Page 28 of Burn for Me
Turning his head towards the movement, he saw someone move out of sight. Thinking it was one of his colleagues, he turned back to the task at hand. The sounds of the building settling echoed around him. Noises he was familiar with. Spotting a tell-tale pooling on the ground a little way away from him, Gray started towards it to investigate. Engaging his radio, he informed the senior on site of his suspicions of arson.
“I’m headed over to investigate now, sir.”
“Copy that, James. It goes without saying, be careful in there.”
“Yes, sir. You know I always am.”
Suddenly, one of the I-beams near him gave off a loud screeching sound that had the hair on the back of his neck standing up. The sound any experienced fireman recognised. A sound theyfeared. Because it was the sound of danger. The metal of the hefty beam was giving a warning that it was about to fail catastrophically.
The sound that followed next had his blood running icy cold. There was no mistaking the whooshing sound of accelerant taking flame. Somebody was in there with him, and they’d just set another fire. As he started moving towards the sound of the new fire, he heard more screeching from the beam he’d just turned his back on. And he knew his time was running out. That beam wouldn’t hold much longer.
Shit! Please hold just a little longer.
Engaging his coms, he notified his colleagues of his current situation. The two men in the building assured they were making their way back to assist him. All he could do was hope the beam held. But it would seem fate had other plans.
With a final bloodcurdling screech, the beam gave, toppling hundreds of kilograms in Gray’s direction. He darted to his left in an attempt to avoid the falling beam. Rapidly, he ran calculations in his head, and if he was correct, the falling metal would miss him by mere millimetres. He prayed his calculations were correct.
His attention wasn’t focused on the ground, and he stepped on a what felt like a bolt while at a run, losing his footing. It had, in all probability, come from the very beam hurtling towards him. Gray pitched forward, and, with the weight of his gear on his back, was unable to stop himself from falling. Fear became a living thing inside him as he fell, knowing there was no way for him to avoid being hit by the falling beam now.
His last thought was of Kitty.
* * *
Jeff Erikson had barely arrivedat the scene to relieve the senior officer on site when his radio crackled to life.
“Sir, an I-beam’s collapsed. The integrity of the roof is now further compromised, and I’m not sure how much longer the structure’s going to hold. But, sir, James is down. He’s been pinned by the beam.”
Jeff’s blood ran cold at the words. Gray was not only the best investigator he’d ever had the privilege to work with, but he counted him as a friend. He’d never left a man behind. Wasn’t about to start now. He had no intention of losing a man on his watch.
Grabbing the radio, he barked into it, “Assess the surrounding area and report back.”
The answer was quick in coming. “Shit! Sir, there’s flames. There’re flames. We’ve got a flair-up, and it’s rapidly approaching the area where James is lying. Sir, we need help back here. We can’t lift the beam, and there’s no telling what damage he’s sustained.”
“Is he still alive?”
“Yes, sir. His breathing’s clear, and his pulse is fairly strong. We need the flames out, and then we need a team to come and get him out.”
“Right, you heard the man. Let’s get those hoses to the back of the building, and let’s get those flames out. If James is trapped under that beam, we’re going to need time to get him out. Time we won’t have if the damn building is burning. Move, move, move!”
Rubbing his hand over his tired face, Jeff sent a prayer heavenward that they’d get Gray out in time. Sprinting to the back of the building, he called for an update on the roof. He was worried that the force of the spray from the hoses would further compromise its remaining strength. The last thing he wanted was the building collapsing in on his guys.
“We can’t get close enough to get a good look at it, sir. There’s too much smoke up there at the moment.”
“Thanks, Links. Just keep an eye on it. If it gives any indication it’s gonna go, shout.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay, gentlemen, let it rip. Let’s get those flames out. Pronto.”
Keeping an eagle eye on everything around him, Jeff continued to direct his team. Minutes after one of his men reported the flames appeared to be doused, his radio crackled to life again. For long moments all he got was static.
“. . . hear me?” distorted and faint he finally heard one of his men say.
“Say again, son? We didn’t catch that.”
More crackling and static, and eventually he heard words he’d prayed he wouldn’t hear. “Sir, if you can hear me – she’s about to come down. We can’t get James out from under the beam, and there’s debris already coming down from the roof. She’s gonna go.”
Closing his eyes, feeling physically ill knowing there was only one decision he could make, Jeff made the difficult call. “Get out, son. Do it now. I know you want to save James, but it puts you at risk too. Get out now.”
