Malibu Nights--Part 8

By Nancy F. Thysell (the Nifty Lady)

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Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-Krys Martin's Bungalow

Krys awoke to a sensation of warmth beside her. Her first semiconscious thought was that her cat, Jesse, was stretched out along her back. She started with the conscious realization that Jesse was gone. Frightened she threw back the comforter, turned and looked over at Johnny's sleeping form atop the covers. He was lying on his back with his arm over his eyes. Her heart was racing as she tried to calm her breathing. Anger was slowing replacing her fear. With trembling hands she picked up her pillow and whacked Johnny with it.

"Damn you!" she cried angrily.

Johnny awoke to confusion of time, place and being pummeled with a pillow.

"Wha...what's going on?" he asked as he tried to ward off another blow of the attacking pillow.

"John Gage, you scared me half out of my wits!" she accused him. Johnny grabbed the pillow before she could strike him again.

"Me? What did I do?" he asked innocently. Krys leaned back against the headboard to catch her breath and glared angrily at the man in her bed.

"What are you doing in here?" she demanded as she folded her arms firmly over her breast. At the same moment she realized she wasn't properly covered. She grabbed the pillow away from Johnny and clutched it to her chest. Johnny tried not to notice but he did and he smiled charmingly at her.

"I guess I fell asleep," he offered as a weak defense.

"John Roderick Gage! When I went to sleep last night, you were asleep on the other side of that door! On the couch! You want to explain how you wound up here in my bed!"

"Whoa! Correction there. Technically, I'm not 'in' your bed. I'm 'on' it," Johnny pointed out. He could tell that the semantics didn't carry much weight with Krys so he continued to explain. "I came in to use the bathroom. You just looked so sweet and peaceful. I couldn't bear to leave you. So here I am."

Krys was hurt and touched at the same time. "Johnny, how could you do that to me?"

Johnny felt confused. He wasn't sure what he had done that was so wrong.

"What sweetie? Tell me?"

"You scared me!" she replied tearfully. Johnny moved to sit beside her and put his arm about her shoulders and kissed her hair softly. He could hear her sniffling.

"Oh, sweetie. I never meant to do that. Honest," he asserted. He reached across with his left arm to touch her chin with his fingertips and turn her face toward his. He searched her eyes.

"Honey, you know I'd never do anything to hurt you. I really didn't mean to frighten you. Forgive me?"

Krys looked back into his liquid brown eyes and saw the sincerity in them. Now that her system had recovered from its shock, she was feeling calmer.

"I forgive you if you promise never to scare me like that again," Krys offered.

"I promise," Johnny swore solemnly. Krys gave him a small but encouraging smile and he reached behind her neck with his hand and pulled her face to his and kissed her softly. Krys closed her eyes as his lips touched hers. She felt a desire she couldn't explain. Johnny's lips caressed hers gently at first and then with greater intensity. She was lost in the moment. She was aware of his exploring hands and how exciting it felt. But alarms were going off in her brain. He was kissing the nape of her neck and it felt delicious. She wanted him but she didn't. Her mind raced back and forth between her want and desire and behaving herself. When she felt Johnny's hand under her gown, touching her flesh, she bolted away from his touch.

"I can't do this, Johnny," she apologized. She turned to look to see if he was disappointed in her. She couldn't tell.

"It's okay sweetie. I know you're not ready for more than this. I won't do anything you don't want me to. Okay?" He smiled and touched her cheek lightly with his fingers. Man. She has no idea how much I want her. He thought back to the night of the robbery and how even then, the passion they felt had stayed in check. If only he could convince her how much he loved her, wanted her, needed her; he knew he could make her happy.

Krys was still dealing with the rapid beating of her heart and emotions Johnny had stirred deep within her soul. She couldn't believe that he could want her. That he had such desire in his eyes for her. Her!

She began to feel herself falling to a point of no return. She sat up quickly.

"Uh...I think we need to find somewhere else to be," she said somewhat breathlessly. Johnny smiled.

"How about I go make us some breakfast while you get dressed?" he suggested charmingly.

"Sounds wonderful. Thank you!"

Johnny moved off the bed and stood up.

"Just give me a minute," he said indicating the bathroom, "And it's all yours."

Krys frowned as the door closed and she wrapped her arm around her. She worried that she was going to lose Johnny because she wouldn't sleep with him. But she just couldn't. She buried her face in her hand. "Oh Krys! What are you going to do now?" she moaned.

###

Monday, 7:45 a.m.-Station 51, Locker room

Roy had just finished dressing and was tying his boot laces when Johnny rushed through the door.

"Cutting it a little close, aren't you?" he observed. Johnny glared at him.

"I've got fifteen minutes! That's plenty of time!" his junior partner snapped.

"What's wrong with you? Get up on the wrong side of the bed?" Roy inquired.

"No!" Johnny opened his locker and began to undress. "Sorry. I've got a lot on my mind."

"So what's up? Anything to do with Krys?" Roy noted a sudden change in Johnny's demeanor at the mention of Krys' name. Hmmm, I think I've hit a nerve.

"Yeah," Johnny admitted with a frown. When his partner didn't continue, Roy knew he'd have to do some prodding.

"Did you two have a fight?"

Johnny looked up, considering this.

"Not exactly." He pulled on his uniform shirt and began to button it. He sighed as he sat down on the bench. "Roy, I don't know what I'm going to do."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think I can live without her but, geez, it scares the crap out of me to think about...marriage." There! I said it. Out loud. Marriage.

Roy had to chuckle to himself at the stricken look on his partner's face.

"Johnny. It's not a death sentence. Lighten up. Krys is a wonderful girl."

The younger man had to agree with that. His trademark grin spread across his face. "Yeah, she is, isn't she?"

"Come on, Junior. Roll call won't wait," Roy reminded his partner as he headed through the locker room door.

"Right behind ya, Pally," Johnny called after Roy and hurried to finish getting ready for the shift.

###

At roll call a few minutes later, Captain Hank Stanley stood before his crew. He had a good team of men that not only worked well together but they were friends on and off the job. He made the daily assignments and then made an announcement.

"Headquarters has been concerned about the rash of arson fires that have occurred in our district the past week. Our firebug is getting bolder which is making him more dangerous. I want you men to keep that in mind as we respond to any alarms until this guy is caught. Be extra careful and watch your backs and each others. Not that you don't already. I know you do. But, arsonists are unpredictable. Just try to be more alert. That's it. As soon as we can, I need to go over a new drill," Hank informed the crew. The men had listened intently. Talk of the arson fires had everyone on edge.

###

Monday, 11:30 a.m.-The Daily Book Company, 204 West Tujunga Road

Jimmy Chandler paced the hallway of the three story structure. He went over in his mind again, double checking his route, knowing where all his supplies were and starting the fire. Yes, everything was perfect. He checked his watch again. Yes, it won't take long now.

A half hour later he had everything in order. The fire was ignited in the basement of the building. He watched it grow for a moment. It was quite mesmerizing. Then he hurried out of the building and crossed the street. This fire he would call in himself.

At the payphone he pushed "O" for the operator.

"Operator," the woman's voice answered. "How may I help you?"

"Oh, glory," Jimmy rushed his words to sound worried. "There's a building on fire here! I need the fire department!"

"Hold on. I'll connect you."

"Los Angeles County Fire Department. What is the nature of your emergency?" the dispatcher inquired.

"There's a building on fire!"

"Calm down sir. What is the address?"

"Uh, it's...uh...it's the...the Daily Book Company," Jimmy was certain he sounded scared.

"What's the address sir?"

"I'm not sure...uh..."

"Where are you sir?"

"I'm across the street at the payphone." Chandler tried hard not to smile at the calm, urgent voice of the dispatcher.

"Give me the address off the payphone sir. It will be on the face of the phone, beneath the dial," the dispatcher instructed.

"It says...two oh seven West Tujunga Road."

"And where is the fire, sir?"

"Across the street. I can see smoke. You have to hurry!"

"Can you give me a cross street?"

"I don't know. I don't live here!"

"Please look and see if you can make out a street sign sir."

Chandler paused. A sick gleam in his eye as he pretended to look. Then he turned back to the phone in a panicky voice, "It's Stillman. Stillman Avenue! Oh, god! I hope no one is in there!"

"Don't worry sir. The fire department is responding and will be there shortly."

"Thank you!"

"I need to get your name sir for our..."

On that request, Chandler replaced the handset. He rushed back to the building and climbed to the third floor to wait for the dark-haired fireman. One way or another. Either by injury or death, he knew Krys would come to see that man. Then he would have her back. All to himself!

###

Monday, 11:45 a.m.-Station 51

The klaxon's sounded throughout the station.

Sam Lanier's voice called out over the speakers: "Station 51. Structure fire. 204 West Tujunga Road. Two Oh Four West Tujunga Road. Cross street Stillman Avenue. Time out 1145."

"10-4 LA. Station 51 KMG365," Captain Stanley acknowledged the call. He passed the address slip to Roy as he made his way in front of the rigs to take his place in the cab of the engine. Lights and sirens accompanied the trucks as they pulled into the noonday traffic.

The location of the fire wasn't far from the station. As the emergency vehicles pulled up in front of the address, the smoke was clearly pouring out of the numerous broken windows.

Captain Stanley stepped down from the engine.

"LA this is Engine 51. Dispatch a second alarm to our incident. Chet. Marco. Get an inch and half and start on the southern exposure. Roy. John. Do a sweep of the building. Make sure no one is in there."

Johnny and Roy donned their turnout coats and SCBAs as Chet and Marco began their water assault on the building. Together the two paramedics entered the smoke-filled building.

The main floor was basically open with two small enclosed offices. They made a quick sweep and headed for the upper floors. They made an expedient exam of the rooms on the second floor, marking each room with a chalked "X" as they went. The thick smoke was rising as they made their way onto the third floor. Visibility was deteriorating.

Chandler breathed in the clean air of his own oxygen tank as he waited. He hoped it wouldn't take much longer. The thickness of the smoke was scaring him. In addition, he really wasn't sure how long his air tank would last. He stood with his back against the wall, behind the door and waited.

Roy was checking the rooms on the left of the hall while Johnny checked the right. Neither of them expected to find anyone in the unoccupied building but one never knew if a child or vagrant might be in a place like this.

Roy opened the door to Chandler's room. He didn't have a chance as Jimmy blind sided him and knocked him to the ground. It happened so fast. His helmet rattled to the floor. Jimmy leapt forward and brought the butt of his gun quickly down on the back of the fireman's head. Roy collapsed, unconscious to the floor. In that split second, Jimmy realized it wasn't the dark-haired fireman. But, it didn't matter. That just meant that he was near by. Chandler rolled Roy over and removed his SCBA tank and mask. Then he removed Roy's turnout coat. That done he took off his own mask and slipped Roy's coat on. It was awkward to manage but he finally got the fireman's SCBA on and placed the air mask over his face. Lastly, he placed Roy's helmet on his head and pulled on Roy's gloves. He gave the unconscious man a quick salute, picked up his tote bag, and made his way out into the hall.

He practically ran over Johnny in the smoky hall.

"Let's get out of here, Roy," Johnny called over the hiss of the air in his mask to the shadowy fireman before him. Suddenly, he felt himself being shoved.

"What are you doing, Roy?" Johnny yelled as he was pushed again. He strained to see what his partner was trying to do. Was he trying to warn him? Johnny wasn't sure as he stumbled backwards, nearly falling. Suddenly, through the smoke, Johnny could make out the barrel of a gun pointed directly at him. He took a step back and hit a closed door.

"Open it!" the gunman ordered. Johnny reached down and felt for the doorknob. It turned and they practically fell into the room. Johnny continued to back up.

"That's far enough," Chandler told him. Johnny didn't know who this imposter was but he knew the man was definitely not a fireman. Not with those light-colored trousers. Then it hit him. It was the arsonist! He looked up sharply into the man's beady eyes.

"Take off the mask and tank!" the man directed.

"Look, man. You don't want to do this..." Johnny hoped to reason with the man. Perhaps Roy would find them. Suddenly his heart sank as he realized that the helmet the man wore had "51" on the front and the paramedic decal on the side. It had to be Roy's!

"Take off the mask and the tank!" he repeated, more demanding waving the gun more menacingly.

Johnny took off his helmet and then removed the SCBA and set them on the floor.

"Now take off that coat!" the hissing voice ordered. Johnny began to undo the clasps of his coat and thought that the voice sounded familiar. He dropped his coat to the floor.

"Turn around," came the next command.

Fear began to grip Johnny as he slowly turned around. He didn't like the direction this scenario was taking.

"Hands behind your back!" the man ordered sharply.

Johnny complied, coughing as the smoke assaulted his lungs. Chandler removed a piece of duct tape from his bag and wrapped it securely around Johnny's wrists. Johnny winced as he felt the tape bite into his skin. Johnny wasn't going to go down without a struggle. He started to spin his body to try imbalance his attacker when Chandler pushed the gun into his neck.

"Don't be a hero, lover boy," Jimmy warned him. Johnny felt a chill go down his back as he recognized the voice. It was Chandler!

"Why are you doing...(cough, cough)...this Chandler?" Johnny choked out the question. Anger registered with Jimmy as he realized that the fireman knew who he was. Well, it didn't matter now.

"Because you stole my girl!" he screamed. Angry he kicked Johnny to his knees and pushed him face down on the floor. Johnny couldn't understand his reasoning. He felt Chandler wrap more duct tape around his ankles. Where is Roy? He was beginning to realize that Chandler had done something to Roy as well. Jimmy rolled Johnny over onto his back. Now the dark-haired fireman could see the crazed look in Chandler's eyes as the man slapped more duct tape across his mouth.

"She's all mine now and you can't do a damn thing about it!" Chandler sneered at him. Johnny felt a rush of fear just thinking of this madman anywhere near Krys. Then he saw Chandler put the barrel of the gun upside his temple. His eyes grew wide in terror as he realized that Chandler intended to shoot him. He heard him cock the gun. Suddenly there was a rumbling in building, throwing Chandler off balance as he pulled the trigger. Johnny deflected his head to the side and felt the searing burn of the bullet. His body jerked as he rolled onto his side. The darkness overtook him as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Chandler regained his balance and stared at the body before him. Blood ran down the fireman's face. He saw Johnny's chest rise and fall. Well, he wasn't dead…yet. He smiled, satisfied with his work. Now all he had to do was walk away. As soon as Krystal came to see her fireman…dead or alive…he would have her. And this time he'd NEVER let her go.

###

Outside the building, the activity of the fire crews increased as the intensity of the fire grew. Captain Stanley was busy directing the attack. The crew from Station 36 was assisting the battle with their engine and truck. Hoses snaked across the payment forming lines around the building.

The handi-talkie in the pocket of Roy's turnout coat crackled to life as Chandler reached the ground floor.

"HT 51. This is Engine 51. What is your status?" Hank inquired. When he didn't get a response, he frowned. That spelled trouble in his mind. He pulled Marco and Chet away from the building.

"I can't raise Johnny or Roy," he informed them over the roar of the fire. "I need you to go in and find them. Let's move it."

Both firefighters acknowledged their Captain's orders and donned SCBAs to enter the building and search for their friends. In the haze of the smoke and activity, no one noticed a lone man, in turnouts exit the side of the building. No one except the quiet engineer of Station 51. Mike Stoker thought it was odd that a LA County fireman would wear light green pants. It suddenly occurred to him that this must be their arsonist. He watched as the man tried to make his way across the fire scene unnoticed. Mike spied Officer Vince Howard on the perimeter and shouted to get his attention.

"Vince!"

Vince turned to the sound of his name being called and saw Mike Stoker waving his arms frantically at him.

"Arsonist!" Mike yelled, pointing at the man. Vince turned in the direction Mike was pointing and saw the man.

"You!" Vince yelled at Chandler. "Stop where you are!"

Jimmy looked up and realized he was in danger of being apprehended. He darted for the street away from the fire, pealing off the heavy SCBA and mask as he ran. Vince ran in pursuit. Mike watched the fleeing man and realized he was closer to him than Vince. He bolted after the smaller man with long, powerful strides. As he got close enough, Mike sprang forth and tackled him to the ground. Chandler fought against the weight of the man on top of him. Vince reached Mike's side a moment later and quickly had the man cuffed. At that same moment, they both read the name "DE SOTO" stenciled on the back of the turnout coat. Mike left the prisoner to Vince as he dashed off to find his captain.

Captain Stanley was watching the building and waiting for word from his crew when Mike jogged to his side, breathing hard from his recent exertions.

"Cap! I think Vince and I caught the arsonist!" Mike said somewhat breathlessly.

"What?" Hank turned and looked in the direction Mike had come from.

Stoker pointed to the man Vince was escorting to his patrol car.

"He's wearing Roy's turnout gear!"

The color drained from Hank's face at that news. That meant he had at least one unprotected fireman in danger. Maybe two.

"LA we have a possible Code I times two at this incident. Respond a second squad and an ambulance."

"10-4 Engine 51."

Hank turned his attention back to his engineer. "Mike, Marco and Chet are in there looking for Roy and Johnny now. See if Vince can get anything out of that guy as to where they are."

"Right Cap!" Mike took off to Vince's patrol car.

###

Roy shook his head in an effort to clear it. Big mistake. He coughed and his lungs hurt from the smoke. He crawled toward the door, trying to stay beneath the smoke. He thought he heard someone calling his name. His throat was too raw to call out. He found the door and hit it with his fist, hoping that someone would hear it.

Marco stopped in the hallway. He thought he heard something on the left. A pounding. He reached the door and felt it for heat. It was cool to the touch and it had a chalk mark on it. He started to move on when he heard the pounding again. It seemed as though it was coming from the floor. He turned the knob and opened the door. The door bumped into Roy's shoulder and he yelped in pain and started coughing as he tried to roll out of the way.

"Roy!" Marco exclaimed and knelt beside the fallen paramedic. He pulled out his HT.

"Cap! It's Lopez. I've found Roy. I'm bringing him out!" Marco yelled. He stood Roy up and folded him over his shoulders in the tradition fireman's carry and headed back into the corridor and down the stairs to the safety outdoors.

"10-4 Lopez." Hank responded. "Kelly did you copy that?"

"10-4 Cap," came Chet's answer over the HT. He was relieved that Marco had found at least one of the paramedics. He hoped that finding Johnny would happen quickly.

Finally, he reached the next door and after checking it for heat, he opened it. Even in the smoky haze, he could see Johnny's body on the floor. He pulled out the HT and alerted the Captain.

"Found him, Cap." Chet felt panic arise as he noted the amount of blood on the floor beneath Johnny's head. He knelt down and felt for and found a weak carotid pulse.

"Get him out of there quick. The guys from 36 said the floor is starting to go on the second floor." Hank informed his firefighter.

"Right Cap. I'm on my way." Next Kelly tugged at the duck tape. He removed the scissors from Johnny's belt and cut through the offending tape at the wrist and ankles. His fear was renewed at amount of blood he saw on Johnny's face as he pulled the tape off the paramedic's mouth. Quickly he hoisted John over his shoulder and retreated the way he had come, praying that he hadn't been too late.

###

Squad 36 pulled up at the scene as Marco staggered out of the building under the weight of Roy's body. Mike and Hank both ran forward to assist Marco with Roy's unconscious form. The three firefighters carried DeSoto over to the safety of the engine and eased him to the ground. Craig Brice and Bob Bellingham quickly took over the care of their fellow paramedic. A shout from the building brought the three firemen on the run as Chet came out of the inferno with Gage.

Just as quick, they had Johnny on the ground by Roy. As the paramedics began their assessments, Chet set up the biophone. Mike and Marco stood by to assist anyway they could. Captain Stanley had to turn his attention back to knocking down the fire, more aggressive now that his paramedics were out of that building. The Chief's car pulled up to the scene and Chief McConnikee hurried to Hank's side. En route he had received the reports of the two injured paramedics and the capture of the alleged arsonist.

They began to coordinate the final attack and by the time Brice and Bellingham had Gage and DeSoto ready for transport, the fire was under control. Chandler was taken into custody, charged with arson and two counts of attempted murder. He had refused to give his name so for the moment, the police were not aware of who he was.

All Hank could do was shake his head as the ambulance sped away. Chief McConnikee informed him that Station 51's A Shift would be relieved of duty once a replacement crew could arrive. It was a quiet ride back to the barn for his men. Once they had returned to the station, Captain Stanley's first order of business was the one his hated the most. He had to call JoAnne DeSoto and tell her that her husband had been injured.

###

END OF PART 8-CONTINUED IN PART 9

"Malibu Nights" ©1999 Nancy F. Thysell. "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions. All rights reserved. No infringement on any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.