“I didn’t fuck up.” Marlon stuck his chin out.
Dulcie cleared her throat. Whether calling bullshit on Marlon’s assertion or warning me to tread carefully, I couldn’t tell. I certainly hoped that was anI call bullshitrather than trying to dissuade me from my mission.
“Youdidfuck up. Giancarlo could’ve died—”
“He’s right fucking there.” Marlon flailed a hand as he gestured to Giancarlo who was, in fact,right there.
If only by the skin of his teeth.
I poked my finger in Marlon’s chest. “You said everyone was clear. You said we were all good.” We’d been retreating. I’d counted and was certain we were missing someone. Things had been so damn chaotic at the house fire. But the neighbor swore the family was inside. And their car was in the driveway, so that assertion was logical.
We’d cleared the house even as we tried to fight the fire.
No one. We hadn’t found anyone.
And we’d retreated.
I’d thought we were down a person, but Marlon assured me we had everyone.
Until I realized wedidn’thave everyone. We were missing Giancarlo.
Heedless of the risk, I’d barreled back inside. I located Giancarlo in a back room. He’d been…confused. Instead of trying to sort things out, once I realized he hadn’t found anyone, I’d grabbed his hand and dragged him out the back door.
We made our way around to the front to find the family standing there. They’d been out at the movies—in their other car.
No harm. No foul.
Except for Marlon saying we’d been clear when we weren’t.
“You’re a fuckup, Marlon. You could’ve gotten Giancarlo killed.”
“Well, he’s not dead. Everyone’s fine. Hell, you even had the paramedics check him out.”
“Logically. You thought I wouldn’t?” I was incredulous. No question something had gone wrong back there. I wanted my friend checked out thoroughly. Hell, if I’d found Marlon confused, I’d have wanted him examined. Not just because we needed everyone to be on their game at all times—but because I actually gave a shit about people.
Unlike Marlon.
I tried to tell myself I was being unkind. But his cavalier attitude was going to get someone killed one day. I was certain of that.
Miriam rounded the truck. “You guys need to get out of your gear. We might get another call, and you won’t be ready.”
She was right, of course. But I couldn’t back down on this. This was too fucking important. “Just give us a minute.”
“No.” She shook her head. “You can hash it out once everyone’s gear is ready to go. I don’t want things to be disorganized if another call comes in. Hell, it’s a night ending inday. Anything can happen.”
As always, she wasn’t wrong. She was also one of the smartest women I knew—and my life was full of smart women.
“What’s going on?” Chief McInerny’s voice rang through the fire hall.
Well fuck. This isn’t going to end well.
“He’s giving me a hard time for something I didn’t do.” Marlon pointed his finger in my direction. At least he had the smarts not to fucking touch me.
“A hard time you deserve.” I turned to face the chief. Marlon’s dad, of course. “Marlon said the entire crew was clear of the structure. Giancarlo was inside. Your son’s incompetence could’ve gotten Giancarlo killed.”Way to be blunt. You could’ve eased into it…
“That’s a hell of an accusation you’re leveling. You’re probably wrong.” The chief glared. At me, naturally.
“We’re all a little frazzled. Close call. Tough fire.” Miriam placed her hand on my arm, but she addressed the chief. “We need to get sorted before the next call out.”
