Page 39 of Fortune's Ashes
Lukas’s voice murmured in my ear. ‘Emma.’
I glanced across and realised he was pointing to his left. A car had pulled up and DSI Barnes was stepping out. Her expression gave nothing away but her gaze swept the scene, from the raging fire to our group at the cordon. Her eyes fell on me and she nodded before walking over to the policeman, speaking to him briefly and gesturing to Liza and me. ‘Only the two of you,’ she said. ‘The rest of you stay here.’
‘DSI Barnes,’ Lukas began.
She shook her head. ‘This has nothing to do with the vampires, Lord Horvath.’ She looked at Lady Sullivan and the others. ‘Or the werewolves. What’s happening here is not your concern.’
‘Supe Squad is our concern,’ Lukas snapped.
Lady Fairfax joined him. ‘It’s as much a part of us as we are of them.’
The others nodded. Under any other circumstances, I’d have been thrilled by their support.
Barnes sniffed. ‘I’m sure they appreciate that sentiment, but right now you’re not getting through.’ She raised her head and marched towards the scene. I sent Lukas an apologetic look then jogged after her with Liza by my side.
‘You know I shouldn’t be allowing this,’ Barnes said in an undertone. ‘Not with your suspension.’
‘Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate it.’
She flicked a look at Liza and her gaze softened. ‘Is Owen Grace inside?’
‘He might be.’ Liza’s voice was suddenly very small.
Barnes’ mouth tightened. ‘Let’s find out. Keep behind me at all times. The fire service have authority here.’
At that point, I was simply relieved to be past the cordon and I’d have agreed to anything. I reached for Liza’s hand and together we trailed after Barnes. I kept my eyes fixed on the Supe Squad building; it was being consumed and my horror was growing with the rising flames. It felt almost apocalyptic. And it wasn’t only Supe Squad that was in trouble; the fire had spread to the buildings on either side. If any of them survived the night, it would be a miracle.
Barnes was careful to keep well out of the way of the fire crews. She waited calmly at one side, with Liza and I hovering anxiously – and impotently – beside her.
‘You could go in,’ Liza muttered to me. ‘You’re the phoenix. Fire is your friend. You can see if Owen and Fred are in there.’
Barnes overheard her. ‘Not a chance,’ she said. ‘She’d be dead by the time she got to the first hallway. Nobody can navigate a fire like that without specialist equipment, and the fact that Emma will resurrect won’t help her walk through flames.’
I hated feeling grateful that I didn’t have to choose between risking my baby or saving Owen and Fred.
‘You could at least try,’ Liza said.
Fortunately an approaching paramedic forestalled my reply. ‘Three people from the hotel are being treated for mild smoke inhalation,’ the young woman told Barnes. ‘We don’t have any other casualties.’
Yet. I swallowed back my fear. An older man wearing full firefighter’s gear joined us and pulled off his helmet. ‘The Supe Squad building will be burning for hours, but the worst of the fire is under control.’
‘Casualties from inside?’ Barnes asked. Both Liza and I held our breath.
‘We haven’t found anyone.’
Liza couldn’t prevent a small cry escaping from her mouth and I exhaled in relief. It looked as if Buffy had been right. Thank God.
‘We have found something else though.’
I stiffened and looked at him as DSI Barnes folded her arms. ‘Go on.’
‘Obviously a full investigation will need to be carried out, and this is only my opinion and not a professional analysis.’
She waved a hand. ‘Yes, yes. Go on.’
‘From the way the fire spread and the speed at which it took hold, a considerable amount of accelerant was used.’
A chill descended down my spine.
