Chapter 20
Viper
The sky was painted a deep purple, the perfect hue of a deep, muscular bruise after only a few hours. Neither the orange haze of the continuing fire with its swirling billows of smoke nor the early morning light could dull the spectacular effects caused by the overnight storm.
Now, instead of the terrain being a terrarium of fallen limbs, ash, charred debris, and leftover moss, the surrounding area had a swampland feel. Even with the protective covering, slime and water had managed to seep through my boots.
We’d moved off the summit, forced to given the change in the wind. The storm had proven to be more unpredictable than what the forecasters had spouted off over the communications system.
We were all bone weary and dehydrated, finally taking a break.
From the latest update, we were nowhere near being finished.
But at least we’d managed to keep the flames from rolling down the hill to the university.
Just before dark, the planes had rolled back through, dropping mud, the fire-retardant slurry creating acrid smoke.
We’d started on a level playing field, certain we could easily contain the fire.
After our initial meeting, laying out designated safety areas and studying the fire on the geological map, we’d attacked.
Mother Nature was enjoying fucking with us.
It happened, but the surroundings were eerie, a dense fog created from smoke and moisture hovering just above the ground.
After wrestling out of my jacket, I thudded my butt on the ground, yanking off my mask. While the air was still smoky, I’d suddenly felt suffocated.
“Catch,” Raptor said as he tossed me a bottle of water he’d snagged from my jump bag.
“Thanks.” I rolled the wet plastic across my forehead, studying the mountain. There were several smaller fires the firefighters were tackling. Our job was to keep two larger fires from converging into one.
A tough task given the fucking inconsistent weather pattern.
Several glugs and I’d almost consumed the entire bottle. Raptor sat down beside me, Denver tossing his helmet before flipping down on the turf on his back, making snow angels in the muck.
Rock kicked his boot, glaring down at him. “Don’t get too comfortable. Hot off the presses. A flare-up on the backside of the summit. We’re headed back up the ravine.”
“Fuck,” another smokejumper groaned. “I thought we were making headway.”
“You thought wrong. We’ve barely made a damn dent. But hey, good news,” Rock spit out while glancing in my direction. “We have some help from some wildland guys who came in last night from Colorado.”
He didn’t need to tell me which crew he was referring to. They’d brought the group from the fire camp. My old stomping grounds.
The information wasn’t lost on Axe. He threw me a look that was definite shade before clawing his way to his feet. At least we were making progress.
Chuckling, I could tell even Rock was finished with his attitude. Whatever, I was here to do my job. Rock crowded his way to a prime spot close enough I had a feeling something was on his mind.
I finished off my water, crushing the bottle while he continued debating whether he wanted to share his thoughts or keep them to himself.
“You’re damn good at what you do, Viper. Just watch going off on your own. You gotta have Axe’s back.”
“I’m well aware,” I answered while seeing Axe taking a piss twenty-five or so feet away. “If the hardhead will let me.”
“When push comes to shove, your training will kick in.”
“What training?” I teased, but he couldn’t tell my mood had lightened. Maybe I’d become too damn serious.
Grumpy. Isn’t that what Grace had called me?
“So, I heard you were dating Mr. Weaver’s goddaughter.” Now the man had a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Where’d you hear that?”
Wouldn’t you know Raptor had to stick his head into the conversation. “This might as well be a town of a thousand people. It’s all over.”
“Oh, fucking great.”
“The moment the deputy on the other end of the phone conversation with the chief of police realized you were joining the Zullies, word got out you didn’t have a decent place to live. The park ain’t safe, man.”
Was he fucking kidding me? The last thing I wanted or needed for that matter was anyone butting into my business. I did nothing more than glare at him, but my stare was obviously powerful enough Raptor threw up his hands.
“I’m just telling you there are some real freaks even in Missoula.
After Carl heard the news, he mentioned it to his buddies, which filtered down to Ziggy’s, the local watering hole catering to Zullies given the owner is none other than Landen Weaver’s wife, Shannon.
One thing led to another and everyone knew you’d taken up residence there. ”
I kept glaring at Raptor. “Are you happy with yourself? Did you figure all that out on your own?”
The man grinned like some kid who’d just solved the Rubik’s Cube.
Hell, I was getting way too old.
“Just be careful. Landen seems like a nice guy on the outside, and he is, but he can be a real bear and with the death of Grace’s parents, he’s like a papa bear caring for his cubs.” Rock’s advice wasn’t laden with bullshit, which I appreciated.
“You mean murder. Her parents were murdered.” Maybe this was as good a time as any to bring up the subject. Break was almost over.
Even Denver sat up for the conversation. “Yeah. Nobody can figure out why. Steve and Jenny Monroe were salt of the earth. My brother is on the engine company who responded. They found two padlocks on the doors and the fire burned hot. A fucking crude explosion with an accelerant used.”
Anger tore through me. “Why wasn’t the entire building torched?”
Rock huffed. “From what I heard, whoever set the fire had to be an amateur. A trail burned to the river behind the property.”
“So the guy planned the whole thing,” I muttered, which was what I’d guessed given the condition of the building.
“Yep. Same shit as the sporting goods store too.” Raptor whistled.
I noticed Axe was walking closer, his face as pinched as I’d ever seen it.
“That sounds like revenge, not some kid seeking his jollies,” I admitted.
“But how are they connected?” Rock threw out.
“I heard Steve was a rock climber before his heart attack. Maybe that’s the store he shopped at.” I was grasping at straws. Even while working the fire, my thoughts had drifted to a dozen possibilities, none of which made any sense. But I knew one thing as if by instinct.
The Monroes had been targets.
“I don’t know, man. Look at this fire. Why torch the mountain near the university?” Denver shook his head.
“The ‘M’ was torched,” Rock said quietly. “That’s personal.”
“There’s no real evidence of arson.” At least from what I’d seen, although the captain’s precautionary words to the mayor lingered in my mind.
Rock laughed. “Not yet. But I have a feeling. Your instinct about these fires will come with time.”
“Someone is following Grace,” I said and I could hear the rage in my voice. “The other day, she was freaking out. I ran in the direction of where she said they’d gone. Someone drove off, spinning tires and gunning the engine. They were on her access road. There were tire treads.”
“Did you tell anyone?” Rock asked, his eyes narrowed.
“Didn’t have a chance. Minutes later I was called to this fire.”
“Shit, you need to tell Chief Taylor.” Firestarter shook his head several times.
“Yeah, well, he and I don’t have a good history. Remember?” I half laughed, but they were right.
“You need to do it as soon as you can. The tire tracks could help identify the person. Of course unless the rain washed them away.”
“I took pictures.”
Raptor huffed. “Don’t overthink this, Viper. I don’t know you, but I can tell you like this girl. Let the police and the fire inspector do their jobs. Tell them everything you know.”
“Then why the hell aren’t they? How many people need to die until they get off their asses to do their jobs?” I could feel the blistering anger increasing, rising in a powerful way that clouded my vision. Breathe, asshole. You can’t do a damn thing about it now.
No, I couldn’t, but no one was going to touch her. Except for me.
“Just remember, you’ve got friends,” Raptor added.
Friends. The guys didn’t know shit about me. I looked away, struggling with my emotions. After two years nothing had really changed. I was the one needing to strike. Anyone getting in my way or trying to hurt people I cared about would face my wrath.
And damn it, I did care about her. Way too much.
“Alright, boys, break is over. Let’s see if we can get this fire under control by day’s end. I have a birthday party to get to.”
Almost no jumper grumbled. We knew the drill as well as the danger. As I stood, yanking my jacket off the ground, Axe meandered toward me, finishing his bottle of water.
He remained quiet until the others walked away. Then he turned his head toward me. “I know what you did.”
Now I bristled, ready to shove him aside like he’d done with me. This time he stepped in front of me. “Did you break into the captain’s office in the middle of the night, or did you and the other assholes enjoy a good laugh over a beer and a bottle of tequila?”
Nothing about his behavior was what I expected. “Captain Daughtry would never betray you. Neither would any of the team. But I had to know. None of my goddamn business, but I needed to know what I was dealing with. I asked around.”
“Yeah, whatever.” I took one step away and he shot his arm out, stopping me.
“I would have done exactly the same thing. Exactly. I have a sister. She’s the light of our family, especially after Will’s death. If some motherfucker had so much as laid an inappropriate hand on her, he’d be six feet under, buried without his hands. I’m sorry about Aimee, Viper. Truly, I am.”
“What are you saying?”
He huffed, his upper lip tipping at the corners. “You’re a hard man. Can’t blame you. I’m saying I hope you’ll take that as an apology ‘cause I suck at it.”