Chapter 22
As the ambulance raced through the streets toward the hospital, Olivia watched while Jackson”s condition deteriorated rapidly. Nate Thompson, his colleague and paramedic, worked with frantic intensity, swiftly starting an IV line to administer crucial medication. But despite his efforts, Jackson”s breathing became increasingly labored, his distress visible.
“Detective,” Nate said, “he’s losing his airway. I’m going to intubate him. If you’ve got something to say, I’d say it.”
In the cramped confines of the ambulance, tension gripped the air like a vise as Nate worked feverishly to stabilize Jackson”s deteriorating condition. Each labored breath Jackson took underscored the urgency of the situation. His agitation increased as panic flickered in his eyes.
Olivia hovered by Jackson”s side, her heart pounding with fear. She reached out, her touch gentle yet urgent as she tried to soothe his rising panic. “I”m here, Jackson. Just focus on your breaths, okay? We”ll get through this together.”
Images flashed before her eyes—Jackson”s brave smile as he left for his shift, the warmth of his touch as he kissed her goodbye. Now, those memories felt fragile as she feared losing him. But amidst the uncertainty, one thing remained clear—she would fight with every fiber of her being to ensure Jackson”s survival. With tears glistening in her eyes, she squeezed his hand, silently vowing to never let go.
Nate leaned over him. “Jackson, I need to intubate you before your airway swells too much. You’re going to feel sleepy.” He swiftly administered medication to sedate Jackson, his actions decisive. He gently inserted a tube into his patient’s swollen airway, providing the vital assistance needed to help him breathe.
The ambulance sped toward the emergency room, sirens from the police escort blaring in the background. Nate and his partner continued to fight for Jackson.
As he was rushed into the trauma room, the atmosphere at the hospital was already tense. They’d been receiving patients for the last couple of hours from the fire scene. Sophie swiftly took over his care, her expression mirroring Olivia”s concern. Jackson”s condition was dire, and every second counted.
Sophie and the ER team worked to assess Jackson”s vital signs and coordinate their efforts to stabilize him. The nurses stripped him of his firefighting gear.
Sophie roared, “I need a stat pan-CT scan.” His upper chest and shoulders appeared dark red. “Someone give me some history.”
Olivia stood by, her heart pounding. “They said steel shelves collapsed on him,” she began, her words laden with anguish. “He got caught in the burning warehouse without his air pack. The place was an inferno.”
Her hands shook as she painted a vivid picture. She described the intensity of the flames, the suffocating smoke that filled the air, and the desperate struggle to rescue Jackson from the wreckage.
“I need that bloodwork back,” Sophie demanded.
Time seemed to blur as medical interventions were administered and Sophie made decisions in split seconds. Olivia”s thoughts were consumed by the man she loved fighting for his life. Her mind raced with memories of moments shared, their laughter, their dreams, and the love they held for each other and only expressed in words just a few minutes ago in the ambulance.
She clung to hope, praying silently for Jackson”s strength to pull him through this crisis. Every beep of the monitors, every word exchanged among the medical staff felt so scary.
Turk, free of his turnout gear, joined Olivia in the trauma room out of the way of the ER treatment team. His presence was a comforting reminder of the support among their firefighting community. She remembered how it was after her own father died.
Her eyes went wide. Martha Reynolds could lose her only son. She already experienced the tragedy of losing her husband to a fire and now stood to lose Jackson as well.
Olivia felt horribly guilty for not thinking of Martha first. “Is someone getting his mom?” she cried.
Turk assured her Luke was sent to pick up Jackson’s mother. Liv chewed her cheek and said a quiet prayer that she would make it in time.
With his own grim expression, Turk updated Olivia on the status of the other patients being treated in the ER, including Edwin, the Engine 3 firefighter, and the badly burned woman. “He carried both of them out of that hell.”
As Olivia listened, her mind grew intent on Turk’s words. She’d gone to fire school. She studied how fires worked, but for the first time, she understood the precarious situation firefighters put themselves in. Jackson had to be selfless—his every action could mean the difference between life and death.
Sophie”s urgent cry pierced through Olivia”s thoughts, pulling her back to the present moment. The words, “We”re losing him. Start CPR,” echoed in the room.
Turk wrapped his arm around her and pulled her deeper into the room’s corner. Neither could say a word as Sophie called out the drug orders and used the defibrillator, trying to get his heart beating again.
After ten eternally long minutes, Sophie called out, “Sinus Tachycardia. We have a pulse.”
Olivia’s knees almost gave out. He was still alive.
Sophie turned to her and Turk. “We need to scan him and get him into the ICU. Why don’t you get some coffee?”
Olivia blinked a few times. She didn’t want to leave him, but she knew her sister had a job to do. “Soph, this is Jackson’s best friend, Turk. We are waiting on his mom to get here.”
She didn’t need to explain the importance of his mom seeing him. “Text me when she gets here.”
Turk”s footsteps echoed softly as he made his way to Jackson”s side in the trauma room. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking, his voice laced with emotion. “Hey, Jackson,” he began, his tone gentle. “I need you to hear me, brother. You”re not alone in this fight. We”ve been through hell and back together.” He smiled. “Remember the diarrhea in Laos? We fought over the toilet. Damn it, I”m not about to let you go now. You”re a fighter, Jackson, and I believe in you. We all do.” He spoke from his heart.
Following Turk, Olivia approached Jackson”s bedside, her eyes brimming with tears as she took his hand in hers. “Jackson,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “your mom... she”s on her way. She loves you so much, and she”s going to be here soon.”
A sob caught in Olivia”s throat as she struggled to maintain her composure, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “I promise you, I”m going to find out who did this. I won”t rest until justice is served.”
After a momentary pause to collect herself, Olivia looked into his face. “I love you, Jackson,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper, “more than words can express. You mean everything to me, and I”ll do whatever it takes to see you through this.”
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Olivia leaned in to press a gentle kiss to Jackson”s forehead.
* * *
The waiting room was heavy with tension, filled with anxious firefighters and worried family members, each one silently praying for good news amidst the aftermath of the fire. Turk and Olivia entered the room, their faces etched with exhaustion and concern, the weight of the situation hanging heavily upon them.
As they navigated through the sea of worried faces, Turk gently guided Olivia toward Edwin”s family, his wife holding vigil among them. “This is Olivia Everhart,” he said softly, gesturing toward her. “She”s Jackson Reynolds’ friend. She’s also investigating the cause of the fire.”
Edwin”s wife turned toward them, her eyes filled with gratitude as she spoke, unaware of the truth about Captain Reynolds” condition. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. “For everything. We”re so grateful to Captain Reynolds. He”s been such a source of strength for us.”
Before Olivia could react, Turk stepped in, his voice steady as he responded, masking the truth for the sake of Edwin”s family. “We will make sure he knows,” he assured them.
As the gravity of the situation settled over Olivia, she couldn”t help but feel a pang of empathy for Edwin”s wife, realizing the pain she must be experiencing. It was a stark reminder of the hurt her own mother endured when she lost her father.
Just then, the door swung open, and Charlotte Everhart entered the room, her presence a comforting hug for Olivia. “I heard about the fire. I thought I should be here.”
“Mom, I’m so sorry for what you went through.” She continued to hold on.
Charlotte held her until she let go. “Have you had something to eat or drink?” she asked. “Hello, Turk.” She smiled at him. “Turk’s dad was a firefighter when your dad was on the job.”
Again, Olivia got a reminder of the depth of the brotherhood.
The doors opened again, and a group of women came in wheeling a cart loaded with sandwiches, a large pot of coffee and hot water for tea with their accompaniments. Charlotte exchanged hugs with them and began to give out the refreshments. She whispered, “Food helps heal pain.”
Turk, the senior officer, stood tall amidst the intense atmosphere of the waiting room. His presence was a source of strength and reassurance for those gathered. Olivia watched with admiration as he moved through the room.
With each conversation, Turk displayed a blend of empathy and professionalism, giving words of encouragement and support to every family member of an injured firefighter. He listened to their fears and anxieties, offering reassurance.
As Turk spoke with each family member, Olivia grasped the strength of his and Jackson’s connection to the firefighting community. She observed how he knew each firefighter by name, understanding their roles and assignments within the department. Her ears perked up as each firefighter added a tidbit to the story of the fire. She wondered if this was like the game of telephone. Was anything true? She tapped the record button on her phone. She’d sort the information out later.
Another doctor entered the room. Everyone grew silent as he approached the family of Edwin, the firefighter from Engine 3. “I”m terribly sorry. Despite our best efforts, we couldn”t save him. He passed away.”
Turk moved fast and wrapped his arms around the sobbing wife.
“No, no, this can”t be happening...” she begged for another outcome.
“We did everything we could. He was a hero, but the heart damage was severe,” the doctor said.
Tears flowed freely. His son cried, “He was so brave... He loved being a firefighter. He died doing what he loved.”
Turk looked at his devastated wife. “He saved lives today. He”ll always be remembered for his bravery and selflessness.” He escorted the wife and family out of the room with the doctor.
Olivia”s heart sank as she heard the devastating news, her hands quivering as she dropped her head into them, the weight of grief washing over her.
In the midst of the sorrow, Turk signaled to two firefighters, his gaze gritty as he headed toward the door. Olivia watched them go. She made the decision as soon as she saw Jackson’s mom at his side. It was her job to find out how this fire started, but this case was personal. She’d find the person who set it or die trying.