Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“Good. You can help calm Shelby and Stu both.” I had confidence in Percy’s ability to compartmentalize any worries about his own house. He was a few years older than me, a recent transfer to our department, and a needed addition with his prior military and civilian EMT experience. “Do you know the homeowner?”
“Not well. But he owns The Heist.”
“Fuck.” I let the curse out before I could collect myself. “Sorry.”
“That’s right.” Percy nodded slowly as Tate made a sympathetic noise. “Your kids are friends.”
“Well, according to Maren’s social media, they’re a bit more than friends.” Tate gave a tight chuckle.
“Let’s focus on assessing the neighbor for injuries.” I adopted a more businesslike tone. “Not the first time we’ve known someone on a call.”
“Gotta love life in a small town.” Percy nodded, jaw resolute as we pulled up at the scene along with the engine. Smoke billowed from the small house, with flames leaping along the roof line. The firefighters would have their work cut out for them, but my focus was on the neighbor’s driveway on the east side of the burning house.
A skinny, young teen in denim shorts stood over a man who was slumped on the ground. The teen had a nasty scrape down one leg.
“Are you Shelby?”
“Yeah.” Shelby pointed at the guy. He was conscious, but he was coughing and seemed a bit disoriented. “This is my dad. Please help him.”
“You did a great job calling this in.” I nodded at Shelby as Tate and Percy crouched near Stu. “I’m Eric. I’m a paramedic, and my team is going to check you and your dad out.”
“The dogs. Gotta get the dogs.” Stu managed a few words before another coughing fit.
“The firefighters are working on that right now.” I hope. I wasn’t one to make promises I couldn’t keep, but I knew Sean and his crew. If it were possible to save a pet, Sean would put his life on the line. And while I was concerned for the fate of Magnus’s dogs, Stu and Shelby needed my full attention. “I need you to stay calm so we can get some vitals.”
Stu’s vitals were steady but consistent with mild shock and smoke inhalation. As Tate and Percy worked to make Hugh more comfortable, I turned back toward Shelby.
“Can I take a look at that scrape?”
“Yeah.” She nodded, so I bent to examine the wound closer while she talked. “I was running to try to get my dad. I opened the side door at Magnus’s house like normal, but there was too much smoke to go in.”
“You did the right thing, not trying to go inside and going for help instead.” I cleaned off the worst of the blood, grass, and dirt. Thankfully, the scrape was less deep than it had appeared at first. “Good news. You won’t need stitches.”
“I don’t care about that.” Shelby waved a grubby hand as her tone approached something closer to a wail. “Magnus hired me to take care of the dogs. And now we can’t find them.”
“I’m sure Magnus will understand that you and your dad did everything you could.” I pitched my voice as soothing as possible, even as my chest clenched. “And the firefighters will try to save the dogs and the house.”
As I finished bandaging Shelby’s leg, Magnus arrived on the scene in a black SUV.
“Where are my dogs?” He walked past the engine toward the house, only to be stopped by Caleb, one of Sean’s crew members.
“You can’t go in there, sir.” Caleb had a firm tone, but he was considerably smaller than Magnus, who looked especially fierce.
“It’s my house.” Magnus’s voice was as strident and anxious as one might expect. What I didn’t expect, however, was how badly I wanted to go to him, especially when he added brokenly, “And my dogs.”
“And we’re doing everything we can to find them. I promise.” Sean strode over next to Caleb.
I turned back to check on Stu, who was doing much better. Probably wouldn’t need transport, but we’d keep an eye on his vitals in any event. Both patients handled, I gave into the urge to check on Magnus, but before I could reach him, the radio crackled and a shout sounded.
“This section of roof is about to go.”
“Fall back,” Sean ordered, rushing toward his retreating crew.
“No.” Magnus made an inhuman sound I felt deep in my gut. He sank to his knees, head falling into his hands. “No.”
“Magnus?” I touched his shoulder, not sure what comfort I could offer but determined to try. As I tried to figure out what else to say, two large rottie/pit mixes bound toward Magnus. Their fur was damp, and I could smell them even before they reached us, but they were very much alive. A relieved chuckle escaped my throat. “These your dogs?”
“Oh my God, where were you guys?” Magnus collected both into a bear hug on the ground, joyously accepting face licks and tail wags. “And you smell like trash. But I’m so happy to see you.”