Page 87 of Phoenix


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“Let’s get going, partner,” Riker said, jogging toward one of the helicopters as I headed for the other. It was risky business what we were attempting to do.

I jumped in, immediately starting the engine. As I checked the airspeed, I cringed. If the wind caught the flames, carrying them toward one of the birds, we could get sucked in. As the blades started to turn, I yanked on my headset, adjusting the station so I could hear both Stoker’s communication device as well as Riker’s.

Riker was off the ground first, immediately heading toward the mountain range. I checked the fuel, gave the ‘ok’ sign to Stoker and allowed the bird to lift. As I headed toward the designated ridge, a location I knew far too well, I was forced to take a deep breath.

I’d lived to fly in the Marines, loving every day of flying a chopper. I hadn’t experienced a single flashback while serving.

It seemed like time stood still every time I flew. For the most part it was a peaceful feeling, but I hadn’t lost the gnawing in my stomach since finding the two murdered victims. Over thirty minutes had passed, and I was getting antsy.

I adjusted the throttle, climbing as I studied the fire. It was burning hot, the crown fire already exploding. As soon as I reached the right altitude, I made a wide arc, trying to find the best spot. I peered down at the flames hopping from one tree to another. From where the helicopter was positioned, I could see the firebrands raining down on the thick canopy of threes, the large chunks of embers almost immediately starting another smaller fire.

“Phoenix. Is everything set?”

“Almost.” I swung around to the other side, trying to get closer. When the warning light went off, Stoker immediately came on the line.

“Don’t hot dog this, Phoenix. The guys are getting their asses handed to them.” I could tell he was in a vehicle, likely heading in the direction of the fire. This one required all hands on deck.

“Don’t worry. Just trying to make certain we can contain this mother.” I positioned the controls, sensing the heat was building. I couldn’t risk more than a few hundred additional yards. But my gut told me if I found the right shot, we could turn this baby.

“Come on, baby. You can do this for me.” The bird was straining, embers flying, the stench of acrid smoke filling the small cabin. Damn if it didn’t have the same stench I’d smelled on the last fire.

Concentrate. Just fucking concentrate.

“Take the shot, Phoenix!” Riker yelled.

“Almost. Almost.”

The entire bird started to rattle, the engine coughing. Fuck. I’d gone too deep. As I wrapped my handle around the controller, I shook my head, the beast looking me directly in the eye.

“Now!”

Then I fired the shot, immediately trying to head into a deep arc to get the hell out of there. As the engine continued to chug, I glanced at the controls.

Fuck. Fuck.

As I swung around, I heard the sound no helicopter pilot wants to hear.

An engine had failed.

CHAPTER15

Wren

Sunshine.

I hated it this morning more than usual. The why was easy. Anytime now Justin would wake up and I’d be forced to tell him that his daddy was working, and he was stuck with me. I felt sick inside, already worried that Phoenix wouldn’t return. I wasn’t certain how a military wife could do it. I wouldn’t be able to handle the constraints or the constant anxiety.

On my third cup of coffee already, there’d been no additional sleep after he’d walked out the door. I’d stood there on the front porch, freezing to death until his headlights faded in the distance. While Phoenix had tried to be light about leaving, as if he was headed out to meet a client, hoping to sell him a fractional share of a condo in Hilton Head instead of facing the ‘beast’ as he’d called it, I’d been numb.

Oh, sure, fighting a raging fire was a typical day at the office.

Suddenly, the cheap coffee he had in his house tasted nasty and I tossed it into the sink, almost dropping the cup after doing so. Why was I already so nervous when it had only been a couple of hours? There’d been nothing on the news, so I’d turned off the television. I certainly didn’t want Justin to start thinking his daddy wouldn’t be coming back.

When I heard scampering feet, I braced myself for an immediate backlash. The puppy rounded the corner first, Justin second, immediately heading for the coat closet. I followed him, curious as to what he was doing.

“Good morning, Justin. What’s going on?”

He gave me a sideways glance. “Puppy gotta go out.”

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