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Luke hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowed in confusion, but he ultimately nodded in agreement. He understood the importance of keeping their discovery under wraps.
* * *
As Olivia slipped into the command center, which was actually a portable trailer, the weight of the tragedy hung heavy in the room, palpable in the somber expressions of those gathered around the cluttered table. Chief Fred Lamply, a stalwart figure in the Waverly Junction community, sat at the head of the table, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he pored over architectural plans strewn haphazardly before him.
Beside him, the fire chiefs from all the jurisdictions involved in the firefight exchanged tense glances, their faces drawn with exhaustion from battling the inferno that tore through the warehouse club. Each cup of coffee sat half-empty, a testament to the long hours spent strategizing and coordinating their efforts.
Joining them were representatives from law enforcement, their presence a grim reminder of the deaths brought on by the arsonist. The chief of Waverly Junction police and Waverly County police sat side by side. Homicide detectives from both Waverly County and Waverly Junction joined the group. Her sister Molly was there as well.
The mayor of Waverly Junction and the president of the town council exchanged worried looks across the table, their thoughts consumed by the devastation that had befallen their community. Their town had been irrevocably changed, and the road to recovery would be long and expensive.
And then there was Michael Wheaton, Olivia's partner. His steady gaze met hers across the room. He offered her a conciliatory smile as he patted the empty seat beside him.
As Olivia settled into the seat Michael saved for her at the table, Chief Lamply's gaze shifted toward her. “Everyone, this is Detective Olivia Everhart from Waverly County PD.” He paused. “Liv, how’s Captain Reynolds?”
Taking a moment to gather herself, Olivia met Chief Lamply's gaze and replied, “He's holding on, Chief.”
Chief Lamply nodded. “He's a resilient man, Liv,” his tone was empathetic. “We'll get to the bottom of this, for his sake and for the entire community.”
Olivia, though composed, couldn't conceal the worry etched on her face. The investigation was now personal. She glanced at Michael, her partner, who offered a silent nod of support.
Chief Lamply leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the room. “We need answers, and we need them fast. Liv, any progress on your end?”
Olivia hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to share the discovery she made amidst the ruins of the warehouse. Ultimately, she decided to keep it under wraps for now. “As soon as we're done in here, we will continue to gather evidence. It’s a complex scene. The medical examiner is starting to identify the dead.” She lifted her chin at her sister.
Chief Lamply turned back to the group. “Alright, let's focus on strategies for the ongoing investigation. We need to move quickly.”
Michael leaned toward Olivia. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just a lot to process,” she answered.
Michael squeezed her hand. “Liv, you know I didn’t mean to make you angry. I care for you. We'll figure it out together.”
Olivia nodded. Her thoughts lingered on the small black cylindrical container she found—a piece of the puzzle that could hold the key to solving the mystery.
The meeting drew to a close, and Olivia and Michael exchanged a nod before rising from their seats, their minds already shifting to the investigation. Donning protective gear, they prepared to delve once more into the charred remains of the warehouse, determined to uncover any clues that had eluded them thus far.
Despite the exhaustion pressing on her, Olivia pushed herself forward, her desire for answers driving her to soldier on. Each step through the scene felt like wading through molasses.
Her senses felt dulled as they examined the debris, her movements sluggish as she fought to maintain focus. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she reached out to steady herself, her muscles protesting with each movement.
In a moment of vulnerability, Olivia nearly lost her balance, but before she could stumble, Michael was there, his strong arms wrapping around her in a gesture that felt more intimate than professional. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to lean into his embrace, finding comfort in his presence.
“I’m sorry.” Quickly as it had come, Olivia pushed herself away. She brushed off the moment with a shrug. She was tired.
“We need to seal the scene and regroup tomorrow,” she declared. “I need to check on Jackson.”
Michael nodded. He went over the radio to request a combined squad of police and firefighters to protect the scene. “I’ll get the next shift to work the site too.”
As they made their way out of the warehouse, Olivia couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in her gut. The events of the day had taken their toll. And Michael’s hug had added more. She doffed her turnout gear and climbed into her car. She laid her head on her arms that rested on the steering wheel.
Olivia startled at the sudden knock on the glass, her heart leaping into her throat as she turned to see Luke standing there, his expression etched with concern. “Are you alright?”
Her initial shock faded as she forced a reassuring smile. “Yeah, yeah. Just tired,” she replied, her voice coming out a little hoarse as she swiped a hand over her face, trying to dispel the fatigue that weighed heavily upon her.
Luke's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, his worry visible. But with a nod, he stepped back from the glass.
“I'm heading to the hospital,” she told him.
