Former military pilot Blaine Darby carries a load of guilt and pain from the harm he may have caused in wartime. Now he seeks to earn some good karma by fighting wild land fires while holding on to his great love of flying. But reporters like young Daz Contreras scare him -- one of the few things that do -- because he shuns the public eye.<br><br>Freelance investigative journalist Daz Contreras is convinced terrorists are behind at least some of the wild land fires plaguing New Mexico. All he needs is enough proof to break the story. As he pursues leads, he begins to shadow pilot Blaine Darby and, in the process, develops a gigantic case of hero worship.<br><br>When Daz is allowed to ride with Blaine one time, he hopes the adventure will help him to uncover the proof he seeks. Yet when a near tragedy unexpectedly develops and Blaine puts his life on the line to save a trapped hotshot firefighting crew, Daz realizes he’s an eyewitness to what may be a bigger story than the one he planned. But will the reclusive Blaine actually allow Daz to report the news as he sees fit, even as they grow closer?

Red Tails in the Sunset

The man seemed to be a damned recluse. Perhaps his military experiences were just too traumatic. He could be suffering from some kind of PTSD that made it very hard for him to deal with people. Daz sighed. Was there any other angle to this that he could work? There always was, just not right now. Tomorrow he’d go searching for some other folks who might be easier to approach.


He was about to leave when a short, dirty and ragged man sidled up to him and perched with one cheek on the next stool.


“You’re that hard-hitting investigative reporter. I’ve seen you on TV. If you’ll buy me a beer, I think I can give you some leads to a real hummer of a story. It’s about these fires.”


Even though Daz figured he was going to be taken, a couple of beers would not break his budget. He signaled the bartender and ordered a second for himself and one for the stranger.


Chapter 3