by Laura Acton
“You can join me, but I’m staying with her.”
“Why?”
“She may have a nightmare. I did after Sara.” Dan left the rest unsaid.
Understanding, Lexa nodded. “I’ll grab us pillows from the spare room.”
Winds smiled at Blaze. “I give them one year.”
“Only one?” Blaze snorted. “At least two. They have things to work out first. Like not keeping their relationship secret from their team.”
January 16
Bram’s Home – Girls’ Room – 2:35 a.m.
Whimpers woke Dan, who slept lightly keeping an ear out for the girls. Expecting the sounds to come from Leslie, he discovered the sad sobs came from Emilie. Rising, he went to sit on the edge of her bed. “Hush, little one. You’re safe.” He gently caressed her back, hoping his touch would calm her.
Emilie’s eyes fluttered open, and she sniffled. “Allie got hurt bad.”
“I know, sweetie, but she is okay.” Emilie’s outstretched arms caused Dan to lift her into his lap and cuddle her as she drifted off again.
Bram’s Home – Girls’ Room – 6:00 a.m.
Lexa’s alarm sounded, and she reluctantly opened her eyes, focusing on her cell phone to shut off the annoying beeping. Sitting up, her muscles not too happy about spending the night on the floor, she realized Dan no longer slept next to her.
Her gaze moved to Leslie’s bed first, but only found Bram’s oldest. Turning to the opposite side of the room a smile broke out as she took in the sight. Dan lay on his back with five-year-old Emilie sprawled on top of him, using him as a pillow. Dan’s left arm wrapped around Emilie, securing her in place.
Noting Emilie’s ear rested over Dan’s heart, she understood how comforting that position could be. She enjoyed the regular slow cadence of his heartbeat and the warmth which radiated from him when he slept. For some reason she couldn’t fathom, it always provided her with a sense of safety, as if no harm would befall her while in his strong yet gentle arms.
Unable to resist, she took several pictures. She sent one to Bram with a text which read, Sleeping Beast protecting one of the princesses. She rose and went to check on Sharlie, certain the eighteen-month-old would be waking soon and require a diaper change.
Bram’s Home – Kitchen – 7:30 a.m.
Dan wiped down the table, removing sticky jam from Sharlie’s and Emilie’s places as Blaze cleaned off two sets of jam covered faces and hands. Leslie bounded in with the art supplies and said to her sisters, “We’re gonna make cards for Allie to make her feel better like we did when Uncle Dan was in the hospital.”
After setting the bucket of markers, crayons, glitter pens, and colored pencils on the kitchen table, Leslie slid a piece of pink paper to Emilie. “Here, use pink. Allie’s favorite color.”
Reaching for a purple marker, Emilie said, “Purple too.” She stopped and peered earnestly at Blaze. “Are you going to make her a card?”
“Sure. What should I say?” Blaze pulled a sheet of yellow construction paper out of the box Leslie brought in.
Thinking for a moment, Emilie beamed. “Just draw a unicorn. She likes them, and it will make her smile.”
“Uncle Dan, are you gonna make something for Allie too?” Leslie asked.
“After I make a call. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He shot Blaze a glance and received a nod. Dan strolled out to contact Boss to inform him that he would be at HQ about nine after Jen picked up Bram’s girls. Winds left with Lexa at six forty-five to shadow her, but neither would tell the team until Dan arrived. He also needed to find a towing company to deal with his truck.
TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 9:15 a.m.
Having showered and changed uniforms quickly after arriving twenty minutes ago, Dan strode into the conference room and grinned when he noted the extra-large cup of Timmy’s coffee at his place. “Who do I thank for the coffee?”
Bram entered, carrying a box of timbits he had taken out to share with Tia. “Least I could do for the protective Sleeping Beast.”
A round of laughter confused Dan until Loki pulled out his phone and showed the text Bram forwarded to the entire team. “Don’t you be stealing my girl. Emilie’s mine,” Loki teased.
Dan chuckled as he eyed Lexa. “You’re to blame for this, aren’t you?”
Shrugging Lexa lifted her double-double and took a sip.
“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with Allie?” Dan asked as his somewhat distracted mind registered Bram was here and not at the hospital.
“Boss said you needed to talk to the team. Allie will be okay without me for an hour or so. What’s up?” Bram took his seat and passed the timbits to Jon so they could make their way around the table.
Dan took a sip, and started, “I need to share some news …” he trailed off as Tia entered.
“Excuse me, Sarge. These were delivered for you. Thought you would want them now,” Tia said as she handed over two envelopes.
Nick opened the first one and reviewed the missive. “This is the results of the health inspection of Thai Underground. They were cited for an unclean dining area, but the kitchen was spotless and all foods appropriately stored at correct temperatures. No other cases of foodborne illnesses have been reported against them.
“Though, a cook remarked a customer entered their kitchen on the day you three became sick. He reported bumping into the man and thought at first he was a new employee, but realizing he wasn’t, he shooed the intruder out.”
Jon reached for the paper. “Any description on the customer?”
“Nothing other than of Asian descent,” Nick said as he began to open the inter-departmental envelope. “This is a copy of the accident report.” He perused the contents before handing it to Jon and turning his eyes to Bram. “The witnesses indicate the driver wore a red hat. We don’t know if that is at all related to the attack on Loki.”
Dan interjected, “This is part of what I need to share with you. Plouffe might be behind these attacks.” He shared the details of the attempt on his mom’s life, Plouffe’s threats against everyone he and his dad cared about, and how the general sent Blaze’s unit to cover their six. “And yesterday, someone literally trashed my truck, and slashed all four tires.
“At first I believed it was linked to an altercation with Gould yesterday.” Keeping his past out of the explanation, Dan eyed Jon. “You remember the jerk cop who rammed me into the squad car after Kent’s concert?”
Jon nodded voicing additional commentary, “The ass was one of the patrol officers at the scene of Allie’s hit-and-run.” He kept to himself what Gould called Bram’s daughter and inquired, “What kind of altercation?”
“Nothing much, he was one of the officers I tested at the Fourteenth.” Moving the conversation forward to avoid further questions, Dan said, “Anyway, turns out it was four juvenile delinquents according to Jarmal. Loki, I forwarded you a file from him, images from his new security cameras. I’d like to locate them, tires aren’t cheap, and I want them to clean the stinking trash out of the back too if we find them today.”
Loki pulled over a laptop and logged in. Finding the file, he captured the images and set them running through facial recognition hoping for a hit.
“The damage to my truck might not be related to Plouffe, but with Tapia’s connection to the Blooddrop Crew. Well, to me, everything else strongly points to the damned major as the one pulling strings. Sorry.” Dan leaned back and sipped his brew as the team absorbed his information.
Nick shook his head and muttered, “Son of a bitch.”
Crossing his arms, Jon became lost in thought as he attempted to put all the pieces together. Nothing fit together nicely.
His knee bouncing, thinking of everything going on, Loki said, “Holy smokes, we’ve got everything but the kitchen sink.”
The team all nodded as Bram asked, “So Blaze’s guys, are they incognito? Cause I haven’t seen anyone but Blaze and Winds.”
“Yeah. They are keeping a low pro
file and won’t show themselves or get involved unless a dangerous situation arises. They are here to ensure our safety and endeavor to catch the people involved since they have not determined how Plouffe is communicating with the outside world.
“Blaze is on me. Winds is covering Lexa, and both of them will keep tabs on Alpha Team while we’re on shift. Hal’s got Bram’s family. Russ will keep an eye on Jon’s. Angus is assigned to Loki’s. Duncan will watch Ray’s. And Drake, a member of my father’s security team, will be overwatch on Boss.”
Ray believed General Broderick viewed this as a serious and viable threat since he assigned protection to them. His concerns about this being related to Alonzo Nores faded to the background, and he blew out a relieved breath.
Dan stood. “I gotta be going. More evals. Stay safe out there.” He grinned at Bram. “If Allie will be staying another night, call me. Otherwise, I’ll swing by your house later with a treat Jarmal is making her.”
“Will do.” Bram rose. “I need to go too. I’ll give you all an update later.”
Lucky Breaks
21
January 16
St. Michael’s Hospital – Allie’s Room – 10:00 a.m.
Bram cracked open the door to check if Allie was awake. Finding her watching a princess cartoon on the TV, and Kellie resting in the recliner, he entered with his hands behind his back. “Hey, sweetie.”
Allie put her finger to her lips. “Shush. Mommy’s sleeping.”
As he stepped closer to his daughter, Bram grinned and spoke softly, “Brought you a gift from Mr. Charlie.” Upon reaching the bed, he moved his right hand forward.
The squeal of delight as Allie exclaimed, “A unicorn!” jolted Kellie from sleep. Realizing the startling noise gleeful, not from a nightmare or pain, Kellie relaxed and viewed her little one snuggling a stuffed unicorn almost the same size as her child. “Where ever did you find that?” Kellie folded the blanket which had been covering her.
“Swung by Charlie’s Toy Shoppe. When I told Charlie that I wanted a little unicorn for Allie and what happened … well, he insisted on gifting this one to her and wished her a speedy recovery.”
“He is such a dear man.” Kellie stood. “How about some coffee?”
Bram nodded. “Allie, Daddy will be right outside the door talking with Mommy for a moment.” With his daughter absorbed in chatting to her new animal, Bram quietly moved with Kellie to the hall.
Kellie stopped when the door closed, and she assessed her husband, noting concealed concern. “What’s the matter?”
“I want you to casually glance down the hallway to your left and note the man in the blue shirt, jeans, and black cap, but don’t keep your eyes on him long.” As she did as requested Bram explained, “Not sure if you met Warrant Officer Oscar Halverson. He is one of Blaze’s men.”
“Why is he here?” Kellie glimpsed the man but returned her eyes to Bram.
“Hal will be providing security for you and the girls. I can’t say anything more. Just know we’re are all under protection for the time being.”
“All? All who?” Kellie didn’t understand.
“Alpha Team and our family members. How about you grab us coffee and I’ll explain a little more in the room once Allie is distracted.” Leaning down, Bram kissed his wife before embracing her and whispering, “Everything will be alright.”
Fifty-first Division – Gun Range – 12:15 p.m.
With a fifteen-minute break between groups, Dan relaxed at the desk provided him, sipping water. He tried their coffee, but it tasted terrible, and his still recovering kidney required him to limit his coffee intake anyway. He had not seen Blaze since he dropped him off, which meant the unit would truly blend in and slip into the shadows to observe.
His ringing phone caught his attention, and Dan picked it up from the table noting the caller. “Loki, you got something?”
“Yeah. All four have been in trouble with the law before. Mischief, property damage, common assault, drugs, and theft are part of their rap sheets. You’re not gonna believe who arrested them last.”
“Dane Gould.”
“How’d, oh right, you said you thought it was due to an altercation with him. What’d ya do, fail him on the exam?”
“Something like that. So, these adolescents, who are you handing off the arrest to?” Dan pulled out a sheet to write down the information so he could follow up with his insurance adjuster.
“We’re not. We’re on our way with arrest warrants for them now.” Loki beamed at Ray who drove. “Jon was livid and wants a word or two with them. They live nowhere near Jarmal’s place and all their other crimes were committed within their normal stomping grounds. He thinks Gould might’ve had something to do with this after all.”
“Let me know how it turns out. And thanks.”
“Don’t thank me. Jarmal’s the one with the cameras.”
“But he wouldn’t have installed them without you telling him how to upgrade his system.”
“Well, let’s just call it even since you are helping me with my little issue. Gotta go. We’re almost there.”
When the call ended, Dan grinned, leaned back, and sighed as he slipped off his brace to scratch an itch. Lucky break. We’re due at least one of those after all the crap happening lately.
“Sarge asked me to bring you something to eat since you’re working straight through lunch.”
Whipping toward the vaguely familiar voice, Dan tried to place the officer.
“Hope you like turkey and swiss. One of the best things at the deli. Brought various condiments too, ‘cause I have no clue what you like.”
“Thanks. Turkey is fine.” Dan noted the constable’s unease as he took the sandwich. He wondered if this might be the start of a repeat of yesterday, though the man didn’t appear to be old enough to have been around ten years ago. “Did you need something else?”
Nervous, he said. “Only to apologize.”
“For what?” Then the identity of the constable came to Dan.
“You might not recall who I am, but I certainly remember you. I’m sorry I mistreated you in Central Bank, for jerking you up and for cuffing you so tight. I ended up back at the academy after that for some remedial training.”
“Hess, Dayton Hess, right?” Dan set the sub sandwich on the desk and without thinking, reached for his wallet with his unbraced right hand. He grimaced and stopped.
“Aye, that’s me,” Dayton admitted his gaze downcast.
“How much do I owe you for the sandwich?” Dan put his brace back on wishing he didn’t need it any longer.
Dayton lifted his head. “Nothing. My treat. As I said, I’m real sorry for what I did to you.”
“Well, thanks.” Dan began unwrapping the peace offering.
The urge to explain himself further caused Dayton to say, “It’s not much of an excuse or justification for my actions, but I didn’t fare so well with my supervising training officers. I drew both Fouquet and Gould, neither are the pick of the litter, by any means. As a result, I developed some bad habits.
“After the Christmas-time traffic stop, the one where Gould roughed you up, and you threw up on him. He deserved what he got.” A hint of a smile came to Hess’s face. “I ended up getting transferred here to the Fifty-first. Finally got a lucky break. Sarge Fargusson is the best. An old-timer but he set me straight on many things. Well, I should be going. Thanks for letting me explain.”
Understanding what it was like to draw the short end of the stick for a training officer … Brogan Snow was the worst, Dan decided to accept the sincere apology. “Glad things worked out for you. No hard feelings.” He stuck out his left hand to shake. “Bit gimpy with the other one still.”
Hess shook left hands and turned to leave, happy he righted a wrong. A genuine grin lit his features as a weight lifted from his shoulders.
Dan bit into the sandwich as he flipped through the paperwork readying for the next group.
Maple Park Alternative High School �
� 12:20 p.m.
Arriving without lights and sirens, the three SUVs didn’t alert the students congregated outside in the parking area. Jon recognized this as a reform school, one for youth offenders, whose disciplinary problems at their regular schools disrupted the normal educational processes.
Riding with Boss, Jon pointed to a group of boys standing with an adult male. “Well, I’ll be damned. Team, this is our lucky day. I spotted the four near the red truck. And they are with Gould.”
Ray located the juveniles. “Is he the man wearing the black coat? He’s in civvies, are you sure that is Gould?”
“I’m sure.”
“How do you want to do this? They’ll probably rabbit. Wish Dan was here,” Loki said.
Lexa suggested, “How about Trevor and I drive around back to cut off their retreat before you move in from the front?”
“Sounds like a plan. Let us know when you’re in position.” Jon reached into a pocket of his tactical vest and pulled out a small pair of field glasses. He unfolded them and focused in on the five males. Handing them off to Nick he said, “Is that what I think it is?”
Nick peered through the binoculars. “Yes, I believe so.”
“In place,” Lexa called out.
“Team, I witnessed Gould handing an envelope filled with cash to the one in the gray jacket. Lexa, Trevor, you focus on the two boys in green. Ray, Loki, go for the ones in gray and blue jackets. Boss and I will take Gould.”
“Copy.” The team moved out and as expected the youths bolted. Jon and Nick made a beeline to Gould, who attempted to flee but stopped when they pulled their guns and aimed at him.
Dane’s hands reluctantly went up as he glared at both TRF officers and attempted to think of a plausible reason for his presence. As Hardy clamped on handcuffs, Dane snarled, “What is the meaning of this? I’m working undercover.”
“Save your breath,” Jon barked. He gripped Gould’s bicep, moving him to the SUV as the rest of his team reported apprehending the subjects. Stopping at the vehicles, Jon grinned at Nick. “Love it when a plan comes together.”
