The Seagate Island Murders
... “Mac, do you smell smoke?” About that time I saw it, a haze of smoke easing its way through the doorway. Mac ran to the top of the stairs and looked down.
He shouted, “The building is on fire, we’ve got to get out of here. Grab that ledger and lets get going.”
I snapped up the ledger and the agenda, took hold of my purse and started to run. Mac looked worried. “Wait, he thundered, we can’t get out the same way we came in, maybe there’s a fire escape.”
Running from window to window, we looked for a fire escape, but found none. “Mac, I shrieked, what are we going to do?”
The flames are beginning to make their way up the stairs. He took hold of my shoulders and looked deep into my eyes. “Don’t panic,” he said calmly. “Trust me; I’ll get us out of here.” At this moment, I would walk through the flames if he told me to. Those sparkling green eyes emit such warm assurance, I would entrust my very life to him and it looks like I don’t have much choice but to do just that.
He says, “Follow me,” as he walks swiftly to the bedroom. Grab hold of the other side of this mattress.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Here, cover your head with this blanket. He picked up a heavy chair and hurled it through huge window that took up almost the whole wall across from the bed.
“Help me drag this mattress over there”, he said, gagging on smoke and pointing toward the broken window. Each picking up a side of the mattress we dragged it to the window.
“See that pile of boxes and packing materiel down there in the alley?”
“Yes.”
“On the count of three we’re going to heave this mattress out the window onto that pile. One, two, three, heave ... What are you doing I said heave.
“Alright, I coughed, do it again.”
“One, two, three, heave”, and out the window it went, right on top of the boxes.
“OK, you first”
“Me first, what?”
“You first out the window, go on, now!” The flames are licking around the bedroom door. The heat is so intense, I can feel it burning through the soles of my shoes.
“Mac, I can’t, it’s too far. I’m afraid I’ll miss the mattress.”
“Either you jump or I’ll throw you out.”
“You wouldn't!”
“Don’t try me. It’s either this or stay here and fry. What’s it gonna be?” You just can’t argue with that kind of logic.
Climbing up onto the window sill, I suck in my breath take one look and let go. Screaming all the way down, “Oh, nooooooo …