Page 91 of Controlled Burn
“Hey, guys,” I called out, and heads popped up all around, and they all shouted out greetings.
“You brought Sparky to see us!” Kevin said, hurrying over, not to see me but to see the dog.
“Y’all were gonna call him Sparky?” I asked.
“Sure, why not? What are you gonna call him?” he asked as he bent down and scooped him up.
“Right now, I’m testing out Lucky. Caleb’s not impressed.”
Robert laughed and tossed the towel he was using over his shoulder. “He probably wants to name him after a character from a book, doesn’t he?” I nodded with a sigh, and Robert laughed. “And you’re totally going to let him, aren’t you?”
“Probably. Where’s the probie?”
“He’s inside talking with the Chief and Fox. They’re investigating the hotel fire, and he came by to talk to each of us about what happened. You probably saved him a trip. I think he was going by your place next.”
“I guess I’ll pop in then and see if I can help them. What are you guys eating today?”
“We’re just kind of winging it. We’ll probably have something delivered,” Ronda said.
“I’ll make a list of what I need, and if someone goes after it, I’ll make y’all some baked ziti if you want.”
“You don’t have to do that. We’ll survive until you’re back on duty,” she said.
“I’m sure you will, but my hands aren’t broken. I’ll manage just fine.”
She looked at me like she was trying to decide if I should be on my feet long enough to make sauce when my sister came to my aid. “He’s fine, Ronda. If he wants to feed us, let him.”
Ronda looked to Robert, and he shrugged. “Okay, but I’ll go by myself. With you out, we’re a man down, so if a call comes in I don’t want them to be too short.”
“Sounds good. I’ll stop by and talk to Fox and the Chief, and then I’ll make you a list.”
“Okay, but we’re keeping the dog out here with us.” Kevin lifted him up so they were looking eye to eye. “Isn’t that right, Mr. Darcy?” Ronda laughed, and he turned to look at her. “What? That’s the only name I know from a romance book. My ex was obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”
I left not-Mr. Darcy with them and headed inside. I was getting much better at using the crutches, and it didn’t take me long to make my way to Samuel’s office. The top half of the windows around his office were glass, so I could see him, Fox, and Andy sitting around his desk talking with the door closed.
As I approached, Samuel saw me and motioned me in. Then he said something to Andy, and he hopped up and opened the door for me so I didn’t have to try to manage the door and the crutches.
I gave him a smile and thanked him. Samuel motioned for me to take a seat where Andy had been. “We were just finishing up in here, anyway. Andy, you have anything else to add?”
“No, Chief, that’s about it.” He looked at Fox. “But if you have any more questions, you know where to find me.”
“Sure do. Thanks for taking the time to walk me through everything.”
Fox watched as he walked out and then turned back to us. “He’s smart.”
“He is. You just never know what you’re gonna get when you take on a new guy, you know. But we got lucky with that one,” Samuel said. “Now, Brooks, what are you doing up here?”
“Nothing, really. I’m bored at home, so I thought I’d stop by and say hi. I told the crew if they went to the store, I’d make dinner.”
“They act like they aren’t capable of using a stove themselves. You’ve spoiled ‘em rotten.”
Fox laughed. “I miss you guys, you know that. The fire marshal’s office just isn’t like being at a station.”
“Maybe this new plan of the mayor’s will work out, and you can come home.” Samuel gave him a smile that made me think he already knew it would.
“What plan is that?” I asked.
“He’s talking about assigning an investigator to each station. We’d be responsible for that station’s coverage area, and while we would still work for the fire marshal, our office would be located in the stations,” Fox said. “He’s getting some push-back, though, so I don’t know if it’ll happen.”