“I’m sure glad we caught up with him.” Carter leaned forward and peered at the glowing sky. “It’s not safe to go near that place. The fire department called out the Black Rock Falls fire chief the moment the explosions went off, so it’s possible the Black Rock Falls Fire Department is here as well. They’ll know to keep clear.”
The idea of her local fire department getting there before Jenna concerned her. “They should have called us first. We needed to be on scene from the get-go.”
“You’re asking a lot from a deputy who is used to following orders, Jenna.” Kane flicked her a glance. “Think about it, his sheriff has just been blown to hell and he wouldn’t have the contacts the sheriff had on hand. His first priority would have been to evacuate the neighbors and stop the fire spreading. His volunteer fire department would have panicked. I’m guessing they needed assistance so the fire chief would be the logical person to call. When he arrived, I’m guessing he called the Louan sheriff, as he’s just dealt with a similar situation and Crenshaw told him to call the FBI. That’s why we had the delay.”
“He followed procedure.” Carter sighed. “Let’s just hope no one has tried to be a hero and ended up spread over half the town.”
Huffing out an annoyed sigh, Jenna looked at Kane. “I know the deputy followed procedure; I meant the fire chief. He was fully aware we’re involved in a similar case out of Louan and should have called us before he left for Blackwater. He’s irresponsible. One mistake I’d overlook, but two? Not a chance in hell.”
“You go straight for the jugular, don’t you, Jenna?” Carter barked a laugh. “I would too. If he has a problem with you, he could have called me. I gave him my card.”
“Well, we can deal with him later.” Kane slowed the Beast to the same speed as Wolfe’s van.
Jenna snorted. She didn’t like the fire chief’s attitude toward her. “Oh, I intend to.”
Forty-One
The smell of the burning wood filled the cab, and smoke swirled around them rising in great plumes and moving across the blacktop in a slow procession. Ahead flames reached for the sky like red and orange dancers with waving outstretched arms. The trees around the house had burst into flames and firetrucks, set well back from the blaze pounded them with jets of water in what looked like an insurmountable battle. The water boiled and hissed, sending out great clouds of steam but the fire had escaped. It roared like an angry lion determined to tear everything in its path to shreds. The recent dry spell had desiccated the undergrowth to kindling making it a perfect medium to spread the flames. Horrified, Jenna stared in disbelief. Inside the raging inferno that was once a family home, Sheriff Buzz Stuart and his wife Cathy had perished. She turned to Carter. “You can’t send Zorro in there.”
“I’m not a fool, Jenna.” Carter peered over her shoulder at the blaze.
“How close do you need to get?” Kane slowed to a crawl. “It’s getting hot in here already.”
“Not close at all, keep well back. We’ll need to access our equipment and a have a safe place to rest up if necessary.” Carter pointed to an open area of plowed land, where Wolfe had just parked his van. “Follow Wolfe. It looks safer, dirt and no trees to catch fire.”
“Good choice.” Kane headed to the field and drove through the open gate. “The wind is heading in the other direction as well.” He turned the truck around and stared out the windshield. “I thought you said the fire chief was on scene?” He indicated toward the road. “That’s his truck heading our way now.”
Moments later, the fire chief pulled in beside them. Jenna jumped out the truck and was blasted by hot and smoke-filled air, ashes twirled around her falling like snow. Although the middle of the night, the light coming from the fire illuminated the area in a rosy glow. She marched straight up to him. “I thought you were on scene?”
“I am on scene.” Matt Thompson gave her a quizzical stare. “Did the smoke get in your eyes, Sheriff?”
The air between then sizzled with more than heat from the fire. Jenna waved a hand toward his truck. “You’ve only just arrived. I saw you coming in behind us.”
“Have I?” Thompson rolled his eyes in an exaggerated manner. “In case you haven’t noticed the fire is spreading east. I moved my truck to a safer position. I could say: ‘What took you so long?’ but I really don’t give a damn.”
Anger threatening to bubble over, Jenna folded her arms across her chest. She had to deal with him, she had no other choice. “Give me the rundown.”
“Ah… I know you were brought in on the Louan case but Blackwater isn’t in your jurisdiction and I believe you’re only under the FBI umbrella as a consultant.” Thompson removed his helmet and looked down his nose at her. “I’ll give my report to Agent Carter.”
“She’s leading the investigation, man.” Carter walked up beside her.
As Kane and Jo joined her, Jenna stared at him. “If that’s a problem for you Chief Thompson, we’re all here now so how about bringing us up to speed?”
“Sure. Nice to see you again Agent Wells and you too, Agent Carter.” Thompson ignored Kane and waved a hand toward the firetrucks. “The house was well ablaze when I arrived. The local boys could see the house was too far gone to save, so they evacuated the ranch houses either side and then called it in. My crew have been containing the fire since arriving, preventing the spread.” He shrugged. “It’s all we can do. The fire will burn itself out soon.”
“There were three explosions?” Carter looked at him, grim-faced. “All gas bottles?”
“I’m not sure, I didn’t see them explode and to make things worse, the sheriff had a ton of ammunition inside the house.” Thompson frowned. “If he stored it inside a metal container the heat from the blaze could have caused an explosion. I’ll have a better idea of what happened when we get inside the house.” He looked at Jenna. “That won’t be for hours.”
Astonished, Jenna shook her head. “Then call out the Louan Fire Department as well. They can assist with preventing the spread and your crew can get the fire out.” She lifted her chin. “For God’s sake, there are people in there. We need to know if a crime was committed. Leaving it to burn itself out will destroy evidence.”
“And I’ll need to get closer and check for unexploded IEDs.” Carter stared at the fire. “You have no idea what else is hidden around the perimeter of the building. You’re putting lives at risk.”
“I am not.” Thompson’s eyes flashed with anger. “I’m keeping my men well out of harm’s way. I gave them strict orders not to move inside the fence.”
Jenna stared at him. “I’m ordering you to call in assistance. I want this fire out. Do it now!”
“You can’t give me orders.” Thompson shook his head in disbelief. “I’m the fire chief but I will call in the Louan crew just to keep the peace.” He stomped toward his truck and climbed inside, slamming the door behind him.