Page 151 of Honeyfires

"She does," Jackson said. "They're quite detailed."

Vera leaned forward. "Cassie, I have opinions about the wind shift data too."

"Oh thank god," Cassie said. "Finally, someone I can talk to about this."

I sat in the hallway outside the room where my future was being decided, surrounded by my crew and their partners and my girlfriend and my lawyer and the union rep who'd drilled me for hours, and something settled in my chest that I could only call gratitude. The kind that knew it had been earned by people showing up when they didn't have to.

Diana came back from her phone call and sat beside me.

"Is this your whole crew?" she asked.

"Most of them."

"Good," she said. And didn't elaborate. But I thought I understood what she meant.

The door opened. A clerk appeared.

"The board is ready to deliver their findings."

Vera squeezed my hand once. Let go. Knoss stood. Diana closed her briefcase with a quiet click.

"This is it," Knoss said. "Whatever they decide, you told the truth."

I nodded, not trusting my voice, and walked back through the door.

The gallery had been cleared. Just me, Knoss, Diana, and the five board members. Chief Davidson stood.

"Firefighter Perpetua Alves, the board has completed its review and reached a decision regarding your status with this department."

My heart hammered.

"After careful review of testimony and evidence, including expert fire behavior analysis, meteorological data, and witness statements from all crew members present, the board finds that you acted with reasonable judgment given the rapidly evolving conditions."

Reasonable judgment.

"Expert testimony confirms that the original position would have been overrun by extreme fire behavior, and that remaining in that position would have placed your crew at extreme risk of serious injury or fatality. While the loss of six residential structures is deeply regrettable, the board acknowledges that these structures were likely unsalvageable once the fire transitioned to active crown fire with prolific spotting ahead of containment lines."

He paused. Shuffled papers.

"While insubordination is a serious matter that cannot be taken lightly, the board acknowledges that split-second decisions in life-threatening situations require individual judgment that may supersede standard chain of command protocols. Your decision to evacuate, while made against direct orders, was consistent with your training and your primary responsibility as crew boss to ensure the safety of personnel under your command. Therefore, the board finds that Forewoman Perpetua Alves is cleared of wrongdoing, and that her suspension is hereby lifted effective immediately."

The relief hit me like a fucking truck. I grabbed the edge of the table.

"However—"

Diana's hand moved to the table in front of me. Flat. Wait.

"The board recognizes that this incident has generated significant media attention and community sentiment. The affected families have expressed strong feelings about the outcome, and there remains considerable tension within the community. Therefore, while cleared of wrongdoing and eligible to return to active duty, the board strongly recommends a voluntary transfer to Station 47 in the Copper Valley district, approximately three and a half hours north of San Jacinto. The position carries the same pay grade and responsibilities as your current assignment. This transfer would be for a minimum of one year."

Cleared but exiled.

Diana raised her hand. "Chief Davidson, for the record, if Forewoman Alves declines the transfer, her cleared status is unaffected?"

"Correct."

"The department cannot impose the transfer as a condition of reinstatement?"

"Correct. It is a recommendation."