Page 21 of The Haunting Plot

A small smile creases his face as he turns, and I follow him up the stairs.

RJ and I get to work, hanging up the curtains as Jonah watches us from his bed.

“How come you show up at our house every time we call 911?” Jonah asks, never looking up from his tablet.

“I’m a first responder. When there’s an emergency, me or my crew will be dispatched to the scene.”

“Are you the boss?”

“I am.”

“So you’re the most important firefighter?”

RJ chuckles beside me, and I shoot him a warning glance. “I may be in charge, but everyone on my crew is important.”

“But if there was a big fire, they’d always send you, right?” Jonah asks.

I nod. “Since Chestnut Mountain Fire Department is a small crew, I often go out on calls since I serve as the incident commander. It’s not every call, mainly the big ones.”

Jonah is silent for several minutes as we move to the other window.

“Why do firefighters all have mustaches?”

“I don’t have a mustache,” RJ says over his shoulder.

“Is it cuz you’re a baby firefighter?”

I choke on my laughter as RJ clears his throat. “It’s called a rookie, or probie.”

“Mom says you’re a baby firefighter.”

“Of course she does.” RJ smiles as he holds the curtain rod while I secure it in place.

I speak to Jonah over my shoulder as I work. “Firefighters often have mustaches because it’s the only kind of facial hair we’re allowed to have. We have to wear oxygen masks sometimes, and having a beard can affect the seal on the mask.”

RJ leans over, lowering his voice. “When he’s interested in a topic, he hyperfixates on it. Thanks for answering his questions.”

“Have you ever gotten hurt in a fire?” Jonah asks, face still glued to his tablet.

My eyes dart to RJ as I contemplate how honest to be. “I’ve been in some pretty dangerous situations, but I’m always safe. We have protocols in place that we all follow for safety.”

“Is that what you teach at fire safety school?”

“A little. That’s more about how to be safe in your home. Do you have a fire safety plan?”

“We did in our old home. Uncle RJ said it’s important.”

“I swear I didn’t put him up to that,” RJ whispers.

“What about in this house? How would you escape a fire in here?” I ask.

Jonah looks up from his tablet. “We don’t have a plan.” He looks at RJ. “We need a plan.” There’s an edge to his voice, and I instantly want to wrap him in a hug.

RJ hands me the level and nods over his shoulder, indicating that he’s going to help Jonah. I watch as RJ approaches him, sitting close to him on the floor without touching him. “How’s the brightness?” he asks, deflecting.

Jonah’s chest rises rapidly as he pulls off his glasses, eyes darting around the room. “We need a plan,” he mutters.

I tighten the remaining screws and set my screwdriver in the open toolbox.