Page 6 of Blood and Embers
“Have you always lived in Chicago?” He asked while taking a bite of his steak.
“Yes, born and bred, how about you?"
Originally from the East Coast, I moved frequently. Joined the Rose Company a few years ago. Discovered I like security work with a side of bartending." He smiled, and Scott felt his heart skip a beat.
“I thought you were more than a simple bartender.” Scott retorted.
“I spent a lot of years working in clubs, so I don't mind filling in at the Blood Rose. It keeps me humble." He again grinned, and Scott wanted to jump across the table and maul him right there in the restaurant. These urges were powerful.
“I started at the station right out of the Academy. I also hold a bachelor's degree in fire science, along with specialized training in the field. I've worked my way up from the bottom and couldn't imagine doing anything else." Scott loved his job. They continued in this vein, both getting a sense of each other in terms of background and position.
Dessert arrived along with fresh drinks, and the evening was feeling perfect. Scott decided to try to press for clarity regarding the fire. He didn’t want to harm the ease they were experiencing, but his curiosity was compelling him to try.
“I got the impression that the fire at the Blood Rose was a targeted hit. But no one seems to be investigating in that direction.” He began carefully. He saw Pike lift his eyes very deliberately from his plate to hold Scott with an unbreakable gaze. A nerve had been struck. "You know who is responsible, don't you?" Pike remained silent, just staring at that hole through him for several moments before nodding and then finishing his dessert.
Scott watched him for a while and then burst out laughing. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"
“Nope.” He said lightheartedly and set his fork aside.
"Well, how about I share with you then?" Scott leaned back in his chair, feigning the same lighthearted attitude. “My Captain believes it’s a fire bug, a pyromaniac who gets a thrillout of setting fires. He sees no other relationship between the properties affected.”
“What do you see?” Pike asked, giving him his absolute complete attention. He wanted to know if Scott was on the right track. Scott could feel the speculation circling him.
"I see someone pushing boundaries, and I see escalation." Scott offered. “I see someone wanting more control.” He paused and then added. “It’s territorial.”
Pike knew Scott was a smart man, but hadn’t figured he would get it right on the first try. It was indeed territorial that Bagwell wanted to expand his boundaries and was doing so by pushing into others' territories. The escalation was also correct in that he started with the weaker groups, the smaller packs, and then took a stab at the major player, who was Master Rose. He was testing his strength and would most likely strike again soon.
“I think they will hit you again just to see what you do about it.” He spoke Pike’s thoughts.
“That’s what we think too.”
“That’s why there’s a guard at the Blood Rose?" He asked, and Pike nodded.
"That's all I'm going to get, isn't it?" He smiled again.
“For now.” Pike winked.
Hugh was making another circuit of the club, ensuring the caution tape was still in place and that no one was loitering. Just as he was coming around the side and heading for the front, he saw a shadow dart inside the burned-out doorway. He madechase and was inundated by a horde of shifters carrying more gasoline and lighting fires.
He attacked, grabbed the first one he could reach, and broke his neck. The explosion rousted the others from the main house, and soon there was a full-on battle taking place in the remains of the Blood Rose.
Pike got the call just as they were leaving the restaurant. He had offered Scott a ride home and planned to suggest that they retire to his apartment for drinks since their attraction was obvious. Besides, he wanted to get Scott familiar with the Coven House.
He figured his chances of getting an agreement were very good. Scott looked at him the way Pike had looked at his steak when it arrived. He was very interested, but now all that was on the back burner because of those fucking Bagwell boys.
"What is it?" Scott had sensed his intensity in reading the text. He thought about downplaying it and pretending it was no big deal, but then figured, what the hell, he called it, he might as well know.
"There's been another attack at the Blood Rose. More gasoline and more fire, but this time they haven't gotten away." Pike started running for his car, and Scott was on his heels.
"I'm coming with you." He demanded, and Pike didn't stop him. Soon, they were in Pike's vehicle and racing to the scene.
"Prepare yourself," Pike warned. "There's a battle taking place. Hugh caught the guys setting the fires, and there were more than two this time. The Rose soldiers are clashing with the Bagwell freaks, and it promises to be a bloody battle. Just go with it for now, and I'll explain everything later." Scott lookedover at him oddly, but then nodded. Trust was building, and it was a lovely thing.
“I’ll alert the station of the fire.” Scott opened his phone, but Pike stopped him.
“It’s handled, don’t worry. We can’t have anyone else involved at this point.” Pike explained as best he could.
“Is this some sort of gang war?”
