Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Tawny completed her assigned chores and headed to the education wing, where fire instruction would begin in five minutes. Eight other women and Yolanda congregated in the classroom. Tawny recognized a few of them and offered a warm hello. She and Yolanda introduced themselves to the others they didn’t know and settled into desks side by side, where spiral notebooks, pens, and pencils had been placed earlier.
As they waited for their instructor, Tawny assessed the others upon whom all their lives depended. Despite their different ethnicities, height, weight, and coloring, they all had one thing in common—their physical fitness. Their bodies were well-toned and muscular, with barely an ounce of fat. This, Tawny knew, was necessary to pass the rigorous physical requirements. She suspected, however, that Warden Stoltz had selected them for something else they had in common—a lack of connection with anyone outside these walls. She needed to learn their backstories to prove her theory.
Brisk footsteps approached the classroom. Everyone sat up straighter, and their quiet conversation ebbed into silence. Tawny irrationally wished that Finnigan…
The instructor, arrayed in full fireman’s regalia, crossed the open threshold, moved to the head of the classroom in front of the dry-erase board, removed the helmet, and smiled.
Tawny gulped. Half her wish came true. A Finnigan did stand in front of her. Moira Finnigan . She silently thanked whoever had arranged this because Moira’s presence here hadn’t been by accident. And though she and Moira weren’t close, Finnigan’s sister eased her loneliness and isolation from the outside world.
Moira briefly made eye contact with her before she introduced herself. “Good morning. I’m Captain Moira Finnigan, and I’ve been a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department for twelve years. I come from a long line of firefighters. In fact, there has been a Finnigan in the fire department since my ancestors immigrated to America from Ireland in the 1800s. My purpose is to teach you the basics of fire science and then put you in the field because experience is a better teacher. So, let’s begin by getting to know each other.”
After two icebreakers that caused plenty of hilarity and good-natured ribbing, Moira began the instruction on the chemistry of fire. Much of this Tawny already knew, but she took copious notes. Next to her, Yolanda scribbled furiously and kept her entire attention on Moira. Yolanda occasionally raised her hand to ask a question, which Moira answered in a kind, patient tone. She used Google Slides to present her information, showing them chemical equations and other scientific facts interspersed with photographs of real fires. Tawny recognized the wildfires that claimed Moira and Marcus’ father’s life. Though a member of SWAT, Finnigan’s flame tattoo was his way of honoring his deceased father.
“These wildfires are dangerous killers. They consume lives as they feed themselves. Many good, well-trained firefighters, my own father included, lost their lives trying to save land, animals, and people.”
“I’ve never understood how they get so bad so fast,” Yolanda commented.
“Here’s how.” Moira explained the natural forces that come together to create such voracious beasts. “We also can’t exclude the careless mistakes that humans make, such as flicking a cigarette butt out a car window or not fully dousing a campfire.”
They spent the remainder of the morning discussing various types of fires and how they burn differently, then broke for lunch. Moira signaled for Tawny to linger behind the others, so she told Yolanda she’d catch up with her in a few minutes.
Tawny and Moira shared a brief hug that lifted her spirit. “Oh, my God! Moira! I can hardly believe you’re here. How’s Finn?” She rarely referred to him by his first name.
“Angry that I’m here instead of him.”
Tawny grinned. “I’ll bet.”
“Listen, I’m expected to have lunch with Warden Stoltz shortly. But I wanted to give you this first.” Moira removed an envelope from her gym bag and handed it to her.
Tawny recognized the handwriting. Tears blurred her vision. She pressed the envelope against her breasts and took several deep breaths before she spoke. “Thanks for this. Be careful with the warden. He’s wily.”
“Don’t worry. Jiena prepped me. I’ll see you and the others in an hour.”
Instead of joining Yolanda in the cafeteria, Tawny secluded herself in her cell to read and savor Finn’s letter. She held it up to her nose and sniffed. Dear God, it smelled like him! She closed her eyes and let her mind sweep her back to the past spring and summer when she lay contentedly in Finnigan’s arms after long bouts of lazy lovemaking. He knew her body well, knew how to touch her, where to touch her, and kiss her to elicit the most pleasurable responses. Finnigan’s skill as a lover, as someone who placed her needs in bed above his own, solidified her love for him. In turn, she gave him what he needed in and outside of bed, gave him without reservation her entire heart and soul.
Tears slipped from her eyes, and she dashed them away with impatience at her vulnerability. She opened the envelope and read Finnigan’s letter through blurry vision.
Red,
I can’t imagine what you’re enduring right now. Just know this.
Your pain is my pain. Your loneliness is my loneliness. Your fear
is my fear. I’m feeling everything right along with you, baby. So
far, you’re doing great holding your own. Stay strong, Red.
Remember, you’re not alone. We’ve got you. I’ve got you. Always
and forever. I love you more than words can express. I’m yours,
no matter what. And when you come home, hopefully soon,
I want to ask you something important that will prove my love
and fidelity to you. Hint: It involves something sparkly. Be
safe, Red.
Love forever,
Flamin’ Hot Finnigan
Tawny burst into laughter, even as tears ran in rivulets down her face. She kissed the letter and placed it in the back of her journal. Finnigan hadn’t said anything incriminating, so there was no way she was destroying his letter to her.
He wanted to propose!
“Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!” She danced a jig and then jogged to the cafeteria, where she caught the tail end of lunch. Breathless and excited, she slid into her usual spot at a table with Yolanda and Jo.
“Wow! You’re glowing,” Yolanda commented. “What happened?”
“Nothing. I’m just really happy that we’re finally on our way to a better life. What do you think about it so far, Yolanda?”
“I’m actually gettin’ it. But could we study tonight? I think the captain is gonna spring a quiz on us.”
“Absolutely.” Tawny addressed Jo, whom, she assumed, felt left out. “How’s your day been so far?”
“Pretty good. I worked in the greenhouse all morning, and after lunch, I’ve got laundry duty.”
“Tonight, before we study, we’ll play a few rounds of cards with you.”
Jo’s forlorn expression brightened. “That’s what I love so much about you, Tawny. You’re always thinkin’ about other people and makin’ ‘em feel better.”
Tawny waved away the compliment with a mischievous grin. “Oh, it’s purely selfish, Jo. I want to win back all the Snickers bars I lost to you in our last game.”
Everyone laughed. After they finished eating, they cleaned up their table and went their separate ways.
Tawny tried to gauge how Moira handled lunch with the warden from her demeanor, but she was laser-focused on her instruction. All the inmates had to pay close attention, and their hands moved nonstop across the pages of their spiral notebooks. Most of them hadn’t been in a classroom environment in years. Old habits had to be broken and new ones learned if they wanted to survive.
Class ended at four-thirty. As Yolanda suspected, Moira announced their first written quiz in the morning. “Grades will be posted, ladies, from highest to lowest. Trust me, you do not want to be in the lowest position.”
Half the class spoke to Moira on their way out. Tawny lingered with Yolanda, who said with a grin, “I called it, Captain Finnigan. I knew you was gonna nail us with a quiz.”
Moira’s brown eyes glinted like Finnigan’s. “That’s a great start. Get a good night’s sleep, you two. Tomorrow, we start physical training.”
“Can’t wait.” Tawny paused, then added in a quiet tone, “Thanks.”
Moira nodded. One of the new guards escorted her away, and Tawny and Yolanda headed in the opposite direction.
As soon as Finnigan’s sister left CIFW, she sent him a text and asked if they could meet for dinner at Tuscany’s, their father’s favorite Italian restaurant tucked away in a section of LA formerly known as San Pedro. It still housed a large portion of Italians who had immigrated from Genoa and Sicily. Moira and Marcus used to tease their father about being more Italian than Irish. He would teasingly respond with, “Aside from whiskey, Irish fare is too bland for my taste.” Finnigan agreed to his sister’s request, anxious to hear any information about Tawny.
This was the siblings’ first visit to Tuscany’s since their father died. Finnigan waited for Moira in the softly lit foyer of the Old-World restaurant. When she arrived, he greeted her with an awkward, “Hi.”
He half-expected a hug after their surprise reunion at SWAT’s command center, but Moira held herself aloof. Not all their hurt over the years could be easily resolved. But dinner tonight was a step in the right direction. “Hi,” she responded in a casual tone.
A hostess dressed in a black maxi dress led them to a table draped in white linen and set with sparkling water goblets and shiny silverware. She placed the menus encased in leather in front of them and said their waiter would be with them shortly.
Both needed a glass of wine after a long day and ordered the Tuscany’s house special—a fragrant bouquet sweet to the taste buds. They clinked their glasses and toasted their father.
“To Dad,” Finnigan declared.
“To Dad,” Moira echoed. “He’d be really proud of you.”
“Of you, too.”
Their waiter brought a basket of warm Italian bread and two small plates of herbs. He added Tuscany’s own brand of olive oil and then took their order. The siblings sipped their wine and ate a slice of the Italian bread before Finnigan leaned forward, his face serious and concerned.
“How’s Tawny?”
“Granted, I haven’t seen her in person for a while, but she looked paler and thinner. From what I observed, she’s holding herself together well under pressure.”
“What did she say when you gave her my letter?”
“She thanked me with tears in her eyes.”
Finnigan’s heart dropped into his stomach. “Jesus, Moira, I didn’t want to make her cry.”
“Well, I think it was unavoidable under the circumstances. Whatever you said must have affected her deeply because, after lunch, she positively radiated with happiness.”
Finnigan let out a sigh of relief. “Okay, great. God, I hope we break this case soon. So, how did it go today?”
“The class went great. For what it’s worth, Warden Stoltz chose a very capable group of women.”
“We have their names and are gathering as much information as we can on them. Right now, there are two troubling facts about them. They’re all in their mid to late twenties, and they don’t have anyone on the outside who cares about them. Four of them received harsh sentences from Judge Cohen for prostitution.” Finnigan paused and ate another slice of bread.
“So, you’re saying that these women are expendable.”
“Right. And these commonalities fit Jiena’s theory that they’re somehow being used as drug mules.”
“That means the corruption runs deep and strikes at the heart of our justice system. Do you have evidence the captain in charge of the fire program was a part of the operation? I don’t want to believe that someone tasked with saving lives would knowingly put them in danger, though in reality, I know it happens all too often.”
“No. The fire captain is off site during the night unless there’s an emergency. Two guards supervise the women, so it’s likely that they’re point men for the organization.”
“Do you think all the candidates are being recruited?”
“Possibly. Whatever is happening next is occurring at the fire camp.”
“What about my role? Am I staying overnight at the camp?”
“No. Any change in the routine will only draw suspicion.”
Their waiter interrupted their conversation to deliver their meal. He refilled their wine and water glasses and brought them another breadbasket. They attacked their dinner with vigor and grinned at each other.
“I’ve missed this,” Finnigan admitted.
“I have, too.”
“So, what’s new in your life?”
“If you’re asking if I’m dating anyone, the answer is no.” Moira sipped her wine and gazed at her brother. “You know, there’s such a double standard at play here. Women fantasize about dating hot firemen, and my single male coworkers never lack for a date. But I don’t think guys fantasize about dating hot firewomen. I guess what I do isn’t sexy.”
Finnigan choked on a bite of food and gulped it down with water. His face grew hot as he gasped, trying to catch his breath. “I wasn’t expecting you to say that.”
“I’m not twelve, Marcus.”
“Yeah, I get that. If you want, I could set you up with a guy in SWAT. Someone who thinks female firefighters are sexy.”
Moira kicked his shin under the table. “Very funny, Marcus. What do you intend to do? Put out a poll?”
He grinned and waved his fork at her. “That sounds like an excellent idea.”
She laughed. “Listen, Marcus, I don’t need my big brother arranging dates for me.”
“Okay, but I’m going to take a poll regardless because now I’m curious to find out if what you said is true.”
They bantered like old times, each vying for the upper hand. There had always been intense competition between them, from grades in school to sports. As they waited for dessert and cups of coffee, Finnigan grew serious again.
“What was your impression of Warden Stoltz?”
“In a word? Shady as hell. Tawny warned me that he was wily, and she was correct. He pumped me for information, asking questions about my taking the place of the guy he was expecting, if I was only temporary, and so on. He was nervous but tried to hide it beneath a charming veneer. Quite creepy.”
Finnigan scowled. “I’m sure Jiena has prepped you well for this, Moira, but I’m issuing you a stern warning. Don’t discuss anything personal with him or the inmates because you might inadvertently reveal something you shouldn’t. Stick to what you know. Firefighting.”
She reached across the table and covered one of his hands with hers. “I’ll be careful, Marcus.”
Dessert and coffee arrived, and their conversation reverted to their mother. Moira expressed her concern about Mira Finnigan’s mental health, and Finnigan promised he’d spend more time with her. At the end of the evening, he paid the bill and accompanied his sister to her car.
“If you’re able to speak with Tawny alone, tell her that I love her and miss her, and I meant every word in the letter I wrote to her.”
“I will. Love you, Marcus.”
“Love you, too, sis.”
When Tawny and the others entered the classroom on day two of instruction, they found their desks arranged so they had to sit with their backs to one another. The quizzes were labeled with their names in random order. Once everyone settled into her seat with a pencil in hand, Moira instructed them to begin the quiz. For the next several minutes, nothing could be heard but the sound of their pencils scribbling across the paper. Tawny finished her quiz and waited until a couple of others rose from their desks to turn them in before she followed them. When the last inmate turned in her quiz, Moira led them outside to a training area for the fire program, where they went through a series of warmups before she ordered them to run laps.
Better conditioned than the others, Tawny outlasted them all. One by one, they dropped to the ground, gasping for breath. As Tawny passed each of her fallen classmates, she hauled her up and yelled, “Keep going! Don’t you quit!” Only when she realized they couldn’t give any more did Tawny sink to the ground, chest heaving. A couple of the women vomited.
Moira handed them bottles of cold water and warned them not to chug. “You think running laps until you drop is hard? In the field, you’ll be expected to run up flights of stairs with up to seventy-five pounds of gear. Or you might have to carry an unconscious victim out of a burning building. Physical conditioning is vital. You’ll be running every day and working out in the training room. Any questions?” They shook their heads. “Okay, let’s hit those weights.”