Page 24 of Fire and Bones

Hickey stood halfway down the treads, a shaft of dirty gray light casting shadows across his features and sparking the neon strips on his turnout suit.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey.” The baritone voice boomed loud in the small, enclosed space. “How goes it down here?”

“Good. How goes it up there?”

“Good.”

I gestured at the subject of my photography. “All four vics are now accounted for.”

“Impressive.”

“Thanks.”

A moment of awkward silence. Hickey broke it.

“I’m about to release most of my crew. Before I give the word, I’d like to walk the cellar, make sure there’s nothing below ground that might still go hot.”

“You won’t disturb me.”

“I’ll be quiet as a mouse.” Finger pressed to his lips.

I smiled and gave a thumbs-up.

Jesus. Were we flirting?

Returning my gesture, and smile, Hickey stepped onto the cellar floor and set off to his right, here and there kicking at heaped debris or lifting an object with the toe of his boot.

I idly followed his progress.

Until the man suddenly vanished.

CHAPTER 6

A million questions ricocheted in my brain.

Had I imagined it? Was the light playing tricks? Did I glance away at the precise moment Hickey stepped sideways?

No. The man had disappeared.

“Captain Hickey!” My shout muted by my mask.

No answer.

“I need help here!” Upping the volume.

Fearing Hickey could be hurt, I grabbed a penlight from my kit and scrambled to my feet.

“Anybody!” I screamed as I crept toward the spot where I’d last seen the fireman.

No one appeared or shouted back.

I felt the electric current of fear race up my spine.

“Officer down!” Did one say that about a firefighter?

Still nothing.