Page 39 of Captivating Anika
“Everything all right with Kim?” Monique whispers.
“Yeah, she has an appointment tomorrow morning so she’ll be in later.”
“Nothing serious I hope.”
“No.”
We don’t usually have many secrets here, but given Kim asked to talk to me out of earshot of the salon may mean she doesn’t want this information out there. Either way, the information is not mine to share.
I walk out to greet my new client and spend a few minutes talking to her to find out what she’s looking for. I’m leading her to one of the sinks for a wash when Kim comes walking in, her face drained of color.
“Please have a seat. I’ll be right with you,” I tell my client.
Then I grab Kim by the arm and pivot her back to my office.
“What happened?”
“My house is on fire.”
“What do you mean?”
“The client tomorrow morning, it’s one of my neighbors. It’s crazy, she says it was a brush fire that got out of hand. Some firefighters went inside to look for Chris—his truck is parked outside—and the roof collapsed. She says more firetrucks just arrived. All my stuff…”
But I’m no longer listening. I stopped when she mentioned firefighters and roof collapse. I’m digging my own phone out of my purse and dial Bodhi, knowing if he’s out on a call he won’t answer. He doesn’t, and neither does Hog who I try next.
Then I pull up the number for the firehouse. When it too rings and rings before bumping me to an automated message, my chest gets tight. I end up bent over, my hands braced on my knees as I try to fight back the mounting panic.
“Anika?”
I look up at Kim, who looks freaked out and ready to collapse. Immediately, I straighten up, regaining my control.
“Sit down before you fall,” I instruct her firmly. “And stay here, I’m going to see what I can find out.”
I take my phone and cross the hall, ducking into the supply room for some privacy while I try to get a hold of my sister-in-law. Another unanswered phone call. I could try my parents, but I don’t want to alarm them for nothing.
In a last-ditch effort to get some information, I give Bill Evans a call.
“What have you heard about a roof collapse at a house fire,” I barge right in. “Kim and Chris Cooper’s house.”
“Damn,” he grumbles, sounding like he’s out of breath. “News travels fast. I don’t know much, I can’t get hold of Vic, but the crew usually leaves their phones in the rig when they’re on a call. From one of our patrol units on the scene, I heard a couple of firefighters were in the house looking for Cooper when the roof collapsed. They were able to get them out, but a few more firefighters sustained injuries. A bunch of them are being transported to Mercy, and I’m on my way there to find out more.” I hear the slam of a car door. “Make sure Kim stays put until I figure out what the fuck is going on. I’ve gotta go, but I’ll call you when I get there.”
Then the line goes dead.
I’ll make sure Kim is looked after, but I’m not about to wait around. Hell no.
As I head back to my office, I call down the hallway.
“Monique? I need you back here for a minute. Please?” I remember to add.
When I enter the office, Kim surges to her feet, but before I have a chance to fill her in, Monique joins us. She must sense something is wrong, her expression is one of concern as she looks from Kim to me.
“There’s a fire at Kim’s house,” I rush to explain, giving Monique a condensed version of what is going on. “I hate to do this, but I need to go to Mercy, can you handle the salon?”
“Sure, yeah, absolutely.” She nods confidently.
I turn to Kim. “Evans wants you to sit tight until he finds out what is going on. I’m sure he’ll be in touch, or I will.”
She nods, wringing her hands nervously. Maybe those hands should stay busy.