Firebreak (Josie Gray Mysteries #4)(30)
The pilot spoke into the headset and turned his head back to look at Josie. “We’re approaching Prentice Canyon Road directly ahead of us. The chief did an excellent job predicting that firebreak. You can see where the trucks were down below. They fought the fire from the flanks and had it about closed off by the time it reached the road.”
Josie looked out her side window and saw exactly what the pilot was referring to. Small fingers of black burned up to the road along Prentice Canyon, but the fire had obviously burned out there.
Doug spoke into the headset. “The wind finally cut us a break. We had the Bomberos de Piedra Lambrada fire squad out of Mexico giving wind and weather patterns throughout the night. They were a huge help.”
As the pilot flew farther west, Josie noticed the change in the burn pattern below.
“Check that out,” Doug said, sounding anxious even through the headset. “There’s the Nixes’ house, surrounded by black on all sides though the fire had all but died out across the road.”
Josie nodded. The proof was there. She looked at Doug and hoped the photographs he was taking now would tell the story. The land around the Nixes’ house was charred black, the trees burned almost completely down to the ground. A half-mile away from the house, on all sides, the fire damage was minimal.
“It’s a good thing the wind died down or we could have lost the entire western part of the county,” said Doug.
Josie couldn’t help looking farther westward in the direction of her house, directly in the line of fire.
*
When the helicopter landed she saw the smoke jumpers standing around by the jump plane. The group of ten or fifteen guys wore rumpled navy-blue Montana Fire and Rescue T-shirts and work boots. They stood around talking, in no hurry to take off. She ran over to check in with Pete. He was standing beside his jumpsuit and a pile of gear, talking with the other guys. He noticed her approaching, waved her over, and gave her a hug.
“I don’t want to keep you,” said Josie. “I just wondered if you’d have an evening free before you head back to Montana.”
“Tonight. I already made plans for us. You free?”
“Oh!”
“We’re working with Doug today, but we’re headed to Big Bend for a practice run with the Mexicans this evening. I want you to come with us.”
“I’d love to watch you guys train. What time are you leaving?”
“Be here at five. Wear jeans and boots. You drive and I’ll ride with you. We’ll follow the van.”
“As long as I can get away from the investigation, I’ll be here.”
*
At one o’clock that afternoon Josie and Otto sat in their office, discussing the strategy for the questioning as they waited for Billy and Brenda Nix to arrive. While the two were the prime suspects in the murder investigation, she and Otto decided not to interview them separately during their first meeting. Because the couple came back freely to talk with the police, Josie didn’t have to Mirandize them. Once their rights were read the attorneys would be brought in and the conversation would stop. The goal for now was to get as much information as they could before the Nixes clammed up and requested counsel.
When Lou buzzed the intercom to announce the Nixes, Josie went downstairs to greet them. They stood side by side in the waiting area just inside the front door. Billy wore a plaid Western-style shirt, dark blue jeans, and cowboy boots. Josie thought he looked like the country singer Trace Adkins, with the same large build and good ol’ boy stance. Brenda stood next to him wearing white capri pants and a navy-blue short-sleeved top with a silver necklace and matching earrings. Josie thought she looked like a sturdy woman who could handle tragedy in complete control, doling out instructions and maintaining order. Maybe the outsider status she had within her own family had given her a tough fa?ade.
As Josie approached the waiting area, she noticed the marked difference in the couple’s expressions. Billy had the wide-eyed expectant look of one bracing for terrible news. Brenda’s features looked pinched, her mouth forming a stern frown, her eyes small and determined. Billy was imagining the worst while Brenda was already preparing to take care of the aftermath. Josie wondered how many times this dynamic had played out in their marriage.
Josie pushed open the half door separating the waiting area from Lou’s dispatch station. Lou sat behind her computer talking on the phone, paying no attention to the drama. Josie stretched a hand out to Billy first.
“Thanks for coming in, Billy. We’re going to head upstairs where we can sit and talk.” Josie motioned toward the back of the office and then Billy shook her hand and tipped his head but said nothing. He walked past her and Josie stretched her hand out to Brenda. “I don’t believe we’ve met before. I’m chief of police, Josie Gray.”
Brenda shook Josie’s hand. “Pleased to meet you.” Her tone was curt, as if she were meeting a business rival.
Josie led them upstairs to the office where Otto was setting coffee cups in the middle of the conference table. Otto introduced himself and the group briefly discussed the long drive from Austin before settling into chairs around the table. Josie asked if they would mind if she recorded the interview. Neither of the Nixes objected, so she set up the recorder and stated the date, time, location, and people present.
“I appreciate you coming in today,” she said. “As you know, the wildfire that swept through Arroyo County has caused a great deal of damage to Artemis. Downtown was spared but the northeastern part of the county was hit hard. The fire reached the west side and died out. Unfortunately, your house wasn’t spared. The fire chief and the fire marshal are working as fast and as carefully as they can to assess damage and get people back to their homes, but safety is first priority.”