Prologue Tar-black smoke, twined with tendrils of amber-and-silvery flames, twirled from both floors of the two kitschy art galleries across the street, eight and nine doors down respectively, alongside a narrow lane. Four fire trucks were positioned directly in front while a half dozen cruisers, with emergency lights persistently flashing, were parked haphazardly nearby. As police officers firmly but patiently kept the curious at bay, firefighters darted around like baseball players racing for home plate in a valiant endeavor to bring the raging fire under control.
Bright revolving lights bounced off buildings and individuals as a wailing ambulance braked to a stop behind its recently arrived mate. Paramedics leapt from the vehicle, ready to respond, and urgent commands and questions
