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

by Laura Acton

  His training kicked in, and he created a new compartment solely for Lexa. He clamped a governor on his desire. He might not be able to end his lust-filled thoughts, but he could certainly control his actions.

  TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 4:50 p.m.

  The team, minus Loki, gathered around the long table after finishing debriefing four calls. After the jilted lover with cupid’s deadly bow, they responded to the florist shop. Mr. Callus Ball became irate because they sent his wife’s tiny bouquet of daisies to his girlfriend and the girlfriend’s three dozen roses to his wife along with the gift messages.

  Until the mix-up, neither woman knew the other existed. His spouse now wanted a divorce, while his erstwhile lover dropped him after learning he was married with five kids. Nick talked Mr. Ball into surrendering. The only thing harmed was the computer the man shot after the shop’s owner indicated a glitch in their delivery program caused the issue.

  Midway through the flower shop call, Jon rejoined them after refusing to go to the hospital to be examined. Jon insisted he was okay, but as team leader, he demanded Loki go to the ER for an x-ray of his swollen ankle.

  As the second call wrapped up, Tia informed them of a domestic violence call involving a same-sex couple. Jon raced after the subject when he dropped the knife and ran out the back door after stabbing his husband in the back. After Jon hissed in pain when he took down the fleeing subject, Boss insisted Jon go for an assessment at the emergency room. Jon almost agreed but a fourth call came in, and they raced off again. This time to Dundas Street bridge over the Don River to save a young man threatening to jump.

  Apparently, Roger Aylward became despondent because he committed all his time and energy to a failed relationship instead of school. Too focused on a girlfriend, he flunked every class in his last semester, and the current one appeared to be following the same disastrous path.

  Roger found himself in a rut, devoting all his time to his girl, and neglecting his studies. His world began to crumble and adding salt to an already festering wound, she dumped him last week for another guy. He couldn’t keep up the ruse any longer, and he feared his father and mother would reject him if he came clean about wasting their money and flunking an entire semester because of a girl. Feeling like a total loser, he believed killing himself to be the only solution.

  Ray talked Roger down and offered a supportive hand on his shoulder as the downcast man told his parents the situation. The team’s mood lightened as they viewed the parents’ genuine love for their son. Their sympathetic and compassionate attitude revealed they cared more about him than whether he botched a few classes.

  As he observed the father hugging his son, Dan wondered what it would’ve been like if the general ever bothered to support him. All the general cared about was a positive outcome. Failures would never be acceptable. He tried to measure up for so long, to be a good soldier—a perfect soldier. Never once had his father ever asked about his hopes and dreams. His life path was mapped out from the day of his birth. Broderick males were military men until their dying day—that is until Dan put an end to an eight-generation tradition by leaving the military young, able-bodied, and alive.

  When the fourth call’s comments came to a close, Dan braced for Hardy to lay into him now for his failure at Serena Grundy Park. He anticipated Jon doing so when they discussed the call, but he didn’t. They moved on to call number two without Jon saying a single word to him regarding his actions. A disconcerting new tactic which put him on edge, wondering when the hammer would fall.

  TRF HQ – Dispatch Desk – 4:50 p.m.

  Tia glanced up when an attractive woman entered. “May I help you?”

  Jacqueline Ridgewater smiled at the officer behind the desk. Her voice distinctly cultured and polished, like the rest of her. “Yes, please. Is Daniel Broderick here today and perchance available?”

  “He’s here, but his team is busy at the moment.”

  “I can wait a few moments. Perhaps you know how long he will be?”

  Tia spotted Jon, Bram, and Nick strolling out of the conference room and overheard Sarge order Jon to get checked out now because Jen would not appreciate him missing their date if he ended up stuck at the ER. Jon acquiesced, and Bram offered to drive him before Sarge returned to the others. Standing, Tia said, “He may be done. Give me a moment to check. Who can I say is waiting?”

  Jacqueline set her designer purse on the counter. “Tell him, JD is here.”

  TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 4:55 p.m.

  Tia breezed into the room noting Ray, Lexa, and Dan’s tired demeanor. She felt the same way. Today the teams had been run ragged. So exhausted after her first Valentine’s Day shift as a TRF dispatcher ended last year, she bailed on her boyfriend’s plans for Valentine’s night on the town. He didn’t take dismissal well, and they broke up a few weeks later.

  “Hey, Dan, there’s a JD here to see you.” The surprise which lit Dan’s face caused Tia to smile.

  Still stuck on the perplexing issue of why Jon let him off the hook for his actions today, Dan sought a reason. Possibly Jon hurt more than he let on and didn’t possess the energy to lay into me—yet! Tia caught him off guard when she told him who was here and he gawked at her in disbelief.

  He rose and strode out of the room following Tia. He knew Ray’s and Lexa’s eyes followed him. Fate treated him with capriciousness. What are the odds JD would show up here after I let the others assume the initials to be the name of a friend rather than Jack Daniels? I haven’t seen JD since she was twelve—my last Christmas with Bella and her family.

  Sauntering to the doorway to sneak a peek at Dan’s visiting friend, Lexa stood partially concealed not wanting her nosiness to be too obvious. Might be interesting to meet someone with a long-term relationship with Dan.

  Ray scooted his chair back, wanting a glimpse the woman Dan went out with several days ago. Dan turned down Loki’s invite for a drink because of a date with someone named JD. His curiosity escalated when presented the chance to check out the type of woman the rookie dated since Dan never shared any particulars about the women.

  He could tease Loki later about missing out on JD and regale him with details. Loki would need some cheering up after yet another disaster in the woods. We need to start leaving Loki in the command truck when we work calls in forested areas.

  TRF HQ – Dispatch Desk – 4:55 p.m.

  Dan noted the exceptional changes in Jacqueline Ridgewater. JD, short for Junior Dame, his pet name for Jacqueline when she was twelve, had blossomed a gorgeous lady. JD had grown into her long legs and no longer resembled the awkward pre-teen he remembered. The twenty-two-year-old granddaughter of Grand Dame Marbella Ridgewater now reminded him of Bella at that age.

  Her light blonde hair accented her honey-brown eyes and brought to mind Bella’s wedding photo which hung in her sitting room. Dressed to the nines in a flowing dress which stopped at mid-thigh and spikey, bright pink heels, JD exuded femininity, vitality, and refinement … everything he expected from a Ridgewater lady. He noted her pink nail polish matched her dress, shoes, and lipstick, but he found himself drawn to her face which shone with pure joy.

  Befuddled by her unexpected presence, he became anxious at the possibility something might’ve happened to Bella, but he quickly discounted those thoughts as JD continued to beam at him. The sight of her brought back memories of the only happy times of his teen years.

  Bitter feelings rose in him which he attempted to quell. He had eagerly anticipated JD’s occasional letters the first three years in Special Forces, but like everyone else, she stopped writing to him. Her presence now puzzled him for several reasons. Why would she bother to visit me? And how did she find me? I didn’t contact anyone since returning to Canada … not even Bella.

  Jacqueline’s heart pitter-pattered at a mere glimpse of Danny. Oh boy, she had an intense case of puppy love as a teenager. She spent hours upon hours dreaming they would marry and live happily ever after, even though Dan never shared he
r romantic notions.

  He always treated her like a sibling, a pesky little sister. Danny teased her mercilessly and called her JD which bugged her a lot back then. Well, she deserved the teasing, she annoyed him. No sixteen- to eighteen-year-old guy wanted to be bothered by a preteen girl who openly stared at him with dopey, love-struck eyes and trailed after him all the time.

  Her crush died a painful death when he quit returning her letters. A bitter pill to swallow at the time, but Grandmère helped her understand his job was demanding, and he might not have time to indulge in maintaining correspondence with her. Her adoration of him transformed over the years, and she now viewed him as a much loved older brother.

  Jacqueline waited until Dan got half way to her when her dignified composure took a nose-dive, and she raced to him. Unable to hold back any longer, she launched herself at him. With a voice loud enough to carry into the briefing room she said, “Danny, I just had to see you again. I couldn’t wait a minute longer.”

  Dan caught JD as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him solidly on the lips. Shocked by her greeting, he pulled back when he heard Ray’s whistle. Softly, he asked, “How’d you know I work here?”

  Realizing she behaved with youthful abandon, not very ladylike, Jacqueline unwrapped herself from Dan. Though the fact Danny embraced her for several moments made her heart happy. Lowering her voice to a dignified level, thus making their conversation private, she said, “We only returned from France this morning, and Grandmère mentioned in passing you are now living here again. I really wanted to see you. It’s been way too long, Danny.”

  Mixed emotions warred in Dan. Anger at being abandoned by everyone who once cared fought with pleasant youthful memories of time spent with Bella’s family. How did Bella find out I’m here? The answer came to him. Bella always keeps tabs on me. She must’ve used one of her many connections to locate me. He struggled for words and settled for a pointless and obvious comment. “You’re grown up now.”

  Grinning, Jacqueline spun around then leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Yep, all grown and getting married in four months. I always thought I would marry you, but Xavier came along and swept me off my feet.”

  The glint of happiness in JD’s eyes was unmistakable. Bitterness fell away as he put the past where it belonged … out of his mind. Smiling, he gently pulled JD into a quick hug. “Xavier’s one lucky man. I assume Bella approves.”

  “Yeah, she had Wilson check him out. He passed muster. Dad and Wilson scared the heck out of him on our first date. Wilson sat cleaning his Sig while Dad glared at Xavier and gave him the third degree. Though, I think Grandmère intimidated him the most.”

  Dan chuckled lightly. “No one would dare cross the Grand Dame, especially if they want to live.”

  Producing a pouting countenance, Jacqueline said, “I want to stay and catch up, but you’re working, and I’m meeting Xavier for dinner at Chez Larousse. I stopped by since I don’t know where you live or have your number. I hoped you would be here because I want to invite you to my wedding. Will you come?” She gave him the puppy dog eyes she manipulated him with when she was ten and begged him to include her in whatever he might be doing.

  A lopsided grin grew. “No need for those soulful eyes. I wouldn’t miss your wedding. Send me the details, and I’ll arrange time off if I can.”

  “Fantastic! Where should I send the info?”

  Dan withdrew one of his cards, the ones he gave to victims or when arrestees demanded his name. He turned it over and wrote his personal cell number. “Text them to me here. You can give this number to Bella too.”

  “Hand me your phone.” JD held out her hand, and when Dan gave her his mobile, she entered her number. “Now you’ve got my number too.” Returning his phone, JD scanned the people in the room Dan exited. “Wish I had time to say hi to your team. Perhaps another time. Don’t be a stranger.”

  She kissed him on the cheek then turned and glided over to the counter to pick up her purse. She waved and smiled at the officer sitting at the desk. Turning back to Dan she graced him with a bright smile. “I hope work doesn’t prevent you from coming.” JD hurried out realizing she would be dreadfully late now, but Xavier would forgive her when she told him why.

  Dan’s eyes followed her exit. Without a doubt, JD’s exterior changed significantly, but her sweetness and bubbly personality remained the same. His heart forgave her for not writing. He realized she had her own life and writing to him would have been low on her priority list as a teenager. Dan turned back towards the briefing room, and he found three sets of eyes on him.

  Ray whistled again. “Man, Loki’s gonna wish he had not missed this. You gotta date with her again tonight?”

  Dan shrugged, better to let Ray believe his assumption than explain his past.

  Nick liked the idea of Dan making new friends … or at least engaging with others. All Ray’s and Loki’s teasing must be true … Dan sure drew ladies to him. Nick’s mouth upturned at his next thought. One of the single members of my team has a hot date tonight. He hoped they ended shift on time so Dan could meet her as planned.

  The green-eyed monster of jealousy rose in Lexa. JD is a woman! To be exact, a tall, sexy woman with long blonde hair, tanned skin, and manicured nails. He ate a burger with me and went out drinking with her? Drinking buddy? Yeah, right?! More like a horizontal tango buddy! He is a real player.

  Lexa gradually released a breath as her rational mind kicked in. This is better. Whatever attraction exists between us can never be acted upon. Dan almost kissed me during a call … that can never happen. A leggy, blonde, resolves the problem.

  As she turned to resume her seat, Tia said, “Sarge we have a critical call in Briarwood Estates, a child abduction. Do you want Alpha Team to take this one or should I call up Charlie Team early?”

  Nick strode to the dispatch desk to obtain details. He decided his team would respond but asked Tia to up Colton’s team also since Alpha was currently missing three team members.

  The team, less Bram, Jon, and Loki, rushed to gear up as Tia relayed the address to them then paged the members of Sergeant Harmon’s team.

  Portals to a Man’s Soul

  27

  February 14

  Outside Ballard Residence – 8:00 p.m.

  Lexa and Dan carried the last of the technical equipment from the home of Floyd and Marlene Ballard to the SUV. Charlie Team joined Alpha Team for this call. The child abduction turned out to be totally different than all suspected at the beginning. Fifteen-year-old Madison Ballard freely ran off with her History teacher, thirty-two-year-old Lee Coleman.

  One of the neighbors had called it in when she witnessed Madison rushed into a car by an adult male. With the recent news reports of two child abductions, she was on high alert. Madison did not appear too happy with being at home again or that Lee, her intended, was now in jail. But Coleman broke the law even if Madison left with him voluntarily.

  Boss and Ray were inside with the parents, providing them information on available counseling. Colton’s team already left on another call. All that remained to be done was for them to pack up, drive back to headquarters, and call it a day. Boss said they would debrief in the morning.

  Lexa stewed as she packed up. She was not happy her mind wouldn’t let go of the fact that JD was a woman. Dan does not belong to me. He’s free to date anyone he wants. It is much better this way.

  She put the last of the monitoring equipment in the back of their SUV and rolled her shoulders as she ambled toward the door. With her muscles still a bit sore, she wanted to head home and take a long, hot soak in her tub and to relax after another go, go, Valentine’s Day.

  Dan followed Lexa to the vehicle endeavoring to understand her current frame of mind. She seemed out of sorts again. She barely talked to him during the call. She ran hot and cold with him today, and he couldn’t figure out why. Lexa remained an enigma to him.

  At the SUV’s door, Lexa fumbled with the keychain as she du
g it out of her pocket. Failing to grasp the ring properly, the fob dropped and skittered under the truck. Annoyed at her clumsiness, she bent over to retrieve them, and she realized her task became more difficult as the object of her search lost its reflective illumination. With the sunset hours ago, and the closest streetlight burnt out, this part of the road was dark, and the only light came from the dim interior light of their vehicle.

  After placing his MP5 in the back, Dan closed the hatch while Lexa strode for the driver’s side. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a movement. He started to call out a warning to Lexa. He only got out, “Lexa, watch—”

  Dan’s caution came too late as Lexa leaned over reaching for her flashlight to illuminate and locate the keys more easily. Before she was able to react, something hard slammed into her and her body twisted as she hit the ground.

  Unable to stop the inventible, Dan witnessed a teenager riding a skateboard crash into Lexa. Both Lexa and the teen fell to the asphalt in a tangle of arms and legs. He rushed towards Lexa.

  At the time of impact, Lexa had been bent at an odd angle causing her ankle to twist as she fell inducing a small yelp of pain. It took her a moment to register another person hit her and a few more to realize the individual's age. She recognized the buzzing noise, first presenting itself as she became cognizant of her surroundings, was the voice of the youth continuing to apologize profusely for the mishap. His message began once he righted himself and anxiety keep it looping.

  In the next moment, her sight became obstructed entirely with one face. Dan’s worried and concerned countenance took up the whole field of her vision. His wholly unguarded expression struck Lexa. Wow, more than just his sapphire eyes can express emotion.