No, someone will come. I heard the sirens.
Not in time. The roof is going to go any minute. You know it. You can feel the heat.
She looked at the flames licking over the parapet surrounding the roof.
They'll come.
A sudden pain shot through her scorched back.
Hurt!
It will get worse. Unless you get off the roof.
No.
She cried out as another ripple of pain jolted through her.
Yes. You need help. Move toward the south wall.
I can't do— She screamed. Hurts!
Then crawl toward that parapet. They'll take care of you when you reach the street.
Hurts too much.
The pain will stop when you jump.
It will kill me.
Staying here will kill you.
Afraid. Always been afraid of heights.
Not anymore. I promise when you jump you won't be afraid.
Can't do it . . .
Then you'll hurt.
Pain. Pain. Pain.
There's no one in that building,” Commander Jureski said impatiently. “I checked with the owner. The warehouse is vacant.”
“That doesn't mean there couldn't be trespassers,” Kerry said. “You know that as well as I do. There is a trespasser. A young girl. She's on the roof.”
“You saw her?”
She jerked her head toward Silver leaning against the SUV. “No, but my friend did.”
The commander glanced at Silver. “He seems really concerned,” he said sarcastically. “He looks like he's working out an algebra problem.”
“He saw her,” she repeated. “She was at the south wall, but she's afraid to jump. You make it safe for her.”
“It won't be safe no matter what we do.” He frowned, his gaze on the roof. “Christ, there's no way she can jump without going through those flames. I've never seen a fire like this.”
“It's her only chance,” Kerry said desperately. “Just get ready for her. Please, Commander.”
He hesitated. “You're sure she's up there?”
“I'm sure.”
“Shit.” He turned and strode toward the truck as he reached for his phone. “We'll get ready and we'll focus the hoses on that area. I hope to hell you're right about her wanting to jump. That roof's going to go any minute.”
“She'll jump.” Kerry prayed she was telling the truth. She'd done all she could. She turned and went back to the SUV, but she wasn't about to talk to Silver. His expression was intent, abstracted, and there was no way she wanted to disturb him. She stood on the other side of the SUV, staring up at the roof.
Oh, God, get her down, Silver.
Get closer to the wall.
It's too hot. Carmela shuddered as she saw the flames leaping up to melt the tar on the parapet. I'll catch fire. I should wait for them to come.
You can't wait. You have to jump now.
A sudden spray of water leapt over the wall.
See, they know you're here. They're trying to help you to jump. Now, get under that spray and get wet. You'll be less likely to catch fire when you jump.
Carmela edged closer until she was under the spray. She cried out and recoiled as the water sprayed her burned back. Hurts.
It will hurt more if you don't jump. I promise you. Now, move. Take a deep breath, run, and dive over the wall. Don't think. Just do it.
She didn't move.
Do it!
Kerry held her breath, her eyes on the roof.
Come on, Carmela.
Christ, how terrifying the idea of jumping must be to that scared girl on the roof. There was so much smoke, she doubted if Carmela could even see the ground. She'd have to dive through smoke and fire, not knowing what lay beneath her. Could Silver make her do it?
There was a rumble as the north side of the warehouse began to crumble.
Oh, God, jump, Carmela.
Jump! Now!
No.
No more time. You're going over.
The hell I am.
The hell you aren't.
And Carmela found herself running toward the south wall. God, what was she doing? This was crazy. She had to stop. But she couldn't stop.
Dive over the edge. Dive over the edge.
She dove over the edge and was enveloped in spray and flame as she hurtled toward the ground.
A scream tore from her throat as the fire reached out, enveloping her.
She's down.” Kerry grabbed Silver's arm. “I saw her hit the mat. Come on.”
“Right.” He shook his head to clear it. “Let's go.” He strode toward the crowd of firemen and medics gathered around the mat.
“Is she alive?” Kerry asked as she caught up with him. “Do you know if—”
“She's alive,” Silver interrupted. “I don't know how badly she's hurt. I broke with her after she jumped.” He pushed through the crowd until he could see Carmela. She was lying still and pale, curled up on the plastic as the medic placed an oxygen mask over her mouth and nose. Her clothes were in tatters, and the hair around her face was charred.
“She looks terrible,” Kerry whispered. “Poor kid.”
“Stubborn kid,” Silver said grimly. “I thought I'd never get her to dive off that roof. I finally had to go in and take over.”
“Why didn't you do that to begin with?”
“I didn't want to damage her. It's always possible when force is an issue.”
She looked at him. “And did you?”
“We'll see when she wakes up.”
“If she wakes up.” Kerry turned back to watch the medics working over the girl. Don't give up, Carmela. Trask wants you to give up. Don't let him win.
She's going to make it,” Silver said as he came back into the waiting room after talking to the emergency-room doctor. “Some second-degree burns on her back. Shock. Smoke inhalation.” He paused. “Mental disorientation.”
Kerry stiffened. “Damage?”
“I won't know until she rouses again. I don't think so.”
“But you don't know?”
“What do you want me to say? I'd like to reassure you, but I can't.” His lips tightened. “Hell, I'd like to reassure myself. Do you think I want that guilt hanging over me? She's only a kid.”
She felt a rush of sympathy as she saw his face. “You had to do it. You had no choice. She would have burned to death.”
“That's what I'm telling myself.” He moved over to the window. “You don't have to stay here. It may be hours before she wakes. I'll call you.”
He was hurting, and she suddenly knew she couldn't stand abandoning him. “I'll stay.”
“To hold my hand? That maternal streak surfacing again? I don't need it, Kerry.”
“Shut up.” She sat down again. “I'm staying.”
He looked back at her and then shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
He was tough, gruff, and often surly, but now she knew what lay beneath that defense. She leaned back against the wall. “Don't worry, I will.”
Carmela didn't rouse for another eight hours.
Kerry was half dozing when she saw Silver suddenly go rigid in his chair. “What?”
He didn't answer, his expression holding the same intensity he'd shown when Carmela was on the roof.
She waited, holding her breath.
It was ten minutes before Silver looked at her and smiled. “She's okay.”
Kerry let her breath out in a little rush. “No side effects?”
“No damage. She was a little worried because she thought she was hearing voices on the roof. I was able to convince her that it was shock that made her imagination go haywire. When she wakes up again, she'll believe that jumping was entirely her idea.”
“Good. I haven't seen her mother. Where is she?”
He shook his head. “She hasn't shown up.”