Finally, he spoke. “The call. It’s your house.”
Her coworkers gearing up and rushing to the engine faded to the background as her throat constricted. “I have to go.”
“I’m sorry, but you can’t. Take your car and meet us there.” He turned to the engine.
“Please, sir. I won’t do anything once I’m there, I promise. Just let me ride along. I’ll get there faster that way.” If she had to drive herself, she’d be way behind the engine. It could speed, and people moved over for red lights and sirens. “Bella is home alone.”
His face hardened as he stared her down. “Get in. But you stand on the perimeter, do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.” She climbed into the engine, then pulled the phone out of her duty pants and dialed Bella. Straight to voicemail. She slammed it against her thigh. “Come on, Bella.”
Bella was technically grounded from her phone, but Sam had left it at the house in case of emergencies. Surely she would see it was Sam calling and answer.
She dialed again.
Voicemail.
Greer reached over and cupped her shoulder. “Everything is going to be okay. We got this.” Determination covered his face.
She gulped.
They might have the fire, but what about Bella?
At the end of the day, all they had was each other. If she lost her sister, she would have nothing worth holding on to.
Sam couldn’t explain it, but the ride to her house blinked by. Yet, at the same time, it felt like it took an hour.
The house was fully engulfed. Her stomach sank and her eyes burned. Her living room was perfect fodder for a flashover. An enclosed room with synthetic, combustible materials.
How it started and what was going on weren’t the most important things at the moment though. Where was Bella?
Sam’s gaze swept the bystanders as Murph staged the engine. Bella wasn’t among them. She dialed Bella’s phone again, but with the same result.
The teen’s voicemail connected. “Hey, it’s Bella. Why are you calling me? Send a text.” Followed by a beep.
“Bella.” Sam’s voice cracked. “Call me immediately.” She scanned the street in both directions. Maybe the teen had gone for a walk or something.
While her coworkers unloaded and started fighting the fire, Sam went to each person standing around and asked if anyone had seen Bella.
Nausea grew with each no.
Sam held her stomach and watched the flames devour her home. Black spots danced in her vision. Where was her sister? She bit her lip until a metallic taste filled her mouth.
Finally, the flames were put out, and the guys were able to make entry into the house. She rushed toward her front door, but Lieutenant Fischer grabbed her around the waist and held her back.
“You can’t go in there. You know it.”
She fought his grip. “I’ve got to see.”
“Samantha. Stop.” He wrapped her in a restraining bear hug. “Let them do their jobs.”
“It’s not their house or their sister.” She screamed and fought harder. “Let me go.”
His hold on her tightened. He picked her up, spun around, and carried her to the road.
She kicked her legs and struggled to free herself. “You know something!”
She tried to twist and look her superior in the eye. Why hadn’t she bothered to put on a radio? She’d know everything by now if she’d heard the update on what they’d found inside.
