Hero's Journey (5 page)

“No. He wasn't a firefighter. I'm not sure who he was, Cindy. Thanks for your help.”

Stella puzzled over what had happened and why Hero would follow a stranger's commands. Was it someone from his past? Had the man sent Hero in to save the little girl? If so, why had he left so quickly?

She made sure the family had somewhere to stay for overnight, and explained that they could call their insurance company but no cleanup or rebuilding could take place until her report on the fire was finished. She promised to make that as fast as possible.

With everything said on that matter, Stella got on the Harley and followed her volunteers back to the firehouse.

The road was dark on the way back. She thought about Hero—at least she knew he was alive and not in a ditch somewhere. She couldn't imagine why the well-trained puppy would go so far astray. She also wondered how he'd met up with his new master.

She hoped he was taking good care of Hero. She didn't plan to give up searching for the puppy until she found him and knew the truth.

When Stella got back to the firehouse, the volunteers were busy cleaning up and trying to get home. She pulled them away from their tasks for a few minutes to talk about the fire, and to tell them her news about Hero.

“I know we lost the Loflins' house. I don't like it either,” she said. “But we did our job to the best of our abilities. That's all we can ever do. Some calls are going to come in too late for us to help. In this case, we would've had to have been standing at the site when it ignited in order to stop the fire. I won't know for sure until I do some investigation, but I think accelerant was used.”

“That's why it burned so hot,” Petey said. “I'd like to help you do the investigation, Chief. It would be good for some of us to learn more about arson investigation before you leave.”

Petey wasn't the only one who wanted to help. Almost all the volunteers wanted to be there. Stella had them sign up on a piece of paper so she'd know who to call.

“Don't you think people will lose confidence in us as a fire brigade if we keep getting to fires too late?” Royce asked.

“We have a good track record so far.” Kent answered what Stella would have if she'd had time to say it before him. “It would've been a lot worse without us. It could've spread to the other houses around it.”

“Like the chief said,” Petey reiterated, “we can't save every house in Sweet Pepper that catches on fire. We did good tonight, right, Chief?”

“You did,” Stella agreed. “Excellent timing getting to the fire and good teamwork setting up. You outdid yourselves on organization. I'm proud of all of you. You should be proud of you too.”

The words seemed to rally everyone's spirits. The light was back in their eyes.

Stella knew losing the fiery battles they fought could be demoralizing. Chief Henry, back home, gave frequent pep talks too. She knew that his words always made her feel better—except for the few times he singled her out to suggest that she could've done better.

Those talks weren't so good. She tried to speak with her volunteers individually in cases like that. It was easier for her, though—she didn't even have half the number of firefighters working for her that Chief Henry did.

“What about Hero?” Kimmie asked. “The little girl at the fire said she was pulled to safety by a black-and-white puppy. I think she was talking about Hero.”

David agreed with her and Sylvia barked as though she were voicing an opinion too. The Spratts and Sylvia were Hero's family, so to speak. It wasn't surprising they'd think Hero would be on hand if a good deed was done.

“What are the chances Hero would show up at a fire?” Phil the bartender asked. “Are we supposed to believe he's running around town rescuing small children on his own?”

Those for, and against that idea, began loudly debating it. Stella started to call for some order in the discussion when Petey blew a whistle. Complete silence, and some angry glances, followed her act.

“What Kimmie is saying seems to be true, for the most part,” Stella said. “From what the little girl said, there
was
a Dalmatian puppy at the fire who led her to safety. He disappeared after that and no one saw him again.”

Tagger rapidly crossed himself several times. “Oh no. Hero is a ghost dog now. He's out there looking for people to rescue.”

Stella rolled her eyes. Another legend was about to be born.

“I don't think he's dead,” she said. “I think he may have been close by and saw the fire. He's been in training to respond exactly the way he did. I don't think there's anything supernatural about that.”

Tagger disagreed, crossing himself a few more times.

“It doesn't make sense. Why would Hero suddenly take up with some stranger?” Ricky said. “Dogs come back to their homes if they're able.”

“He may not have any choice,” JC added. “Maybe someone is keeping him.”

“Like kidnapping,” Banyin suggested. “The same way humans forget who they're supposed to be with after they've been kidnapped.”

“Stockholm syndrome,” Kent said. “That's what they call it.”

“He's probably lost and confused,” David continued. “He's only a puppy. We don't even know how many homes he was in with Sylvia before we rescued them.”

Sylvia whined and laid down on the blacktop. Stella assured all of them that they weren't going to stop looking for Hero. “Whatever is going on with him will make sense once we know all the facts. We have to find him. He's got good instincts, running into that house today. His training is working out. I think David is probably right—he's confused. Still, he knew his job and he did it. He's a member of this fire brigade. Let's not give up on him.”

Everyone agreed. No one wanted to give up on finding Hero, even offering their free time for the search.

Kimmie hugged Stella as the rest of the group went back to cleaning up and putting gear away. “I'm so glad you're the chief. I wish you'd stay in Sweet Pepper.”

“Thanks.” Stella awkwardly patted Kimmie's shoulder.

“Sorry, Chief.” Kimmie sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I couldn't help myself.”

It appeared that everyone knew Stella wasn't an avid hugger. She'd hoped she'd kept those feelings to herself. It seemed important to everyone else and she didn't want to inhibit them.

“That's okay.” Stella smiled. “I know everyone is feeling emotional right now after the fire and Hero going missing. It's going to be okay, though. We'll get through it.”

When the cleanup was done, the engine and pumper shining again, and the hoses put away, everyone said their good nights and headed for their homes or jobs. Tagger stayed at the firehouse on communication duty. Stella could hear him singing as she left.

She took the Harley back up the mountain. It was dark like nothing in Chicago ever was since there were no streetlights between the firehouse and the cabin. Though she felt like she could travel the road with her eyes closed, she was still careful on the sharp curves. She'd wrecked the Harley once since she'd been in Sweet Pepper—she didn't want that to happen again.

She was surprised to see Walt Fenway's old pickup in the driveway. She was even more surprised to see him sitting at the kitchen table with a thermos of coffee he'd brought with him.

Eric liked his old friend to visit him, but as far as she knew, this was the first time he'd opened the door for Walt. She'd found out the hard way when she'd first arrived that if Eric didn't open the door, no one got inside.

“I brought my own because I thought you might be out.” Walt raised his metal cup to her as she walked into the kitchen. “I guess you went to town. I know you hate shopping. I meant to bring up a pound or two of coffee from my place after I drank the last of yours. I forgot. Sorry.”

“That's okay. I was out of everything else too. Between Eric cooking all the time and people dropping in, everything goes.” Stella grabbed a Coke and sat down at the table with him. “I managed to make it to Sevierville and back before we had a call and lost a house in town.”

Eric was perched on the stairs that led to the second story of the cabin. “What happened? Is everyone okay?”

“I heard about that on the police scanner,” Walt said. “Darn shame. What happened?”

Stella laughed. “I'll tell you both at the same time.”

“Eric, you here, buddy?” Walt looked all around. “I thought you must be. Wish I could see you and hear what you're saying.”

“Everyone is fine,” Stella said. “I'm sure arson was involved.” She told them about the Loflins and Hero's tale.

“Sounds like Don has his hands full.” Walt snorted as he laughed. Don Rogers had taken over as police chief when Walt had retired. “Normally I don't like to see a fellow officer in trouble, but that man cheeses my grits.”

“I'm not sure what that means,” Stella said. “I'm not sorry for him either. He's always gunning for me.”

“Rogers is lucky it wasn't any worse,” Eric added. “It was his duty to inform you of this threat.”

Stella repeated his words for Walt. It was always a three-way conversation when they were together. Unlike the other people in Sweet Pepper who believed the cabin was haunted, Walt wasn't afraid of Eric.

“I suppose you want to help find the thief since he's committing arson too.” Eric hoped it wasn't true.

“Yes. I do. And it occurred to me on the way back up here this evening that the incident with Hero and the fire might have something to do with the thief the police are looking for.” Stella grabbed an apple off the counter and offered one to Walt.

“No. I stay away from fruit. Too many pesticides,” Walt said. “So what's rattling around in that brain of yours, Stella?”

“I think whoever has Hero is our thief and arsonist,” she explained. “He's not letting Hero go because he's afraid we could use the puppy to find him.”

“The chimney sweep!” Eric stood up suddenly. The deer antler chandelier shook and newspaper and mail flew off the table to land on the hardwood floor. “He took Hero with him when he left here. That's why we didn't understand what happened. I let down my guard for a thief and arsonist to come into my home.”

“What'd he say?” Walt chuckled. “It must've been a good one. That's enough ghost activity to make most of the ladies in Sweet Pepper fall in a dead faint. Good one, buddy.”

Stella relayed Eric's thoughts on the matter. “We don't have any proof of that besides Eric's intense dislike of anyone who has to come into the yard or the cabin to repair anything.”

“That's not true,” Eric denied.

“What about the lineman for the electric company? And the two ladies from the Sweet Pepper festival who swear they will never come here again? You're the same way with everyone who comes to the cabin.”

“He doesn't try to scare me off.” Walt defended his friend.

“At least he understands me,” Eric replied.

Besides her housemate's reluctance to accept help on the cabin and his need to scare most people away, Stella considered his words about Patrick. She had tried to call him all day but had received no answer. She'd left voice mails but he hadn't responded.

That might only make him busy. Not necessarily a thief and arsonist.

“Well he didn't steal anything from us,” Eric bragged. “I watched him very closely the whole time he was here.”

“You mean you were breathing down his neck the whole time.” Stella shook her head. “The poor man probably won't return my calls because he's terrified he'll have to come back.”

Eric didn't apologize. To his way of thinking, he was protecting his home.

“What's Don got on the case so far?” Walt asked.

“Good question.” Stella threw her apple core into the trash. “John had to go behind his back to even tell me about the thief. Don didn't like that I knew either.”

“The man's got his brain in his backside,” Eric proclaimed.

“He might have, but he has all the information right now,” Stella said.

“Don might have information,” Eric reminded her, “but you're the acting fire chief. You can investigate the Loflin fire since you seem to think it might be arson. If it leads to one of the other incidents, your investigation would overlap with his. Legally, he'd have to share.”

Stella told Walt what Eric had said. “I'll have to investigate. The fire burned too hot. You know what I mean. It wasn't an accident. I think the arsonist went a little too far this time.”

“Eric makes a good point. If Don won't share information, and you can prove you need it, I know a judge who will help you out,” Walt said. “You know, this fellow who's starting fires to hide his thefts might not be a killer. It's one thing to steal jewelry and light fires to cover it up. It's another to let a child die.”

“And if he was still there after he took what he wanted and started the fire—and he had Hero—the puppy would've done what he knows to do,” Eric explained. “He saved the little girl.”

After she'd told Walt what Eric had said, Stella agreed that it seemed plausible.

“You said you had a recommendation for the chimney sweep,” Eric reminded her. “Who said he was good? Maybe someone who didn't know they'd been robbed.”

“Maybe you should check with other people the chimney sweep has worked for,” Walt suggested at the same time. “Could be the thief has been working for them too.”

Stella smiled. It happened all the time during these conversations. The two men thought a lot alike. No wonder they'd been such good friends.

She didn't want to say it but both men were staring at her now. She knew as soon as she told them who had recommended Patrick, they would both nod their heads and say something about not being surprised.

“It was the old man, wasn't it?” Eric knew her too well.

“Holy smoke! It was Ben Carson, right?” Walt said.

“Yes,” she admitted. “My grandfather gave me the recommendation. No one broke into his house or set it on fire. He said Patrick did a good, clean job—which seems to be the case here too. Let's not jump to conclusions.”

Neither man liked Ben Carson, who owned most of Sweet Pepper, including the big pepper-packing business that kept the town running. Eric still believed her grandfather was probably responsible for his death forty years ago.

While Stella had been in Sweet Pepper, Ben had been the opposite of the portrait everyone painted of him. On the other hand, some people genuinely feared him. John thought he was responsible for his father's death. Stella couldn't tell which stories were true and which weren't. Ben Carson's reputation was larger than life, just like Eric's.

“Never mind that we don't like him and don't trust him,” Walt said. “You should ask him point-blank if he noticed anything missing. He might not have thought about it seeing as he has so much up there at the mansion. He's more likely to tell you than he would Don, Stella. It might be the best place to start.”