AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She stared at the swing hanging from the tree in her backyard where she spent hours with her dad.
Charlotte went to the garden sink and scrubbed her hands clean. She walked into the house and returned with a large binder of clippings. “You can share this with Jackson.”
* * *
Saturday, September 9th
Jackson stepped into the solitude of his office, shutting the door behind him. The room was a sanctuary—a place where he could think, remember, and sometimes grieve. He dropped heavily into his chair, his head falling into his hands. A book sat in the desk’s corner: Congratulations, You’re an Officer. Many of the pages were already dogeared. But his new title and command wasn’t what had him tied up in knots.
Olivia Everhart—smart, sexy, captivating, and linked to his past. Her father died in a house fire, the same fire that claimed his own father's life. Jackson had known there were Everharts in the area’s fire departments, but they were older than him. He hadn't made the connection that the female arson/bomb detective in Waverly County was one of Chuck Everhart’s daughters until he saw the Everhart girls at the burn center dedication.
He reached for his computer, his fingers trembling slightly as he typed in the date of his father's death. The search results filled the screen, and he clicked on the first link—a news report detailing the tragic blaze.
As he watched the video, the memories came rushing back, as vivid and painful as they had been years ago. The flames were monstrous, their red, yellow, and orange branches reaching, flickering, and snapping at everything within reach. Sparks drifted upwards, carried by the brown smoke that billowed from the house in a dark, ominous cloud. Embers glowed amidst the destruction.
“In a distressing turn of events, a significant fire broke out earlier today, engulfing a residential property in the Ashcroft Terrace area. Firefighters from the Waverly Junction Fire Department and Waverly County responded swiftly to the scene after receiving multiple emergency calls.
“The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with initial reports suggesting the flames originated from the kitchen area of the three-story house before rapidly spreading throughout the property. Eyewitnesses reported thick plumes of dark-colored smoke and intense flames emerging rapidly from the structure, drawing neighbors and emergency services to the site.
“Despite the rapid response from the firefighters, they were unable to contain the fire. High winds allowed it to spread to two neighboring homes.
“All occupants of the house were evacuated safely, but not without tragedy. Battalion Chief Chuck Everhart and Captain David Reynolds were killed rescuing two teens from the basement. After the children were cleared from the home, the floors above and the chimney collapsed, trapping both firefighters. A valiant rescue attempt was made to no avail.
“The fire department is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire, focusing on the kitchen area where the fire is believed to have originated. Local authorities have cordoned off the area as the investigation continues, and caution is advised for pedestrians and motorists passing through Ashcroft Avenue. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the investigation progresses.”
He remembered the phone call, the voice of the department chief on the other end of the line telling him the news. He was away at the University of Sioux Falls, enrolled in their paramedic technology program, living his best life, never thinking of the danger his father and other firefighters faced every day.
The house, once a symbol of warmth to its family, had become a deadly trap within minutes. As the fire penetrated the walls and ceiling, it sent flames to the second and third floors, ravaging everything in its path. The weight of the destruction careened into the basement where two boys played video games. Two firefighters managed to free them before growing trapped themselves.
On the computer screen, a news clip played, capturing a scene that felt like a distant memory. Two engines, each carrying a flag-draped casket, rolled slowly past a somber crowd and a mile of firefighters from all over. Jackson's heart clenched as he watched, his breath catching in his throat.
There, standing beside his mother, was Jackson himself, his sunglasses shielding his eyes from the harsh glare of the sun. In his hands, he held his father's battered helmet, a tangible reminder of the loss.
As the second engine passed, Jackson's gaze shifted to Charlotte Everhart, dressed in black and holding Chuck's helmet in her trembling hands. To one side of her stood four young girls, their faces streaked with tears as they clung to each other for support. And there, on her other side, amidst the grief and the heartache, stood Olivia, her expression stoic and resolute as she stared at the casket.
A lump formed in Jackson's throat as he relived the moment, the weight of his father's absence settling heavily on his shoulders. Two men, two fathers, lost their lives that day, leaving behind a legacy of sacrifice and bravery that would never be forgotten.
Jackson needed to talk to Livvy. She deserved to know her father’s story from his point of view. He reached for the phone. But before he could dial the arson/bomb unit number, the piercing tones of an alarm shattered the silence, pulling him back into the present with a jolt.
“Attention all units, attention all units. Dispatch to Station 3, Rescue 3. We have a report of a dumpster fire at the corner of Main and Elm, outside the Quik Wash Laundromat. Caller reports the dumpster is filled with dryer lint. Flames visible. Nearby trees also on fire. Please respond Code 3.”
Jackson turned off his computer, ran out the office door and headed to the captain’s vehicle. Climbing into the driver’s seat, he buttoned up his turnout coat and adjusted his helmet before pulling off the apron.
Dryer lint was dangerous due to being highly flammable. Composed of tiny fibers from clothes, towels, and linens, it could easily ignite. This fire had already ignited nearby trees. He knew it posed a significant fire hazard and a danger to his company.
Under the bright rays of the midday sun, the clatter of the fire trucks echoed through the streets of Waverly Junction. The emergency vehicles maneuvered swiftly toward the heart of the poorer section of town, where a dumpster fire blazed in front of a modest laundromat.
As the fire trucks rolled up to the scene, their flashing lights cast fleeting shadows on the pavement. They traveled down streets lined with storefronts and small businesses, each with its own story to tell. The laundromat, though humble in its appearance, served as a vital necessity for the community.
Two police officers were pouring their extinguishers’ contents into the trees to stop the spread upon their arrival at the scene. The firefighters faced trees ignited like torches and a dumpster fully engulfed by flames. The metal structure glowed. The fire crackled, dryer lint providing an efficient fuel source.
“Two lines. Drown it!” he gave the order. The firefighters sprang into action, their movements honed by countless hours of training.
The chauffeur of Engine 3 connected a large-diameter supply line to the nearby hydrant, ensuring a steady flow of water. Meanwhile, another firefighter pulled a pre-connected attack line from the side of the engine. The heavy-duty hose was designed for aggressive fire attack, capable of delivering hundreds of gallons of water per minute.
With the nozzleman at the helm, they advanced toward the blazing dumpster. Water roared from the nozzle in a powerful stream, hitting the dumpster with a force that sent steam and smoke billowing into the sky. They applied a direct attack method, aiming the jet of water straight at the base of the fire, where it was hottest. The radiant heat was so intense that they could feel it through their protective gear. His lieutenant manned the second hose and sprayed the burning trees.
The metal dumpster hissed and steamed as the cool water made contact with its superheated surface. The firefighters continued their assault, dousing every inch of the dumpster until the last flames were subdued. They used a pike pole to stir the wet debris, ensuring no hidden embers could reignite.
