The chill on Jackson’s scalp turned into a frigid, ice-cold freeze. My brother started the fire that almost destroyed my life and the lives of my brothers and sisters. He destroyed acres and acres of trees, homes, animals…and I’m the asshole who brought him into the forest.
“Jackson?” his brother said, his voice cracking.
“Yeah?” Jackson said, his body numb.
“I lied to you.”
“About what?”
“Me and Macavelli…he invited me up to that home to get high. We were the ones who started the fire. It was a mistake. Macavelli knocked over the candle we were using to cook the dope and we panicked. We tried to put it out but it caught on a stack of newspapers and whoosh!” He began to blubber. “We didn’t know it would get that bad. We both took off when the fire started. I didn’t know his niece and nephew were in the house somewhere, I swear it.”
“The home on Egg Ranch Road where the kids and their pets died?”
“Yeah. Yeah. That’s the one. I’m so sorry.” Jake crumpled and uncrumpled the sheets, spraying saliva and weeping as he spoke.
The only thought zinging through Jackson’s mind was that Blaire was right—his brother was indeed a murderer.
He was going to pay for his crimes.
Chapter 33
Jackson stormed out of the stark, impersonal surroundings of room Four-Ninety-One, leaving his brother a blubbering mess.
Chase jerked away from the wall and looked at him. “Is everything okay?”
“Mobile phone. Now,” was all Jackson could manage to say.
With shaking hands, she dug into her pants pocket and retrieved it, handing it over.
He whirled and marched back into the room, with Chase hot on his heels.
“What is it? What happened?” she said.
“He can tell you once he’s contacted the police.” Jackson thrust the phone at Jake.
“The police? Why?” she said, looking from Jackson to Jake.
“I can’t do this,” Jake cried, refusing to take the phone.
“Fine,” Jackson said, tapping the Search field in the middle of the screen.
He knew he should have waited for this confrontation. His brother hadn’t been out of surgery for more than two hours. He needed to rest.
But he might have talked himself out of confessing. He’s a sneaky, manipulative bastard.
“Call the police,” he said when the screen displayed the word “Listening…”
The call connected and he tapped the speaker icon.
“Okay, okay, okay,” Jake said, extending his skinny arm. “Give it here.”
“Bradbury Police Department,” a woman answered. “This is Doreen Carey. How may I direct your call?”
“This is Jake O’Halloran,” Jake mumbled, glaring at Jackson. “My brother insisted I call.”
Jackson glared at Jake, shaking his head.
“What is this regarding?” Doreen said.
Jake swallowed. “The fire…”
“Today’s fire? The one in the Sun-a-Do mountains?” she said.
“That’s the one,” Jake croaked.
“Oh, no,” Chase whispered, clutching the railing of the hospital bed, clearly having connected the dots.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch what you said,” Doreen said.
Jake cleared his throat. “The Sun-a-Do fire, yes.”
“Okay, thank you. What information do you have to share?”
“I know who did it,” Jake mumbled.
Jackson stared at the throbbing arteries in his brother’s neck.
“Jake,” he said in a barely audible warning tone.
“Let me transfer you to the right department,” Doreen said. She put the call on hold, and a lively jazz tone played.
Jackson’s lips pressed into a hard line.
Chase stared at Jake with tears in her eyes. Her bright red hair, hanging along her forehead, provided a stark contrast to her now-pale, mocha-colored skin.
“Honey, no,” she whispered.
“This is Sargent Masterson,” a gruff-sounding voice said into the phone. “To whom am I speaking?”
“This is Jake O’Halloran,” Jake said.
“And you say you have information on who started the fire?” Sargent Masterson said.
“Yes, sir.” Jake paused. “It was me,” he said, his voice cracking at the end.
“One second, sir, I need to get more information from you,” Sargent Masterson said.
The line grew silent.
A kind-looking nurse wearing a short-sleeved navy-colored top with red trim around the collar entered the room. Her wavy espresso-colored hair had been pulled from her face with a hair tie. Wire-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Her name tag read, Charlotte Cermak.
She glanced at the monitor next to Jake and frowned. “Your pulse and blood pressure are elevated. How do you feel, Mr. O’Halloran?”
“Like shit,” Jake said, gloomily.
“Where are you, sir?” Sargent Masterson said into the phone.
“In the hospital,” Jake said.
“Which one? Bradbury?”
Jake shrugged and looked at Nurse Cermak.
She stepped toward the bed and said, “This is Nurse Cermak. To whom am I speaking?”
“Sargent Masterson with the Bradbury Police Department.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Oh! Well, what is this regarding? The person you’re speaking with is a patient here at Bradbury Hospital. He’s only been out of surgery for a couple of hours so he can’t be tied up on the phone.”
“I’ll need to head down and question him, ma’am.”
Jake squeezed his eyes shut. Any lingering color fled from his face, leaving his complexion gray and sallow. The pulse rate indicator blipped faster on the monitor.
Nurse Cermak said, “He needs to rest. He was badly injured today in the fire.”
“I’ll be brief. I just need to ask him a few questions.”
A stern look crossed Nurse Cermak’s face. “I’ll allow for fifteen minutes.”
“That’s fine, ma’am. What room is the patient in?”
“Four-Ninety-One.”
“Thank you,” Sargent Masterson said. “I’ll be there in twenty.”
He disconnected the phone before anyone else could speak.
Nurse Cermak placed her hands on her slender hips.
“Do you know what this is about?” she asked Jackson.
“Yes, ma’am, I do.” He glanced at his brother, who stared off into the distance, stark and barely moving. Jackson sighed. “I’d rather not say at this moment. Everyone will find out soon enough, anyway.”
A mixture of anger, sorrow, and shame competed for the spotlight in his mind. One moment he was furious, the next he was embarrassed to be associated with him, and the next he felt nothing but sadness that things had reached this point.
“Mr. O’Halloran needs a rest before having a discussion with the police,” the nurse said crisply. “I’m going to have to ask you both to leave.””
Jackson glanced at the simple black-rimmed clock on the wall. Blaire would be here soon. “That’s fine, my ride will be here soon. And, Jake…be sure to mention the incident at Egg Ranch Road. You know—the one where the kids and their pets died.”
Jake’s jaw jutted out, and he glanced at the ceiling. “I know, I know.”
“I’ll head to the cafeteria and grab a bite to eat,” Chase said. Her eyes were laden with what looked like heartbreak and fatigue. She squeezed Jake’s hand and said, “I’ll be back shortly.”
“Don’t bother,” he grumbled. “I’m hardly worth it.”
“Of course you are, Jakey! You mean the world to me,” she said, tears in her eyes.
He shook his head and turned away from her. “I’d like to speak to my brother.”
Chase hung her head and shuffled from the room.
Nurse Cermak eyed Jackson and said, “I’ll return in five minutes.”
He tried for a reassuring smi
le. “I won’t be long, I promise.”
She nodded and exited with crisp footsteps squeaking along the white linoleum floor.
When just the two of them occupied the room, Jackson said, gently, “What is it?”
A wave of sympathy washed through him as he stared at his dejected, desolate brother. The sentiment was quickly quashed by rage at the destruction his brother had caused.
“I have a dog,” Jake said, smiling so quickly, Jackson wondered if he imagined it.
“Do you?” he said, lifting his eyebrows.
“Yes,” Jake said. “His name is Padre.”
Jackson sighed. He named his dog the word for father? That’s so sad.
“I rescued him,” Jake said. “He was caught in twine and crap over at the dump. I nursed him back to health. You know those skills we learned from the library?”
This time the smile was evident.
“Sure, I do,” Jackson said, a ghost of a grin flitting across his face.
“I used our mad skills. I nicked a couple of books from the library using Dad’s old library card. Don’t judge me,” he added, flashing a glare in Jackson’s direction. “Some of us aren’t as fortunate as others.”
Jackson put his palms out.
“Don’t start with me,” he said. “What about your dog?”
“He’s an old Bloodhound. He’s got this big, old wrinkly face.” Jake chuckled. “He’s my best bud. I left him a ton of kibble but not enough to last him through a prison sentence.”
Jackson snorted. “Why can’t Chase take him? Besides, you don’t know you’ll go to prison.”
“Please. Trash like me always goes to prison.” Jake sneered. “Chase lives in a tiny apartment with a strict no dogs policy.” His eyes met Jackson’s. “That dog means the world to me. I don’t want anything to happen to him. He’s a good dog. I taught him how to sit and how to balance a treat on his nose until I give the word.” He chuckled, appearing more light-hearted than Jackson had seen him in a long time. “Anyway, can you look after him until I’m able?”
Jackson thought a moment. Bloodhounds were huge. He and Blaire struggled to pay the bills at times. Can we afford another mouth to feed? He studied his brother, laying broken and defeated on his hospital bed.
A long sigh left his lungs. “Sure. Do I need keys or anything? Is the dog confined inside the trailer?”
Jake shook his head. “He’s in a makeshift pen out in the back. One of the neighbors said he’d keep an eye on him to make sure nothing happened to him.”
“Okay,” Jackson said.
“I know it’s a hardship,” Jake said in a snarky tone.
“I said, don’t start. I don’t even know where to begin with you. I’ve got a shitload of stuff to process and comprehend, but an innocent animal shouldn’t suffer because of a stupid human’s behavior.”
“You’re telling me I’m stupid?” Jake said. He started to sit up and winced.
“You and me both. You’re the idiot who torched an entire forest, and I’m the idiot who’s enabled you for too long.” A curious calm fell over Jackson. “I’m done, you know. You’re on your own from this point on.”
Jake’s gaze flitted toward the ceiling.
“Understood,” he said.
Unable to think of anything else to say, Jackson strode from the room, more than ready to head home.
Chapter 34
The second Jackson’s gaze met Blaire’s, as she strode toward him in the brightly lit hospital lobby, his heart soared. His steps quickened, and he closed the gap with long-legged strides until he could wrap her in his arms.
She reciprocated, squeezing him tight.
The pressure made his burns sting.
“Crap,” he said wincing. “Sorry, baby, no contact with my back.”
She withdrew her hands, holding them in front of her.
“Not so far away,” he said, taking her hands and placing them on his sides. “Here’s fine.” He resumed his hard hold of her.
“Oh, my God, Jackson. I can’t believe I almost lost you,” she said into his neck.
Emotion clogged his throat, making it hard to speak. All he could do was hold her, feeling her warmth, her softness, her presence. When he finally eased back from her to gaze at her beautiful face, tears filled both of their eyes. He studied her, reacquainting himself with every inch of her face.
The too-bright lobby emphasized the lines and shadows falling under and around her eyes.
She blinked rapidly, and tears spilled along her cheeks.
“I’ve been so worried,” she said.
He cupped her face with his palms and wiped the tears away with his thumbs. “I’m so grateful to still be here…with you.”
“You’re a mess, Jackson,” she said, grinning, bringing her hands up to place them on his shoulders. “They don’t let you shower here?”
“They didn’t offer. The nurses cleaned up my back and dressed my wounds so that part’s clean. I made an attempt at my hands…” He lifted his hands and studied them before letting them fall by his sides. “But you know how us wildland firefighters are.”
He winked at her before hooking an arm around her shoulder and heading toward the exit, past the square brown plastic chairs placed side by side and out the large glass doors.
“Yeah, dirt and grime are worn as badges of glory,” she said, snaking her arm around his waist. “I’ll take the grime any day as long as it’s on you.”
They strode toward her SUV, saying nothing. The night air was cool and smelled of smoke. A sliver of moon split the sky.
“That fire’s still burning,” she said, glancing in the direction of the mountains. She fished in her pants pocket for her key fob and blipped the vehicle locks open.
“Yeah, but I can’t fight it.” He blew out a breath.
“I know, I know, you’ve been benched. How could you trust your instincts after what you’ve been through? Give it a rest, baby.”
When they reached the vehicle, he said, “Wait. Before you get in, I’ve got something that needs tending to.”
“What’s that?” she said, pivoting to look at him.
“This.” He cupped his hand behind her neck, drew her close, and lowered his face to hers. When their lips met, everything inside of him ignited. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth.
She sucked on it, drawing delicious aches of pain. Her fingers hooked his belt loops, tugging him into her.
He winced.
She jerked her head back. “Oh, no! Did I hurt you again?”
“A little. My ass is tender. I don’t care.” He started to lower his mouth again, but she interrupted him.
“Where is it safe to touch?”
“Anywhere but on my back, butt, or shoulders,” he said.
She grinned and dropped her palm to his growing erection, stroking him through his pants.
“How about here?” She laughed.
“Perfect,” he said. He brought his lips to hers for another searing kiss. When he eased back, he said, “Let’s head home.” Remembering Jake’s request, he scrunched up his face. “Damn it.”
“What?” she said.
“I’ve got some shit to tell you. Let’s get in the car.”
Frowning, she nodded and made her way to the driver’s seat.
He rounded the front of the vehicle and opened the passenger door.
Once they were both settled and Blaire backed out of her parking spot, she said, “Spill the news. Is it about Jake?”
“Oh, yes.” Shame took hold of his gut, squeezing tight. “I’m afraid there’s going to be some big stories about how a local firefighter’s brother started the Sun-a-Do firestorm.”
“Oh, no,” Blaire wailed, gripping the steering wheel.
“Oh, yes. When I found Jake in the woods, he was high on heroin.” Jackson’s jaw clenched.
“Shit.” Blaire shook her head as she exited the parking lot.
“And, he conveniently didn’t bring a needle to inject his dope as he didn
’t want Chase to find it. Instead, he brought aluminum foil and a candle to cook it.”
“Oh, God. That asshole!” She gave him a side-eyed glance. “I’m sorry, but he is an ass.”
He chuffed out a sigh. “Don’t be sorry. I told him I’m done with him.” His resolve was at war with his sense of sibling obligation. Then, he thought about baking in that aluminum shelter, not knowing whether he and his fellow firefighters were going to make it. His resolve won. “It’s for the best.” He rolled his lips between his teeth. “I’m going to catch some hell for being the asshole who brought him to the woods in the first place.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.” She reached out and placed her hand on his knee. “I’m furious with Jake. We all could have died. You and your teammates could have died. I could strangle him with my bare hands.” Her fingers white-knuckled the wheel.
“You’ll have to wait your turn.” He turned to stare out the window at the horizon, dotted with light from the stores, warehouses, and homes.
“No one’s going to blame you for the fire,” she said.
“Aren’t they?” he said, before working his jaw back and forth. “If you almost died, wouldn’t you be a wee bit pissed at the asshole who started the fire, as well as the asshole who brought him into the woods in the first place?”
“You couldn’t have known,” she said with conviction.
“I should have paid better attention,” he said.
“We’ll get through it,” she said, squeezing his thigh. “I’m one-hundred percent with you, all the way.”
He smiled. “Thank you, baby. That means a lot.”
Out on the highway, they were surrounded by cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles, each zipping to their own moments of destiny and obligation. Once again, that accountability word flitted before his mind.
“I have to be as accountable as anyone,” he said.
“What? Where is this coming from?” she said, flipping on her turn signal to exit the airport expressway and merge onto I-5.
“You know how I’ve been preaching about people being accountable for the last few months?” He turned to study her profile.
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