Page 30 of Sinner's Storm

“I know,” my mom said, looking at me. “That’s why I don’t believe what that report says. David was a good man. I knew him. Knew Donna. David loved the department. He gave up so much after 9/11. No way did he set those fires.”

“What do you mean? What did he give up?”

“David was up for Battalion Chief. Man was that good. He wanted to change the way the firehouses responded to calls. Work with the police instead of against them to save lives. Back then, everyone had their own way of doing things. It was a mess. David wanted to install a new set of rules and regulations that not only benefited the firehouses but ensured that police were trained and able to assist as first responders. He wanted to create a joint task force, where police and firefighters worked together as one. A team.”

“He wanted to dual train them.”

“Yep.” My mom nodded. “A lot of the firefighters and police liked the idea. They were all for it, especially after 9/11. But then the fires happened, and everything stopped.”

“Mom, do you believe David Campbell started those fires?”

“No.”

Chapter Ten

Storm

“Pick up, pick up, pick up,” I muttered into my phone as I sat in my parked car outside the hospital. I wanted this matter taken care of before I brought it all to Delany. Poor girl already had enough on her plate. No way in fucking hell was I going to pile on. “Goddamnit, Sypher. Pick up the fucking phone!”

“I was in class, asshole. What the hell is so damn important?”

“Need you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Who doesn’t?” the kid snarked.

Flummoxed, I looked at my phone, making sure I’d dialed the right person. Sypher was many things, but snarky and moody was not one of them. The kid was the epitome of civility, that’s why everyone liked him. “You okay, Sypher?”

“Does it matter? Just tell me what you want?”

“Look, if you’re busy, I can find someone else to help.”

“Got nothing better else to do. Speak.”

“You sure, man?”

“Just start talking, Storm. I ain’t got all day.”

“Can you to look into a man by the name of David Campbell? Former NYC firefighter that transferred to Arizona after 9/11. Need everything on the man before and after his transfer.”

“That’s not gonna be easy. First responder information is sealed, particularly those from the city who survived 9/11. You come from a family of firefighters. Why not ask them?”

“Cause the ones who would know are dead.”

“Shit. Sorry, man,” Sypher muttered. “Not promising you anything, but I will see what I can find. Alright?”

“I understand. And, Sypher, send me the bill. I will pay.”

“No problem,” he said before disconnecting the call.

I didn’t know what was bothering Sypher, but the kid sounded like the world was weighing him down. Any other time and I would offer to help, but I had my own problems. Like figuring out how I was going to tell Delany that, until this mess was cleared up, I was taking custody of Harlow.

Gathering everything I needed, I headed for Harlow’s room, only to find Malice leaning against the door, eating an apple as he watched me approach. Something in my brother’s eyes told me he’d already talked with Mercy and if that was the case, him being here didn’t bode well for me.

“Storm.”

“Malice.”

“What are you doing here?”