The Cats that Stalked a Ghost (The Cats that . . . Cozy Mystery Book 6) by Karen Anne Golden

Author:Karen Anne Golden [Golden, Karen Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-08-12T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Outside the mansion’s classroom, Jake sat on the picnic table beside his dad, Johnny. He held his head in his hands. “This can’t be happening,” he said, in shock.

The Erie Fire Department had arrived, along with an ambulance; they filled the back parking lot, already choked with vehicles.

Inside the basement, Jacky lay on the floor, screaming for help. A firefighter heard him, and raced to the above-ground, narrow window. When he saw the injured man, he told Jacky to cover his eyes, while he kicked in the thin pane of glass. “How badly are you hurt?” he asked.

“I can’t walk,” Jacky said, sobering up. “I think I broke me leg. Shite, I know I broke me leg.”

A petite firefighter named Sally walked up. “I can climb through the window. Let me assess his injuries, and stabilize him, before we move him.”

She kicked in the remaining shards of glass and leaned in. Judging that the distance from the windowsill and basement floor below was a good four feet, she carefully climbed in and dropped to the floor.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“Jacky Murphy. And what’s yours?” he asked, storing in his memory that he’d ask her out for a “thank you” drink before he flew back to New York.

Outside the mansion, several firefighters went to the carport, porte cochère side, and with great difficulty tried to break down the heavy oak door. Another group had gone through the unlocked front door, heard the commotion from the dining room, and speedily opened the oak door for the other firefighters. The fire chief, Sidney Black, had assigned them to search the mansion for more fires, and watch for possible hot spots.

Inside the basement classroom, it took four firefighters to clear the jammed doorway. They made their way through the former mechanical room, and then into the dark, deeper part, putting out small fires as they went. The third firefighter in a group of four men was also an EMT. He nearly tripped over what he thought was a rolled-up carpet on the floor, then to his horror, realized that inside it was a woman, severely burned. He spoke into his radio. “We got a woman down. Possibly dead.” He set his EMT bag on the floor.

As more EMTs went in through the classroom, Jake couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. He lunged off the picnic table, and ran into the mansion. “Did you find her?” he asked the closest firefighter. Johnny, now joined by Daryl and Cokey, rushed in after him.

The firefighter said, “Sir, you can’t come in here.” He looked at Jake’s dad, shook his head, and asked, “Hey, guys, can you take Jake back outside?”

“Why?” Jake demanded, trying to barge through the cleared passageway.

Daryl and Cokey seized his arms, and pulled him back. Jake’s dad put his hand on his shoulder.

Another EMT came in, carrying a large orange bag over his shoulder. He knew Jake, and spoke compassionately, “I have to go inside. You need to step aside, please.”

Jake’s face was clouded with worry.

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