Out of Control by Stephanie Feagan Read Free Book Online Page B

road so we can start our own work.”
    They both appeared as annoyed as Robichaud. “We were ordered to bring him along. My
     apologies. If you’ll just lead us to the dead shooter, we’ll collect what we need,
     ask some questions, then get out of your way.”
    Without another glance at Tim Fresh, I headed for the burned out Jeep. And Parnell.
    They took a little over an hour to finish. Two ambulances arrived in the interim.
     One of them gathered up Parnell’s remains and left immediately. A paramedic with the
     second ambulance cleaned up Tim’s face and gave him an ice pack, which he held against
     his nose, his angry eyes following Robichaud.
    The other paramedic dressed Conaway’s wounded arm, which was, as she suspected, just
     a graze. As soon as she was bandaged, Tim attempted to question her, but some people
     never learn, and before long he demanded she hand over her camera. One of the FBI
     guys had already uploaded her photos to his laptop, so she refused. He insisted.
    I was about to intervene when I heard her say, “It’s guys like you who give the government
     a bad name. One of the reasons I decided to go into journalism was to expose the bureaucratic
     bullshit that permeates Washington. I’d bet a thousand bucks you’re related to somebody
     who got you this job. You’re as qualified for it as I’m capable of putting out that
     fire with some well-aimed spit.”
    He had no answer to that, but like all braggadocios types, had to have the last word.
     “You’d do well to watch what you say and who you associate with.”
    “That goes for you too, Mr. Fresh. What goes around, comes around.” She walked away,
     her camera in hand.
    A few minutes later, the FBI guys told Tim to get in the car and they were gone. Dylan
     left, as well, for which I was grateful. The guy set my teeth on edge.
    The paramedics had placed Deke in the ambulance, and after one last teary goodbye,
     I stepped back and let them close the doors. I watched the taillights until they disappeared,
     then turned toward the fire.
    With billowing orange flames and thick, black smoke spreading across the dawn sky,
     it was magnificently frightening. Powerful and deadly. I walked toward it, all the
     while thinking of Deke. He liked to say he’d picked this job because he was getting
     used to Hell, where he was certain to go, being a foul-mouthed, whiskey drinking,
     birddog woman chaser.
    The closer I got to the fire, the sadder I became. No way was Deke in Hell, if there
     really was such a place. He was honest, compassionate, and loyal. He was a good man
     and a good friend. He was all of thirty-four, with more than half of his life still
     ahead of him. Now, because of somebody’s twisted agenda, he was dead. He’d never marry,
     never have kids, never realize his full potential. It was so wrong, and ate at me
     in a way that was a little frightening. I don’t consider myself a violent person,
     but I had an insane lust for revenge.
    When I was within a hundred feet, the heat was so intense the metal grommets of my
     jeans began to burn my skin. I stared up at it and made a decision. As soon as we
     had it killed, I’d find whoever was behind the blowouts, the one who hired Parnell,
     and I’d pay him back. In spades. Whatever he hoped to gain, he’d never have. And whatever
     he already had, he’d lose.
    From behind me, Robichaud said, “Let’s get to work. Soon as we’ve got it killed, I’ll
     buy you a drink.” He came even with me. “Or five.”
    I shot him a look. “Is it sick that I think it’s beautiful?”
    His gaze moved to the flames. “Probably, but we’re all kinda sick, if the truth be
     told. Nobody but weird people would do this.” Still staring up, he grabbed my hand.
    “Thanks, Nick.”
    He didn’t reply. Just squeezed my hand before he dropped it and walked away. Turning,
     I followed.
    …
    Conaway was dying to stick around and watch us work, which she cajoled me into, despite
     how many