he shouted as they approached the office door. “The whole town is off-limits till we get it checked out.”Maya recognized the firefighter and hailed him. “Hi, Stan. It’s me.”“Oh, hi, Maya. Sorry. I have my orders.” He wiped perspiration from his brow with the back of his hand.“We just came out of there, Stan. It was fine, honest. All we want to do is drop off a few things and then leave again.”“Well…”Though he never actually gave her permission, he did turn his back to yell at someone else. Maya took immediate advantage of the tacit opportunity and slipped inside with Greg and Layla.The child was awestruck. “Wow, Mommy. Your office is really messy, just like my school.”“Only because of the storm,” Maya said. “I pick up my things every day, and so should you.” She heard her boss’s low, soft laugh and saw his shoulders shake.“That’s what Miss Josie and Miss Nicki always say.”“They’re smart ladies.”“Uh-huh.”Gregory paused at the interior door that led upstairs.
