Chapter 5
Jackson and Turk leaned against a weathered brick wall. Neither talked much as they awaited their release from the scene.
Jackson”s mind filled with thoughts. “I wish Livvy was running this show. Things would move faster.” He couldn”t help but wonder about the current situation, the mystery deepening with every passing moment as the detectives seemed to walk in circles.
Turk smiled. “Why do I think it’s more than her detective work that’s got you hooked?”
Jackson shrugged. He couldn”t ignore the undeniable pull he felt toward Liv. She was unlike anyone he had ever met before—strong, independent, and fiercely passionate about her work. Liv had captured his heart in a way he never thought possible, and he was willing to do whatever it took to see where this unexpected journey led.
As each fire captain took turns giving their statement, relaying their intention to relax during the hike and their accidental discovery of the body, the act of repeating the account multiple times began to feel annoying and stupid. Finally, they were cleared to leave the scene.
Hiking back to their vehicle, Turk”s radio crackled with pressing words, breaking the calm of the woods. His hand hovered over the radio as he awaited the latest update. “Jackson, this doesn”t sound good. Lithium-ion fire on Hazel Street.”
Jackson nodded grimly, his gaze fixed further down the trail. Fire caused by a lithium-ion battery—the thought sent a chill down his spine, a horrible reminder of the dangers posed by the temperamental equipment. “That’s a high-density neighborhood. If they don’t get it under control fast, it can do major damage. And Louis is running the scene.” Louis was the weaker captain. “God, I hope he can handle it.”
The crackle of the radio delivered an update: “Multiple injuries reported. One critical, one serious, and multiple moderate injuries. Requesting all available units to assist.”
Turk”s eyes widened hearing the severity of the situation. “This is going off the rails. How do we stop people from using non-certified batteries? What is it, the fifth fire we’ve had?”
“Money. Maybe we can get a grant and replace the bad batteries for good ones. You know, like when people turn in a gun for a gift card?” Jackson”s jaw clenched, his voice edged with unease. “We need to make sure everyone”s safe. These batteries are unpredictable, and once they catch fire, they”re a bomb. Water won’t shut them down.”
Turk nodded. “Let”s get back to the station, see what support we can offer.” They picked up their pace.
On the way back, their discussion morphed into ideas for logistical planning and safety precautions training. The radio chatter echoed around them, updates about the fire”s impact continuing to pour in.
It took a while before Jackson managed to get cell reception. Dialing into the scene, his breath caught as Luke Shane, one of the lieutenants, delivered unsettling news. “Detective Everhart pulled out a thirteen-year-old kid from the fire—they both have serious smoke inhalation. She”s in the hospital.” Luke”s words hit Jackson like a sledgehammer.
Jackson turned to Turk and swallowed hard. “Livvy has smoke inhalation. We have to get to the hospital.”
They dumped their hiking gear into the Tahoe. Turk hit his emergency lights and floored it to the hospital.
When they arrived, Jackson ran to the ER’s nurses’ station. “Detective Everhart?” he asked one of the regular nurses. “How is she? Is she stable?”
“She”s heavily sedated for now. The smoke inhalation was moderate, but she”s responding well to treatment.” The nurse pointed toward her room. “We’re moving her to the ICU soon.”
Turk placed a hand on Jackson”s shoulder. “You know they’ll take good care of her here. Don’t worry.”
As Jackson nodded in agreement with Turk”s observation, a flicker of concern flashed across his features. “Yeah, and she”s stupid too. She had no equipment. She could have gotten herself killed.”
The worry gnawed at him; he couldn”t help but feel a pang of apprehension at the thought of her risking her safety in such a reckless manner. He needed to talk to her, to make sure she understood the dangers involved in their line of work. He couldn”t bear the thought of anything happening to her.
Jackson eased himself into the chair beside Olivia”s bed, his eyes fixated on her face. Soot still dotted her nose and lips. Tubes and monitors surrounded her, beeps and hums filling the room.
Jackson whispered, “Livvy... come on, wake up. I…” He didn’t finish his sentence, suddenly realizing how much she was beginning to mean to him.
Turk stood nearby, his expression a copy of Jackson”s.
Jackson’s voice cracked, “You can”t do this, Livvy. You can”t leave me hanging like this. Our fathers would be pissed off. Wake up, please.”
He reached out, gently taking her hand in his, his touch seeking a response, a sign. “Livvy. You”ve got to fight through this. We need you back with us.”
“You heard the nurse. They sedated her,” Turk reminded his friend. “I’ll say a prayer. Call me when you want to head home. I’m gonna go to the station.” He looked at Olivia. “Liv, wake up before this guy loses it.” He grabbed Jackson’s shoulder and headed out.
Jackson walked beside her bed as they transported her to the ICU. The hospital room was quiet, the only sounds the soft hum of medical equipment and the rhythmic beeping that monitored Olivia”s condition. He sat by her bedside, his eyes fixed on her sleeping form.
The door opened, and Charlotte Everhart entered, her expression a mix of surprise and worry. “I didn”t realize anyone was here. I spoke with her sisters, and they’re on their way.” She walked over to Olivia and kissed her cheek. “Liv, I owe you an apology. It doesn’t matter what job…” Her voice cracked as she turned to Jackson. “I argued with her about going through the fire academy.”
He rose from his seat.“Hi, Chief Everhart. I”m sorry, I didn”t mean to intrude. I”m Jackson….”
“Jackson Reynolds. You’re not intruding.” Charlotte took the other empty chair. “It”s alright. Liv told me you’d been spending some time together.”
He looked down. “We have—it’s work-related, but we’ve been sorting through our complicated history.”
Charlotte blew out a breath. “Liv is fiercely protective of her dad”s memory. Thank you for being there and also being here for her now. You can fill in some of the gaps about what happened to her dad.” She got up again and sat on the side of Olivia’s bed, taking her daughter’s hand into her own. “Were you at the scene? My daughter Sophie said the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery.”
“No, ma’am. I wish I had been. Maybe I could have prevented this.” He also looked toward Olivia.
Charlotte met Jackson’s eyes with a strong look. “No regrets—they’re toxic. Liv was in that apartment long before the fire department arrived. I know she was tracking down some kids who started a dumpster fire. We were talking about how the kids who do things like this are getting younger.” She shook her head. “Things happen for a reason. It’s how the universe works.” She settled again into the chair beside Jackson, a silence filling the space as they both kept watch over Olivia.
Charlotte turned to him. “Don’t look so worried. Sophie said the pulmonologist had Liv sedated. She hardly ever slows down. She wouldn’t stop talking. Always on the move, just like her dad.” She took a deep breath.
During their conversation about nothing, the door creaked open, and a woman who was Charlotte’s spitting image stepped in. “Hey, Mom, how is she?” She checked the fluids and the monitors.
“The doctors sedated her,” she answered, then turned to Jackson again. “This is my daughter Molly. She’s the Waverly County medical examiner. Molly, this is Jackson Reynolds.”
“Nice to meet you, Jackson. Are you here for Olivia?” Molly asked.
Charlotte laughed heartily. “No, Molly, he’s here to paint the room. Of course he’s here for Liv.”
“It’s been a busy day for you, hasn’t it? You found something in the Waverly woods. You couldn’t have been at Liv’s fire,” Molly went on, and then her eyes widened. “Oh, you’re here for Liv.”
Jackson blushed. “Yes, I was checking on Livvy. And my friend Turk and I found... something today. I believe you”ll be overseeing the case.”
Molly nodded, her professional demeanor in place. “Yes, I”ll be handling the investigation. The police and my technicians sealed the scene. I wanted to check on Liv before I headed there.”
Jackson decided to tread carefully. “Do you know anything about a symbol on the fireplace in the ruins we found today?”
Charlotte interjected, “You were in the Waverly woods?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He chewed his lip.
The retired police chief smiled knowingly. “You found the old Waverly mansion.”
“Yeah, Mom, Jackson and his friend found a body in the ruins,” Molly said.
Charlotte frowned. “To answer your question: the Waverlys used the phoenix in their real estate businesses. They were ruthless, their assets rising from the ashes, as they still say.”
“What about the burned home itself?” Jackson asked.
Charlotte hesitated, then shuddered. “You might want to ask your mother about that. There are things she might know that I don”t.”
Jackson wondered what Charlotte Everhart was hiding.
* * *
The room was bathedin the soft glow of evening light filtering through the half-drawn curtains. Jackson and Charlotte, immersed in conversation, turned their attention toward Olivia as she stirred, her eyelids fluttering open.
Groggily, Olivia husked, “Mom? Jackson?” Her voice was faint. She ripped off the oxygen mask and began to cough.
“Hey, Livvy.” Jackson”s heart skipped a beat as he leaned closer, replacing the oxygen mask and pulling her to a sitting position to ease her breathing.
Charlotte moved closer, her hand reaching out to brush hair off Olivia”s forehead, a smile blossoming across her face. “Liv, sweetheart.”
Weakly, and in a voice Jackson needed to lean closer to hear, especially through her mask, Olivia asked, “What happened?”
Jackson frowned. “You played firefighter and gave everyone a bit of a scare. You need some rest.”
Olivia”s gaze shifted, her eyes settling on her sister standing quietly in the corner. “Molly, you”re here too?”
“Yeah, I wanted to check in on you, Liv. I didn’t want you to land on my table.” Sarcasm filled her tone.
Olivia began to fully awaken. “Thanks, Mol. Love you too.” She laughed then coughed. “What”s wrong? Why do you look so worried?”
Jackson hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. Charlotte placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, urging him to speak. Finally, he said, “Liv, there was a fire today caused by a lithium-ion battery. You were there, and... you got hurt.”
Olivia tried to process what Jackson was saying. “A fire? I don”t... I don”t remember.”
Her mother placed her hand on hers. “You were sedated to help you rest. The doctors thought it was best for you.”
Olivia”s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
As Jackson watched Olivia lying in the hospital bed, worry stabbed at his gut. He couldn”t bear to see her so vulnerable, her usually vibrant demeanor overshadowed by the gray of low oxygen. Every subtle twitch of her features, every shallow breath she took spoke volumes to him, revealing the depth of her discomfort and distress.
His thoughts drifted to Olivia”s mother, Charlotte, and the memory of her husband”s and his father’s tragic death in a fire came flooding back. Jackson couldn”t imagine the pain Charlotte must have still carried from losing her husband, and now seeing her daughter fighting for her life due to smoke inhalation must have reopened old wounds. He admired Charlotte”s unwavering strength.
Turning his attention to Olivia”s sister, Molly, Jackson”s heart ached with sorrow. He knew how deeply Olivia had been affected by their father”s death in the fire, and the thought of Molly, now older and able to understand losing a loved one, was horrible.
But it was Olivia herself who occupied Jackson”s thoughts the most. She was the one lying in the hospital bed, battling the effects of smoke inhalation, and it tore at Jackson to see her like this. He felt a profound sense of guilt for not being in charge of the fire scene where Olivia was stricken, wondering if things would have turned out differently if he had been there to protect her.
In that moment, Jackson made a silent vow to be there for Olivia, to offer her his support and comfort as she fought to recover. He may not have had all the answers or be able to take away her pain, but he would do whatever it took to ensure Olivia knew she wasn”t alone in this battle. He sat by her bedside, holding her hand and offering words of encouragement, praying silently for her swift recovery.
As Charlotte sat beside Olivia”s hospital bed, she reached out to gently caress her daughter”s hand. Tears welled up in her eyes. ”Olivia, sweetheart,” she began, her voice trembling with emotion. ”I”m so sorry you”re going through this. It breaks my heart to see you like this.”
Charlotte”s mixture of sorrow and tenderness echoed against the walls of the small ICU room as she spoke to her daughter. She brushed a stray lock of hair away from Olivia”s forehead, her touch gentle and soothing as she leaned in closer. ”You”re so strong, Olivia,” she continued, her voice wavering slightly. ”But it”s okay to be scared. It”s okay to feel overwhelmed. Just know that I”m here for you, every step of the way. Stay strong, my darling. We”ll get through this together. I promise.”
As Charlotte spoke, her worry and concern for Olivia were palpable, her maternal instincts taking over as she poured her heart out to her daughter. She lifted her daughter’s hand to her lips and kissed it before announcing, “I’m heading home to take care of the dog. I’ll be back later.” She kissed her cheek.
“Bye, Mom.” Liv kissed her back.
Out of Olivia’s sightline, Jackson watched Charlotte wrap her arms around herself and tears flood down her cheeks. His heart could only ache more.
“Behave yourself, Liv. I’ve got work to do.” Molly kissed her and left.
He watched Molly shudder. Olivia was the big sister, family leader, rock.
Liv jumped as the door closed. Then she looked at Jackson. “What happened? Why do I feel like I”m missing something important?”
Jackson cocked his head. “You went to question one of the boys involved in the dumpster fire. He had an e-bike, and its lithium-ion battery lit up the apartment. You managed to pull the boy out but almost got yourself killed in the process.”
Her smile skewed the oxygen mask before she started to cough some more. “Does this ruin my chance at fire school?”
Jackson burst out laughing and excused himself, then he returned from the bathroom with a warm, damp washcloth and a basin. “Here you go,” he said gently, offering her the cloth. “Let”s get that soot off your face.”
Liv took the washcloth from him, leaning back slightly and pulling the mask free. She closed her eyes as she wiped away the grime. “Thanks, Jackson,” she murmured, opening her eyes to meet his.
He sat down beside her, watching as she cleaned her face. “Rough day, huh?”
“Yeah, you could say that,” she sputtered, folding the used cloth and placing it in the basin sitting on the table.
Jackson reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I’m glad you’re going to be okay. You scared me.”
She held on to his fingers. “Thank you for being here.”
They stayed there for a moment, until she started to cough hard.
“I better get going. You need to rest.” Jackson replaced her oxygen mask. “You need this.”
Jackson turned to leave Olivia”s hospital room, a sense of relief washing over him as he saw her resting peacefully. But he was startled when her partner, Michael, came racing into the room with concern etched on his face.
“Olivia!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with worry as he approached her bedside. “I came as soon as I heard. Are you alright?”
Jackson stepped back to give them some space, recognizing the urgency in Michael”s tone. Olivia”s eyes fluttered open, her expression softening as she took in his presence.
“I”m okay,” she reassured her partner. “Just a little shaken up.”
Michael”s shoulders sagged with relief at her words, but the worry in his eyes remained. “I”m so glad to hear that,” he said, his voice tinged with emotion. “I was so worried about you. Why did you go interview that kid without me?”
“Thank you for coming,” she murmured. “It means a lot to me.”
“Rest, Livvy.” Jackson quietly slipped out of the room, giving them some privacy. He left her with Michael, who took a seat beside her bed.