Page 58 of No Take Backs
I swallow down the immediate regret at thinking about sharing my suspicions. "Look. I really don't want to lose my job. Not the investigation part," I amend. "I don't care about that part of it. But I really enjoy being a firefighter. It's why I volunteered until there was a full-time position open with BFD." I look down at my hands for a moment. "There's just… There's this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I learned a long time ago not to question. It's why I was so good in the investigations department. Laura quit months ago. She was replaced. If she were going to quit and move on, it makes sense that the arsons would have ended there too. Yet they didn't. In fact, we had an arson in the weeks before she quit, and then we had another not even a week ago. She's got something planned. I don't know what it is or what it could be."
"I don't even know how someone who cares for the injured and sick citizens of Birch County could be the one to start fires that put those same people in danger." Disbelief clouds Cap's eyes.
But it is Sheriff Findlay and Chief Townsend who are both watching me with matching curiosity.
"Why?"
It is a simple question, but one that could have come from either of them.
"Like I said, it's a feeling that I have. I don't really have an explanation for it other than… In elementary school, if something didn't go your way, you acted out, right?" When they nod, I go on. "That's it. She didn't get what she wanted. That's where the fire that killed Piper Lachlan came into play. And instead of that death falling on the shoulders of the fire department, like she most likely hoped, our community came together to mourn her."
“That’s not just a feeling, Harmon.” Chief Townsend scrubs a hand through his graying hair. “That’s not even a jump away from logic.”
He and the sheriff share a look.
“Okay,” he goes on. “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to take this file to Judge Michaels and see if he’ll issue a warrant for her arrest based on the evidence at hand. Jake,” he says to the sheriff. “You see what you can do about pulling some deputies and troopers in to assist. Since she’s already proven that she can take a life, we don’t want to do anything that might place our officers in jeopardy.”
The sheriff nods. “Got it. I’ll let my men and women know that it’s strictly need-to-know, and we’ll keep it off the radio and away from the CAD for now.”
“What do you want us to do?” Chief knows better than to insert himself into the conversation unless he really needs to, so the fact that he is butting into their planning speaks volumes.
“Can you trust your men not to say anything to her? Or reach out at all?”
Cap snorts. “She didn’t leave with any friends. The only person in the whole department she was even on speaking terms with was Harmon. And that’s only because he wasn’t here for the bullshit that she pulled.”
I shrug. It is true, and even though Laura has always been a pain in the ass, I don’t think she is truly evil. In fact, I’m still trying to reconcile what the evidence is telling me about her because it doesn’t fit with the woman who volunteers as a medic at school events.
But I don’t put a voice to any of my concerns. I honestly don’t know her that well, and I can’t say for certain that I know her better than anyone else does in the department. In fact, from everything I know, it is me she’s managed to fool, and not them.
“Laura used to be a good person,” Sheriff Findlay says after a few seconds of silence. “But if she’s changed, or something’s happened to her to make her like this, I wouldn’t trust her not to react violently. Meet with your men, on all shifts, and let them know about the situation. Tell them to be careful on fire calls until we have her in custody.”
“More careful,” Chief corrects him. “My men may not be trained to carry a gun, but they’re all trained to run into the flames without hesitation.”
“No insult intended, for once.” Chief Townsend laughs bitterly. “I think, given the circumstances, our men and women can work together and set aside whatever rivalries are going on to make sure that no one else is injured as a result of her actions.”
“I told Nia already.” I have to inform them all. “We’re practically living together at this point. She saw the investigative material while I was working on it, and she played the devil’s advocate for me last night, trying to come up with any logical reason why one of our men would be at repeated scenes, before any of the tones went out for the fires.”
“I knew she was a good hire,” Chief says with a smile. “Heard she is spending time with Richard Lachlan, the boy…” He trails off and I nod. “Good. Make sure he knows he’s always welcome at the department. We’ll look after him.”
“Well…” Chief Townsend stands up from his seat with a heavy sigh. “It’s time to get to work. This one’s gonna cause some sleepless nights, for sure. I’ll let you know when I’ve got the warrant from Judge Michaels.”
He and the sheriff walk out without saying goodbye, and I’m left with my boss and supervisor.
“Does this mean I can go back to A shift?” I try not to be too hopeful, but I’m getting tired of working a desk.
“When we catch her,” Chief acquiesces.
Cap nods. “It’ll be good to have you back on truck with us.”
“Now, get out of here and get the men to the conference room. I’m going to recall the B and C shifts, so that we can get everyone up to date with what’s happening.” Chief rubs his temple. “And someone have dispatch go to station coverage. We won’t be reporting to a fire until after the meeting.”
He barely gets the words out before the alarm starts ringing.
“Attention Birch Fire Department. Attention Birch Fire Department. Please report to 689 Hill Crest Drive for reports of a residential structure fire. Again, Birch Fire Department, please report to 689 Hill Crest Drive for reports of a residential structure fire.”
We all stare at each other for a second before Cap is out of the room, sprinting for his bunker gear and the truck.
“I know that address.” My brain goes blank for a second. “I think Nia’s sister lives on that street.”