SERENITY: A Path Home (Beauty 0f Life Book 6)

by Laura Acton

  They rose and clung to one another as the police escorted them safely out of the building.

  Circles Training Center – West Side – 1:25 p.m.

  “Copy,” Dan answered as he and Loki made their way in that direction. Both were hypervigilant scanning for the armed subject. As they came to the end of a hall which opened up into a large area with tables, they stopped and flattened themselves against the wall. Dan reached down into a cargo pocket and pulled out his telescoping mirror. He extended the handle and positioned the small mirror to peer around the corner.

  In a hushed voice, Dan reported, “Found the girls. All five are huddled around a table. No other hostages are in the area. Subject is pacing behind them near a pillar. He appears to be talking to himself. The rifle is down at his side, no imminent threat. Too far away to tell what type it is.”

  Jon said, “We’re coming to you. Hold unless he escalates.”

  “Copy.” He was happy to hold and keep the subject under observation. No way Dan wanted to engage in negotiations with a distraught father. He didn’t possess any experience to draw upon to connect with the man. Crap! I shouldn’t have passed up the opportunity to study with the boss. I need to think about this like when I was with the unit. Cross-training is vital to a team and can mean the difference between life and death.

  Outside Circles Training Center – 1:25 p.m.

  Nick talked with the security guard trying to determine the weapon in play. Hope it isn’t a fully automatic one. “Did you see what type of rifle he carried? Single bolt action? Automatic?”

  Bullion shook his head, his expression frustrated. “Sorry, I’m not familiar with guns. All I can tell you is it is a rifle, might’ve been some sort of hunting one. Though, it sure didn’t look anything like what you guys carry.”

  Nick unmuted. “Dan, the best I have for you at the moment is a hunting rifle.”

  Tia said, “Boss, Mrs. Taper, and Charlene will arrive in a few moments.”

  “Thanks, Tia.” Nick wished the girl hadn’t been brought along, particularly if this call ended with neutralizing the subject.

  Victor paced, wanting Jayna to be safe in his arms. Waiting was so difficult. Why did Mallory have to be such a sore loser?

  Nick saw the patrol car arrive with the Tapers and hurried over. He introduced himself and then asked, “Do you know what kind of rifle your husband owns?”

  Mrs. Taper shook her head. “We don’t own any guns. I have no idea where Mallory would’ve gotten one.”

  Overhearing Mallory’s wife, Victor’s gut flipped, and he turned his head towards his truck. A shattered window and his missing rifle made his knees wobbly. “Oh my God! He’s got my rifle. Oh God, I left it in my truck when I got home from my hunting trip this morning. I was so rushed to get Jayna here on-time that I forgot to take it into the house and put it in the gun safe. If he hurts someone, it will be my fault.”

  Nick followed the man’s gaze and spotted the busted window of a truck. He sighed at the thought of irresponsible gun owners. Anyone could have stolen it, but he inquired, “What type is it and how much ammunition did you have in the vehicle?”

  “It’s only an inexpensive beginner rifle. Single bolt action. I put the box of ammo in the glove compartment out of sight and locked it,” Victor said.

  Nick unmuted. “Be advised the weapon may be a single bolt action hunting rifle. One appears to be taken from a vehicle in the parking lot. Take precautions because it may not be the one the subject possesses but since he doesn’t own a gun it is probable.”

  Muting his headset again, Nick strode to Gullringer’s truck to investigate, and Victor followed. Nick tried to open the passenger side door. It was locked. He surveyed the interior and noted the glovebox remained closed. “Please hand me the keys for the door and compartment, Mr. Gullringer.”

  Circles Training Center – Food Court – 1:27 p.m.

  Dan and Loki heard the boss but didn’t respond because Taper yelled, “Stand up, Jayna. If I can’t find your father, you’ll have to do.”

  Jayna froze in her seat as the other girls screamed when Taper started to point the gun at her.

  Dan said, “Weapon coming up and pointed at Jayna.”

  “Go, Dan, distract him,” Jon ordered as he and Ray ran flat out.

  With no thought of his lack of negotiation skills, Dan’s protector mode kicked into high gear as he stepped into view and aimed his MP5 towards the man. Taking five paces forward and to the left, Dan attempted to acquire a position without the girls between him and the subject. “Mr. Taper, I’m Dan Broderick with the Tactical Response Force. Lower your weapon now!”

  All five golden-haired girls turned petrified eyes to the loud, confident voice of the constable. As they sat in a circle around the table, their grasps on each other’s hands increased. Someone was here to save them.

  Dan’s eyes caught a glimpse of the terror-stricken girls but focused on Taper. He took several more steps forward. “Put down your rifle now. No one needs to be hurt today. You’ve done nothing to harm anyone yet. Let’s keep it that way.”

  Loki stepped forward covering Dan as Taper scurried behind the pillar. He kept his eyes on the weapon. It was part way up, but Taper had stopped raising it when Dan had called out. Loki shifted trying to find a better location if he had to take the shot.

  “Mr. Taper, talk to me. How can we resolve this situation, so everyone goes home safe and sound?” Dan got no response, but luckily the rifle remained in the partially raised position. Needing help with how to proceed, he spoke softly, “Boss?” but Nick didn’t answer him.

  As Lexa sprinted for the food court, she realized Boss must be muted and busy getting critical information if he didn’t reply. She stepped in to encourage Dan. “You’re doing well.”

  Relief surged in Dan. Lexa will know what to say. “He isn’t responding.”

  “Try again but use his first name. Less formal and friendlier. Keep his focus on you. I’ll be there in a few moments.”

  “Mallory, you don’t want to do this. They’re only little girls.” Dan internally cringed when Taper switched his gaze from him to the teenagers. Damn, the wrong thing to say. I called attention to them. Shit!

  Mallory turned from the constable to stare at the girls. Something snapped inside. What the hell am I doing? I’m such an unlucky loser.

  Outside Circles Training Center – 1:28 p.m.

  Nick opened the passenger door, inserted the key, and unlocked the glovebox. He withdrew a box of ammo and lifted the lid. It was full except for five rounds. “Five shells are missing. How many did you use from this box?”

  Victor was about to reply when Mrs. Taper rushed up to Nick. “Please, you have to help my husband. Mallory’s been so depressed. He isn’t thinking.”

  Turning to the distressed wife, Nick said, “Our goal is to get everyone out unharmed, including your husband. Why is he depressed?”

  Mrs. Taper brushed at a tear. “Last month he was diagnosed with brain cancer. The tumor is inoperable. Doctors give him a year, two at most. Mallory is trying to come to terms with the fact he won’t be around as Charlene grows up and will miss all her milestones. He wanted to witness his girl achieve her dream. He snapped when she didn’t make the team.”

  Tears dripped in earnest as she added, “The Junior Olympics is what Mallory held onto—they’re next year. He thought he could fight long enough so he could … see … but then … Charlene wasn’t chosen, and his will to live is fading. He stormed out of the house after he dropped Charlene at home. Help him please.”

  A deep sigh released from Victor. I didn’t know any of that—poor man. Perhaps there is something I can do to help. I could ask the committee to add Charlene as an alternate and allow her to train with them. Maybe I can ensure she gets some ice time in the game so Charlene will have a memory of her father with her as one of her dreams come true.

  Then Victor recalled the sergeant’s question. “Sergeant Pastore, my gun was empty. I cleaned it befor
e I put it in the rack when I left the campsite. I shot five times when I was hunting. Missed the deer by a mile. So, that means the gun is empty because no more bullets are gone from the box.”

  “Thank you for the information.” Nick stepped away to speak with the team. He had overheard Dan asking for him and was glad Lexa guided Dan. He hated leaving Dan hanging, especially after their little encounter in the locker room. Dan’s confidence with negotiations was low, and if this went badly, it would be a significant challenge to change Dan’s mind. They had a subject who was unarmed, ill, and depressed. None of this boded well.

  Unmuting again, Nick spoke in a soft undertone, so Mrs. Taper couldn’t overhear, “Tread careful, this might turn into suicide by cop. Victor claims the rifle was unloaded and no ammo is missing. If he has that weapon, the risk is lower, but take no chances. It’s possible he found another …”

  Nick froze when Loki shouted, “Dan, down!” followed by a crashing sound and a grunt.

  Circles Training Center – Food Court – 1:29 p.m.

  Mallory’s mind raced as he stared at Charlene’s friends. His free hand went to his throbbing head. I need to get away. If I’m caught, I’ll go to prison, and I’ll die never seeing Charlene again. Mallory panicked and as he turned to run towards the only door near him, the gun lifted.

  Loki’s stomach clenched as the rifle raised, aimed directly at Dan’s chest. The subject stood behind a pillar. Neither he or Dan had a solution that didn’t put the young girls at risk if they moved—kids were unpredictable. I’m not about to let Dan be shot in the chest a fourth time. Loki reacted on instinct yelling, “Dan, down,” as he flew at him, knocking both of them to the ground.

  Dan hit the tile floor hard with Loki on top of him. The air in his lungs whooshed out as he grunted at the double impact to his torso. It took a moment for Dan to suck in a breath.

  After a quick glance at Dan to ensure he was alright, Loki gained his feet and raced after Taper. “Pursuing subject into the kitchen.”

  Dan scrambled up, wincing as the pain increased in his chest. Crap! Rushing after Loki, Dan noticed the inexpensive Savage Axis rifle lying abandoned near the pillar. He stopped to retrieve and secure the weapon. “Subject is now unarmed. Dropped the rifle.” Dan checked the chamber rapidly. “Rifle is unloaded.” He set the empty weapon on a table and charged towards the door. “Following Loki.”

  Jon, Ray, Bram, and Lexa converged on the food court just as Dan disappeared through a door.

  Possibly needing Lexa to negotiate and Bram’s powerhouse combat skills if the subject fought them, Jon directed, “Ray, escort the girls out of here.” With Lexa and Bram hot on his heels, Jon dashed in the direction Dan went.

  Circles Training Center – Kitchen – 1:30 p.m.

  Mallory had dropped Victor’s rifle as he ran away with only one thought in his head. I want to go home! If I can make it home, we can leave Toronto. We will be on the run, but at least I can spend my last days with my little girl and wife and not in prison. But I need to get away from the cops first.

  The sound of a door slamming open behind him followed by pounding boots caused Mallory to search for an exit. As he frantically looked around, he caught sight of an industrial-sized bottle of cooking oil. He unscrewed the cap and tipped the bottle, allowing the contents to spill on the floor, hoping the mess would slow the officer down so he could find a door.

  Loki raced into the kitchen. He glimpsed Taper knock something over as he rounded the corner. Loki increased his speed and was about to tell the man to halt when his boots hit the oil-slicked floor. Loki went skating across the linoleum and crashed into a tall pantry rack.

  Dan entered just as Loki slid towards a wire storage shelf. He could do nothing to stop the huge plastic tubs on the top shelf from falling when Loki collided with the rack. “Loki, cover!”

  Loki’s body slammed into the wire shelving, as Dan shouted. Both hands immediately went up to protect his head as he tried to curl his body. Loki had no idea what he was shielding from, but if Dan told him to safeguard himself then, he was covering. He wanted to prevent his bell from being rung by whatever prompted Dan’s call out to him. The contents of the containers rained down on Loki, and the tubs bounced harmlessly in various directions with one coming to a stop at the feet of Mallory Taper.

  Dan raised his MP5 at the subject. “Stay right there. Hands up where I can see them.”

  Mallory was trapped. He had run to the back, searching for an exit, but there was none. A plastic container came to rest by his feet as the intimidating blond constable directed him to raise his hands. He complied promptly. I’m one unlucky loser. The only good things ever to happen to me are my wife and daughter. Now I screwed that up royally. I’ll die in prison and never see them again.

  Dan kept his full focus on Mallory as he advanced, taking a path around the spreading oil.

  As Jon, Lexa, and Bram burst into the kitchen, Dan cuffed Taper and said, “Subject contained.” He gripped Mallory’s arm to secure him as he turned to check if Loki was okay. “Loki, buddy, are you—” Dan stopped midsentence at the sight which greeted him.

  Bram, Jon, and Lexa stopped dead in their tracks before the oil slick.

  Mallory Taper stared with his mouth open.

  Loki slowly removed his hands from his head and uncurled his body.

  Lexa, Jon, Bram, and Dan couldn’t suppress the chuckles which escaped as they pursed their lips together trying in vain not to laugh.

  Nick called out, “Loki, Dan, status.”

  Jon recovered first and cautiously moved towards Loki avoiding the oily area as he said, “Dan’s good. Loki’s golden.”

  Covered in onion rings and glittery golden sugar, Loki blinked up at his tactical lead.

  “Golden? What does that mean?” Nick asked.

  Lexa surreptitiously snapped several photos of Loki.

  “You’ll see.” Jon reached out a hand to help Loki up.

  With disbelief, Loki glanced down at himself then grasped Jon’s hand because standing would be a challenge with boot soles coated in oil. He slid trying to stay upright and almost fell, but Bram caught him. Holding tight, Jon and Bram kept Loki from falling as they moved him out of the oil. Lexa found several rags and put them on the floor so Loki could wipe off his boots.

  As Loki shook the golden sugar and onion rings off, he exclaimed, “You jinxed us! You said you kinda liked the slow day.” Loki glared at Dan, waving his hands at his sugar-dusted uniform. “This is all on you, buddy.”

  Dan shook his head, chuckling. “Nope, it’s all on you. And as far as jinxes go, I’d say you were the one. Before I said I liked a slow day, you complained nothing happened today for you to come up with a fifth verse.”

  Lexa snickered as an idea formed in her head. “I believe Dan’s right. You said something first, so technically you are the jinx, Golden Boy.”

  A pout came to Loki’s face as everyone chuckled. Though, it didn’t last long and changed to a grin as they led a subdued subject outside.

  Jon stepped up to Dan. “I’ve got him.” He took a firm grip on Taper to escort him out of the center.

  Dan let Jon take the subject without protest. He hung back, allowing the others go in front of him. He kept a smile plastered on his face, partly because Loki was covered in onion rings, golden yellow sugar, and oil. However, his smile concealed the fact his chest throbbed from Loki’s tackle. He didn’t want to let on to Loki that his takedown, done with the best intentions, caused him pain.

  Outside Circles Training Center – 1:45 p.m.

  “Dad!” Jayna cried tearfully as her father’s loving arms enveloped her.

  Victor held Jayna close. Nothing in this world, not even hockey, mattered at this moment except his daughter was safe. He crooned, “I love you, sweetie. You’re safe now.”

  Jenny, Becky, Kim, and Hayley were pulled into the arms of their parents and hugged within an inch of their lives.

  As Jon brought Taper out, Nick allowed Mallory
’s wife and daughter to hug him and spend a few moments with him before Taper was put in the back of a patrol car.

  Bram sealed the rifle into an evidence bag held by Constable Gredzeni. Then put Loki’s sugar coated MP5 in a bag. Loki should have fun cleaning it.

  Nick’s eyes almost popped out of his head, and an amused expression covered his face as Lexa, Dan, and a very golden and glittery Loki exited the building. Nick asked Jon with a little in disbelief in his tone, “Are those onion rings?”

  Jon chuckled. “Yep! He was buried in them and golden sugar.”

  Reaching the SUVs, Lexa couldn’t suppress her grin as she stared at Loki. When Dan stopped near her, she glanced at him. She thought she glimpsed a quick wince. “What was the crashing sound?”

  “Loki sliding into the shelves.”

  “No, before that,” Lexa clarified.

  Before Dan could answer, he was ringed by five golden-blonde teenage girls and hugged. Dan’s eyes widened in surprise and pain as the girls who had been around the table all squeezed him tight.

  With a smile at first, Lexa watched the spontaneous appreciation the five girls gave Dan. But when she definitely saw him wince she stepped forward and in a kind but firm voice said, “That’s enough girls.”

  They all stepped back and blushed. Jayna said, “Thank you for saving us. I hope you weren’t hurt when the other cop tackled you.”

  Dan blushed a bit at the attention. “I’m glad you all are okay. If you will excuse me now.” Then Dan headed to the SUV where Loki was still trying to dislodge onion rings and brush off sugar with Ray’s assistance.

  Lexa had her answer now. Loki tackled Dan. His chest must be hurting him again. She opened the back of the vehicle and rummaged in her go bag. She shook out two pills, recapped the vial, and grabbed four water bottles.

  She joined Dan, Ray, and Loki then handed Loki and Ray waters. Lexa covertly slipped her hand into Dan’s and held it a moment as she transferred the medication to him then gave him the bottle of water. “I’ll drive.”

  Dan was surprised when he felt the pills in his hand. He turned to Lexa, as a strange look entered his eyes. His words were heartfelt, “Thanks, Lexa. Exactly what I needed.” Dan swallowed the painkillers as his mind reflected Lexa’s action. How did she know? Am I slipping in my ability to conceal my emotions? Should I open up to her? Would she think of me as weak?