Page 44 of Built of Flames

Paul Turner nodded at the chief. “Martinez, Robinson, and Garin called for backup because they suspect this was set by the serial arsonist.”

Bella’s knees wobbled, but she shoved them straight.Was everyone okay? Get to the point. But she managed to keep the words inside.

Paul was as steady as they came and would follow protocol. “They had backup do the regular clearing and headed directly to the two offices at the end of the corridor on the top level. There, they found holes cut in the ceiling.”

Just like before. “Are they okay?” Her voice was so weak, it was easy for Paul to ignore her.

He kept his eyes on the Chief. “Martinez ordered everyone out of the building. The three of them made it to the stairs before the pipe bombs they had spotted inside the ceiling exploded. They’re with the paramedics.”

Bella missed the rest of what Paul said as she ran toward the ambulances.

Mitch took a final breath of the oxygen and then pushed the mask away. “I’m good.”

Christo did the same, and they shoved to their feet and moved to the other ambulance where they were treating Roberto. The older man was in great shape, but hustling out through the heavy smoke and then having the stairs collapse under them hadn’t made it easy to escape the building.

But they had, in a bigScrew Youto the arsonist.

Roberto grinned and gave them a thumbs up as they approached. Faisal, the paramedic, had oxygen on him and was monitoring his blood pressure.

“Hey, Faisal. How’s our guy doing?”

Faisal grinned. “For an old guy, you mean?”

Roberto cuffed the paramedic on the back of the head, but he was grinning. The paramedics and firefighters were like family.

“Mitch? Christo? Roberto? Are you okay? Is everyone okay?” Bella flew into the circle.

She threw herself into his arms and he hugged her quick before she did the same to Christo and then grabbed Mitch’s hand and moved to stand beside Roberto.

Her eyes glimmered with tears as she released Mitch again and patted her mentor’s shoulder. “Are you okay?” Her voice shook.

Roberto started to move the oxygen mask to answer, but Faisal swatted his hand. “Not yet, old man. Hey, Izzy. Didn’t know you were back. Nice to see you. Your buddy here is going to be just fine. His oxygen was a little low, but he’s almost normal again. Just another five minutes and he’ll be good as new.”

Bella squeezed Roberto’s hand and then leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. Whatever she whispered had the man grinning, but his eyes misted as well.

Then Bella straightened to look him and Christo over again. “You’re both okay? Really?”

They nodded, and she moved into Mitch for another hug. He kissed her hair and held her close.

Then she looked up. “It was the same guy, wasn’t it? What did you see up there?”

Faisal’s head whipped around. “Same guy? We’ve got a pyro?”

Christo answered. “Maybe. Keep that to yourself, though.”

Faisal frowned and nodded. “Let me know if we can help. We see scenes from a different angle and might have information to offer.”

That was a good idea.

Once Roberto was up and good to go, they moved to where the Chief and Paul were running the team. It appeared the fire was under control in most areas, including the offices.

“I need to go in.”

At Bella’s words, every head in the group turned to her. She kept her eyes on her father. “I’ll suit up and go in with a team, but the faster I can see the scene and collect any evidence, the closer we’ll be to finding answers.”

When the Chief stared down at her, Bella stared right on back. She didn’t back down or babble. Mitch had seen the Chief’s stare cause dozens of people to do both.

Finally, the man nodded. “You’re with Martinez and Robinson. Any danger, and you’re out immediately.”

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