Page 20 of Scarred Trust
“You’re safe. That’s all that matters.” I felt him kiss my head.
“We’re safe.” I looked up to make sure he heard me, but we were already around the block, in front of the pub where the emergency vehicles had pulled up.
“Check her for smoke inhalation,” Wes ordered a paramedic as he set me and my bag down on the back of the ambulance. “I’m going to talk to Captain Cole. I’ll be right back.” He was gone before I could reply. The paramedic put the oxygen mask over my head and listened to my lungs.
“Are you feeling ok? Anything hurt?” She took my vitals while asking questions. Crowds gathered at the spectacle of my life going up in flames, and I was thankful to be in a little cocoon, hidden by the ambulance.
“I’m fine. Really.” I had no idea how I was. Maybe I’m in shock.
“Trina!” My parents and Gran folded around me. I heard the worry in their voices. Just beyond them, I saw the familiar faces of Duffy’s staff, devastation reflecting in their expressions as they gaped at the blaze ravaging the restaurant.
“Are you hurt?” I wondered for a moment how many people were going to ask me that same question. My mom lifted my arms, checking for anything the paramedic may have missed.
“I’m fine. Wes got to me in time.”
“How did he know?”
“His super firefighter senses, I guess. He was so calm and efficient, getting us to safety.” I clutched my blanket closer, thankful for how quick-thinking Wes had been in the situation. The fire was keeping the area warm, but the fabric around me felt like a hug from Wes. Even during the intensity of their work, he checked on me. Nothing excessive, but frequently. He made eye contact and then gave a quick nod. Once he saw me respond the same, he returned to the orchestration of conquering the fire.
“Did they say what happened?”
“I don’t think they know yet.” Our group fell silent watching the firefighters try to save our livelihood. Wes helped direct the hoses with his crew. They moved with purpose in unison to the next flare as they put out others. It was hypnotic, but my sight never left Wes.
As the sky brightened with the first signs of daybreak, the crowd around me cheered because there were no visible signs of the fire anymore. Knowing Wes’s story kept me silent. The danger wasn’t over until Firehouse99 said so, and they didn’t look like they were even thinking of packing up yet.
I watched Wes arguing with Captain Cole as they gestured toward the pub. I found myself praying to an entity I wasn’t sure existed. In my head, I was screaming at Wes not to go into the building. When he rubbed the back of his neck, I imagine he felt the sear of my stare.
Even if the risk was low, I was concerned it would not only trigger his PTSD but also undermine the arson case we’d been building with Ogden and Wells. Arrests had been made, but it was still a long way until the trial. We all wanted answers, but putting himself in peril could position him as a hothead with a hero complex. That could be exaggerated to include his family, discrediting all of them and their valiant service to our community.
With Captain Cole’s sweeping hand gesture of finality, they walked away from each other. Wes rejoined the rest of the Firehouse99 crew, repositioning the empty hoses in case they were needed again. The Captain replaced his helmet and adjusted his coat before heading into the building with two other firefighters I couldn’t recognize behind their protective gear.
I took a deep breath, thankful Wes was safe, but my eyes didn’t veer from him. The crew busied themselves with quiet, methodical movements. These weren’t the men that had teased me about turning a roast into ashes months prior. Maybe they were as anxious as everyone else, or even more, considering the number of colleagues they'd lost over the past few years.
The crowd shifted around me, and the volume increased. The firefighters turned to look at the cause of the commotion, so I did also. A herd of dark suits flowed past the confused neighbors and restaurant staff. I studied the faces in the glowing street lights, registering each of the city officials, including the fire chief, Derek Wolfe.
The front man, whom I recognized as Mayor Smithfield, seemed to be intently looking for a specific person. Someone to his left whispered in his ear, turning his attention to my parents. The mayor’s expression transformed into practiced compassion. With his arms spread open and palms up, he looked like he was offering a comforting hug. Flashes of light from the local press documenting the moment randomly illuminated the faces of the spectators.
“Mister and Misses Duffy, I can’t express how sorry I am for this misfortune,” the mayor broadcasted loud enough for everyone to hear, adding a tilt of his head for extra empathy points. The tall man bent his knees enough as he walked toward my parents that he looked closer to my father’s five-foot-ten height. It might have been amusing if I hadn’t seen the same movements taught by my bosses to their clients.
“Mayor Smithfield, we’re honored to have you come by, especially at this hour of the day.” My father is properly effusive, even though he is well connected enough in the community to know it's irregular for the Mayor and other government officials to show up to something that should have been incidental in the scheme of their world.
“If there is absolutely anything, anything at all, that we can do to help you with your time of transition, please don’t hesitate to call my office.” The mayor’s tone and mouth were in a precise balance of friendly and concern. He pressed a business card into my father’s hands, covering them with his own in a brotherly handshake. The sky sparkled again with lights from the paparazzi cameras.
A screech of metal on metal turned everyone’s attention back to the restaurant. The firefighters were poised to react to whatever was happening. The sound, which morphed into a groan echoing from within the structure, ended in a violent crack. With their colleagues still inside, Firehouse99 ran to rescue them with Wes leading the way. Sudden fear for his safety jolted me to my feet, my blanket falling forgotten to the ground.
“We’re okay.” Captain Cole and the other firemen emerged before the rest of the crew got to the doorway. While the men appeared to be waiting eagerly for orders, the captain walked past them to the mayor and my parents. Firehouse99 followed, completing the circle for the end of what had become a photo op for the city officials. I felt warmth surround me when my blanket was returned to my shoulders. I grasped my Gran’s hands in gratitude.
“Mayor Smithfield. Chief Wolfe.” Captain Cole removed his helmet and nodded his greeting to his superiors, smoothing his hair when he noticed they were recording the moment. “Mister and Missus Duffy, I’m pleased to report that the fire is completely contained. The structure appears to be sound, though the staircase collapsed. The formal inspection will give us more information.” The mayor positioned himself between the captain and my father, while photographers shouted orders for other poses.
I shared hugs with my parents and Gran, then waited in the background. I was near enough to hear everyone offering their sympathy and assistance to my parents. The Duffys have offered support whenever it was needed. I hoped the community would rally for them too.
“He’ll be here soon.” My Gran sat beside me with an arm around my shoulders. I managed a half-smile for her ability to always read my mind. The government officials left as soon as the photos were finished. The rest of the crowd faded away when the spectacle was over. Remaining were the Duffys’ extended family.
Firehouse99 has moved as a unit with their captain to the firetrucks. They exchanged high-fives and slap-on-the-shoulder type man hugs, visibly relieved and able to rejoice at their success. I was overjoyed for them, but I couldn’t celebrate, not yet. Wes was good at putting on a front for others. I like to think that I’ve learned to read him better than that. The fact that he hasn’t looked at me since my parents arrived was telling.
Chapter 13
“YOU’RE SAFE.” WITH my eyes closed, I breathed in his smoky wood and warm spice scent. His words from earlier had given me a sense of peace, even though the curb under me was cool. Gran had left me to my anxious waiting to find out the next steps for the restaurant. “Trina, look at me.”I felt the sizzling warmth on my knees. That was undeniably Wes.
