Page 52 of Special Agent Anastacia

Hattie had the boat untied and ran to them, pushing at each. “Christ you two. Do that later. We have to get away from the shore or your boat will be next in the fire’s list of victims.”

Nash lifted the now semi-conscious idiot and shoved him in the furthest place he could from the others. Watching over him, he gave a signal for Ana to pull out. Quickly, Hattie gave a shove and then clambered inside just as Ana pushed the lever to back the craft into the deeper part of the lake.

Once they got further away from the flying sparks, Ana felt secure enough that they could relax their fear somewhat. With sadness, she saw the flames as a wall between the lake and where her property lay. Heart sinking, she accepted that nature didn’t care who lived where.

Thinking of her dad, and how bad he’d feel knowing his precious cabin had most likely burned, she traveled on to where they’d originally left the truck, only to see that it was no longer there.

“I gave Ono and Tiger instructions to fill the water tanks and then get to town where they needed to help save as many of the buildings as possible. Looks like they followed orders. Can you get us close to the big dock behind the main street? We’ll see if it’s still standing.”

Heading south now, they saw more than a few people treading water and stopped to pick up as many as they could safely hold. Ana went to speak to Nash only to see him head for the side and then dive in. She followed him with her eyes and saw what had caught his attention.

A teenager – treading water while holding onto his large dog for dear life – had feebly lifted his hand to signal for help. Nash must have noticed him or heard his cries when no one else had.

Yelling for Hattie to take the wheel, she went to the side of the boat closest to Nash and lowered a lifebuoy, then slipped into the water herself to help him lift his victims. The dog, frightened they were there to hurt his master, showed his teeth in a fierce growl that stopped them from moving too quickly.

It was Justin who saved the day. Leaning over the side of the boat, he called the dog’s name and got an instant response. “Tracker. Quiet boy. We’re friends.” Once the animal heard Justin’s voice, he settled down, and they were able to get both him and his master safely onboard. Justin quickly moved in to help shelter the dog and his owner. “Here Jack, come sit with me.” He even shared his towel with his friend.

Ana crouched by the pale, dripping lad, her tone gentle. “Did you and Tracker get separated from your family, Jack?”

“Uh huh. As soon as Dad opened the door, Tracker took off, and I ran after him. My mom and dad were trying to get my crazysisters into the car. After they saw how close the fire had gotten, they were hysterical, screaming and fighting. I hope they made it through to town. Tracker led me right to the lake, and he jumped in. So I went in with him. He saved us both.”

“Don’t worry. Most folks made it through according to the sheriff. But we’ll check on your parents as soon as we can.”

Just then, Hattie’s voice rang out, warning them that Vlad was coming awake. Dripping… sodden and using a damp towel he’d accepted from Ana, Nash staggered over to where they’d left the coward in a heap. Ana followed… and remembering the last time she’d come out with her father, she had an idea about what they could do to keep the killer contained.

Pushing past Hattie at the wheel, she rummaged in one of the compartments and found what she sought. A package of plastic ties were mixed in with her father’s gear. Using more than one linked together, Nash secured Vlad’s hands to the rail and his feet to each other.

When he saw Hattie hovering, glaring her hate, her fists clenched, he spoke calmingly. “Ignore the prick, sugar. We’ll be taking him where he belongs soon enough, and the sicko won’t be seeing the light day for a long, long time.”

Hattie spit her anger, her voice filled with hate. “Can’t I just get in one good kick before that happens?”

“Will it change anything?”

“No, but it’ll make me feel a hell of a lot better.”

He grinned and hauled her close, giving her a side hug. “Violence isn’t the answer, honey. Just thank God you’re all safe. That’ll help more.” He didn’t see Ana catch Hattie’s eye, nor did he see the understanding flowing between them. If he had, he’d know that there were times when prayers didn’t work for incensed females in the same way as physical action.

Closing in on the main dock, there were scads of boats all anchored in the water nearby. Some of the crafts showed lightsbut they didn’t see any coming from the buildings on land. “It’s eerie, everything being so dark.”

Ana heard Hattie speaking to Nash and decided the woman had just voiced what she felt. His voice rough but tender, he said, “Yeah. Guess the fire ate through a lot of the power lines, destroying the town’s electricity. Thankfully, the main places like the hospital would have generator power that should have kicked in. See there?” He pointed in the direction where, in the distance, one could see the glow from the big windows.

“Yes. I see it.” She added, thankfulness ringing in her voice. “I was praying it survived the flames.”

“My men would have been doing everything they could to help the patients and save the building. First responders, plus doctors and nurses get protection from the get-go.”

“Makes sense.” Alluding to how calm things seemed after the horror they’d been through, she continued, “It seems safe here now, Nash. I don’t think the fire burned through this part of town.”

Ana joined their conversation. “You’re right. Other than the lingering smoke, the stench, and the creepy darkness, most of this area looks untouched by the flames. Still… it reminds me of a horror show.”

Slowly, Nash pulled her close, his arm around her waist. “Don’t worry, ladies. Folks will have the flashlights and coal oil lamps they’d use to fall back on during any storm. In my experience, most outlying communities like this are prepared to survive catastrophes resembling the one we just endured.”

Out of the blackness, they heard Justin calling for his mom. “Dad’s awake, and he’s asking for you.”

Ana stepped up to take the wheel from Hattie. “I thought I saw him stirring. Guess he’s regaining consciousness.”

“Thank God.” Turning to leave, Hattie stopped. “Do you think we can get him to the hospital. He took a bad beating from thatprick you saved, Nash. Fucker kicked him over and over, trying to get him to admit something he knew nothing about.”

Nash nodded, reaching his hand to hers, gripping hers in understanding.

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