Diana, page 16
Her hip slammed against a wooden platform, causing her body to roll in the opposite direction. She fell into a pool of stinging substance.
She couldn't decipher what her body was immersed in. Her arms took control, as she sunk deeper into water and darkness.
The panic made her legs and arms kick and paddle hard, instinctively. Her lungs fought for air. She kept paddling and paddling, kicking and swimming in an upward motion. At least, she thought she was swimming upward.
She felt the air. Her lungs struggled to release the water and take in fresh breaths. Her body sank down again, and she struggled to swim to the surface, coughing, crying, gasping for air, spitting out water.
Next came the tears, the fear, and helplessness.
The stinging pain in her hip brought on a nauseous feeling. She reached out to the side, barely able to move her body. She ached with pain.
Her hand banged into what felt like a large piece of wood floating in the liquid. She scraped her knuckles against it in an attempt to hold on. For a moment, she rested partially atop the board, relieved to have some of help trying to stay afloat.
Her hip throbbed. She felt another piece of wood and grabbed onto it. She lifted her good leg over the piece and held on tight.
She reached her hand down under the liquid and touched torn flesh and protruding bone. Dizziness overcame her. Laying her head against the piece of board, she closed her eyes.
* * * *
He hurried out of the building. He was outraged, angry, disappointed. He glanced behind him. The smoke just began to fill the first floor.
Diana! Why did you show up instead of Fontella?
The tears filled his eyes, then he wiped them away. How did this happen? What went wrong?
He didn't want her to die, but she'd asked for it. She must've gotten a hold of the email before Fontella did. Now, he needed to make a huge change in his plan. It wasn't going to be easy, but he had to take the chance.
He headed to his car, taking one last glance at the burning building.
There was no way she'd survive. Feeling confident, he made his escape.
* * * *
"Son, is this some kind of joke?” Damian Toby made the young man repeat his statement.
"No, sir, it isn't. Detective Pellino was here at the library. She said it's extremely important I contact you about these emails. You need to read them, sir. I've seen them, and it's serious."
Damian logged onto his computer and pulled up the messages.
A few seconds later, he hung up the phone and made numerous calls. The first was to Commander Paul Fontella.
* * * *
"Where's Diana?” Luke yelled. He knew his father and other detectives stood outside the interrogation room.
"Toby thinks she's at the location the killer meant for you to show up at."
His eyes widened in disbelief and concern. “Let's go."
"The fire department is on its way, Luke."
"There's a fire there?"
"It was just called in five minutes ago."
He ran toward the door. “I have to get to her."
"I'm coming with you."
"Me, too,” Jerry Montoff said, as they headed toward the elevator.
* * * *
Vinny headed to the firehouse, and when he got there, it was empty. The department had a call to go on, and he couldn't help but wonder if Diana knew. He hoped his sister's plan was working. He glanced down at the ultraviolet lighting device sitting on the passenger's seat.
All he could do was wait for his sister's call.
* * * *
Luke, Paul, and Jerry arrived on the scene. The fire was spreading quickly. They made their way under the yellow caution tape between the water company trucks, firefighting apparatus, and Con Ed vehicles.
Numerous people were apologizing to Luke, as he made his way toward the ladder company in charge.
"Luke, I'm sorry for doubting you. I was just trying to protect my guys,” the fire chief told him.
Luke gave him a dirty look. He realized Brian Pellino and the rest of the crew were making their way inside of the building.
"I need some gear!” he yelled.
"You can't go in there."
"The hell I can't. I want that gear, and I want it now."
"The men can handle it. It's abandoned, Luke."
"It's not abandoned. Detective Diana Pellino is trapped inside!” He raised his voice over the radio chatter and sirens blaring in the distance.
"Come on!” The chief brought Luke around to the side of the ladder truck.
He was just about fully dressed when he heard the stern voice behind him. “What the hell do you think you're doing, Fontella?” Damian Toby stood with his hands on his hips.
"My job!"
"The hell you're not. I can't allow you to enter that building. You're not a firefighter anymore."
"No disrespect, sir, but I don't really give a shit what you can or can't allow.” Luke pointed to the burning building. “My partner, the detective I've been working this case with, is trapped inside. For all I know, the real killer could still be in there. I'm not relying on my so-called comrades."
He saluted the chief, handed him his clip that confirmed he was a firefighter, then grabbed Brian Pellino.
"We're teaming up!” he told Brian.
"What? Why? What are you doing here?"
Don and the others made their way into the building.
"Your sister's trapped in there."
Brian's eyes widened in obvious shock. He grabbed Luke by the collar of his turnout coat. “Fontella, what the hell is going on?"
"We need to move. I don't believe that you're the killer. I don't believe you even know who the killer is. We need to stay together and find your sister. Now, let's move."
He and Brian headed into the building.
* * * *
"Who called the fire in?” Damian Toby asked. Commander Paul Fontella and the chief spoke to other arson investigators and a representative from the water company.
"It wasn't our killer. The call came in from a maintenance worker for the water company. Apparently, a water main broke on the other side of the building about an hour ago. There's water building up from the basement, flooding it out."
"This could work to our advantage. The fire can't spread if there's that much water,” Paul said.
"That all depends,” the chief said.
"On what?"
"Whether Detective Pellino is trapped in the basement level or on higher ground."
Paul swallowed hard. He understood what they were saying. If Diana didn't burn to death, she might drown to death. He prayed that Luke would find her in time.
* * * *
Vinny glanced at his watch. It had been more than twenty minutes since he heard from his sister. He thought about whether he should call her but opted to wait, in case she was in the middle of some undercover operation.
The increasing anxiety consumed him. It was an unmistakable sensation, deep within his heart and soul. He knew it all too well. He was argued in his mind whether to acknowledge it or ignore it. It was enough to send him into a whirlwind of worry. He never denied his gut instinct. Never.
His attention was drawn to the firehouse bays, just as one of the guys spotted him.
He threw his sweatshirt over the ultraviolet light, then quickly got out of the car.
"Hey, Vinny. I thought that was you. What are you doing here?"
"Oh, nothing, Curtis. I was supposed to meet someone here. Are the rest of the guys out at a fire?"
"Well, that's why I came out here. It turns out Fontella is innocent, and the real killer just set another fire. I don't know how to tell you this, man, but—"
"But what? What do you mean Fontella's innocent? And you don't know how to tell me what?” Vinny thought about Brian and Diana.
"Your sister Diana is missing. They believe the killer has her trapped in the fire."
Vinny opened the door to his car. “What's the address?"
* * * *
Vinny pulled out his cell phone as he sped down the street. He called his sister. It rang and rang, then went to voice mail. Panic engulfed him as he placed the police light on the dashboard and continued to the fire scene.
Damn it, Diana! What the hell did you get yourself involved in?
Ten minutes later, he parked alongside the barricade, flashing his badge as he ducked under the yellow crime scene tape.
"What the hell is going on? Where's my sister?” Vinny yelled to Chief Watkins, as he approached a crowd of officials, including Commander Paul Fontella.
Vinny eyed the others. They all seemed to ignore his question and avoid answering. “Well?"
"Son, we believe that your sister is trapped somewhere inside."
He looked at the inferno, and the nausea set in. “How do you know? Are you certain?"
"The real killer planned on setting up my son, Luke. We believe your sister was concerned for his safety and showed up here to help him. But, my son had been taken into custody for questioning without anyone knowing. The killer's plan backfired."
"Where's Luke Fontella now?"
Vinny watched as Paul glanced back toward the inferno.
"The whole crew is in there, Vinny, including Brian. They'll find her,” Chief Watkins said.
"I just spoke to her about thirty-five minutes ago. When did the fire start?"
"The fire call came in about twenty minutes ago. Did your sister say anything about what she was doing?” Damian Toby asked, joining the conversation.
He was hesitant, and opted to hide what his sister was really up to. They still weren't certain whom the killer was.
"No, sir. She wanted me to meet her at the firehouse. I was waiting for her call. One of the guys told me about the fire. I tried calling her cell, but it went to voice mail."
"Did it ring at all?” Damian Toby asked.
The chief glanced back down at the copy of blueprints spread out across the hood of the water company truck.
"Yes, it did."
"Keep trying it, son. It could help us locate her faster if she can answer."
He hadn't even noticed the blue prints until that second. “Are those to the building?
Again, Vinny got the feeling they were all hiding information from him. “What is it, Commander? What's going on?” He directed his question at Paul Fontella, since he appeared to be the only one willing to level with him.
One of the local water company workers interrupted the conversation by whispering to the chief.
Paul walked closer to Vinny, and slightly nudged his arm to move him away from the truck. “Son, I'm not going to lie to ya. A while ago, there was a water main break, and it appears that the pipe may have leaked below the building."
"So that's good news, isn't it? The fire can't spread from the basement up."
"They don't know where your sister is. The person who called in the fire said that there was smoke coming from the upper floors."
Vinny registered the information. “So what you're telling me is she's either going to burn to death or drown to death, or she's already dead."
Paul swallowed hard, then sighed. “My son's in there, along with your brother Brian. Let's hope for the best."
* * * *
Diana couldn't open her eyes. Her lids were heavy, and all she wanted to do was let go. She couldn't register her thoughts. She didn't know if she were dreaming or if she were awake. The ringing cell phone forced her to open her eyes, to not let go of the world she held onto for dear life.
The ringing stopped as her eyes fluttered open. She realized, and was disappointed, she'd missed a life saving call, and that there was no service when she was a floor above. She remembered trying to turn sideways on the staircase, in an attempt to hold the weak signal. Could there be a signal now, down here?
The pain radiated through her body with each hint of motion. She cringed and gasped when she realized she couldn't feel her legs.
Fear made her cry out and attempt to pull herself to higher ground, but all that remained in reach was the plywood she held to keep her from sinking.
She looked a few feet above her, where a broken, wooden ledge sat. That's what she must have hit on her way down. Glancing up higher, she saw the red and orange flames. Nausea set in at the realization of just how far she'd fell, along with the fact the building was engulfed in flames.
From where she floated, the fire appeared to be a good ten floors above her. But what the hell did she know? She fell the whole way down, anticipating death along the way.
No one will come looking. No one knows I'm here.
Her mind traveled over the series of events. The fear of dying, and not capturing the real killer, filled her with anger and disgust.
"You won't get away with this. I won't let you win."
She clenched her teeth, and thought about Luke and his innocence. At least now, the truth would be revealed that Luke wasn't the killer. But whoever was would surely be upset she destroyed their plan. He would look to pin it on someone else.
She thought about Vinny and how she called him, telling him to meet her at the firehouse. Was he still there? Did he know about the fire?
She remembered the emails the killer had sent. She remembered the staged suicide note, and the kid from the library.
They know I'm here. They'll come looking for me.
The dizziness set in, along with the shivers and shakes.
Don't pass out, don't pass out. Keep talking to yourself. Help yourself escape. Think, Diana, think.
She attempted to move her legs. She needed to get to the side. Maybe she could climb up to where the wooden platform was and use her cell phone. The plan developed in her mind, the determination filled her to her core, but her legs wouldn't move. Her hips ached and throbbed yet felt numb. She'd injured herself badly, she was certain of it.
When she glanced down at the water, there was only darkness. She tried not to think about what was in the water with her, or how it got there. Instead, she willed herself to get closer to the wall.
Diana held the wooden float against her neck and chest, using her arms to paddle to the side. As she reached the wall, an explosion roared from way above her. Startled, she grabbed the wooden board tighter, then glanced up toward the sound. Debris scattered above her. She feared for her life, and recalled the increasing speed she felt on her decent from above. Any debris that came crashing down could kill her.
She swam under the small 2 ft wide landing, just as the first pieces came crashing down. She cried out as another explosion ignited, and a roar of flames and heat lit up the entire area.
She opened her eyes long enough to see the fiery debris heading at her. All she could think to do was duck underwater.
* * * *
"Brian, what the hell was that?’ Luke yelled, as they continued to climb up the staircase.
The nozzle team was just ahead and to the right of them, continuously spraying down the sheets of fire and smoke.
"Another explosion about midway up the building."
"Thank God we're all still making our way up, or we would be trapped between fires right now,” Luke said. Brian nodded in agreement.
Two other firefighters were only a flight of stairs below them.
"This is insane. It's an abandoned factory of some sort. The blueprints the chief has aren't helping us right now,” Brian said.
Luke knew Brian was concerned for his sister. He was losing his patience, his control, and Luke feared he would panic. The worst part was Luke felt the same way. Finding Diana seemed impossible, with such great odds against them. He swallowed the lump of emotion in his throat. He wasn't giving up on Diana. She risked her life for him, and he would do the same for her.
"It's too dark. We need to make a decision as to where to head. If we continue to climb, we could get caught in-between fires."
"From the blueprints, what is up there, a few floors from where we are now?” Luke asked.
Brian radioed into the chief. “Chief, we're on the third floor. What's above us and to the side of us?"
Another small explosion rocked the building as Luke, Brian, and the others ducked for cover.
"Are you guys okay?” the chief yelled through the radio.
"Yeah. What's around us? We can't see shit. It's total blackout."
"Above you, it looks like, just floors of warehouse storage space. There appears to be four extra large elevator shafts, one directly to the left of you, and the next nearest one appears to be located in the center of the building,” the chief explained.
"Where was the water main break?” Luke asked.
"Hold on."
"The water company representative says the main pipe is directly below that middle elevator shaft."
"What about the three others?"
"They should be fine."
Brian looked at Luke.
"Your call, Brian. I'm under your command right now."
"You've had more experience than I have, Fire Marshal, and something tells me you want to find my sister just as badly as I do."
He glanced around them, trying to sense a gut feeling, anything that could lead him to make a decision. If it were the right one, they could get to Diana in time. If he chose differently, he could kill her.
Another small explosion ignited and debris covered them from above. The men fell to the floor, covering their heads as the wood and sheetrock scattered over their bodies.
* * * *
Diana held her breath as long as she could. Through the water, she could still feel the heat of the flames that lingered above. Wood fell into the water and hit her arms, cutting her skin. She couldn't hold her breath any longer, as the sharp pain hit her. She splashed through the surface of the water and grabbed hold of the wood again. Smaller pieces of flaming ash fell from the sky above, some disintegrating in mid-air and others as they hit the water.
She cried and glanced down at her bleeding arms. This was a hell of a way to die.
Grabbing hold of the wooden board, she rested her head on it and her upper arm. She stared up at the darkness above her.
Something caught her eye. Was it just her imagination, or was that a blue light one platform above from where she floated?
What is that? Her heart thumped. She tried to maintain her composure.
