Page 40 of Heat Advisory

“All the fires so far with the same pattern—the ones we believe to be connected—have all been in forestry areas or abandoned warehouses,” Thompson replied. “So, it appears the victims were not targeted but just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Our first fatal fire had been two drug dealers who were trying to store their supply inside a cave they found in a forest that caught fire. The police initially suspected it was a rival drug gang that set the fire. But a few weeks later, another fire was set with the same accelerant pattern.

This person knew about fire. They knew what accelerants worked best to achieve their goal of spreading rapidly.

The second fatal fire had been a homeless person who was sleeping in their car in a parking lot near a wooded area. That fire was what caught the attention of the forestry service and our local fire officials because everything about that second fire looked like it had been a planned controlled burn—except no one knew about it.

Wind had also taken those flames farther north, near the parking lot where the man had been sleeping.

This meant that while the person had some knowledge about wildfires, they hadn’t had much knowledge about the impacts of weather on the fires. It was why Bleaker had requested the National Weather Service and a forensic meteorologist get involved to assist with the investigation.

After going over more details of what the investigations had come up with, Bleaker gave everyone commands so he could report back to the mayor’s office on what we were doing in order to ease the public’s concern.

“Thompson…take Tannin and Rainer with you when you meet with BAER and the other teams tomorrow,” Bleaker told him regarding Trent and me. “Stetson, Leavenworth can arrange to give you some other firefighters tomorrow to fill their vacancies while they’re out in the field.”

As soon as the call ended, Trent turned to me. “Did you knock some girl up? What’s with the quickie engagement to a woman we didn’t even know you were dating?”

“Tannin!” Stetson growled his disapproval at Trent’s accusation.

I understood Trent’s skepticism because most of the people who worked here were family, so we often brought our spouses or partners around.

“Cora is my sister’s best friend. I’ve known her for years, but we just recently re-connected after I moved here.” I hoped that explanation would be enough for now.

“Congrats, Rainer,” Thompson said. “I’m assuming you’ll be bringing her to the ball in a few weeks?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. I look forward to meeting her,” he said to me and then turned to position himself between Trent and me. “Both of you, be here at eight hundred hours sharp tomorrow so we can head to the scene of the arson to meet with the crews.”

“Will do, sir,” I replied, followed by Trent’s echo.

“Alright you two,” Stetson interrupted. “Get out of my office and get back to work.”

Trent and I walked out of his office. We were only a few steps out into the hallway before Trent whispered to me, “I don’t know what kind of shit you’re trying to pull with this bullshit engagement, but if you did it to score some points with Leavenworth and Thompson, it’s pointless. They’ll see right through your bullshit, just like I do.”

He didn’t give me a chance to say anything before he stormed off down the hall, muttering curses the entire way.

I was about to follow him, but my phone started buzzing. I glanced down to see my mom’s name on the screen.

Mom:

I know you might be busy at work, but please call me as soon as you can!

Mom:

Not an emergency per se, but you need to call me.

The hairs on my neck started to stand up because my mom knew I worked weird hours and never sent messages like that unless it was important.

Before I could let myself freak out about whether something had happened to her or my dad, I texted her back while putting some of our tools back in the ladder truck.

Me:

Is everything okay?

Mom:

You tell me.