Page 5 of Special Agent Anastacia

Trying to win over Ana, Diana’s tone changed. “You like Hanna. I can tell. Darling, I’ve never seen you so gentle withanyone before… well other than me. I swear, if you had a sister, it would be the same.”

“I do care about her, Mom. She’s fragile right now.”

“So you’ll take her?”

“Do I have a choice?” Ana’s lifted eyebrows spoke for her.

“See. I knew you’d understand. I’ll help you girls organize everything. Can you get more time off work?”

Ana accepted the inevitable, knowing the arguing had ended the way they’d both expected… with her mom getting her way. “Sure, they owe me months of vacation time. Right now I’m on sick leave so there’s no problem there.”

Over the next few days, Ana and her mother arranged everything they would need and packed it all in Diana’s big SUV Highlander, a larger vehicle than the new electric Mustang that Ana owned. Even the rack above was used to store more crates and cases until Anastacia finally put her foot down. “Mom, enough. You’ve given us way too many staples.”

“Ana, you mustn’t forget that most of the food left in the cabin is outdated and should be tossed. Plus, you’ll need more cleaning supplies and bedding. We always did have a problem with bugs. I’m wondering if any of the linens are even salvageable. Trust me, you’ll be grateful when you get there.”

“Have you said anything to Hanna yet?”

“No. I figured we’d tell her tomorrow morning, give her just enough time to pack her personal things, and then hit the road. I’ve made sure all her clothes are washed and ready for a suitcase.”

Chuckling at her mother’s methods of organizing to get her way, she scoffed. “You’ve thought of everything.”

“I didn’t want her to have many reasons to argue. Pray God she doesn’t refuse outright.”

And the next morning at the breakfast table, that’s exactly what happened. “I won’t go Titka. Ana, please don’t make me. I need to stay current with the Ukraine news on the television.”

***

For the first time, Diana got to see her daughter’s FBI persona, and she could only applaud and be thankful that the cold-eyed gaze and harsh tone weren’t directed at herself.

“Hanna, we weren’t asking your opinion. I’m telling you what is happening. Now, gather whatever you want to bring and be ready to leave in an hour.”

Chapter Four

Nash ran for safety, his burning lungs giving him hell. The wildland flames had jumped the firewall, forcing him to order his men to evacuate. Christ, the fucking wind had shifted just when they thought they had beaten the worst of the fire. Left with a small window of opportunity to escape, he blessed the Almighty for that narrow exit path.

Coming up behind the others in the clearing, he stumbled to where his men were all hovered together, many coughing, trying to clear the smoke, their eyes tearing and their noses running. Others wiped at their blackened faces, cussing or laughing because they’d beaten the devil that had tried to kill them.

The rookie idiot of the group screamed “woo-hoo”, throwing his fist in the air and bellowing, “God, I love this job,” while the more experienced just smiled… a dozen faces of white teeth gleaming through satisfied expressions.

Then in the distance, they heard the sound of a pass device… a distress call.

from the Personal Alarm Security System. Nash did a swift summary of the people he’d been working with. “Where’s JC?”

The others looked at each other, everyone either shrugging or staring towards the wall of flames they’d just escaped.

“Fuck!” Nash knew instantly that the newbie hadn’t taken the same route as they had. He’d obviously lost his way and needed saving.

In a voice not one of his men would ignore, he gave a command before suiting up. “Stay here.” Then he dove back into the inferno.

Throughout his long career as a firefighter, he’d experienced devastating heat, overpowering smoke, and periods of stifling darkness while the sun hid behind billows of gray. And it never failed to humble him, knowing his puny defenses were nothing compared to the strength of his adversary.

He heard again the sound that had brought him back into the devil’s pit. Yep… it came from his left. With just a small sliver of a chance to get past the wall of death, Nash noticed where a treetop had burst into an orange glow but near the bottom of the trunk, he spotted an opening. Wrapping up in his fire blanket, he ducked his head and pushed into the aperture, running through flames and jumping over the dense forest floor. Glowing amber and reddish embers amidst the swirling ground smoke were everywhere, shooting at him, making every movement painful and terrifying.

As always, he felt thankful for having been dedicated to his exercise agenda. He’d always known that if he wanted to depend on his body, he’d need to treat it well and keep it in top physical condition.

With his overworked muscles throbbing, he vaulted over radiating heat, pushing his way past the blazing bushes and fiery undergrowth.“Help me, man. Come on. Time’s running out. I need to find him.”Mumbling to the Almighty came easy whenalone and terrified. Finally, Nash spotted his man down about five feet in front of him. “Thank you, Jesus.”He sent up his usual prayer, something he never failed to do when faced with this kind of critical situation… which surprisingly happened more than one could imagine.

After a quick check, it became clear that his newbie had succumbed to the low oxygen and was passed out. Skidding next to JC, Nash beat out the flames that had started to collect around the dude’s feet. “Hey, man. Wake up.” His voice came out thick and hardly understandable, his throat swollen from the agony he’d just forced it to handle.

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