Round and Round by Andrew Grey Page A

most likely on the first or second floors. I have teams soaking the building, but we need someone to go in. I’ve assigned—”
    Before the captain could say anything more, Angus pulled on the rest of his gear, checked it, and hurried toward the front door. Thankfully it was quiet and fire-free. Hoses had doused the area, and the firefighters pulled back briefly so he could get inside.
    Smoke rolled everywhere, and Angus hurriedly kicked open the door to the first-floor apartment. The front was intact, but the rear was already on fire. He checked the first bedroom and bath before turning and trying the other. It was empty as well. Once he finished, the heat was building, but he didn’t stop, hurrying up the stairs. The back of the hall was already in flames. One door stood open. He peered inside, saw no one, and then kicked open the other door. Heat and smoke rolled out of the door and flames burst through the rear door of the apartment as air fanned the fire. He found a woman with gray hair on the floor near the table and lifted her into his arms and carefully began the trek out of the building.
    The smoke was increasing, along with the heat. He sighed as he reached the front door and handed the woman off to emergency personnel. Then he turned to go back inside. The captain grabbed his shoulder and shook his head, pointing toward the roof.
    Angus shrugged him off and raced back into the building and up the stairs. The apartment was nearly fully engulfed. He found Kevin on the floor in front of the kitchen sink. He scooped him up, hoping like hell he was okay, and started for the exit. Angus reached the door as flames exploded behind him, pushing him out into the hall, and he nearly tumbled him down the stairs. Flames were shooting out of the first-floor doorways, and he steadied himself for a few seconds, cradled Kevin to him, and descended the stairs as fast as he could, leaping through the front door into a shower of water as sparks flew all around him.
    He handed Kevin off in time to turn around as the roof collapsed, pancaking the other weakened floors. Everyone moved back as every hose dumped water on the old building, but it had most likely been weakened by years of improper maintenance and care. The side walls fell inward, and Angus raced back, grabbing coworkers as the front of the building broke away and began to crumble forward.
    Thankfully, everyone got out of the way, and as soon as the rubble settled, the hose teams began dousing the pile of debris. Angus took off his breathing gear and helmet, coming face-to-face with his captain.
    “If you ever do that again, so help me I will kick your ass from here to kingdom come and pull you in front of a review board. I know you got the missing man out, but we could have lost both him and you if you had taken twenty more seconds. You were damn lucky the roof lasted as long as it did.”
    Angus knew better than to argue, so he held his tongue, even though it was difficult. His defiance came out in his stare. There was no way he was going to back down, and if he had to remain silent, he wouldn’t cower.
    “Now, I don’t know if you were just being stubborn, but what you did was as brave as hell, and you saved someone’s life. That’s what we’re here for.” Captain Justinian glared at him. “But next time you listen to me.”
    Angus nodded and turned away, pulling off his fire coat so he didn’t completely sweat away. Then he went in search of the people he’d rescued.
    He found Kevin on the ground with a mask over his mouth and nose. “How is he?” he asked the EMT.
    “He roused for a few minutes but then lost consciousness again. We’re transporting him to the hospital. He inhaled a lot of smoke, but we think he’s going to be okay.” The EMT turned to the ambulance, and Angus followed his gaze. A figure lay under a sheet, face covered. The door to the ambulance was closed, and then it pulled away. The simple glimpse gave him all the information he