Elise Warren does not write anything down.
Val finishes the walk-through. She looks at the city attorney. The city attorney nods. The arson board nods. Elise Warren puts her hands flat on the table.
"Chief."
“Ms. Warren.”
"I have a question about your timeline on the engine response."
"Go ahead."
"You have Engine 9 arriving at oh-three-eleven."
"Correct."
"The 911 call came in at oh-two-fifty-three."
"Correct."
"Eighteen minutes."
"Correct."
"Engine 9 is six miles from that house."
"Six and a half."
"Six and a half. That's a long eighteen."
"It is a long eighteen."
"Why is it a long eighteen, Chief."
The room is quiet.
I sit still in my chair.
Val puts her hand flat on the folder. She does not hesitate. She does not blink.
"The probie was driving."
"The probie."
"Pierce. First call out. He took a wrong turn at the third light because the GPS in 9 has been routing through the bridge that's been closed since Friday. We've put in a request for the GPS update twice. I have the requests on file."
"You have the requests on file."
"Yes."
"I'd like a copy."
"Done."
Elise Warren writes that down.
She writes it down without looking at the pen.
"Chief."
