2007
TRAILER PARK INFERNO LEAVES NINE DEAD, SUSPECT AT LARGE
Fire claimed the lives of nine people, including three children and a police officer, when a section of Far Peaks Trailer Park burned to the ground late Sunday night. Following an arrest on suspicion of arson, a suspect was taken to Far Peaks District Police Station, from where she escaped custody.
Around 11:20 p.m. police were called to attend reports of a burning vehicle located in the main parking lot. A second explosion was heard minutes later, resulting in an intense fire that destroyed four residential trailers and burned through a patch of adjacent scrub. Police have confirmed both fires were deliberately lit, accelerated by gas cylinders and fuel stored at the location.
First responder Constable Tristan Doyle arrested suspect Sabine Marie Kelly (17), a resident of the trailer park, who was apprehended leaving the scene. Kelly was taken to the police station on Main Street, where she escaped. She was last seen running east along Cooke Terrace and may be driving a silver Commodore Wagon (SLE449), which was reported stolen this morning.
While the nine victims have yet to be formally identified, police have confirmed one of their own, Constable Logan Billson, died trying to save other victims. Billson was the son of Sergeant Eric Billson, a respected veteran officer who has served Far Peaks District for thirty-five years.
"This is a tragedy for our community and for my family," Sergeant Billson said during this morning's press conference. "I ask for privacy to grieve and for the community's support and vigilance. The suspect is injured, possibly armed, and very likely dangerous."
The tragedy has devastated the community. According to residents, the suspect's younger sister and mother, a known drug dealer, were killed in the fire, leading to initial speculation that the incident was connected to organized crime. The subsequent arrest of Kelly, a local teenager, came as a shock to many.
Several crime scenes located in and around Far Peaks Trailer Park have been cordoned off pending a full investigation. Sergeant Billson asked that those not directly involved with the investigation avoid the area. Police are calling for witnesses, particularly anyone who might have information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.
Sabine Kelly is described as seventeen years old, five feet six inches tall and approximately 121 pounds, long curly blond hair and blue eyes, last seen wearing a white dress. It is likely she sustained burns during the fire and may seek medical attention.
"Anyone found to be hiding or assisting the suspect in avoiding formal charges will face charges too," Sergeant Billson said. "It can't be stated strongly enough— it's for the safety of the community that Sabine Kelly is found and returned to custody."
2019
SABINE
The cliffs at Shallow Bend are painted red and gold; the willows sweep the water with loose limbs as the river brings Sabine home.
It's the last day of summer and change is coming. Time moves slowly on the river— she hasn't seen her grandfather since late winter, but it seems like longer. Pop keeps an eye out for her, but his hearing isn't what it used to be, and he sleeps like the dead. Sabine has mastered the art of cutting the houseboat's engine, reading the current— her last visit, he didn't know she was there until she had steeped a pot of tea and set the mug in his hand.
He won't call her, won't pick up if she calls. It's for her protection, he says. She thinks it has more to do with his distrust of technology. They have that in common. Pop believes microwave ovens can record conversations— he blames his cancer on the one she gave him. The cancer has gone, and he stashed the microwave in the shed, its inner parts buried in the midden for good measure. He eats his meals cold, straight from the can.
Blue sits in his usual spot at the helm. He turns his back on the land and stares wistfully at the water, as if to say, This can't be right. He's more seal than dog. Won't eat red meat, only fish and occasionally chicken. Kibble is an abomination. Sabine often catches him nosing dog biscuits over the side of the houseboat for the carp.
She looks around.
Pop's dinghy rocks gently in her wake and the orange flag tied to the jetty post reassures her the area is clear of surveillance. The houseboat drifts into a space near the opening of the backwater; a soft bump, and the rear swings around.
Blue loses his balance, his claws scrabbling on the deck.
Sabine laughs and Blue, indignant, barks once. She shushes him with one finger. His bark sets off the kennel dogs across the river, and for the first time, he shows interest in going ashore.
"Leave it," Sabine says softly, and he settles on his mat.
