Chapter 20
The arsonist”s voice echoed in the dimly lit room as they addressed the former secretary of the town council. Their words dripped with venom as they laid out the accusations against her and the rest of the council.
“For your crimes of corruption, malpractice, falsifying, and mishandling documents related to land deeds, property ownership, zoning permits, and civil agreements,” the arsonist began, voice low and menacing. “This involves forgery, embezzlement, tampering with records, and taking bribes in exchange for manipulating the town”s paperwork.”
The former secretary”s eyes widened. “I’m sorry. Please, let me go.”
The arsonist continued, their tone growing more intense with each word. “And I hold the entire town council in contempt for denying me my future,” they declared, their voice trembling with anger and resentment.
The former secretary broke out into a sweat.
“I’m sure you never imagined that your actions—driven by greed and ambition—would have such far-reaching consequences. Now, you can only hang your head in shame, knowing you brought this upon yourself, along with your fellow council members.
“I sentence you to death.” With that, they raised their weapon and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit its target, and the former town council secretary left the world.
With that part of their work complete, the arsonist sat at their worktable. They had perfected their incendiary devices. Each now fit in a small aspirin bottle. They filled their backpack.
Her body weighed little as they removed her clothing and placed her in a black bag, which they dropped into a trunk. The afternoon rain had turned the night sky dark. They drove into the parking lot of Waverly Junction’s large warehouse club.
Leaving their car, they approached the sliding front doors, a backpack slung over their left shoulder. They grabbed a basket and headed inside. The store was busy, filled with people shopping after work for dinner odds and ends as well as the upcoming Halloween holiday. They grabbed laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, batteries, oatmeal, canned tomatoes, a couple of novels and a container of chocolate chip cookies.
As they moved through the store, they also placed small aspirin bottles discreetly behind items on the shelves. “Popcorn will be fun,” they chuckled as they placed some behind canned corn.
After checking out, they returned to their car and waited. They saw the front doors explode, heard the first cries and saw people begin to run from the store. They checked their watch. They knew the Waverly Junction Fire Department response times by heart. They had four minutes.
They drove to the back of the building. Store staff and patrons were jumping from the loading dock. They pulled into an empty bay in the blind spot of the camera. Popping open their trunk, they slipped on a turnout coat and bunker pants, lifted the body bag into their arms and grabbed a can of kerosene. No one would notice a firefighter during a fire.
They opened the bag and tucked the body below the refrigeration unit power supply. Quickly, they doused the body with the accelerant and lit it on fire. They placed two more aspirin bottles beneath the refrigeration unit. Assured the fire was roaring around the body and throughout the enormous building, they retreated, stopping only to shut down the standpipe, cutting off the water to the sprinkler system. Content as the firetrucks began to respond, they faded into the background.
* * *
Luke knocked firmlyon Jackson”s office door, his voice carrying through the wood as he called out, “Hey, we”re out of laundry detergent. Can Monica and I head to the warehouse club to pick up some more? And do we need anything else while we”re out?”
Jackson opened the door, tossing Luke a wad of cash as he rattled off a list of breakfast essentials. “Grab some more eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancake syrup. We”ll have a big breakfast,” he instructed, a hint of anticipation in his voice. With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed his Tahoe keys to Luke, trusting him with the truck and the shopping.
As Luke caught the keys with practiced ease, Jackson exchanged a knowing glance with Monica Dawson as they prepared to depart on their errand. He knew they were developing a budding relationship. With a quick nod of acknowledgment, they headed out into the crisp October night air, the promise of a hearty breakfast fueling their mission.
Jackson lay down on his bunk. He’d been going nonstop.
Suddenly, the shrill ring of the firehouse phone pierced the air, jolting him to a sitting position. He picked up quickly. “Station 3.”
“Jackson,” Luke”s voice crackled over the line, urgency palpable in every word. “There”s an explosion and fire at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. We need all available units on scene, ASAP.” As he listened to Luke, he heard explosions and screams.
“Get as many people out as you can, then get to the Tahoe. There should be extra gear inside,” Jackson ordered.
He ran to his office and went over the radio. “This is Captain Jackson Reynolds, Battalion 1, Station 3,” he announced, his words carrying the weight of command. “There is an explosion and fire at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. Requesting immediate assistance from all available units. Repeat, there is an explosion and fire at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. Need backup now.”
Jackson answered his cell phone to hear, “This is Shane. Fire is spreading throughout the building.” The line went dead.
Jackson woke everyone up and ran for the truck. His calls to the company were followed immediately by the tones. “Station 3, Battalion 1, Battalion 2, Battalion 3, we have a report of a fire at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. Fire is visible. All available units, please respond immediately. Repeat, fire at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club; fire is visible through the roof. All available units, please respond immediately.”
Jackson picked up the radio. “Dispatch, this is Station 3, en route to the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. ETA three minutes.” He could hear the rest of the battalion cue up to respond.
“Copy that, Station 3. Be advised, Lieutenant Shane reports fire is visible at the location. Proceed with caution.”
“Dispatch, this is Rescue 3, we”re also responding to the fire at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. ETA three minutes.”
“Dispatch, this is Battalion Chief Blocker. I”m on scene at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. Fire is spreading rapidly; requesting additional units immediately.”
Jackson frowned listening to the dispatcher. This was going bad fast. “Copy that, Battalion Chief Blocker. Additional units are en route. Do you require any specialized equipment or support?”
“Roger, dispatch. All available ladder trucks. We need an exterior assault. We need all hands on deck to contain this fire. Advise all incoming units to approach from the south side with caution and be prepared for rapid spread. We have people trapped.”
Another voice filled the airwaves. “Dispatch, this is Unit 576, Lieutenant Shane, on scene. Report flames extending through the exits on side B and C, extending to parked cars. Multiple patrons and staff unable to exit.”
“This is Chief Lamply on scene. Request mutual aid from Waverly County, Sugarland County, Waverly Cove and Spring Hill,” Fred Lamply went over the airwaves.
“Copy that, Chief. All units be advised, approach the scene with caution and prepare for rapid spread of the fire. Safety first, everyone. Stay safe out there.”
Jackson shuddered as he went over the radio, “Unit 576, this is Station 3 Captain; switch to Channel 8.”
“Roger, Station 3 Captain,” Luke’s breathless voice came over. “Cap, it’s bad. Sprinklers are off. Lots of trapped customers. Come in on side B for access.”
The radio crackled with urgency as firefighters rushed to the scene from all directions, their sole focus on containing the blaze and preventing loss of life at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club and surrounding areas.
The engine chauffeur looked out the windshield. “Cap, holy shit.”
Jackson gulped as the engine arrived, his jaw grinding at the sheer scale of the inferno engulfing the consumer club. Flames licked the sky, billowing thick smoke into the air and casting an eerie glow over the area. The fire was even bigger than he had thought.
Jackson watched in disbelief as the fire raged uncontrollably, consuming the entire building. The intensity of the blaze was enormous. Luke and Monica joined the engine. “Milk’s gonna go bad,” Monica said, trying to lower the tension.
Coordinating efforts to get water supply on the periphery, Jackson strategized with his squad, formulating the safest and quickest route into the building for the order he knew was coming.
Chief Fred Lamply went over the radio, “Engine 3 Captain, lead a FAST team inside from side B for attempted rescue.”
Jackson acknowledged and adjusted his Scott Pak. He and his squad cautiously made entry into the burning structure, navigating through the billowing smoke and intense heat.
The warehouse was a maze. The thick smoke obscured visibility, flames licking at the pallets holding the club’s merchandise, the air thick with heat. Jackson”s instincts kicked in as he directed the company.
* * *
Olivia stoodat the path into Parkside Woods, meeting the Waverly County police sergeant and the fire lieutenant who had summoned her to the scene. He offered a tired apology for bringing her out so late at night, but his sense of unease was palpable. He explained that a scout troop on an overnight had discovered the fire and extinguished it, prompting his suspicions.
As they made their way into the scene, Olivia listened intently to the lieutenant”s explanation. She scanned the area, taking in the familiar sights of charred earth and smoldering embers. Everything appeared to be routine, a campfire that was poorly extinguished, until the lieutenant pointed out a series of burn spots that caught his attention.
“These burn patterns,” he began, gesturing toward the ground, “they”re different. They burned much hotter than your typical campfire. With all the arson cases in Waverly Junction, I thought you might want to see it.”
“No worries, Lieutenant. I’d rather be called out for nothing than miss something.” Olivia put her kit down.
Her mind raced as she examined the burn spots. Could this be where the arsonist experimented with different techniques? It seemed plausible, given the similarities to the other fires she had investigated.
“You”ve got good instincts, Lieutenant,” Olivia remarked, impressed by his observation. She wasted no time in opening her forensic kit and getting to work, photographing the scene and carefully collecting samples for analysis.
As she worked, Olivia found herself engaging in banter with the Waverly County fire team, their camaraderie providing a brief respite from the seriousness of the situation. She missed Jackson. Their conversation was abruptly cut short as the sky suddenly exploded in a blaze of orange.
Olivia”s heart sank as she realized the source of the inferno. It had to be the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. Without hesitation, she quickly packed up her equipment and joined the Waverly County engine as they raced toward the scene of the fire.
Relief flooded through her as Michael”s voice crackled through the phone. “Michael, it”s Liv. I”m on my way. What”s happening?”
Michael”s response was swift and filled with gravity, his words painting a stark picture of the severity of the situation. “Liv, I”ve been turned around to the scene. Initial reports indicate that it”s bad. Really bad.”
A shiver ran down Olivia”s spine at his words. “Understood,” she replied, her tone resolute. “I”ll be there as soon as I can. Stay safe.”
As Olivia hung up the phone, her knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, her resolve deepening with each passing moment. With a silent prayer for Jackson”s safety, she navigated the streets with unwavering determination. The radio blared, broadcasting the enormity of the emergency response.
First responders scrambled to set up an emergency triage area. The tranquil night was filled with flashing lights, blaring sirens, and the urgent shouts of firefighters and paramedics.
Chief Lamply needed to manage the growing crisis. He swiftly issued orders for a disaster response, calling for additional resources and manpower to assist with the influx of patients expected from the fire.
“Set up triage here!” he barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. “We need to prioritize the wounded and get them to safety.”
Responders sprang into action, setting up makeshift triage stations and working tirelessly to assess and treat the injured. Medical personnel rushed from one patient to the next.
Chief Lamply coordinated with Dispatch to request assistance from neighboring hospitals. The number of casualties was far beyond what their local hospital could handle alone. The dispatcher advised devastating news: helicopter response was unavailable due to high wind conditions and the return of heavy rain.
* * *
Through the haze,Engine 3’s company heard faint cries for help above the roar of the flames. Jackson signaled his team to stay tight and follow the sound.
At the walk-in freezers, Jackson”s team located a group of ten trapped customers. As Jackson”s Firefighter Assist and Search Team approached, smoke billowed around them, obscuring their vision and choking their lungs despite their Paks. But they pressed on, driven by the desperate need to rescue those trapped inside.
Just as they prepared to unleash a deluge of water onto the flames blocking their path, a sudden and alarming issue arose—their hose ran dry.
Jackson”s stomach dropped as he watched the once steady stream of water falter and sputter to a stop. Panic surged through the team, their shouts of alarm drowned out by the roar of the fire.
“We”re out of water!” one of the firefighters shouted, his voice tinged with desperation.
Jackson considered their options. Without water to quench the flames, the fire threatened to consume everything in its path, including them and those trapped inside the freezers.
Luke stepped up to reassure the frightened customers, urging them to stay calm. He backed them into the still cool freezer. “We’re here to get you out.”
Jackson radioed for immediate assistance. “Dispatch, this is Engine 3. We”ve lost water supply—intervention needed. We”ve got customers trapped in the freezers, and our air tanks are depleting. We are in the rear of the store by the freezers,” he repeated the location. An intervention request meant firefighters were in danger.
Time moved too slowly. Their trouble continued as the air in their tanks began to dwindle rapidly. As the firefighters anxiously awaited a water supply, tension hung thick in the air like a suffocating blanket. Smoke billowed around them, obscuring their vision and stinging their eyes, while the crackling of flames echoed ominously in the background.
In the midst of the madness, Firefighter Edwin Peeples suddenly staggered, clutching his chest in agony. His face contorted in pain as he struggled to draw breath, each gasp coming harder than the last. Panic rippled through the team as they watched their comrade”s distress, their hearts pounding with fear and helplessness.
“Ed,” Jackson cried, rushing to his side as Edwin doubled over in pain. “Hang in there, buddy. Help is on the way.”
But Edwin”s condition rapidly deteriorated, his breathing becoming shallower and more labored with each passing moment. His face grew pale, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead as he fought to stay conscious.
“Jackson, take care of my family,” Edwin pleaded as he grasped Jackson”s arm with trembling hands. His eyes were filled with fear and desperation.
Jackson”s heart clenched at the sight of his friend”s suffering, his own emotions threatening to overwhelm him. With a heavy heart, he clasped Edwin”s hand in his own, offering what little comfort he could amidst the mess surrounding them. He went over the radio, “Mayday, we have a firefighter in need of assistance. Possible heart attack.”
“We”ll take care of them, Ed,” Jackson promised, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging within him. “Focus on staying with us, okay? Help is coming, I promise.”
As they waited for assistance, Jackson and the rest of the team rallied around Edwin, offering words of encouragement. Jackson had heard the expression “feeling of impending doom” before. He shared what little air remained in his tank with the struggling firefighter, his focus on keeping both the team and the trapped customers safe.
The situation worsened as distressing updates echoed over the radio—other teams encountered similar issues with water shortages, failed rescues, and the deaths of customers.
Offering some relief, another company arrived with a charged hose line. Jackson wasted no time, swiftly hoisting the ailing firefighter over his shoulders as they made their way out of the freezer, guiding the trapped customers to safety through the corridor of swirling smoke and intense heat dulled by the hose line.
Emerging from the hazardous environment, Jackson swiftly handed over the sick firefighter and the relieved customers to awaiting EMS. He leaned over his friend and squad member. “Ed, you hang in there.”