“My fire alarm woke me. I smelled smoke in the bedroom, but didn’t see any flames. I touched the door, and it was cool so I went into the kitchen and saw nothing. I crawled to the door, went out and pulled the alarm. Then I started getting the neighbors up and I left the building just as you came up”
“Well, it seems you did everything right. If your door had been open, you might have been overcome by the smoke. Are you a sound sleeper?”
“Not usually, but the doctor had given me a shot and I’ve been sleepy all day.”
“That’s probably why the alarm didn’t awaken you sooner. What about the crawling to the door? Where’d you learn that?”
“A fireman came to our school when I was in the fifth grade and told us about the ‘drop and roll’ and how the air is cleaner near the floor.”
“Good thing you paid attention. That might have saved your life yesterday.”
He stood and took her hand. It disappeared inside his two clasped hands. “Would you mind if I called to check and see how you’re doing? I mean if I have any more questions?”
“No, I’d like that. Call me anytime. If I’m not home, I work at WFAA in the news department. I’m a researcher for Channel 8. Will I be able to get back into my apartment today?”
“I think so. We took the sofa out and to the lab. It may smell a bit smoky. You need to be careful with that, what with your inhaling the smoke last night. Also, you need to make the apartment manager change your locks. If you have any trouble over that, tell him to call the Denton Fire Department Arson investigator, or just call me at the number on the card I gave you. Can I give you a ride back to your apartment when you’re released?”
“I’ll take a cab.”
“You don’t need to go to that expense. We’ll likely have more questions, so give me a call and I’ll pick you up.”
“I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”
“Nonsense. It’s no trouble. All part of the job.”
“Oh, ok.”
Carrie was disappointed in the ‘part of the job remark’ and she didn’t plan to call when she was released. Instead she was going to take a cab until she found it was against hospital rules to leave alone. She called one of her girlfriends, related most of the story and told her she needed a ride. Mandy was glad to give her a ride, provided she got the whole story.
Back in her apartment, Carrie found it was indeed smoky in the living room area and turned the ceiling fan on. The bedroom and kitchen were habitable without problems.
* * *
After Mandy left, Carrie called the apartment manager and asked to meet with him to discuss the events leading to the fire and actions necessary afterwards. Carrie asked him to come to her apartment so the damage would be apparent and at hand when she discussed the need for new locks as well as the manager’s giving Nathan access.
The manager was reluctant to agree to change the locks, but changed his mind after being informed he should contact the Fire Department Arson Investigator. Carrie also told him she intended to tell the police about his giving access to the suspected arsonist. A locksmith came that afternoon and changed the locks. The manager came back and assured her she and he had the only key and none would be given to anyone without Carrie’s express written permission. He also indicated a remediation company had been authorized to repair and paint her apartment and would replace her carpeting. They would also replace the damaged and unusable sofa. Carrie was most pleased, though it did not in any way influence her decision to move as soon as she could afford it.
Carrie received a phone call from the detective assigned to investigate the arson and they agreed on a time to take her statement.
She called her supervisor, Mrs. Tompkins, and told her the whole story including her having the flu and having been hospitalized. The supervisor suggested Carrie work at home for a few days. She also suggested it would make a good article for the broadcast, since she was a reporter/researcher for the news department. Carrie agreed and promised to write it up. With her laptop, she had the ability to log into the station’s computers through VPN and access the data bases; she could then file the story from home.
As she sat in bed, sipping her hot coffee, she tried to plan her day; her mind kept flipping to images of Chip Reynolds. “I understand if the things he did and suggested were all part of the job. What if they weren’t? What if he phrased it that way to soften the impact of rejection if she took it the wrong way? What if he really wanted to see her again? It would be really nice to see him again. I am definitely attracted. So many questions, and I have so few answers. Why am I sitting here talking to myself? I need to get a cat or puppy. Mom always says don’t obsess about the things you can’t control, just take care of the things you can control. I’ll just have to wait and see.”
A police detective and his partner came by to take her statement. They had been there the night of the fire and the followup the next day while she was in the hospital. They asked the same questions Chip Reynolds had asked. In addition, they asked for information about Nathan. They wanted his name, address, where he worked and his telephone numbers.
They asked if she had seen or heard from him since she chased him away with the bat. She had not. They asked to be notified if she did hear from him or see him under any circumstances. They told her they had already talked with the apartment manager and had chastised him about allowing access to apartments without either being there or the tenants being present. Worse was giving out keys without authorization.
They also asked about anyone else that might have had ill feelings toward her. She could think of no one. Asked if she was concerned Nathan might return or accost her on the street or at work. She admitted she was. She thought her bat was enough protection and didn’t feel the need to own a handgun. She carried pepper spray in her purse. The detectives left and promised to contact her if anything came up.
That afternoon…
Carrie answered the ring of the phone, hoping it was Chip. It was the lead detective calling to tell her Nathan had been arrested. A background check indicated he had previously been suspected in questionable fires. He would be charged and held for arraignment unless he made bail. The district attorney would ask for a high bail amount and he probably would not be able to make it since he had no apparent assets.
This news came as a shock to Carrie. She was just realizing the depth of her near mistake with Nathan. She was well rid of that relationship.
Chapter 4
Carrie busied herself with the article on her experience with the fire in her apartment, and her escape from the smoke filled unit. She did not mention Nathan’s name, but did tell about the Denton Fire Department determining it was arson and the police had a suspect in custody. After a couple rewrites, she sent it on to her editor to determine where to place it or if they would carry it at all.
She picked things up and moved them out of the way so the remediation people could get right to work when they arrived after lunch.
It was lunch time. She reminded herself she needed to eat something. She checked the refrigerator and decided to have yogurt for lunch, a meal of which her mother would not approve. Mom wasn’t here so she had the yogurt.
She had just settled down to eat when the phone rang. It was Chip calling to see if it would be okay to stop by sometime this afternoon. “Sure,” she said. “Stop by anytime. The remediation people will be here and I’ll be here all afternoon.” His phone voice was deep and resonant, confident sounding. It made her wonder if he sang. An image of him in a church choir popped into her mind. “I’ll see you around two unless something comes up and I’ll call if it does. Goodbye, Carrie.”
“Goodbye, Chip.” “I’m so glad he called. I’m really looking forward to seeing him again. A good-looking guy like he is surely has a girlfriend. Wonder what she looks like? I think I’ll grab a quick shower and freshen up a bit.”
Carrie brushed her hair until it fairly shone, added a bit of blush to her cheeks and carefully applied a coa
ting of lipstick. She picked out a pair of designer jeans and a loose-fit short sleeved sweater. She looked critically in the full-length mirror attached to the back of the door and tried to objectively evaluate the image looking back at her. She turned, and rated her bottom as okay, not too large and nicely tight; her long brown hair was one of her better features. Her breasts fit a 34B cup and were firm and rounded. Her face appeared attractive enough. The sweater showed a bit of cleavage but not too much unless she bent forward. She knew she had nice legs. She gave herself a “B” in overall attractiveness. Satisfied, she returned to the kitchen, had some water and waited for the agonizingly slow movement of the clock hands to reach two. Finally, it arrived, but no Chip. “Did he change his mind? Was he coming at all? Well, he did say around two. What is wrong with me? Why am I acting this way about someone I just met?”
There was a knock at the door. She walked anxiously to the door. It was the remediation company, ready to begin work. Disappointed, she stepped aside to let them bring their tools and materials inside.
Ten minutes later, came another knock. It was Chip. She took his warm hand and shook it lightly. Elation at him being here chased the doubts from her mind. The smell of his after shave smell went straight to her head. She really liked the woodsy aroma. It reminded her of trees in the springtime. “Come on in. The remediation company just got here about 15 minutes ago.”
“Hi, it’s good to see you up and around. How are you feeling? Have you had any symptoms from the smoke inhalation yet? The warmth of his smile was reflected in his green eyes.”
“No, I’m fine.” Her face began to redden. “How are… I mean how is the investigation going?”
He exuded confidence, as he said, “It’s pretty much over now. The findings have been turned over to the police. We’ve declared it as arson and I understand the police have a suspect in custody. One with a history of arson, by the way.”
“Yes, the detectives came out and talked with me, then called back and they have Nathan, my ex-boyfriend in custody. What a creep he turned out to be. I can really pick them can’t I?”
“Don’t beat yourself up over that. You can’t judge a book by its cover. Listen to me. I can’t believe I just said that.” A disarming grin broke over his face.” It sounds like my mom.”
“Mine too,” and she laughed.
“Did the manager give you any trouble about the new locks?”
“Not after I told him I would contact the arson investigator. He was so cool butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He is also going to replace the sofa.”
“He’s not doing you any favors. It doesn’t cost him anything. That’s why they have liability insurance. Well, I don’t have any more questions. Do you have any?” He stood and said, “I’d better get going. My paperwork is piling up.”
“Chip, thanks for your help, even if it is a part of your job.” “Hint. Hint”
She walked with him to the door. On the way, he looked in on the remediation people that were hard at work, cleaning the smoke darkened walls. “These people do a good job. You won’t be able to tell anything ever happened.”
“I hope so but it doesn’t change my mind about moving. She opened the door, “Well thanks again for coming by.”
“My pleasure. Carrie, I’d like to see you again, would you mind if I called you?” he asked in a hopeful tone of voice. “Maybe we could have dinner or see a movie?”
“I’d like that. Please do.”
“I’ll call you. You be careful and let me know if you have any problems.” They shook hands. Carrie would have preferred a kiss.
He turned and walked toward the wheezy old elevator and pushed the Call button. He looked back and smiled. He raised his arm and waved goodbye.”
“Yes. Yes,” Carrie said to herself. Her face broke into a happy smile, as she remembered the chills she got from his touch. She stood with her back to the door smiling, day dreaming.
* * *
“Ma’am?” The leader of the group working, rapped on the door outside the bedroom where Carrie was working with her laptop.
“Yes?”
“We’re leaving for the day. We should be back around eight in the morning and finish the kitchen. We’ll clean the furniture and appliances and we’ll paint the next day. I wouldn’t advise your being here while we’re painting.”
“Good. Thank you and I’ll see you around eight.”
The next day
The workers finished by mid-afternoon. Their leader said, “The paint crew will be here about the same time tomorrow. See you then.”
“Okay. It sure smells better in here.”
“You’ll be okay, the smoke odor tends to linger, but all of the particulate should be filtered out.”
Carrie decided a quick trip to the grocery store was in order. She made a short list and off she went.
When she returned, she retrieved her mail from her mailbox in the lobby and also picked up her copy of the newspaper. Then she rode the groaning elevator to her floor. She let herself in using the new keys to the locks on the door. She made sure both locks were secure and checked to make sure the baseball bat was in its place by the door. While out, she had purchased another can of pepper spray for the bedroom. She put this in an easily reachable spot by the side of the queen sized bed in which she slept.
It was about eight when her phone rang. She said, “Hello, this is Carrie.”
She instantly recognized the thin, and hollow voice whining through the phone. “Carrie, why are you doing this to me? You know I would never hurt you. We need to talk about this.”
“Nathan, I have nothing to say to you. If you call me again, I’ll call the police and you’ll never get out of jail.”
“But Carrie…” as she slammed the telephone down.
“That did it,” she thought. “I’m getting caller id right now.” Her mind made up, she made the call to the telephone company and arranged to have caller ID activated. Now, she had to get a phone that could display the ID.
“While I’m at it, I’ll get cordless phones and have one in the living room and the bedroom she thought aloud.”
The phone rang again. She picked it up and said, “Nathan, I told you not to call me again. I’m going to call the police.”
“Carrie, this is Chip. Did he call you?” The tone of his voice reflected his concern.
“He called a few minutes ago. He wanted to know how I could do this to him and said we needed to talk.”
“You really don’t want to talk with him do you?”
“No I don’t. I just ordered Caller ID but I wonder if that is enough. Maybe I should get my number changed and restricted.”
“That might not be a bad idea. Have you thought about a restraining order? That way if he comes close, you’ll have grounds to have him arrested. I’ll go with you if you decide to go that way.”
“Do I need a lawyer?”
“I don’t think so. The reason I called is to see if you would like to go to dinner tomorrow?”
“I would. It’ll be nice getting out.”
“Why don’t I pick you up at seven? Tomorrow’s a day off. If you’re going to the police, I’ll come by and go to the police department with you.”
“I’m pretty independent and used to taking care of myself. I would appreciate it though, if you have nothing else to do.”
“No, no plans. If ten o’clock is okay, I’ll see you then.”
“Ten’s fine. I’m going to leave my phone off the hook for the rest of the evening. I’ll see you in the morning at ten.”
“Great.”
“Thanks for thinking about me. Bye now. See you tomorrow.”
Chapter 5
True to his word, a sharp rap on the door alerted Carrie she had company. When she opened it, a smiling Chip Reynolds stood there. “Ready to do this,” he asked?
“I’m ready. Come on in, while I get my purse.”
He walked in and looked around. Her pictures and knick knacks had all been cleaned and were
on a table waiting to be placed in their settings. “They did a really good job; you can’t tell there was a fire in here. Are they going to paint?”
“They will be here first thing in the morning. I’m good to go.” She looked at him, hoping for a kiss. He didn’t get the message.
He turned and walked out, she pulled the door closed and rattled the knob to make sure it was closed and caught up to him.
Chip had found a parking spot for his fire engine red Chevrolet Silverado down the block. He rushed to hold the door for her and with a hand on her elbow; he helped her into the shiny vehicle that looked fresh from the dealer showroom. His warm hand on her elbow made her feel all fluttery inside.
“You really go all out with the firefighting bit don’t you?” indicating the fire engine red pickup.
“I’m proud of my firefighting profession,” in an uncertain voice, not really sure how to take her remark.
“And well you should be. You do a great public service along with the police. I wasn’t criticizing your job.”
“Oh, I know that. I’m a third generation firefighter. My dad is still on the department, so is my brother. Grandpa retired from the department. We’re a family of smoke eaters.”
“You’re lucky. At least your family is nearby. Ours is spread out. Dad lives on the west coast so I don’t get to see him much,” she said with a touch of sadness in her voice. “Mom is a nurse at Parkland.”
“What do you do at WFAA?”
“I was a production assistant for a while. That’s boring most of the time, but you’re exposed to all of the on-air personnel. I’m in the news department now and I get to be involved with breaking news and doing research on background for production.”
As he looked at her long, dark hair, he had a strong impulse to take her in his arms. Instead, he looked into the dark pools of her eyes and said, “Is Salt Grass okay?”
“You lost me.”
“Is the Salt Grass Grill okay for dinner tonight?
Loving A Firefighter (Loving Series) Page 2
