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If Captain had treated one of these guys the way he had me, I’d have fought for them with everything I had. They only knew what little they’d seen. I tried to keep the rest hidden. No need to worry them when they had their own families to be concerned about.
Bottom line was, from this point forward, any reprimands or punishment had to be run by the chief first. Basically Captain Koker couldn’t touch me anymore.
He could still make my life hell, but I wouldn’t be fired again without good cause.
Or unless Chief retired and Captain Koker replaced him. What I still didn’t know was who controlled whom? Was it my dad or Koker who was leading the other by a tight leash? Both of them made my blood boil.
“You sure you don’t need to go through training again?” Walsh pinched my side. “Looking a little soft.”
I glanced down. I hadn’t put on weight. I’d hardly eaten in the past few days.
They burst out laughing at my frown.
“Pretty boy’s worried about his appearance,” Rivera said.
“He’s got a woman now. He better be.” Burke made a catcall noise.
I punched him in the arm. “I haven’t missed you assholes at all.”
“Hollingsworth.” Everyone straightened immediately at Captain Koker’s shrill bark. “You aren’t to be on the premises.”
“You might want to talk to the chief about that.” I decided smirking might not be a good idea. The man was still my boss.
His nostrils flared, and he turned on his heel.
“That went well,” Walsh said as soon as the door slammed behind Captain.
“At least he’s not out here anymore.” Rivera high-fived him.
“I’m going to see what you knuckleheads did to my kitchen.” I headed in the direction of my favorite place in the firehouse.
“While you’re in there, whip us up something to eat. All we’ve had is crap since you’ve been gone.” Burke smacked Rivera in the back of the head. “No offense.”
“None taken.” Rivera slapped him in return.
“We better do safety checks on the truck.” Walsh motioned toward the garage.
Rivera groaned. “Great. You coming, Burke?”
“Be there in a minute.” He flicked his chin and followed me to the kitchen.
“Have you heard anything about that lady from the fire the other night? The grandmother?” I asked. In all the chaos, she’d temporarily slipped my mind.
I tensed as I waited for the answer.
“Yeah. She was released the next day.”
I almost sagged in relief.
“Were you afraid a heart attack got her?” Burke certainly didn’t mince words.
“I’ve got good reason,” I said.
He lowered his voice as I rummaged around in the cabinets. These guys had everything in the wrong place. “Willa was able to get DNA from another one of the barrel bodies.”
I paused. “Got an ID?”
“I can’t remember the first name, but it was the same last name as the other woman.” I looked away and winced. I didn’t know either of Pepper’s parents’ first names, but with the same last name, it was almost impossible it wasn’t them.
