Page 5 of Shadow of Deceit
A petite tear-stained face peeked from a cave of hay bales. Mia guessed the innocent child to be around six or seven and terrified.
Oh, man. This is bad. Really bad.
Shadow Lake’s all-volunteer fire department wouldn’t arrive for some time. She couldn’t wait. The child needed help now. Mia had to act.
“Don’t be afraid.” Mia lowered her jacket and offered a comforting smile. The abrasive air fought to take her down, and she drew in labored breaths as she scanned the space.
This end of the barn was quickly filling with smoke. She glanced to the left where a pickup truck had succumbed to searing flames. If anyone was in the truck there was no hope, but the child was another story.
“Come here, honey.” Mia curled her index finger for the little girl. “I’ll get you out of here and everything will be all right.”
The child blinked in rapid succession then wailed like the fire siren Mia wished she would hear screaming up the drive. The girl darted back into her hiding spot, and her sobs ratcheted up.
“No! No! Don’t hide!” Fear coursed through Mia.
Now what?
She had no other choice. None. She would have to go in and carry the girl to the window. The flames were advancing fast. She had to move quickly.
Mia cleared the remaining glass with her jacket-covered hand and slithered over the windowsill. Missed shards ripped into her stomach. Pain stabbed her side. Too bad. A child was counting on her. Sticky blood soaked her shirt as she inched forward and pushed aside hay bales. The child burrowed deeper into the haven like a baby animal threatened by a predator.
Mia leaned in and forced a calm tone to her voice. “Hi, my name’s Mia. What’s yours?”
“J-J-Jessie Maddox.” Her voice was raspy and high.
Mia startled at the mention of the Maddox name. Was this child related to Ryan? Maybe his daughter even?
Jessie coughed hard enough to launch an entire country from her throat.
Not a time to think about Ryan.
Mia held out her hand. “Take my hand.”
Jessie flung her arms around Mia’s neck. The pungent smell of smoke clung to her soft blond hair, and her little body trembled. Mia draped her jacket over their heads and turned to the window.
The roof over the truck collapsed. A blazing support beam crashing down and blocking their escape. Sparks shot toward the rafters. The flaming wood ignited dry hay.
Jessie clutched Mia tighter, a deep wracking cough shaking them both. They couldn’t reach the window, and the back door sported huge chains.
No. No. No.
Mia’s leg muscles threatened to collapse under her.
Think of something. Now. Before the flames take hold and the smoke kills you both.
She scanned the only wall not engulfed in flames. There! In the door. Wally had installed a pet door for his dog. The opening wasn’t big enough for Mia, but Jessie could fit through.
“I have a way out for you. Hang on tight.” Carrying Jessie, Mia climbed from the bales and rushed to the back door. Her lungs were seared from smoke and exertion, and her eyes continued to water, reducing her vision. She dug deep for strength and set the child down to rip off the pet door’s pliable flap. “Okay, Jessie. Climb through.”
Jessie didn’t move.
“Honey, please.” Mia managed to get out through parched lips. “You’ll be safe on the other side.”
“My Uncle Ryan’s a fireman. He’ll come for me.”
“He’s probably on his way here to help us but it could take time. I need you to go out to meet him.” She gave Jessie a quick hug and then maneuvered her little body through the opening.
Turning sideways, Mia wedged her head, one shoulder, and arm through the opening. She gulped outside air, and her lips cracked from the effort. Although tainted, the air was less dense—easier to breathe.
