Page 54 of Built of Flames

Kent screamed her name, and a shot rang out.

Mitch flinched when he saw the address where they were heading. He pointed at it and heard Christo swore.

Roberto Garin’s house. Roberto had headed out of town for the weekend to do some fishing with a buddy, so at least they didn’t have to worry about him being in the structure.

They pulled up the blueprints of the small house, even though they’d been in it many times. The small Craftsman home was at the end of a dead-end street.

Christo called his father and let him know where they were headed. They were all thinking it, but then the driver, Afri, put it into words. “We’re thinking this is your serial arsonist taking aim at one of our own? At one of the best people we know?”

Mitch patted Afri on the shoulder. “Got it in one. We’re going to save Roberto’s house, and then we’re taking this bastard down.”

Afri nodded. “Damn straight.”

With relief, Mitch realized he could strike this shift’s names off the list. As long as it was a solo and not a pair.

Damn.

When they arrived, smoke was pouring out windows at the back of the house, and a few flames were licking up the walls.

The team spread out and focused on their jobs, but there was an intensity to their actions. Everyone knew where they were. Everyone knew what they faced.

And everyone wanted to take the prick out.

While he focused on his part of the team, Mitch kept an eye out for anyone acting out of character. If there were two of them, no one was free of suspicion yet.

Another part of his brain wondered why Roberto was the target. The man was beloved by everyone. He was even-keeled and kind. He took rookies under his care and make sure they knew routines and didn’t get overwhelmed.

Mitch didn’t know a single person who didn’t respect Roberto. Was it is his connection to Bella? Was it because he’d always been buddies with the Chief? Or because he was a mentor to everyone?

The only time Mitch had ever seen Roberto snap had been when Kent had made a move on Isabella when she’d been about thirteen. At five years older, Kent’s actions had been creepy and illegal.

And why hadn’t Mitch remembered that until right now? Bella had said Kent had asked her out when she was older as well.

Mitch moved with his team inside and cleared the house. No one was inside, and he directed Afri to take over his squad while he hurried back to the engine.

Due to the potential for damage, most firefighters left their cell phones at the station or in the truck. He grabbed his from the truck and called Bella while he moved toward Christo.

Christo frowned at him. “What are you doing?”

“I think it’s Kent. He’s off shift. Remember when Roberto reamed him out for hitting on Izzy before she was in high school?”

Christo frowned and nodded. “He asked her out again a few years later. She turned him down. He laughed it off, but he was pissed. You think this is his retaliation?”

Mitch hung up the phone and tried again. “She’s not answering.”

Christo picked up his phone. “I’ll text her. Maybe she’s got it on silent. Or she’s driving. She was coming in from Midnight Lake this morning, right?”

He nodded, but fear was crawling up his throat and making it hard to breathe.

“Kent’s off shift. She’s alone and not answering. Can you call Kent about a shift change or something? See if he answers.”

Christo nodded and flipped through his phone.

Mitch called Bella again. At the voicemail beep, he took a breath to keep his voice steady. “Call me, Bella. As soon as you get this.”

He wanted to add that he loved her. That he wanted a life with her. A forever life. But a voicemail wasn’t the place for that.

Christo frowned. “No answer. I’m calling the Chief.” Then he turned his back on the fire and the rest of the team to keep the conversation as private as possible. If Mitch was wrong, they didn’t want anyone hearing them.