Page 63 of Burning Justice

Skye lowered the phone. “Water drop is on the way.”

“We need retardant,” Kane said. Water wouldn’t put this fire out.

“The plane is busy. We can’t get it.” She strode toward them, a dark look on her face.

“We need to get digging and get everyone out of this clearing.” Saxon looked around, then up in the sky. “Or we’re going to get swallowed.”

“We don’t have time for that.” Jade looked around. “We need to deploy shelters. Dig a trench for your face and get down!”

In moments, the fire would race into the clearing, and every inch of ground under their feet would be on fire.

Elias would win.

All because Kane had brought them here. So how had Elias planned all this ahead of their coming to this spot? Unless he’d been orchestrating fires all along, drawing them out so he could eventually kill them.

He grabbed a shovel and raced to the others, hauling dirt away from one spot. He ignored the smell of gasoline in the air and the way the wind seemed to crackle.

Heat rose in the clearing.

Sweat rolled down his face.

Jade said, “Everyone dig a trench! We’re about to run out of time.” She whipped her fire shelter from her pocket. “You know what to do!”

Tori screamed.

Thirteen

Maria coughed. Dust particles floated in the air. The bartender had paled and looked a little wary of moving, even though the shooting had stopped a minute ago.

“Okay.” Maria had to cough again. “We can do this slowly.”

“I’m Vic, by the way.”

“Maria. Ready?” She held out her good hand.

Vic motioned to Maria’s other hand with a lift of her chin. “What did you do to that hand?”

“Had a run-in with a Chinese hitman.”

Vic looked like she didn’t believe her.

Honestly, Maria didn’t blame the woman. “We can go slow, all right?” She turned her head to the side. “Special Agent Parker!”

He called back, “Yeah?”

“You good?”

“It’s clear,” Rio shouted. “Everyone stay put. We’ll assess you one by one.” His tone lowered. “I want an update on that vehicle. Now.”

Maria winced. Someone had pursued the car outside, surely. Whoever the shooter had been and whatever they’d been driving, they weren’t going to get far in a town like this. “Let’s get out from behind this bar.”

Vic grabbed her hand and they stood, but it seemed like the bartender thought Maria was the one who needed help.

They rounded the open end of the bar, and Maria got a look at the carnage. Whoever had shot at the exterior of the building knew what they were doing. All the windows had shattered, letting in the cool air from outside. Bullet holes in the siding let in beams of sunlight that reflected off all the dust and particles floating in the air.

Tables had flipped over. Stools and chairs. Bottles on the back wall had shattered. Liquid had splashed across the floor along with broken glass and plastic cups.

“Is anyone hit?” Maria looked around.