AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * *
Lia
I spendthe late afternoon taking buses through our station’s neighborhoods. I have a feeling our teen pyro isn’t done, even though he came close to getting caught. I’m looking for likely targets in the same vicinity as the other two fires. By evening, I narrow it down to three empty buildings. One used to be a corner liquor store, another is an office building with the ground floor available for lease and the last one is an old Catholic church.
A little voice in my head keeps nagging me to stop this search, but I can’t let it go. I want to help this kid. I take the bus back to the empty liquor store because if I were going to set a fire, it’s the spot I would choose. It’s on a corner without a ton of foot traffic, on a seedier street in the neighborhood.
My instincts pay off, because I see a slender figure skulking around. His dark bangs are long and hanging in his eyes and he wears that wary, ready to bolt tension in the angle of his elbows.
I walk on past because I don’t really have a plan. Am I going to talk to him? What will I say—Don’t do it? The fire won’t actually save you?
That’s what I want to tell him. But what are the chances of him listening? The kid needs help. And in order to get it for him, I’m best off catching him in the act. Then a social worker will get involved. He’ll be in the system. Spoken like a cop’s daughter, I suppose. I have faith in the system.
I round the corner and stop, my back against the wall. I wait as darkness presses in. My heart thuds against my chest, and I have to push away Blaze’s warning about personal danger.
This kid is worth the effort. He needs help.
I pull out my phone, ready to call 911. Twenty minutes later I smell lighter fluid. I dial emergency and walk swiftly away so my voice won’t be heard. “I’m calling to report an arson in progress. 314 W. Janey. Suspect is a dark-haired male youth, approximately five feet, 120 pounds.” Being a cop’s daughter means I know how to call in a crime.
“What is your name, ma’am?”
“Lia Burke, NYFD, off-duty.”
“Is a fire truck required?”
“Not yet, but it will be if the police don’t respond soon.”
“Please hold on the line.”
I drag in a long breath, forcing my heart rate to slow. “We have an officer five minutes away. Are you somewhere safe, ma’am?”
I look around the decrepit neighborhood. “No.” Again, Blaze’s anger with me over the last fire comes rushing back. I don’t need to be stupid about this—I’ve done my part. I’m neither a cop nor on duty as a firefighter. “I am leaving the vicinity now. I’m available at this number for questioning or if they require a witness.”
I hang up and walk swiftly toward a brighter street, where I catch a cab. On the way, I call Blaze. I don’t know why—I just feel like he should know.
“Hey, Sparks,” he answers. He sounds tired.
“Hey. I just saw the arsonist in action and I called the cops. I’m totally safe—in a cab on the way home.”
Blaze is silent for a beat. I hope it’s not his temper winding up.
“Jesus, Sparks,” he finally exclaims. “Were you out looking for him?”
“Maybe.”
He growls, but all he says is, “Can’t get the cop out of you, can we?”
I might be imagining it, but I swear he sounds almost proud. It does something wild and fluttery to my pulse.
“Thanks for letting me know. And I’m glad you’re safe. Something tells me you took a few risks, though, am I right?”
“Nothing I’ll ‘fess up to,” I say with a note of finality to my voice. I may like his punishments over some things, but I don’t want him to ruin this moment. I did something I feel good about. Maybe saved a building, but more importantly, I hope I helped that kid.
He seems to understand. “Well, good work, Sparks. You’re something else, you know that?”
Again, the fluttery warmth spins around my chest. “So are you, Captain.” I don’t want to ask about the birthday party or his daughter, so I simply say, “Good night.”
“Night, baby.” His deep voice is warm and it sends ripples of warmth through my body as I end the call.
