The Interstellar Police Force, Book One: The Historic Mission by Raymond Klein (ebook reader 7 inch txt) 📕

“What the hell was that?” Genghis asked.

“Not sure, but I think we better get on the road.”

Ten minutes later they were in the cruiser traveling across the Seventh Avenue bridge heading to Old Town. They could see an orange glow on the dark horizon toward the west. An emergency vehicle screamed past them. Genghis had the computer up and said, “The cameras in this area are all working. Maybe he’s still at the scene.” They followed the emergency vehicle and as the glow on the horizon got brighter the smoke from the blaze could be seen rising into the air. Cameras started to go out. “He’s definitely in the area. Probably watching the action. Maybe we can finally nab him.”

They followed the red-and-white ambulance as it turned on 10th St. into the Compton Square district of Old Town. The lights on the vehicle reflected off the surrounding buildings as it drove on, siren screaming.

“Bet you five bucks it’s the one on 13th Avenue,” Genghis said, as he now could smell the acidic smoke in the air. The glow in the distance grew even brighter. “It’s in the middle of reconstruction with plenty of fresh wood inside.” They could see the black churning smoke as it rose in between the buildings. The ambulance turned down 11th Avenue, and Trent followed.

Flames now could be seen shooting into the night sky. They could see several fire engines parked with hoses out dousing the flames. “Oh, no! Genghis,” Trent said, as the building came into view. Police and firefighters were hustling residents of the Compton Apartments to a row of waiting ambulances that were parked across the street in a vacant field, back doors open, interiors brightly lit.

“Ah shit, Jeff!” Genghis shouted, as he stood on the seat of the cruiser looking over the windshield. “That’sTwinkie’s building!”

The building was fully engulfed. Fire shot out of every window from the ground floor to the roof. Blue wooden police barricades surrounded the perimeter, keeping spectators out of harm's way. Police cars with their lights flashing were parked everywhere. Television news vehicles were all parked behind the barricades. Bright lights illuminated the reporters as they went live with the story.

Jeff slowed the Thunderbird and angled it to the curb. But before he could park, Genghis hurtled himself out of the cruiser and started running toward the building. “Genghis! Wait for me!” Trent called to him. “They might want to know if you’re a service dog!” He shut the engine off and got out, following his partner.

Genghis ran toward the police barricades. Two uniformed police officers were standing on the other side with their backs to the approaching dog, watching the blaze. “Man,” one police officer said to the other. “You ever see anything burn like this before?” Just then, something fast came from beneath the barricades and ran between them. “Shit! What the fuck was that? A pony?” The other officer watched as the big dog ran and disappeared behind a fire truck. “No, god damn it!” he said exasperated. “It was a dog. Now we have to get Animal Control down here.”

Trent ran up to the two police officers and instinctively and without thinking reached into his trench coat’s inside breast pocket and pulled out the bi-fold case holding his Interstellar Police Force badge and I.D. He quickly showed it to the two policemen then closed it. “Officers, let me through,” Trent said with an air of authority, “I’m investigating this arson.” And without another word Jeff wedged himself between the two eight-foot-long barricades and pushed past the two police officers.

“Um,” one officer said, while looking at the other officer who also saw just a large badge. “Yes, sir, go right ahead.”

Trent found Genghis in the middle of three parked fire trucks, standing in a tangle of wet hoses, illuminated by the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles. His nose was up, sniffing rapidly. “Jeff, there’s just too much in the air. I can’t locate her.”

The scene was chaotic. Police and medical personnel were running in all directions. Residents of the apartment complex were crying, some shouting out names, desperately trying to find friends and family. Close to Genghis and Trent, two firefighters were crouching low to the ground, holding a powerful water hose. The massive stream of water reached the top floor windows. They looked around. Two medical personnel were tending to a man on the ground. One paramedic was on his knees next to the victim, both hands interlocked and pushing down hard on the man's chest. A police officer rushed by, carrying an elderly woman in his arms to a waiting ambulance. The wind blew in a torrent of swirling smoke and embers. Something crashed behind them, and they both quickly looked as part of the roof collapsed into the building. Radios crackled with frantic voices. “All units move out, move out. We’re losing the building.”  Jeff saw the two firefighters shut their hose off and move further back about fifteen yards. They crouched again and switched the hose back on.

Jeff and Genghis walked quickly across the street to a small field where the row of ambulances were parked. Many people were being treated. Some sat on the ground with blankets over their shoulders while others were lying on their backs being tended to. One ambulance slammed its back doors shut and pulled away with siren and lights just as an air ambulance helicopter was landing, rotors beating hard against the smoky night sky.

Jeff stood watching the frantic scenario play out before him, seemingly in slow motion. The sights and sounds filled his senses as police officers assured people that they were alright and firefighters ran carrying heavy loads, shouting for assistance. The deep throaty roar of a fire truck’s engine reverberated as the vehicle pulled in to help with the fight. Sirens near and far wailed. Somewhere deep within the building, sounded a loud explosion that blew out the windows of the adjacent building, the glass raining down in glistening shards. Jeff