Red Light by J. D. Glass Read Free Book Online

wasn’t just the physical but the emotional too, or at least, that’s what they were trying to teach.
    Once the review was complete, I was released from the long board, free to visit the other sites and view the other rescues, including the much-anticipated demonstration of the Jaws of Life—a hydraulic-powered sort of pliers. But instead of merely cutting things, it could either slice right through the steel of a car rooftop or spread out a crushed-in door. That thing was amazing—and we demolished three cars while we reviewed its functions. Bob even threw me and Roy and Bennie leather work gloves so we got to handle it too. It was heavy and made me feel as if my very marrow was shaking to jelly, but was it ever cool.
    “Nice toy, hey, kids?” Bob said as we rotated so others could learn how to use it too.
    Strange. As much as we were enjoying ourselves and kidding around about playthings as well as learning how to use them, everyone undoubtedly knew how extremely vital this piece of technology was and what a difference it could make in saving lives.
    Still, even with seven different scenarios and three cars to practice on with the fire department’s new equipment, we were done early, and I was happier than I thought I’d be when Bob invited me and Roy and Bennie to join his team for lunch.
    In full gore, we went to Mike’s Place, a Greek diner (with no Greeks—go figure) not too far away. The staff was accustomed to the sight of the mangled and the medical eating together, and I got a plate of french fries with cheese to munch on while I soaked up the atmosphere and the banter that flowed around me. Every now and again, I’d catch Roy’s or Bennie’s eye, and we’d exchange these how-the-hell-did-I-get-to-sit-here glances.

    *

    But even with the fun and the jokes, it was finally time to go home, and I was two hours earlier than I’d expected to be. That was great, because maybe I’d be able to make the missing time up to Kerry—she’d been so understanding.
    I was in a great mood by the time I rolled into my parking space. The day was ahead of me, and I had the beginnings of a plan—maybe a trip to Manhattan, wander about the Village, then grab dinner in Little Italy.
    After rounding the steps two at a time, I stripped off my jacket and hung it on the hook right outside the door, then keyed the lock to the apartment. I was so excited about what we could do and the fun we’d have, I was already there in my head.
    The shower was running as I hummed to myself down the hallway, and I figured I might as well wash off the moulage. “Hey, baby,” I shouted over the sound of the water as I stepped into the bathroom and reached for the soap, then turned the taps.
    “Oh, hey, baby,” rang out lightly behind me as she stuck her head out of the shower.
    Whoa—that wasn’t Kerry’s voice.
    I snapped my head around and gaped at a woman, a soaking wet and naked brunette, whose eyes widened as she caught sight of me.
    “Aaahhh!” she screamed, a bloodcurdling pitch that made me wince.
    And then I realized—I was still in moulage.
    “No, no, it’s just makeup, see?” I assured the scared, naked woman and popped off the occlusive dressing. Wait, who the fuck was this, and why the fuck was I trying to explain anything to her?
    I needed answers and I wanted them now, as I felt my mind lock into a blank state, a logical state. First thing: where was Kerry? I stepped out of the bathroom just in time to meet her as she came running down the hall, wearing nothing but a T-shirt. Correction: my T-shirt. My favorite Ramones T-shirt with the presidential seal on it.
    “Oh, my God!” she screamed. “What…what did you do to her?”
    “Moulage,” I answered shortly, “it’s just fucking makeup.”
    “Makeup? Fuckin’ makeup?” she spluttered. “It looks like someone died.”
    I took a quick glance at my shirt—she was right. “Glad I dressed appropriately,” I told her flatly, then ignored her as I pushed