Free A Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade 03 - In Hot Water by J.J. Cook Page B

would never know for sure, but at that moment, the rock slide began moving downward again.
    John was on the edge at that point as the basket was moving up past him. The rocks dropped away from under his feet leaving him with nothing but open space to cling to.
    Stella thought fast and clipped the end of her rope to John’s harness. “Grab on tight,” she said to her team. “Double weight on this end.”
    “Don’t worry, Chief,” Kent yelled back on the radio. “We’re ready.”
    It was like a scene from a movie or a nightmare. The helicopter rose quickly into the dark sky with its burden beneath it. John was left in midair, his arms straight up, as his hands and feet tried to grab on to something that would save him.
    As he fell off the ledge, Stella felt the abrupt pull at her rope and prayed that it would hold. It did, possibly too well, as it dragged her off of the side of the mountain with him.
    They dangled in the darkness, swinging against the side of the dark mountain. A few tons of rock slid past them, but they were alive and uninjured, held from above by her team.
    “It’s okay, Chief!” Kent yelled into the radio. “We got you.”
    “I hope they have me too,” John shouted to Stella once the noise from the helicopter was gone.
    “You’re here,” she said breathlessly. “I think they do.”
    The progress going back up was slow and painful. Once they were on the bottom ledge again, another rope was sent down.
    John ignored it. He grabbed Stella and hugged her, kissing her long and hard, even though the spotlight was illuminating them. The team above cheered.
    “Thanks,” he said. “You saved my life.”
    Stella tried not to take his actions to heart. He was just glad to be alive and she was the closest one to him. “It’s what I do.”
    It was easier going from ledge to ledge. Stella and John were with the rest of the volunteers in ten minutes. They put their arms around each other as they began hiking off of the trail.
    The Smittys, Chief Rogers, and Ben Carson were all waiting in their cars by the fire engine when the fire brigade reached the main road again.
    As usual, the Smittys were full of questions and took dozens of pictures. Chief Rogers slapped John on the back when he saw him. He was equally enthusiastic when John told him about the drugs they had confiscated.
    Bernard, Ben’s longtime driver, held a large black umbrella above his employer’s head. Ben hugged his granddaughter. “I heard the news and came right out. Are you trying to give an old man a heart attack?”
    “Just doing my job.” Stella shrugged, still surprised by the fanfare that frequently accompanied the work done by the fire brigade.
    “Could you be a little less heroic?” he requested. “Just kidding. I love you, Stella. I’m proud of you. I’m so glad you’re safe.”
    The Smittys took several pictures of Ben hugging Stella. The volunteers were exhausted and cold. They climbed into the Cherokee and the fire engine and went back to the firehouse.
    There was always the afterglow of what they’d done that carried them through changing clothes, cleaning the engine, and getting home again. By the time Stella had reached the cabin, that glow was gone, leaving her exhausted and ready for bed.
    Eric and Hero wanted to hear everything. Eric had the TV on with the big headline
Local Fire Department Saves Hikers, Discovers Drugs.
    “That was a close call,” Eric said when he heard the story from her. “Shouldn’t you be the one on the top ledge giving orders? You’re the chief.”
    “Like you did that?” She yawned. “You do what’s needed. I don’t have to tell you that.”
    She’d finished the brandy-laced hot chocolate that Eric had made for her. The soft leather sofa near the fire made it too comfortable to get up. Stella yawned again, and closed her eyes.
    *   *   *
    When she opened them again, it was morning. Ice covered everything, making the tree branches hang low and the front door hard