He frowned, a thought hitting him so hard in the gut that it almost cut the air right out of him. “The arsonist…”
“Yeah, that’s what you said.”
He looked at his brother. “It’s connected.”
Jesse frowned. “What?”
“The fires only started a few months ago. Eloise died in a fire. What if she wants the same fate for Sky?”
“Chief, I don’t—”
“She was practicing,” Becket said, cutting Irene off. “She was testing different accelerants. Seeing which fire spread the fastest. How long it took crews to respond. She doesn’t want Sky to be able to outrun it.”
Jesse cursed.
“I think—”
“Irene.” Becket cut her off a second time. “Grab my stuff. I’ll track your location and meet the engine. I’m coming with you.”
“Okay. Sure. See you soon.”
He hung up and opened the app on his phone that showed the location of his engines. It didn’t take them long to meet up on the road. Once they did, Jesse and the lead engine stopped. Becket jumped out of his brother’s car, pulling on his jacket and helmet before climbing in with his crew. Moose drove, while Teddy and Irene sat in the back.
Jesse followed the engine, everyone’s lights and sirens on.
Becket glanced at Irene. “You’ve called for a retardant drop?”
“I have.” She frowned at him. “What’s going on?”
“Sky was kidnapped.”
Moose gasped. “What the hell do you mean, she was kidnapped?”
“Someone took her. And I think that same person set this fire, so she’ll be close.”
“Jesus Christ,” Teddy cursed.
“Faster,” Irene urged Moose.
They were speeding down the highway when, up ahead, a dog ran onto the road.
Becket frowned and leaned forward. “That’s Rosemary’s dog…Bella.”
“Who?” Teddy asked.
Moose was slowing to swerve around Bella when Becket shook his head. “Stop!” He jumped out and ran up to the dog. “Hey, Bells.”
Bella whimpered, biting his pant leg and trying to drag him into the tree line.
“You know where she is?” Becket asked.
She whined and tugged again.
“Just a sec, girl.”
He ran back to the engine and grabbed his pack, the little dog right on his heels.
Teddy rolled down the back window. “Becket, what the hell are you doing?”
