Page 63 of Real Good Love
“Where’s Logan?” I demand. “Is he out there? Please tell me you saw him.”
The cop’s expression is grim. “I haven’t seen him. That’s not to say he’s not out here somewhere. It’s a fucking madhouse, but I need you both to go back behind the post office and stay out of harm’s way. We’re not taking any chances with this shit.”
I’m on my knees, my hand on his jeans, as I beg him, “Please. Find him. I can’t lose him. Please.”
The cop crouches down to wrap an arm around me, and helps me to my feet. “Look, I know we haven’t been formally introduced, but I’m Cody, ma’am, and I need you to come on around the back of the building so I can make sure you’re safe.”
I slap a hand to his chest. “Why are you worried about us? Logan—” My voice breaks again as he half carries me around the back of the building where the man who pulled me back from the fire is still standing.
“Did you see that shit?” the man asks.
Cody releases me, and Julianne glues herself to my side.
“No,” Cody says, “but I heard it. Did you see it? We’re gonna need witnesses so I can figure out what happened.”
“I saw part of it,” the man said. “I was in my car, getting ready to leave. I thought I smelled something funny, and then I heard the explosion and saw the flames.”
“I didn’t see it,” Julianne says, snuffling back her tears. “I just felt it. Thought the entire building was going to come down on my head.”
“I saw the fire,” I say. “Felt the blast. I tried to get closer, but he—” I point to the guy standing a few feet away. “He stopped me.”
Cody nods, and the man who grabbed me speaks again. “I saw her start running, so I jumped out of my car and pulled her back. I knew the service station tanks were gonna blow. Didn’t want anyone else gettin’ hurt, Cody.”
At the wordsanyone else, a sob escapes my throat, and my body shakes uncontrollably.
“It’s okay, Lonnie. You did what you needed to do.” Cody’s gaze lands on me again. “Shit. You going into shock? Ambulance is already on its way.”
“Logan,” I whisper, my voice destroyed.
Julianne knows what I’m trying to say, and finishes my thought. “He was inside.”
Cody’s face falls. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
Julianne shakes her head. “Inside. Waiting—” She cuts off her word as she looks at me.
Cody rubs a hand down his face. “Well, there’s nothing you can do here right now. We need everyone to stay back so the firefighters can do their job. The gas pumps made this a hell of a lot worse.” More sirens approach, and this time they’re coming from the ambulance. “Let’s get you checked out, ma’am,” he says to me.
I wrap both arms around my chest, rocking on my heels as I shake my head. “No. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here.” If he tries to move me, I’ll scream.
“I’m real sorry, ma’am. But Logan would want me to make sure—”
“Shut up! Don’t talk about him!” I’m nearly hysterical, but I don’t care. If a doctor were to tell me I’m dying right now, I’d believe him. I’ve never felt this kind of pain crushing down on me.
“I gotta go make sure the perimeter is solid. Julianne, can you make sure she stays back?”
I hate that he’s talking about me like I’m not here, but I don’t have the energy to argue.
“Of course. I got her.”
“Lonnie, if you could write down everything you remember right now to give me as an official statement, I’d appreciate it.”
The man nods. “I can do that. No problem.”
An unwelcome voice joins the conversation.
“Oh my word, Officer. What in the world just happened?” Emmy Harris rushes over to join our small group. “I was taking inventory in the back when I heard it all. Do we need to evacuate? Was it some kind of chemical explosion? Is it even safe to be here?”
“You should go back to the restaurant, Emmy. Make sure everyone stays inside. Maybe get some coffee going for the firefighters. It’s gonna be a few hours before this thing is under control.”
