by Piper Stone
“Take a look. If you draw a circle around the exact pinpoint of the tips of the wings, everyone is within a mile.” Jessica shook her head. “I don’t like this.”
Stoker moved closer, eyeing the map. “Well, where’s the point of the parachute? That’s the problem. I have no idea what the asshole would take off of. Let’s face it, the parachute is the larger portion. Looks like there could be two choices.” What he didn’t tell her was that one would bring the fire closer to the town as well as the hanger. The second choice could take out the entire mountain where his cabin set. Either way, the selection was horrific.
“Yes, but there’s a center.”
“I don’t know. Maybe we’re reaching for too much.” He thought about everything he’d heard, all the various ideas, his fears and his knowledge of Cooper. “I’m going to see the Captain. If I know him, he’ll still be there.”
“What good is that going to do?”
“He may have an idea of who might be doing this and I don’t want to talk about it over the phone. If he has the tests, we might know who we’re dealing with.”
Jessica smiled. “I’ll come with you.”
“Stay here in case Cooper does come. Take care of MacGyver. I won’t be too long.”
“All right. Call me if you hear anything from Cooper.”
He grabbed his boots and coat. No doubt, this was going to be a long-ass evening.
As he drove down the road toward the hanger he played Jessica’s words in his mind. Cooper had never wanted to do anything in his life but help people. Hell, the man saved lost animals when he was a kid. Stoker smiled as he remembered being in the forest, watching as Cooper tended to injured lizards and frogs, graduating to having several unwanted dogs, then horses. The man was a walking-talking humanitarian. Could he have snapped during these last months? What about Antonio? This was getting maddening.
Exhaustion and uncertainty remained hovering in his system, driving him to jagged thoughts. As he rolled into the parking lot and climbed out of the truck, he studied the sky, turning in a circle. The hanger was surrounded by the mountains on all sides, the location carved out in the valley. From where he stood he was able to see the city lights, shining brightly in the night sky on one side, a beacon of good times and wonderful people. On the other was a serene landscape, one filled with animals who’s lives and homes depended on the forest. Destruction would mean losing the heart of this city.
He placed his hand over his heart, praying. No man was going to destroy the land he loved, not while he was alive. Taking long strides, he walked into the hanger, finding only the Captain in his office.
“Stoker. You’re here late. What’s up?”
“When did you take over being Captain of the smokejumping team?”
“Let’s see,” Captain Phillips said as he eased back in his seat. “October of this year will make three years. Why?”
“Just after I left for my last tour of duty and a couple of months before Cooper was deployed. So, you worked with him.”
“Yeah, briefly. What are you getting at?”
“Did he seem…” Stoker looked away as he inched closer, unsure of what to ask. “Solid? Able to do the job?”
“Cooper McKenzie was a fine smokejumper. He was the kind of man you could call on at any time. He was also cross trained, which was helpful. He worked as a jumper and handled aspects of training new recruits. Where is this going?”
“So, you don’t believe he could be behind these fires?” When he said the words, a sharp pain erupted in his gut.
Captain Phillips rose to his feet, the look on his face full on fury. “You believe one of the team is behind the fires? I don’t think so any longer. This asshole couldn’t be one of us.”
“You have good instincts. Cooper is no longer a jumper and he’s different than when he left for the war.”
“So are you, son, but I’m not calling the Sheriff putting your name down on the list. From what your Captain at the Fire Station said, you’re a loose cannon and maybe I should be questioning you.”
Stoker bristled then looked away. The Captain was right. “I think I might know where the arsonist tried to get his accelerants. The owner at the shop said the guy trying to purchase showed off a smokejumper’s identity.”
“Oh shit! You can get those in Cracker Jacks boxes around here. You’re blaming a man I heard used to be your friend for circumstantial bullshit?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Well, you damn well better think before you accuse a respected member of this team again. Do you hear me?”
Stoker craned his neck. “What do you mean member?”
“I mean,” the Captain stated as he leaned across the desk, “Cooper never left us. When he left for the war, he was promised a position and still is. Matter of fact, I’ve been talking to him about coming back at least in a teaching position. You might have to get used to having him around.”
Stoker shrank back and half smiled. Hell, he was almost relieved. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he realized he had nothing to go on. Zero. “Do you have access to the tests every jumper takes?”
“You trying to see if a red flag should have been raised?” the captain asked quietly.
“Yeah. Maybe something was missed. All I know is that this guy, this jerk-off might have a vendetta he needs to fulfill and I’m terrified we’re smack in the middle.”
“I have access but I need a reason to breach certain confidences. The information on those tests is private so I think you need to fill me in on what the fuck you think is going on.”
As Stoker gave him what little information he had, the Captain searched the database, sorting various test results. Hell, he’d taken the test the same day Cooper had long before any time spent in the marines, let alone before a war. When he was finished, he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. Was Jessica, right? Was he allowing anger and guilt to cloud every thought in his muddled mind? The answer wasn’t shocking.
“Okay, I sorted the database for the last ten years placing two pointed questions as our beta markers. The computer came back with three matches.” The Captain’s voice was low, full of stress.
“And?”
“One is a guy who left town almost four years ago. He was fired, so I’m assuming that the previous Captain figured out he was an issue.”
“The other two?” Stoker asked, the words caught in his throat.
The Captain sighed. “Son of a bitch.”
“Cooper is one of them.”
“Yeah. I have no idea how he made it through given the results.”
Stoker fell against the wall as stars floated in front of his field of vision. “This can’t be happening.”
“There’s a third.” Rising to his feet, the Captain gave him a look.
“Who?”
“It’s—”
Boom!
Thirty Minutes Earlier
Jessica paced the floor until she was nauseous. Waiting and patience had never been one of her virtues.
Woof!
“I know. Your daddy is insane to do this. What is he thinking?” She had no real answers and only additional questions. One thing was certain. She wasn’t going to find them here. What the hell could she do? She took a sip of wine then shoved the glass away. She was too anxious to drink anything.
“What do I do, Mr. Wiggles? I don’t believe Cooper has anything to do with this. He couldn’t. He’s such a nice guy.” She snorted and glared out the window. Nice guy. How would she know? She’d seen the yin and yang of the two personalities within days of each other. Anger certainly had a way of masking any decency inside of a person. She knew that the hard way.
She glared at her phone for the fifth time, wishing Stoker would call. The stubborn man was going to get himself smack in the middle of the craziness. Maybe it was time for her to do a little sleuthing on her own. She turned and eased next to the wall, tapping her head. “Bingo.” She had one thing she could do. “Want to take a
ride with me, big boy?”
MacGyver sat swooshing his tail, his smile one of content.
“Let’s go. You can be my protector.” She only hoped she could find the place in the dark.
Fifteen minutes later she peered up at the warm glow of lights. “Someone is still up, baby.” Jessica glanced across the front of the house. There was no truck, which meant no Cooper. She certainly hadn’t passed him on the two-lane winding road. A trickle of fear settled into her system. No, innocent until proven guilty.
She cracked the window and kissed Mac on the nose. “I’ll just be a minute.” Every step tentative, she walked up the stairs, hesitating before knocking on the door. When she heard footsteps, she inched back, fear trickling down her spine. The light popped on and she winced.
“Yes?” Stephanie peered out, instantly smiling. “Jessica! I’m so happy to see you.” She opened the door, her smile covering her face. “Won’t you come in for a drink?”
Confused, Jessica remained where she was. “You’re happy to see me?”
“Absolutely. You gave my brother a new lease on life. You kicked him in the ass. After the confrontation with you then Stoker, he refused to wallow in self-pity. I knew the boy had it in him, but dear God, I’m grateful to you. Please come in. Sorry you missed Cooper. I think he was going over to see Stoker.”
Jessica blinked several times, absolutely unsure of what the hell was going on. “I…”
“Is there something wrong? You look white as a ghost.” Stephanie ushered her inside. “Let me get you something to drink.”
“Wait. I need to say something and I know this is going to sound nuts.”
Stephanie laughed. “After the last few months, nothing is going to sound nuts to me. Let’s talk.”
Jessica followed her into the living room. Her throat was dry and she was uncertain she could form the words, ask the difficult questions.
“Now, what’s on your mind?”
“When I was here before, I happened to notice some things in the garage. Projects maybe Cooper was working on.”
“Absolutely. He found respite tinkering after he came back here. That’s the only time for months that he moved or exercised so to speak, at least as far as I know. If you ask me, I think he was trying to keep sane. He was always building things. The man was talented from the time he was a tot.”
Nodding, Jessica resisted wiping the beads of sweat from the side of her neck. “Makes sense. Do you have any idea what he was building?”
Stephanie narrowed her eyes. “What’s this really about?”
Swallowing hard, she wrung her hands. “I noticed fuel. Lots of fuel and what looked like small clocks when I was here that day. And well, these fires, arsons you may know were started by—”
“Bombs,” Stephanie interrupted. “I know. Cooper and I talked about that.”
“You did?”
“You think my brother has something to do with these terrible fires?”
Jessica exhaled. “I don’t know but since he was arrested, questions are being asked. He came to see me and that man, the one I talked to, seemed like he was healing. I just wanted to see what I could learn.”
Stephanie took a step back and looked away. A full two minutes passed. “Truth is, I don’t know what he’s been building, but I suspect. Would you like to see? Maybe we should both learn the truth.”
“Yeah. I would.”
“Come on.”
When Stephanie turned on the light and walked down the short set of stairs into the garage, Jessica realized she’d been holding her breath. The table was just as full as before, items strewn across the entire length, but there had been progress. She walked closer and gasped. “I have to make a phone call.”
Stephanie reached out to touch the contraption then yanked her hand back, her eyes filled with tears. “Cooper.”
Her fingers fumbling, Jessica grabbed her phone out of her pocket. As she tapped on the screen, she hissed seeing the minimal coverage. She had to try. “Come on. Answer. Please answer.” Just as the voice mail clicked on, she could swear there was a slight rumble under the ground beneath her feet.
“Stoker. Listen. About Cooper. You need to know something. He built a…”
Boom!
“Fuck! What the hell is going on?” Stoker flew away from the wall following the Captain outside.
“Jesus. Fucking. Christ.” The Captain exhaled.
“Not now. Not fucking now.” The sound could have only been from a bomb going off somewhere at the base of the mountains, and directly below his home. “Jessica.”
“I’m calling this in. Be prepared to fly out as soon as everyone has arrived.”
“Yes, sir.” Stoker stood shaking as the blaze immediately swept up the side of the mountain, creating a sea of tangerine. Terror like he’d never known rushed through him. He clenched his fists, realizing he could lose everything that was precious to him, including the one woman who had dragged him from the depths of Hell.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The sirens went off, alerting everyone a massive fire was close, eating everything in its wake. He pointed his finger toward the blaze. Rings of fire were heading down the ravine, moving likes fanned fingers toward various areas. “No. No. Don’t move. Don’t come this way. You wait for me. Wait until I can stop your ass.”
Within minutes the team had arrived, everyone moving toward their lockers.
Stoker glanced at his phone, thinking about calling Jessica to warn her. Seeing a message, he frowned then hit the button.
“Stoker. Listen. About Cooper. You need to know something. He built a pblbiab…schaaaaaa…schaaaa…”
The sharp noise from static penetrated his ears. A bomb? Cooper had built a bomb? Oh God. Oh fucking God, no. Panting, he glanced around at the group of men and had no idea what to do. He had to save her. He had to get to her.
“All right men. The plane will be ready to go in five minutes. We’re coordinating efforts once again with the Fire Department, this time every station. We’re going to come at this from all sides and the air. Two engine companies are already heading toward the scene; however, the fire is spreading rapidly. I’ve called the Mayor. She’s considering evacuating the town. This is the worst possible scenario. Be ready on my command and you better pray to Big Ernie, our smokejumper God to get us all out of this.”
“You okay, man?” Garcia asked as he stood by Stoker.
“No. I’m not okay. This is bad. Really bad,” Stoker mumbled.
“Captain, have you heard from Tyler? We gotta have a spotter.” Antonio stepped out, his face pinched.
“No. I’ll call him. Fuck!” the Captain said as he groaned and yanked out his phone.
“Don’t we have another spotter? I thought there was cross-training.” Stoker looked directly at Antonio.
“No one new. The Captain is qualified, but we need him here.” Antonio gave him a look. “We need to find Tyler.” He slammed his hand on the locker, the sound reverberating into the room.
“What the fuck are we supposed to do now? We can’t sit here and wait for the fire to come to us!” Riker snapped.
“Just hold on. Maybe Tyler is just behind,” Garcia suggested.
Stoker closed his eyes. “We have to get up in the air. We have to go. Everything I have, my entire life is on that mountain.”
“I can do it.”
The words hung in the air. First one then every jumper turned to look at the man standing in the doorway.
Stoker took several steps forward. He stole a look at the Captain as he lowered his phone and walked forward. “Cooper.”
Cooper stood tall, his face holding conviction. Wearing a leather jacket, one displaying a smokejumper patch, he looked the part. “I’m qualified as a spotter.”
Antonio moved in front of Stoker, glaring down at Cooper’s legs. “No offense man, but you’re on the injured list.”
“He ain’t jumping out of the plane. I saw we let him go,” Sawyer added.
“He’s
still on the roster,” Boone said as he zipped his suit. “We need him.”
Stoker shook his head as he walked closer. Anger and fear mixed with a sickening feeling leaving him empty inside. No. No.
The Captain moved in front, his eyes pinned on Stoker. “Stoker, can I see you for a minute in my office? Now!”
He followed the Captain and let out his breath when the door was closed. “This is insane. He can’t go. I had a call from Jessica and I swear she said he’d made a bomb.”
“Jessica? As in the woman who was here? Jessica, as in your girlfriend?” the Captain asked, every word accusatory.
“I know what you’re thinking but I heard what sounded like she’d found he’d built a bomb, which means she has to be at his sister’s house. Fuck me. There was a lot of static.”
“Stoker. We don’t know that he’s the arsonist. We only assume. Whatever you think you heard might be a hell of a lot of nothing. Are you ready to risk lives based on conjecture?”
“Conjecture? Are you kidding me? The evidence is damning.”
“Look, son, if he doesn’t go up then we don’t go up. Tyler’s a no show.” The Captain folded his arms. “Is there any way of determining whether or not he’s the arsonist? Cause if he is, this is a mighty convenient alibi.”
Stoker groaned. “I don’t know. I don’t fucking know.” Pacing, he dropped his head. “Think. Just think.” How could he know? Was there even a way? “Fuck.” He tugged out his phone. “This is a long shot, but the only one we have.”
“You better hurry or we’ll lose the ridge line. Once that fire gets to any of the buildings, we’re in deep shit.”
“One shot. Yeah. I got it.” He prayed as the phone rang, gulping when the call was answered. “Yes. Mr. Walker. Sorry to bother you again. This is Lieutenant Stoker Hansen of the Missoula Smoke Jumping team. I need your help. You mentioned that your employee had a visit from someone asking about accelerants. Can you tell me, is the man white or black?” Stoker looked at the Captain, who narrowed his eyes. “Yes, sir. That’s what I asked.”
