SOLACE: Behind The Shield (Beauty 0f Life Book 2)

by Laura Acton

  “I also expect all officers in my command to take appropriate care of themselves. You are not the exception. Follow the doctor’s orders, or there will be extended light duty when you return to work. Do I make myself clear, Constable Broderick?”

  A damned order. Crap, I’m stuck in here for the duration, now. Crisply, Dan nodded and answered, “Yes, sir.” He sure as hell didn’t want limited duty. That entailed lots of paperwork, and he wouldn’t be able to do his job sitting in the command truck or at headquarters.

  Walter drew in a breath and gave Dan a curt nod before turning towards Bram and Ray. “Good evening, gentlemen.” He strode as he muttered under his breath answering Dan’s question, “No, I didn’t call her because I’m not stupid enough to throw my life away. As it is, Will’s going to have my hide hanging on his wall.”

  Bram caught part of what Gambrill muttered. The commander acted strangely—apparently something was amiss. However, he turned his attention to Dan and smiled. “Gambrill’s visited me a few times. He read me the riot act for not taking more care on a call and ending up injured. Don’t let him get you down. Though, I agree you should take more precautions with your health.”

  Ray stepped forward and lifted the paper bag. “Speaking of taking care, we brought you a burger and fries from the Fire Stick Grill. Your friend Jarmal said you’d like this one. Anything’s got to be better than the tasteless slop they serve here.” He set the bag on the table and rolled it close.

  “Has the doctor given you any indication when you will be freed?” Bram refilled Dan’s water cup.

  “When I’m off oxygen.” Dan opened the sack and withdrew the delicious smelling burger.

  “Okay. So you only need to tough it out until then.” Bram put the water pitcher down. He pulled over a chair and sat down.

  Unwrapping the hamburger, Dan inhaled the aroma deeply. A mistake which caused him to cough several times. After taking a sip of water, he bit into the spicy burger. So hungry, he chowed down several more bites and a few fries before he said, “Thanks, this hits the spot. Spicy, like I like it.”

  Ray grinned. Loki would be happy to know Dan ate what they brought. His friend became stressed out when he recognized Dan didn’t eat a single bite of his lunch. “You’re welcome. I expect by tomorrow morning Loki’s ma, Bram’s wife Kellie, and Jon’s wife Jennifer will be here with tons of food for you.”

  “Why?” Dan looked at Ray confused.

  Bram chuckled. “It’s what they do. I’ve been the recipient of some of their meals over the years. When any one of us ends up incapacitated, our hero support squad goes into high gear.”

  “Hero what?” Dan took another bite.

  Ray snorted. “Loki’s term for his ma, Jennifer, and Kellie. Loki says all comic book heroes have support staff and they’re ours.”

  As Dan eagerly consumed the juicy burger, he listened to Bram and Ray tell him about a few of the times the three ladies swooped in to take care of members of the team over the years. It sounded nice. Alpha Team was a tight-knit team, and they treated each other like family like his unit had done.

  Dan missed that aspect of his old unit the most. He wished he could turn back the hands of time and stop the bullet before it left his .50 cal. He missed his chosen family and the ache never left him. There were holes in his heart that would never heal.

  The nurse entered and smiled noticing her patient scarfing down fries. “Well, fantastic. You found something you would eat.”

  Dan smirked. “Hospital food can kill you. I’d rather starve to death. It’s less painful than being poisoned.”

  Ray looked askew at Dan. “You have the experience to back that up?”

  “Yeah,” Dan answered simply. He had experience with both starving and poisoning. If given a choice, he would take being hungry over puking his guts out for days on end. If not for Patch he would be dead after Savelievich poisoned him … no fun at all.

  Pauline spoke before Ray could ask a follow-up question. “Mr. Broderick, you need to finish so you can do your breathing treatment.”

  Wolfing down the remainder of his burger, Dan washed it down with a large gulp of water. The nebulizer entered in his mouth within a minute. Pauline was an efficient and kind nurse … the only positive in this place.

  Rising, Bram said, “We gotta get back on patrol. Lexa and Jon will stop in to check on you tomorrow before shift. I’m sure you’ll be treated to Jennifer’s breakfast sandwiches. They’re great. See you later.”

  Ray stood. “Stay in bed. No chasing the nurses. Catch ya on the flipside.”

  Since the plastic inhaler restricted speaking, Dan waved bye as the two headed out. He leaned back and closed his eyes as he continued to inhale as deep as possible. Images of his unit filtered through his mind. God, he missed his family and wondered if they were all alive. He hoped whoever took over as sniper for him kept them safe.

  His thoughts shifted to Alpha Team. Can this team genuinely accept and want me? Did Gambrill spill my secret? If so, will it be like in the Army when people found out I’m the general’s son? With his hunger sated and no answers to the questions, Dan drifted off to sleep with the mouthpiece gripped lightly between his teeth.

  Embracing the Rookie

  12

  December 18

  TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 4:00 p.m.

  Nick reclined in his chair silently observing Lexa, Dan, and Ray. Today being Dan’s first day back, he wanted to ease Dan back into physically demanding work gradually. So, he directed Ray and Lexa to review negotiation techniques with Dan. The rookie sounded a hundred times better, and he appeared more rested. The ever-present circles under his eyes were not as pronounced, but Nick still wanted Dan to take things slow for a few days.

  Fortunately, Jon shared the same opinion. Over the past three weeks, while Dan was out recovering from a lower respiratory tract infection, they realized how much they came to rely on him. Amazing the positive impact one man had on TRF in only five months. A seventh member was now deemed essential for all teams. Once Gambrill received the necessary funding, the other four teams ran trials to select an additional officer.

  Training five rookies at once would be a challenging task, but in the long run would be beneficial for everyone. Teams were now able to operate if two men were out—correction, members. Colton Harmon selected a female. Lexa no longer held the distinction of being the only woman in TRF. Though, she was still a rarity as most SWAT units didn’t include women.

  Previously, when comprised of only six members, a team being down two meant at least one off-duty TRF officer needed to come in to cover, or the team would be removed from most critical calls. Those actions messed with everyone’s schedules and made responding to situations difficult. So, seven became the new norm.

  Witnessing Dan’s frustration level increasing with the scenario enacted by Lexa and Ray, Nick decided to intervene. “Time for a break. Lexa, why don’t you and Dan do a Timmy’s run for us? I could sure use a coffee.”

  Lexa pushed back from the table, happy for the respite. Dan struggled to distinguish the nuances revealed in the practice scenario. Going to buy coffee would provide a distractive break in the process. “Coffee sounds wonderful.”

  Ray leaned back and swiveled his chair lazily. “You’re getting there Dan. Like your marksmanship skills, negotiating takes time and practice to develop. You can’t just learn it by simply reading a book, think about the hours you spend on the gun range.”

  Closing the book, Dan nodded at Ray. He didn’t voice his thoughts, but he doubted negotiating would ever be a skill he mastered no matter how much he practiced. Dan appreciated the timing of the coffee break and followed Lexa out of the briefing room without comment.

  When only Nick and Ray remained in the room, Nick said, “Insightful words, Ray. I couldn’t have said it better. I like how you’re mentoring Dan.”

  “Thanks.” Ray broached a subject he ruminated on for weeks. “How well do you think Commander Gambrill knows Dan?”r />
  “Why do you ask?” Nick asked. A question he asked himself many times, he became curious about Ray’s query.

  Ray swung back and forth as he gathered his words. “Let’s just say some things I overheard at the hospital made me wonder if a connection exists.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well … the commander said Dan gave him more gray hairs than all his children. Children, not officers. Children is a personal term and seemed like an odd choice of words without familiarity associated.

  “Then when Gambrill reamed Dan about trying to leave, he said something about Dan’s mom having to bury another child and revealed Dan’s godmother was in tears because he was not taking care of himself properly. Gambrill also tautly declared that some Grand Dame would be furious at him and want his head on a platter. Again, all very personal. How would Gambrill be familiar with Dan’s godparents? Definitely not a relationship most people advertise.

  “It also makes me sad when I think about the comment regarding Dan’s mother burying a child. Something like that wouldn’t be in a personnel file. Gambrill and Dan must have a close relationship for him to be aware of private family matters.

  “Dan must’ve lost a sibling at some point. Those would be two hard losses—a sibling and his best friend. Dan never shares anything personal, and we certainly know nothing of Dan’s past.”

  Nick absorbed the information, remaining silent as he added these new tidbits to what Bram shared with him. Bram overheard an under the breath comment from Gambrill. The commander said ‘Will’s gonna have my hide hanging on his wall.’ Dan’s father’s first name is William, and Will is a familiar short form.

  Things began to add up. The more Nick ruminated, the more he believed Gambrill had a relationship of some sort with Dan or at least with Dan’s father. Another of Bram’s comments led him to deduce Dan’s relationship with his father is strained. He wondered if Gambrill and General Broderick worked together to put Dan on Alpha Team.

  Nick addressed Ray’s comments. “Whether Dan has a personal connection with Gambrill or not makes no difference. And Ray, we all hold back things we would rather not talk about from our pasts. We need to allow Dan to keep his past private if he so desires. I’m sure you understand.”

  Acknowledging with a slight nod, Ray gripped the chair arms tightly, causing his tanned knuckles to turn white. His history was something he desired never to resurrect. He wanted to distance himself from his dark and painful youth.

  Although, Ray would never forget Esteban Caballero’s death. At the tender age of fourteen, the Blooddrop Crew recruited Esteban and him. They were so young and naïve. All they considered was the gang offered protection in the crime-ridden area where they grew up.

  He and Esteban had been Blooddrop Crew novitiates for two years before their requisite baptism in blood was demanded. Ray’s eyes opened to the depth and breadth of the brutality and violence associated with Blooddrop Crew’s members. Their rite of passage required them to kill an innocent person.

  The night they were taken to a dilapidated warehouse for their initiation, Ray’s blood ran cold when Juan Villa, presented their intended sacrificial lamb … Father Lopez. Everyone in the neighborhood knew the affable priest who sought to offer a safe haven by running an after-school program for pre-teens. The same program both boys had attended from age six to twelve. No way he or Esteban could murder Father Lopez or any other person.

  The Blooddrop’s turned on them, dismissing their refusal as weakness. Unable use an illegal act extort compliance, Juan deemed them a liability and sentenced them to the same fate. Esteban jumped in front of Father Lopez as Juan aimed the gun at him. Stunned, Ray stood still, peering down as Esteban bled out from a wound in his stomach. Lost in shock and grief, unaware of his mortal danger, he was knocked down and shielded by Father Lopez as the bullets flew.

  When the gunfire ended, he and the padre had been shot several times, and his best friend was dead. Ray recognized he was only alive today because a TRF team passing by the warehouse on their way back from a prank call heard the shots. TRF arrested many of the gang’s members that night.

  While recovering from his wounds, Ray told the Guns and Gangs unit every detail he learned about Blooddrop Crew and their activities. No charges were ever brought against him since he had not done anything illegal.

  Father Lopez survived and became a source of inspiration for him, as did the TRF officers. Their unwavering support fueled his goal to join TRF. Unfortunately, his past gang affiliation almost sidelined his dream, but Nick’s faith never faltered, and he bucked management going to bat for him.

  The Boss’ vote of confidence Ray would always remember, and was one reason he would keep mentoring Dan. Their rookie also deserved a chance. They treated him horribly for months. Ashamed of his prior actions toward Dan, Ray spoke with Father Lopez a few times seeking guidance. Each time the priest ended their conversations with ‘Restitution not retribution. It is up to God to judge.’ Sound counsel which Ray tried to apply.

  Ray put his memories away and pushed out of the chair. “I’m gonna go find Loki and tell him Lexa and Dan are doing a coffee run.”

  Nick nodded and turned his attention to his monthly paperwork. His mind noodled on the connection between Dan and Gambrill a bit longer but left it as he delved into completing his paperwork to avoid having to stay late after shift to finish.

  Timmy’s – 4:15 p.m.

  Lexa studied Dan while they waited. She took every opportunity to find out more about him. However, this was the first time they had been alone since she discovered the commander’s number in his phone. She muted her headset and motioned for Dan to do the same.

  After Dan muted, she said, “I wanted to ask you something. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

  The expression on Lexa’s face worried Dan as she nervously bit her lower lip. “Ask. If I can, I’ll answer.”

  The response provided was encouraging yet cryptic. Lexa worried her lip a tad more trying to choose the right phrasing. She settled on, “When I put the numbers in your phone, I saw—”

  Dan interrupted. “You saw the Gambrill’s number. Why did you lie to the rest of the team?”

  Surprised, Lexa realized Dan effectively turned the tables on her without answering. She stumbled out, “I … well … I didn’t want to say anything, none of their business. I’m aware it isn’t Gambrill’s work number, lacks the TRF prefix. Why do you have his private number?”

  Dan tried to think how he might answer truthfully without giving away his affiliation. His mind now clearer he came up with a way. “The number is the one the commander called me from when he contacted me to arrange a time to meet him at TRF headquarters for my first day. I saved his number in case I needed to contact him for any reason.”

  Reasonable explanation, nothing sinister after all. Lexa smiled. “Okay.” Switching her gaze to the menu, she said, “Have you ever tried their chocolate chunk cookies? They’re delicious. The chocolate chunks are huge.”

  Dan relaxed somewhat when Lexa accepted his answer. “I prefer their oatmeal raisin spice ones, but they don’t include walnuts. I like lots of walnuts and raisins in my cookies. The version you made me tasted better than Jarmal’s and his are fantastic.”

  Lexa stored that piece of personal trivia and a little zing coursed through her when he said he liked her cookies. “What made them better?”

  Dan grinned. Sexy Lexie baked them. He recognized he couldn’t say what he thought here and now, and maybe never. So, he said, “Jarmal adds protein powder to his version. Changes the flavor, but helped me regain my weight and provided me energy to do physical therapy during my recoveries.”

  Shocked at how quickly he revealed details, Dan clamped his mouth shut. He never readily shared his past with anyone except Brody, but he just spilled out his guts to Lexa. Why?

  Lexa stepped up to order the coffees as she marveled at the information her simple cookie question netted. She added two chocolate chu
nk and two oatmeal cookies to their order because, in her eyes, Dan still appeared too thin. He could use the extra calories. When the perky barista delivered the sweet snacks to her, Lexa handed the bag to Dan. “My treat. You still need to regain some weight.”

  Dan snorted. “I put on ten pounds in the last two weeks. You should’ve seen the amount of food Jon, and Jennifer brought over on the day the doctor released me from the hospital. My freezer is still full.”

  Lexa laughed. “Our hero support squad at their finest. A few years ago, my fridge overflowed with delicious food after a subject hit me with a crowbar and broke three of my ribs. I had enough to eat for two months.”

  Dan gave Lexa a slight, lopsided smile. “They’re all fabulous cooks. I enjoyed Mrs. Baldovino’s lasagna. Bram’s wife makes a delicious beef stroganoff. Jon’s wife also brought me a bunch of breakfast sandwiches. I’m not sure what makes them so tasty.”

  He picked up one of the trays which held four of the coffees. Lexa grabbed the other one holding three cups. They started to leave, but Dan stopped and returned to the cashier.

  After putting down the tray, Dan pulled out his wallet. He grinned at the friendly woman behind the counter. He spoke to her several times in the past months and found out she was working her way through university. He fished out a five-dollar bill. “Sorry, almost forgot. Thanks, Venetia. Hope the studying is going well.”

  Venetia beamed at the handsome officer. He always treated her kindly and tipped exceptionally well. “Spending long hours cramming for finals. I’ll be happy when the semester is over, and I can sleep during Christmas break. Thanks for asking, as always.”

  Dan put the money in the tip jar. “I’m sure you’ll ace your finals. Enjoy your break.” Retrieving the coffee tray, he pivoted and rejoined Lexa who waited near the door.

  Lexa viewed the interaction is some disbelief. Dan called the barista by name and was aware she attended school. She had been coming here longer than Dan and only knew the woman’s name because of the name tag. But then again, Dan attracted the attention of a lot of women. It shouldn’t surprise her he would be familiar with the woman, she is attractive after all. Lexa wondered if perhaps Dan had slept with Venetia. She pushed the thought away as her little devil cackled in a sing-song voice, “Jealous, jealous, jealous.”