Page 83 of Sinner's Storm

“I don’t know, sweetheart, but I’m sure he’s kicking himself right about now. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know all the brothers, and what I can tell you about Jason Calloway, is that man never does anything without knowing the outcome. I think you threw him a curveball, and he wasn’t expecting that. Delany, you are so innocent of this world. It’s refreshing to see. You want to see the good in everyone. You are so trusting. So forgiving. Honey, this world, the real world, is dark and sinister. It will eat you alive if you let it, and I couldn’t stand by and let that happen.”

“I don’t believe that. I believe the world is what we make it. I may be too trusting, but I want to see the good in people. I believe that people are inherently good. It’s the decisions they make that make them bad.”

“You may be right, but the world I live in is cutthroat and nothing is what it seems.”

“Who was that woman he was with?”

“Her name is Stephanie Stevens. They have a past.”

“They were lovers, you mean.”

He nodded. “Yes. She contracted with him through the club. She was his submissive until he ended it.”

“I see,” I whispered.

“No, Delany. I don’t think you do. What you also need to know is that her father is Gale Stevens. The fire chief of station 43 and the man who is the real arsonist and murderer.”

“What?” I gasped.

“Told you, sweetheart. It’s a cutthroat world. The fact is, back in the days immediately after 9/11, Gale Stevens was looking to move up the ranks fast. As a survivor, he was intent on riding that all the way to the top. When he learned your father wanted to revamp the entire first response system, joining the NYPD and the NYFD into one emergency response unit, Gale knew he was in trouble.”

“Why?”

“Because Gale Stevens is not the man everyone believes him to be. Like, for instance, Gale barely passed the fire exam. Then, he was reprimanded several times for putting his fellow firefighters in danger. You see, Gale is a glory hound. He wants all the recognition but doesn’t want to put in the effort. After 9/11, this city, this country revered the boys in blue and our firefighters. They were heroes. All of them.”

“I don’t understand.”

“After 9/11, there was a rumor going around that a firefighter left his brothers to save his own ass. Those brothers died in Tower Two.”

“Gale.”

“Yep. Bastard cut tail and fled as if the hounds of hell were chasing him. Then, after Tower Two fell, he shows up pretending to be disoriented, saying he couldn’t save them. Everyone thought he was in shock. Bastard played the victim damn good.”

“But my dad knew differently.”

“Yeah,” August sighed, taking another drink. “After everything was said and done, your dad came to see me for a physical. All the firefighters returning to duty were required to get one. Well, we got to talking and your dad let it slip that he saw Gale running from Tower Two as his station entered Tower One. Your dad thought nothing of it at the time, because, let’s face it, the world had gone to shit that day. But when the dust settled, your dad knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That Gale Stevens was nothing more than a coward.”

“If that’s true then why didn’t my dad turn him in?”

“He did. There was an internal investigation too, but Gale transferred to headquarters after 9/11.”

“Oh God. He knew about the investigation.”

“Yep, and that’s when the real shit hit the fan. Gale didn’t just want to get rid of the problem. He wanted to destroy your father. You were right to believe in your dad. This city did for a long time. Your dad was a true-blue American hero.”

“Why didn’t Dad stay and fight? Why did he leave?”

“Because it was the only way to save you and your mom. Your dad knew Gale wasn’t going to stop until he was dead. He couldn’t allow your dad to sit in some jail with the knowledge he had. So, your dad left, taking you and your mother with him. He thought if he was no longer in the city, you all would be safe.”

“But that wasn’t the case, was it?”

“No.” August shook his head. “Some years later, George Stone needed help with a little matter. What that matter was, doesn’t concern you. What you need to know is that George asked Gale for help. Gale agreed, only on one condition.”

“That George Stone kill my father.”