“Absolutely not. You’ll be in the way.” She shoved past him and into her gear in record time. She, Ozzy and Jasper were sprinting to the engine.
Roman stood in the bay, watching them load into the engine. He barked out last-minute instructions as they pulled out onto the street. They hit the siren and were gone.
Leaving Roman standing there. Alone.
* * *
“WHAT HAPPENED?” FRANKIE demanded of Luke once she got the engine parked in front of the onetime pub and mayor’s office. The sheriff, along with his deputies, Matt and Fletcher, held the growing crowd back, shop owners and residents drawn to the spot by the sound of the sirens.
“Not sure. Esther Rosenblat called it in. She saw flames in the window about fifteen minutes ago. Frankie,” Luke said, his gaze shifting to where Ozzy and Jasper were yanking the hose free. “It’s bad. The gas lines, the age of the structure—this place is a tinder box.”
“I know.” She’d been at the town meetings where a committee had been pleading to either tear the building down or refurbish it. Both requests had been dismissed as too costly. Which was part of the reason Gil had chosen it as his temporary office—to prove them wrong.
“We’ve got engines coming in to help.” She looked over as Kendall screeched the department SUV to a halt behind the engine, Sebastian, Kurt and Calliope’s husband, Xander Costas, spilling out, each of them suited up.
“Hook up the hoses!” she ordered, pointing to hoses on the truck then the hydrant. “Luke, keep doing what you’re doing, but we need to keep these people back. As far as you can get them. If a gas line’s involved...”
“Way ahead of you. Matt found the gas line and turned it off. But there’s no telling how much is in the building already.”
“Great. Good. I need Fletcher,” she yelled over her shoulder as she raced back to her team.
“Understood. Fletcher! Suit up! Kyle!” Luke yelled to the teen standing in the crowd. “Hop to, you’re with us. We want everyone back at least two blocks. Go!”
“On it.” Kyle sprang forward and ducked under the tape Luke had stretched to keep the people away and began pushing the growing crowd farther from the fire.
Another SUV pulled up behind Dwayne. Anger zipped through Frankie, knowing instantly who it was. “What are you doing here, Roman? I don’t have time—”
“No, you don’t. I’m not useless, Frankie. I can coordinate from out here. Give me a helmet and radio. And get me someone who knows this building. Xander! I could use your help.”
Frankie looked at the building and the flames licking behind the windows. “This is bad.”
“I know.” His nod was short, but she saw the concern in his eyes. Concern that proved why firefighters shouldn’t get involved with one another. Any objectivity had disappeared.
“Frankie!” A woman across the street called and waved to her. “Frankie!”
“Hoses are up and running,” Kendall called, taking the lead with Sebastian while Fletcher, now wearing protective gear, along with Kurt, circled around the other side of the building. Flames crackled into the night. Smoke drifted up and over the town, blocking out the moon and stars.
Frankie eyed who had called to her and rushed to the woman. It was Katie Enderlin, the mayor’s assistant. “Katie, what is it?”
“I think Gil’s in there. He was getting the last of the files. Wanted everything out before tomorrow. I left around six, and he was on his way over. I’ve tried to get him on his cell, but he isn’t answering.”
“Okay, thanks.” Frankie cursed. The last thing she expected was for someone to be inside. She grabbed her facemask, shoved on her helmet. “Roman? We might have someone inside.”
“Who?” Xander asked.
“Gil Hamilton.”
“The fire’s spreading fast,” Kendall said into her intercom. “It’s running hot, too.”
Time slowed. Frankie looked up at Roman and, through the plastic between them, saw he understood. “I have to go in.”
He nodded, his jaw tense. “Kendall, wet down that door. Xander? Ozzy? Frankie’s going in. I want you two on RIC. You wait here and go in if she needs you.”
Xander glanced at Ozzy, and they nodded in understanding.
“Frankie?” Roman grabbed her arm. “Stay safe.”
She grinned behind the mask. “Always.”
Frankie hurried to the front door and stood in front of the hose for a good few seconds before she busted the door open and stepped inside.
Heat blasted up and around her, gobbling up every bit of oxygen she had. Staying low, Frankie walked through the first story, kicking in doors to check for Gil.