AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Six
Dalton stepped through the smoldering rubble of the home that was completely destroyed. The family had lost everything, but at least they had survived.
Turning around, he stood in what was once the small living room.
Charred furniture and blackened walls were all that was left.
“At least they had working smoke detectors,” Max spoke up from behind him.
Dalton nodded. “They wouldn’t have made it out alive had they not.”
He moved around, his keen eyes taking in all of the damage. His men had done a stand-up job putting the fire out.
“We were able to talk them into going to the hospital to get checked out.”
The couple had two young children, and it was a good idea to make sure everyone was doing well. With children, one couldn’t be too careful when it came to smoke inhalation.
“Good.” Dalton walked out of the living room and brushed past Max. He couldn’t help but think of his brother’s family.
What if this would happen to them?
Danny was an infant and was fragile. Smoke could definitely take him from this world.
“The inspector is here.”
“Let’s get out of their way. Something doesn’t feel right about this,” Dalton replied grimly.
The fire investigators would need to comb through all of the debris to determine if this was arson or accident. From the looks of it, the family had all of the safety equipment in the home they needed.
When Dalton and his team had arrived at the home, it had already been engulfed in flames.
The house wasn’t that far from the station.
They would have been able to contain it.
Dalton’s mind got to racing.
An accelerant would cause the fire to spread rapidly.
“You’re telling me.” Max followed behind Dalton out of the house.
“Inspector Bland, how are you?” Dalton called out, walking across the yard.
The sun was beaming brightly in the Nevada sky. Perspiration covered his head and slid down the back of his neck, disappearing beneath his shirt. He couldn’t wait to get back to the station for a nice hot shower. The fireman’s suit was not meant to be a ventilated uniform. The heavy jacket was made out of flame-resistant material, his sturdy boots protected his feet, and his helmet protected his head. The additional weight of the gear added about forty-five pounds for him to carry when adding on oxygen tanks. Firemen had to be in great shape to do their jobs.
While their squad was fighting the fire, Dalton was supervising everything outside the home to ensure his team was functioning to full capacity.
Inspector Bland was an older man with pure-white hair, a protuberant belly, and a personality that was larger than life. He shut the door to his pickup truck that had the words Arson Investigator splashed along the side.
“Lieutenant. Sad we have to keep seeing each other like this,” Bland joked.
Dalton took the inspector’s hand in a firm grip. “I know. One day you’re going to have to take me up on that offer for a drink.”
Bland threw his head back with a boisterous laugh. “One day. It’s been a while since I went drinking with young folks like yourself, but I’m sure I can drink every one of you under the table.”
“I’m sure you would. You have a few years’ experience on me.” Dalton grinned.
“What do we have?” Bland switched the conversation, his smile fading. He glanced at the home, and immediately their discussion turned serious.
