by Laura Acton
“Stay safe out there,” Loki called out as his team, and the guys from Echo hustled out of the room as Boss said, “Dennis, can you patch me through to the caller?”
Donata clasped Dante’s hand. “Are they off to save the world?”
Dan and Ray peered at Loki’s ma. That was the most English she spoke in ages. Typically, she used Italian.
“Yes, Ma. You’ve been studying.” Loki put his hand over hers.
“Sì, mio caro ragazzo.” Donata turned to Dan. “You come stay with Dante and me when you are released. I can practice English with you.”
Hesitant to accept the offer, primarily because he wouldn’t be able to see Lexa after work, Dan started to decline. “Thank you—”
Donata beamed and clasped his hands. “Fantastico! You make me so contento.” She pinched his face. “I fatten you up. Feed you buon cibo.”
Loki chuckled and shared a glance with Ray. Dan was in for the full Ma treatment. He wondered how Dan would cope with the full-on Italian mother-henning. It could be overwhelming … even for him and she was his ma.
Bowled over by Loki’s ma happiness, Dan acquiesced graciously with a nod and didn’t finish his original statement. He lay back as the dear lady began rapid-fire questions to Loki about when they would be coming home, made plans for picking them up, and setting up the guest room for him.
After a bit, Ray rose, noting both his teammates needed rest, he said to her, “Shall I drive you home? Visiting hours are almost up.”
Turning to Ray, Donata brightened. “You are such a bravo ragazzo.”
Ten minutes later, Dan and Loki both released a soft sigh, enjoying the quiet. Though a welcome diversion, visitors left both tuckered out. Dan glanced around at all the cobblers and pressed his call button. When their evening nurse, Betty, entered, he said, “I wondered if you might distribute most of these cobblers to the staff breakrooms. No way Loki and I can eat all this, and it would be a shame for the desserts to go to waste.”
Betty smiled and nodded. “So sweet and generous, Dan. How about I put one in our fridge here in case you want more?”
Dan pointed to the one from Jarmal’s restaurant. “I’ll keep this one.”
Once all the desserts had been taken away, Dan turned to Loki. “Your ma spoke a lot more English.”
Loki grinned without opening his eyes. “Ma decided she wants to be more independent and learning English became important. I set her up with an online language course as a birthday present in August. Ma delved into it with gusto. Spends hours each day practicing.”
He turned and opened his eyes. “Glad you accepted. Though fair warning, if you think we are mother hens … well, Ma’s us on steroids.” He snickered at Dan’s widening eyes. Sobering he said, “I can show you my file while you’re there, but we need to make sure Ma is sleeping before we discuss anything.”
“Copy.” Dan blew out a breath and settled back. He wondered again what Loki found which made him believe his stepfather murdered his father. Soon though, his mind moved on to the comparisons between Loki’s childhood and Brody’s. Both endured abusive fathers yet turned out to be nothing like them. Each possessed a kind and generous heart.
Dan drifted to sleep wondering if he would be able to either prove or disprove Loki’s theory and hoped the outcome didn’t harm Loki’s relationship with his mother or sisters.
St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1033 – 11:40 p.m.
Laughter filled the air as Dan ran for cover after launching a successful volley of water balloons on Vickey’s and Jeff’s position. His legs carried him speedily out of range and back to his, Scott’s, and Sara’s fortress. Reaching safety, he crouched down and beamed at his little sister and his favorite cousin. “Got em. Mission Drench Jeff complete, sir,” he reported. Scott’s reply was interrupted.
“Danny, wake up. Now! Dan, open your eyes. Danger!” Brody yelled.
Incongruent timelines roused Dan. Brody couldn’t be with him … they didn’t meet when he was a kid. Dan’s eyes cracked open, and he found himself in a hospital room. A movement to his left caused him to turn his head. In the dim light of the room, he spotted someone near Loki’s bed. A fraction of a second later, Dan launched himself at the man, heedless of his IV and condition.
Taken by surprise, the syringe flew from Ramon’s hand as he knocked into the bed frame and crashed to the ground.
Unaware he ripped out the IV, Dan wrapped both arms around the man, taking him to the floor. As they landed, the full weight of the man slammed on his injured wrist, causing pain to shoot up his arm, giving his opponent an opening to gain the upper hand.
The sounds of a fight pulled Loki from his deep sleep. He awoke in time to catch sight of a man kneeing Dan in the groin, and as his teammate rolled to the side, the man rose and stomped on Dan’s right wrist. “Help, we need help in here. Call the police!” Loki shouted as he threw the covers off himself to assist Dan.
Ramon grabbed his hat and pulled it low before rushing out of the room. His plan now in shambles, it was better to beat a fast retreat. If he got caught, Machete would order his execution.
Curling up on the cold linoleum, Dan attempted to cradle both his throbbing hand and groin. In a world of pain, he almost lashed out at Loki when he knelt next to him.
“Hey, hey, easy. It’s me Loki. Help is coming.” Loki clamped his hand over Dan’s former IV location to stem the bleeding. He had a million questions but decided to wait to ask any until after his friend was taken care of. When Betty dashed in, Loki said, “Some guy attacked him. Alert security.”
Medical personnel filled the room, along with a hospital security guard. Dan was lifted to his bed and whisked out for an ultrasound to check for any internal damage and an x-ray of his wrist after Loki described what he witnessed.
Head pounding from the incident, Loki grabbed his phone before lying back on his pillow. He brought up his contacts and selected the person he trusted to protect Dan.
TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 11:55 p.m.
Nick grinned as he sighted the caller ID on his buzzing phone and pressed accept call. “You’re supposed to be sleeping.”
“Boss.”
The tone of Loki’s voice caused the smile to drop. “What’s wrong, Loki?”
Bram, Jon, and Lexa all turned to Boss and observed the tension take over his body as he listened.
“Okay. I’ll send a uni over now, and we are on our way.” Nick stood and motioned to the team to follow him. He stopped at the desk. “Dennis, Alpha Team is responding to an attack on our guys at St. Michael’s. Send the closest patrol unit to secure the area and patch Loki’s phone into our headsets.”
“Copy.” Dennis rapidly did as requested.
“Loki, you have the team’s ear now. Can you repeat what happened?” Nick and the others swiftly geared up as they listened.
“I’m not sure. I woke up, and Dan was on the ground wrestling with a man. The subject hit Dan in the groin and his wrist. I didn’t have a chance to talk to him before they wheeled him out. Why would someone attack him?”
Bram jogged to the SUVs with the team and said, “He has enemies. Remember the court-martials of several people are coming up. Lots of motive to go after him.”
“Wouldn’t put it past Plouffe to be pulling strings from prison.” Lexa jumped into the driver’s seat. “That man is the devil incarnate.”
“Don’t forget about Pletcher and Merrill,” Jon added as he pulled out of the parking structure with lights and sirens on and gunned the vehicle.
Nick moved them away from speculation, “Can you describe the man?”
“Nothing useful. Too dark. Average height and build. Dark hair. Grabbed a ball cap before he fled.”
“Are you alright?” Lexa asked.
“Yeah, head is pounding,” Loki replied.
“Okay. Just rest. Unis should be there momentarily. We’re about five minutes out.” Nick gripped the steering wheel tight as he reined in his worry. Becoming emotional would not d
o either Loki or Dan any good. He needed to maintain a calm and collected state of mind.
“Copy.” Loki hung up and closed his eyes. They popped open again when an orderly entered and began mopping up Dan’s blood. Why would someone attack Dan in the hospital?
Once Nick corralled his emotions, he directed, “Lexa, Bram, Brett, when we arrive, you three find Dan and provide protection. Sean, go to the security room and find out if they captured an image of the subject. Jon, Noel, you’re with me. We’ll go to their room and talk with Loki and the staff.”
Muddled Mayhem
14
January 8
St. Michael’s Hospital – Tenth Floor Hallway – 12:05 a.m.
Nick lead the others, his stride fast as he exited the elevator and headed for Loki’s room. He noted the uniform officer outside the door and a slight sense of relief filled him. He gave the man a nod as he entered Loki’s and Dan’s room, knowing Noel would be heading to the nurses’ station to interview the staff who responded to Loki’s call for help.
Jon halted at the entrance as he recognized the officer standing guard. Anger welled in him. “You’re dismissed. We don’t need your kind on this floor or anywhere near my teammates.”
Bristling at the dismissiveness and hard-edge to the TRF officer’s tone, Constable Dane Gould eyed the bald man as recollection gradually dawned on him. Hatred for the man grew … he received a demotion after the traffic stop and only wished he could mete out some revenge on Broderick and Hardy without screwing up his career more.
Hearing Jon’s harsh tone, Nick stopped and returned to the portal, confused by Jon’s statement. “Jon, what’s the issue?”
Jabbing a finger towards Gould, he explained, “This is the asshole who rammed Dan into the cruiser when I was pulled over for a broken taillight after Kent’s Christmas concert.”
Eyeing the officer, Nick spoke in a civil tongue, though he didn’t want to. Jon had shared with him what happened, privately of course, worried there might be retaliation against him or Dan for the disciplinary measures meted out to the officers involved in the poorly handled incident. “Constable Gould, please position yourself at the elevator. We have the room secured.”
“Yes, sir.” Gould strode away, seething. I’ll seek my revenge soon. Broderick doesn’t deserve to be a cop, and high-and-mighty Hardy will be taken down a peg.
St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1033
Nick pivoted to reenter the room. “Let’s focus on finding who attacked Dan.” Approaching Loki’s bed, he inquired, “How are you doing?”
Loki opened his eyes. “Been better.”
Noting Loki’s scrunched eyes, Jon queried, “Do you need pain meds?”
“Yeah but didn’t want to take them until after you got here.”
Nick pushed the call button. “Don’t start acting like Dan.”
“Hey, just ‘cause I wanted to be clear-headed when you arrived, doesn’t mean I’m a masochist like him. Give me painkillers any day.” Loki gave them a grin, but the jackhammer in his head caused him to squeeze his eyes shut.
When the intercom answered, Nick relayed, “Loki is in substantial pain.”
“His nurse will be there in a few moments,” the disembodied voice replied.
“Can you tell us anything more?” Jon focused on the issue while they waited.
“Not much. I woke up to the sounds of grunts. Dan and a guy were on the floor wrestling for dominance. Dan’s IV was ripped out. They exchanged a couple of blows but the attacker played dirty and kneed Dan’s groin, and when the dirtbag stood he stomped on Dan’s wrist. I should’ve raced after the guy to identify him, but Dan appeared to be in so much pain I went to him first.”
Nick patted Loki’s shoulder. “You did the right thing. In your condition, if you tried to pursue him, you could’ve ended up hurt too.”
Entering with the medication, Betty smiled at Loki. “About time you agreed to take this. For a moment I thought you were becoming difficult like Dantastic. One of him is enough for anyone to deal with.”
Nick and Jon grinned at Betty, well acquainted with her from Dan’s time on this floor after he was shot in the chest.
After injecting the dose of heavy duty painkillers, Betty checked Loki’s vitals before she turned to Sergeant Pastore. “He’ll be sleeping and pain-free soon. Dantastic was taken to diagnostics to determine if there is any renewed bleeding in his kidney and for an x-ray of his arm.”
Jon probed, “Did any of the staff catch a glimpse of the man?”
“I did, but only from the back. He wore jeans, a black jacket, and a red cap. Wish I could help more.” Betty sighed. “If you will excuse me, I must attend to another patient.”
Loki’s eyes became heavy, and he slurred out, “Tell Dan I’m sorry I didn’t stop the guy from hurting him.” Relief of a drug-induced slumber claimed him.
Nick pulled off his hat and rubbed his face. “How did anyone know Dan is here? Their names were not broadcast. Gambrill made certain to withhold their identities.”
Jon blew out a breath. “No clue, but we’re damn well gonna find out.”
St. Michael’s Hospital – Diagnostics – 12:05 a.m.
A loud, “No!” clued Lexa and Bram into exactly which room Dan occupied. Without permission, both strode in, while Brett took up a guard post outside the room. Both Bram’s and Lexa’s hearts went out to Dan. He held himself rigidly as he vehemently rejected an attempt to start another IV. They noted the sweat beading on his forehead as his panicked eyes locked on the needle in the nurse’s hand.
With more force than he meant to use, Bram pulled the nurse away from Dan and used his body to block his teammate’s view of the terror-inducing item. “No needles.”
Annoyed and frustrated, Portia Blanchet eyed the aggressive officer. “Let go of me. I must start an intravenous line so we can inject the contrast dye.”
Bram maintained his hold. “Give us a minute to calm him down.”
“And who is he to you?”
“Our teammate.” Lexa scowled at the odious woman then approached Dan slow and careful. “Dan. Dan, it’s me, Lexa.” She ventured closer, keeping her voice calm and soothing.
Dan latched on to the familiar voice, and his eyes soon found Lexa. He sucked in a jagged breath and exhaled raggedly as his panic subsided to a manageable level. His first logical thought came out with a huge dose of anxiety, “Is Loki okay? Did I stop him in time?”
Lexa blinked somewhat confused by his statement. “Stop who?”
Catching his breath as his heart rate fell to a more normal rate, Dan said, “The man in our room. He was about to inject something into Loki. Tell me, is he alright?”
Moving to Dan’s side, Lexa lay a hand on his shoulder. “Loki’s okay. He called Boss. He said someone attacked you.”
Shaking his head, Dan gripped Lexa’s hand, needing the connection. “No. I went after the guy. I woke up to find a male in a black jacket and red cap by Loki’s bed. I spotted a needle … I acted fast.” A pink tinge of embarrassment colored Dan’s cheeks. “I screwed up and landed on my wrist allowing him to gain the upper hand. He … well, he kneed me in the family jewels. After that, I don’t recall much until Nurse Ratchet came after me with the needle.”
“My name is Blanchet. Now, Mr. Broderick, I have wasted enough time. I must start this now. Sheesh, quit being a baby and let me insert the line.”
Lexa pivoted and glared at the woman without letting go of Dan’s hand. “How dare you! How do you call yourself a nurse with an attitude like that? Get the hell out of this room now!”
“You are not in charge here,” Blanchet retorted.
Another female voice entered the mix, “She may not be, but I am.”
Portia turned, finding the brand-new Diagnostics Supervisor, Ms. Elise Smith standing behind her. “Ma’am, I’m only trying to do my job.”
Her stern glare on Blanchet, Elise calmly stated, “Not well enough. Had you taken the time to read the adverse reactions li
sted on the patient’s chart, this dialog would not be necessary! Being informed about your patient is part of your job. You’re dismissed, but our discussion will continue later. Please leave his chart and send in Ms. Rowan.”
Huffing, a disgruntled Portia shoved the chart at her supervisor and stomped out.
Elise moved around the massive constable, and a pleasant smile covered her face as her eyes focused on the blond in the bed. “Well, hello again, Blondie.”
A spike of jealousy spiked in Lexa at the familiarity and how Dan responded.
“Hi, Elise.” Dan’s body relaxed as a lopsided grin played on his lips.
Bram shared a glance with Lexa before turning his attention to Dan and Elise. Apparently, the two knew each other … from the military with her using his unit name.
Laying a gentle hand on Dan’s left bicep, a gesture she picked up from Patch, Elise said, “Wow, isn’t this a surprise. For someone who hates hospitals, you sure spend an awful lot of time in them.”
“One reason I hate them. What are you doing here?”
“Finished my tour and decided administration suited me better than floor care but nursing is in my blood, so I mixed the two. Now, if I remember correctly, we have a bit of a dilemma facing us. The IV is necessary for the tests which must be performed. How about this for a solution? An oral sedative mixed with pain reliever, and we give that time to take effect, then we do what is required.”
Dan glanced at Lexa and to Bram. “Loki is okay and being protected?”
Bram stepped to the foot of the gurney. “Boss and Jon are with him. Sean is at the security office looking for anything the cameras captured.”
His gaze returning to Elise, he nodded. “Okay.”
Noticing Dan’s solid grip on Lexa’s hand, and recognizing Dan sought the support of Lexa, Bram said, “I’m gonna step out and update Boss with Dan’s input. You stay here with Dan. Brett will remain outside the door.”
When only the three remained in the room, Lexa asked, “How do you know Dan?”
