Soot and ash seasoned the air with an acrid bite. The flames that engulfed the building and the one beside it could be seen from across Shadow Bay Maryland’s Inner Harbor. Intense heat from the remains drew spectators like moths. Homeless men and women dotted the crowd as they inched closer to the warmth. Others from neighboring businesses rubbed their hands while others stamped their feet to rid themselves of the stinging bite of the cold February night.
Davis continued to stare at the charred remnants of Killer Beaux’s one of the oldest social clubs in Shadow Bay. The minute he’d heard about Ray’s club, Davis shut everything down and rushed over. Ray Meraux was his direct competition, but none of that mattered as the firemen pulled body after body out of the burnt-out structure.
Some of the club’s patrons walked out on their own bathed in soot and blood. Davis stripped out of his coat to cover one woman and she screamed. It wasn’t until the EMT pulled him aside that he realized what was wrong.
“Bottle of tequila burst on her. Flames latched on and continued to eat.”
Another fireman ushered Davis behind the crime scene tape as more victims were led to ambulances. The media with their satellite trucks wedged in beside the engines setting up shop. Reporters fussed with their clothes and hair then jockeyed for just the right position before their live broadcast.
“Davis, aren’t you on the wrong side of the harbor?”
He turned to see one of the firemen walking over to him. His blue eyes stood out from the swatches of ash. Davis recognized him—it was his old friend Reggie Layton.
“Just coming to see if there was anything I could do to help. Where’s Ray?”
“Smoke was thick when we got in there. We were on all fours dragging the hose beside us.” Layton removed his helmet and shook his head. “Near as I can tell he stood up and the toxins and the heat in the air burned his lungs shut. Found him on the second floor near his office… what’s left of it. Didn’t know he was a friend of yours.”
“Business associate.” Davis ran a shaky hand over his finely sculpted goatee then back along his rich mane of dreadlocks.
“Translation: you two hated one another, competition and all.”
Davis took in a deep breath and tried not to notice the stench of burning flesh and screams that still hung in the air. “On the contrary. Some of the best talks we had happened after hours. He was a beast at chess. Ray was planning on retiring and heading back to New Orleans.”
“Davis, if it’s any comfort, he didn’t suffer.” Layton put a hand on Davis’ shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“How can there be any comfort in all of this? I counted nine body bags, Layton. Nine.”
Layton put his head down and shook it. “Fourteen, actually. We moved some out the back to keep the press in the dark. Something about the nature of the fires, the blocked exits are similar to some fires elsewhere in the country.”
“That strip club out in Lansdowne and those three clubs out in Cockeysville?”
“I see you’ve been keeping up on the cross chatter on the dedicated channels.” Layton said as he turned so that Davis’ back was to the crowd. “That Doc in a Box clinic out in Rosedale too. The spill patterns and the types of nails used match.”
Davis glanced over his shoulder, but Layton touched his arm
“The old man is working on things from his end. He told me to tell anyone that asked to trust the process.”
“I take it you mean me?” Davis snapped.
Layton lifted one shoulder in a weak protest as a fireman a few yards away tossed smoldering pieces of furniture and debris from the building for another to douse with the firehose.
“Think that entire message was for you, Davis.” Layton leaned in and searched his eyes. “Will also told me to tell you personally not to get involved. Said something about things not going so well the last time you did.”
Davis clenched his teeth tighter and looked out across the water. He could just make out the long narrow platform and the red planning hull of his cigarette boat bobbing where he anchored it. “Yeah, I died,” he mumbled.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just… how long do these things take? You know, the investigations into whether something was an accident or not?”
“As long as they take. Someone from arson’s gotta look at things, and since there’s been a rash of them lately all over the country, they’re going to call out their big guns. Look, I shouldn’t even be discussing any of this with you, Davis. But Fire Chief William Daniels said you were a man to be trusted.”
Davis surveyed the crowds once more before turning back to his friend.
“Hell, I know you well enough to know that. Your ties to this community notwithstanding, with your knowledge of procedure, you would be one hell of a fireman. Lots of volunteer companies could use a man of your size and knowhow. I’d fight them all back to have you in mine.”
“So, what does that make? The third or fourth time you’ve asked me in a roundabout way to become a fireman.” Davis ignored the hopeful look on his friend’s face and scanned the crowd.
“Figure I’ll keep asking until you say no.” Layton shrugged his shoulders before he looked over at one of his men. “Augustyniak, roll the damn thing right the first time, then we don’t have to go back... Excuse me.”
Just then, from off to their left, a black SUV pulled onto the scene.
“Thought Will was at the office when he called. Maybe he can convince you to join us. Come on,” Layton said and lifted the crime scene tape.
“What are you talking about? Will isn’t Arson.” Davis ducked under the tape and moved toward the scene.
The soot and screams filled Davis’ lungs as he sidestepped the hose. One of the other firemen patted his arm in a silent hello. As Davis rounded one of the engines, he heard some of the men whooping and making wolf whistles.
“Well now, the Chief cared enough to send his absolute best. Came down here all dressed up for us and all.” One of the firefighters teased.
Davis stopped in his tracks as a massive German Shepherd climbed down from the truck. The dog was followed by a black jump out bag with FBI Arson written on the side in yellow reflective paint. Then, at last, he saw the familiar yellow and black boots all the firemen wore followed by the hush of a black ball gown falling to street level.
“Easy, Matisse,” the woman in the dress murmured before reaching up to slam the door. She stooped down to grab her jump out bag and curl her fingers in the massive German Shepherd’s fur just behind his ear. She glanced up at the small circle of men closing around her.
“Evening, gents. Is there a place around here for a girl to change? I seem to be a bit overdressed for the occasion. Got my fire gear with me” she said pointing to the bag near her feet.
It couldn’t be. Not after all this time.
Davis stepped back far enough out of her view to take her in uninterrupted. The shawl she wore glittered like moonlight on water as it spilled from her bare shoulder.
“Willow, the boys are still working on some hot spots. Can you give us a few?”
“Of course, Captain Layton. I’m not here to step on anyone’s toes.”
Layton clapped his gloved hands and walked over to her. “Oh, quit it with that title crap. Between your daddy, me, and Ted Hollis over there, we practically raised you on these rigs. Your stepping on our toes would be like a little girl asking her dad to dance.”
She rose and threw herself into Layton’s arms. He hugged her, lifting Willow from the ground as he turned in a small circle. Having her back to him made it easier for Davis to breathe. When Layton sat her down, she reached up and hugged Hollis who immediately took off his helmet and planted a kiss on her cheek.
“There’s my goddaughter. Go on now. I don’t wanna mess up your party dress.” He peered into the SUV. “Your daddy not with you?”
“Dad met me at the stadium where I landed. Said something about going back to the office to peel the governor off the ceiling. Still leaves me with the same predicament. You see, I got called away from a black-tie affair to come here.”
“Oooooh fancy shindig for a Fire Fairy. She done came down from the palace to check on us common folk.” someone cracked.
“Believe me I’d much rather be here any day of the week. Come on guys, there has to be a restroom or a bush or something...”
Willow swatted playfully at the fireman making the dig as the dog continued to dance around her feet.
“I have a place.” Davis wasn’t even aware that he’d spoken until Willow turned around.
The black velvet of her dress amplified the translucence of her face and neck. Her high exotic cheekbones coupled with her temptingly curved lips made his mouth go dry. Even in the harsh white lights of the fire engines her smooth skin glowed with the same rich gold undertones he remembered.
Willow raised her hand to shield her eyes from the light. Her smile faded with the uncertainty of meeting a stranger.
“I’m sorry, you were saying...” She came to stop in front of him and the words died in his throat. Willow searched his face carefully before she put a hand on his bicep and moved closer. “You said you had a place where I could change?”
Davis blinked as if waking from a dream.
She doesn’t recognize me.
Davis reached for his face then thought better of it. In saving his eyesight and what remained of his face, the surgeons ended up giving him a new one. Willow looked back over her shoulder and he felt the air rush from his body.
“Uncle Reggie, can we get someone to take a look at this man? I think he’s—”
Davis shook his head sharply as her shawl slipped from her shoulder to pool in the crook of her arm. Without thinking he reached for it and she hissed, snatching her arm away from him. The beginnings of a bruise in the shape of someone’s fingers covered her bicep.
“I’m fine. You asked for a place to change.” Davis stepped closer. “You can change in my club over there.” He gestured with his head in the direction of Heat as he gently steered her, making sure not to touch her again.
“Might as well take her across the water with you, man. This place is still too hot to grid.” one of the younger firemen yelled as he continued to assist Augustyniak with rolling the water hose.
Willow turned to protest.
“I own another club across the harbor. Bought this place a couple of weeks ago.” Davis said. “Stay or go. Choice is yours.” He stepped away still reeling from the bruise on her arm.