Free Bringer of Fire by Jaz Primo Page B

her.
    She frowned. “I didn’t say anything.”
    What’s happening out there , said Sanders’ voice in my head.
    “What’s wrong?” Sanders asked as she strode over to me.
    “Whaddya’ mean?” I asked, completely focused on her face.
    What just happened , I could hear Sanders ask, except that her lips never moved!
    “Everything’s just fine,” I insisted. “Just a weird dream. Must’ve nodded off.”
    She regarded me dubiously. Suddenly, I couldn’t hear her thoughts anymore.
    “Listen, it’s been a long day for all of us. Let’s call it a night and we’ll pick up first thing in the morning,” she suggested.
    I nodded. “Sounds fine to me.”
    Sanders was kind enough to drop me back by my sister’s home to retrieve my car. I noticed that there was a police car parked in the street, as well as someone from the fire department poking around with a flashlight. Crime tape was strewn about like a spider’s web.
    “I wouldn’t try going to your home tonight,” Sanders recommended. “It’s going to be an active crime scene overnight. And I’ll want some time to look over your place, as well. Get a hotel room.”
    I watched her drive away before noticing that my Dodge Avenger had been moved and was parked in the street in front of a neighbor’s house. I read the note that had been tucked under the windshield wiper blade.
    Mr. Bringer,
    Your car is parked in front of our home and we’re happy to give your keys to you when you’re ready for them. Don’t worry about how late it is when you come by.
    Regards,
    Beth and Joe Torrence
    Lexi had friendly neighbors, and she’d always spoken highly of the Torrences. Despite what their note stated, I apologized to them for the late hour and promised to give their best wishes to my family.
    I called Kevin and he told me that he, Lexi, and the kids were staying in a local hotel. With few other options myself, I stopped by a Walmart to purchase a fresh set of clothes and some personal items, and then stayed at the same hotel. It was somehow reassuring that I would be closer to my family in case they needed me.
    Regardless of the late hour, my mother had left a couple of voicemails insisting that I call her immediately once I received her messages. To my surprise, she sounded wide awake when I called. I tried to reassure her that I was fine, and that most of all, Lexi, Kevin, and the kids were unharmed. Honestly, I’ve never worried as much about myself as others have. And, quite frankly, there’s nothing like trying to convince your Mom at 2 a.m. that being involved in a house fire and a shooting in the same night was “nothing for her to worry about.”
    In fact, I had a hard time believing it myself.
    * * *
    The next morning, I called my boss, Larry Anderson, and briefly explained what had happened the previous evening. He’d seen the news and was more than willing to excuse me from work for a few days. Larry was someone you’d call “good people.”
    I’d barely been off the phone for two minutes before I received a call from my best friend, Travis, who’d also seen the stories on the local news and wanted far more details than I felt comfortable revealing. Given the violent nature of the mysterious assailants in my life, I somehow felt that it was probably safer for him if he knew less versus more.
    I stopped by my sister’s room to check on her and the kids. They planned to stop by their home in the morning just long enough to pick through some personal belongings and then travel to Mom and Dad’s house. Somehow, Kevin had managed to sell Lexi on the plan, but I could tell that she was wrestling with herself over leaving with so many things left unattended. A part of me didn’t want to see them go, either, but I couldn’t watch over them while also delving further into whatever was going on.
    A part of me wondered if my family would be safe merely leaving town, but there was little else that I could do, until either the authorities uncovered