them, and the three cousins
exchanged nods—just before they picked her up.

“What the f—”

“One,” Mitch yelled as they swung her back
and forth over the water.

“Two.” Zach now.

Even Jenn participated. “Three.”

She went flying through the air and hit the
water with a big splash.

Zach cupped his hands. “Your initiation,
babe.”

She came up sputtering from the unceremonious
dunking. “I’ll get you all back.”

Mitch guffawed. “Just like old times.”

Only it wasn’t. She’d missed
years
of
this camaraderie. The strong chlorine scent reminded her of
swimming with the Malvasos at the neighborhood pool when she’d come
to live with them. Their antics made her remember how they treated
her like a little sister. How she liked it.

Tess swam to the side of the pool, braced her
arms on the concrete and observed one of the kiddie areas. She
loved watching the little ones. Zach and Casey’s kids, Jason,
Nicky, Lindsay and Shannon, had volunteered to be in charge of
them. “Geez, Zach, your kids are so grown up.”

“That’s what I been tellin’ ya, girl. You
missed too much.”

As she watched the smaller ones, Bella and
Ben caught her eye and waved. A little girl clung to Zach’s son.
She was about two. “Who’s the tow-headed one? She’s got eyes for
Nicky.”

“That’s Beck and Lela’s daughter, Cami. Not
sure if you met them, but you should.”

Watching from the pool, Tess wondered if any
of the others had lost a parent and would be going to the camp Tess
had heard so much about over the years.

“Come on,” Jenn yelled around cupped hands.
“Let’s play volleyball. I’ll be a captain of one team.”

“Me, too,” Grady offered. “You’re on,
sweetheart. We’re gonna whomp your butts.”

They decided on eight people per side. Four
teams agreed to play. Tess found herself with Connie, Paulie, Beck
and Lela, whom she
had
met, Cory and a couple of others she
didn’t know.