Page 70 of Burn Protocol

“What do you mean?”

“It is obvious that you two have this… chemistry going on. Undeniably so. Torres didn’t do that. Neither did either of you. It just is.”

She squeezes my hand as I groan and throw my head back.

“I just need things to go back to normal. To forget any of this. I can’t…”

I trail off but Rosa nods anyway. The fire station is as much in her heart as it is in mine.

“Then stop sulking,” she nudges me again, “and let’s get to work.”

***

The moment my boots hit the ground, I glance at the scene. Two cars are on their sides, another is folded around a pole and emitting thick, dirty smoke. The other two are pressed together by the impact. The glass crunches under my feet, and the asphalt shimmers with a purple-green hue that instantly puts me on edge. I grab for my radio.

“Engine 2 on scene. Multiple-vehicle collision with five vehicles. Heavy damage with fuel leaks. Establishing south-side sector.”

Dispatch confirms as the crew moves around me.

“Kill the ignitions and stabilize the vehicles. Don’t move until I say otherwise.”

Fernandes and Díaz sprint to the two tumbled cars while Rivera and Rodriques take the ones in the street. They know better than to approach the smoking one. I wouldn’t let them. As I draw closer, I study the vehicle. The driver is still behind the wheel, and there is a passenger in the other seat—both are unconscious. The smoke is thick and heavy, coming from underneath the hood. Something is burning and I don’t know what. I grab hold of the extinguisher and stalk closer. I reach through the broken window at the driver’s side to turn the engine off. The airbag isn’t deployed yet, so I make sure to keep my arm under the steering wheel. As soon as it turns off, I withdraw and focus on the front again. There is a big gap under the hood. Good. That will save me from having to pop it. I aim the nozzle of the extinguisher and squeeze out the dried powder in short bursts, covering the entire engine. It hisses at the cold contact but the flames die down and soon the smoke thins. Even through my mask I can smell the rancid odor of plastic, oil, and electric wires.

“All engines turned off, lieutenant.”

Rodriques pops up next to me, waiting for the next command. I glance over my shoulder. There is no direct threat besides the leaking fuel. None of the cars are electric, so that decreases the risk of sparks.

“Have Rivera pop the hoods, check for trapped passengers. Put Díaz and Fernandes on extraction.”

I glance at the car that is basically glued to the rear end of the other. Even from here I can see the crumpled steel.

“You are with me on that one. Get the cutter.”

“On it, boss.”

He turns on his heels, shouting commands as he goes. I check the two passengers in the car again. They are both still unconscious but breathing—no major injuries that I can spot. I grab for the radio, my glove slick with powder.

“All ignitions off, Engine 2 confirmed. Confirm ETA on medical. Multiple patients, moderate injuries.”

“ETA three minutes.”

I’m already moving toward the other car, meeting Rodriques halfway.

“Status?”

“Mother and daughter trapped inside, doors jammed. No access through window.”

“Any obstructions?”

“Negative, boss. The mother is incoherent though.”

“Passenger side, we take the girl out first.”

Rodriques nods curtly. I have no doubt that he had already anticipated that move. He fires up the hydraulic cutter, and within moments, the deep, vibrating hum drowns out all other sounds. I wince at its deafening roar. As I crouch next to the door, he lets the metal jaws bite into the door seam. The spasm with which it moves through the frame make it seem as if the car is objecting. Hot sparks fly around us and dart into the sky. I quickly glance at the sheen on the asphalt, before refocusing on the car. The risk is small enough.

“Easy,” I growl at Rodriques while I press my sticky glove to the side panel.

From the other side, a young girl is looking at me with great, terrified eyes. Her face is streaked with tears and she is trembling in her seat. Behind her, her mother is stirring faintly, her head resting against her window, her eyes rolling in her head.