Sam had confidence in the SROs in Renegade. They’d know who had set off the alarm before the engine pulled out of the lot.
“Sam Williams?” Principal Duncan asked.
“Yes, ma’am.” Sam stopped and looked at the principal, who was in her forties, dressed in a silk blouse and black trousers.
“I thought that was you.” The woman smiled.
Principal Duncan knew Sam and her team because Station 4 had been to the high school a couple of times on career day and for other school activities. She couldn’t recall a time they’d been here on an official fire call though.
“Please thank your team for responding. We greatly appreciate it.”
“Our pleasure.” Sam meant it. It was not only their job but something they took pride in. The ability to keep Renegade’s youngest citizens safe.
“Ms. Duncan,” the SRO called from his office. “I’ve got the video pulled up.”
“Excuse me. I have an issue to deal with.” Ms. Duncan gave a tight smile and disappeared into the SRO’s office.
Sam locked the panel box and exited the office.
Students filed slowly back into the building. Sam moved against the flow and made her way outside to where the others had reconvened at the engine.
“Good job, everyone.” Lieutenant Fischer often praised his team after a job was finished.
Sam shucked her turnout coat and tossed it on her seat.
“Here comes the principal.” Greer nodded to the approaching woman.
Sam turned around to find a scowling Ms. Duncan.
The principal looked at Sam’s boss. “Lieutenant Fischer, would it be possible to have a moment with Ms. Williams?”
Was the panel not properly reset? Sam replayed the reset in her mind. No, she’d done everything she was supposed to do.
“Uh-oh, someone’s in trouble,” Greer whispered beside her.
She rolled her eyes. “For the love of Pete, Greer. We’re adults.”
“Yeah, adults being called to the principal’s office.” He snorted. The man actually snorted.
“As long as another call doesn’t come in, we’ve got a few minutes.” Lieutenant Fischer nodded his approval.
“Ms. Williams, follow me, please.” Ms. Duncan turned on her heel and walked back into the school.
Dread filled Sam’s stomach as she followed the principal like the troublesome kid Greer had insinuated she was. “May I ask what’s going on?”
“Unfortunately, it appears that the fire alarm was pulled by two students. One of whom was your sister.”
Heat flushed Sam’s body as her nails bit into the palm of her hand. “Are you certain it was Bella?”
Isabella knew the importance of Sam’s job—every firefighter’s job—and that false alarms were a waste of time and resources. Sam had lamented it a couple of times over the last few years. She thought Bella had more sense than that.
“There is video of Bella and another student around the fire alarm, talking, before the alarm was pulled. Bella opened the cover, and the other student pulled the lever.”
Sam pinched the bridge of her nose. “Unbelievable.”
The principal entered the office waiting area, giving Sam no choice but to follow. Bella was seated in the chairs next to another girl about her age with shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair that accentuated her full cheeks.
The girl sat stiff and silent, staring straight ahead, while Bella sat hunched over, not making eye contact with anyone.
