“Yeah, you should have. That’s the difference between people living and dying in our line of work.”
Teddy’s mouth opened and closed. “I’m sorry.”
“Get back to work, Teddy.” Fury tightened his chest.
What happened wasn’t all Teddy’s fault. But if he’d examined the undercarriage to see if it was compromised like he should have, Sky’s vehicle would’ve been secure.
He moved faster. When he was done checking his area of the forest, he returned to the engine to find his brother talking to a fire investigator. When Jesse saw him, he shook the investigator’s hand before crossing the space between them.
“Hey. I heard your crew took care of the fire.”
Becket nodded. “It’s out, but I want to know how it started. This is the second vegetation fire in our forest in the past month. The last one was arson. Was this the same?”
“They’re still investigating the cause,” Jesse said.
“Call me as soon as you know.”
“Will do.”
When his crew was done, they climbed into the engine cab, Becket taking the seat behind the wheel.
Irene leaned her head back. “It’s been a big month.”
“Huge,” Moose agreed.
“Hopefully it means we’re due a few quiet ones,” Becket said, even though something told him that was wishful fucking thinking.
When they got back to the station, he hung up his helmet and jacket, grabbed a clean uniform and called dibs on a shower. Before getting in, he sent a text to Sky. She’d messaged him earlier that day with a new number from a cell her mother had picked up for her. Thank God, because he needed an easy way to get in contact with her.
Becket: Hey. Just checking in. Are you doing okay?
He hit send and jumped into the shower. He hated being away from her. But the fire was big and his crew needed him. Irene was the second in charge, but he still liked to take the lead on such significant fires.
Once he was out, he pulled on his clean clothes. His phone buzzed on the way to his office.
Sky: I’m being force fed. And every time I try to get up, I’m physically pushed back down. How my mother’s so strong, I have no idea.
Becket: Force feeding and rest doesn’t sound terrible.
Sky: I’m losing my mind. And she won’t leave until you get back. When are you getting back?
Becket: A few hours.
Sky: Sigh.
Becket: Want me to pick up something for dinner?
Sky: If by dinner you mean pie from The Tea House, then yes…yes I do.
He chuckled.
Becket: Done.
In his office, he dropped into his seat. The reports he had to do after incidents were the worst part of the job. They were long and tedious. The only thing that got him through the damn things was the knowledge that it was important. And coffee.
Fuck, why didn’t he have a coffee?
He’d just turned on his computer and was about to get back up to go to the kitchen when his phone rang, his brother’s name on the screen. “Jesse. You know what caused the fire?”
