OUTCAST: Trust, Friendship, And Injustice (Beauty 0f Life Book 9)

by Laura Acton

  “My poor boy must be hungry. Did they feed you?” Donata turned and started removing items from her special bag, the one she used to pack food for anyone in the hospital. Her bag got quite a workout last summer when everyone sat vigil while Dan was in a coma.

  “Yeah, they brought lunch.” Loki’s eyes darted to the rolling table and the covered plate which still contained some sort of mystery meat, cold mashed potatoes, mushy peas, and a hard roll.

  Lifting the cover, Donata scoffed, “This is not food.” She took the uneaten lunch to the counter near the sink and set it down. Returning to the bed, she positioned the table in front of Dante and began setting out a feast for him. “I brought some of your favorites.”

  Loki marveled not only at the massive amount of food placed before him but also the amazing progress Ma made with English. He was glad his nausea stopped before she arrived as he dug into her fabulous chicken parmesan. “Mmmmm.”

  Donata took the lid off another container then displayed two dozen chocolate cream filled cannoli to her boy. “Dessert for you to share with your team.”

  Loki grinned and spoke with a mouthful of pasta alfredo, “They’re gonna want your bread.”

  Flashing a smile, Donata pulled out another loaf. “I made enough for all.” She uncapped a small plastic dish and handed the softened butter to Dante. Next, she opened an insulated container, poured an aromatic soup into a bowl, and placed a spoon in it before putting it down next to the plate. “I made my special chicken soup too. This will fix you right up.”

  “Ma, you spoil me.”

  “My boy, I could never spoil you … your heart is too pure.”

  Loki realized she took the word literally instead of the implied meaning. “What I meant is you take such wonderful care of me … always.”

  Gazing at her son who looked so much like her beloved Leonardo, her eyes misted again. “It is you who is always caring for your sisters and me. I would be lost without you, my sweet boy. Your papa is smiling down from Heaven and beaming with pride at the man you have become.”

  Donata reached for a napkin she brought and fussed over tucking it in her son’s lap, so he didn’t spill any of the soup on the sheets, then her fingers tenderly moved the errant lock of hair from his forehead. “So like Leonardo.”

  Loki grinned. “In what way?”

  “The lock that will not stay in place. It was what attracted me to him in the first place. Leonardo was so nervous to speak to me and kept pushing it out of his face. I fell in love with him and never stopped.” Donata pulled up a chair and sat after making sure Loki had everything he needed.

  “Tell me more about Pa,” Loki requested as he savored a spoonful of soup. As Ma spoke, sharing new stories about his father, Loki sighed, happy they could now openly discuss Leonardo and eagerly learning more about his pa.

  Donata continued to talk, practicing her English while reminiscing about her youth and the joyful times she spent with Leonardo, but noted Dante’s eyes growing heavy as he finished his meal. When he nodded off, she stood, cleaned up the table, packing up the leftovers in the insulated containers so Dante could enjoy seconds later or share them with his teammates. After completing the task, Donata lowered his bed, tucked his covers around him, and kissed his cheek. “Sleep well, my precious boy.”

  Talk Before Tactics

  32

  May 10

  Nick’s Home – 3:00 p.m.

  Ray and Bram approached Nick’s door for the scheduled meeting. They had met and discussed the situation at Ray’s apartment and hashed out a plan after Bram shared his thoughts based on the advice he received from Kellie.

  At the knock on his door, Nick steeled himself to face his teammates. As he opened the door, he greeted them with a silent nod, and waved them in with his hand, pointing to the dining area where Jon awaited them.

  As Bram took a seat, a sad thought crossed his mind. We’re back at the same table where we spent nearly a week discussing and developing the ‘Proper Care and Feeding of Dantastic’ manual. Nick started to speak, but Bram held up a hand to stop him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper, unfolded and laid it in the middle of the table.

  Jon and Nick peered at the TRF motto … Talk Before Tactics.

  Bram cleared his throat, emotions thick and conflicting as he gazed at Boss and his best friend, noting their shamed, guilt-ridden expressions. Their reaction to the motto boded well as neither shifted into a defensive body position. Perhaps the team can be salvaged. “I want to start us off by saying we all value our motto. Every day we are out there, we attempt to role model these words with the public. We deal with people in the worst possible moments of their lives. We usually do an excellent job of following them.”

  He paused to collect his thoughts. This was harder than Bram imagined, but he would follow through. “We are human. Just like the strangers we help, we sometimes make terrible decisions. On occasion, we react poorly and unthinkingly to a situation … our intentions are noble, but our execution is subpar. So we are clear, Ray and I met before we came today and are in agreement on a few items.” Bram glanced at Ray, following their plan.

  Ray stared at his teammates a long moment, hoping they would remain quiet and listen to their conditions. His gaze shifted to the pastoral oil painting of the shepherd, dog, five sheep, and wolf … recalling how he once thought Jon might be the black and white border collie chasing the lone sheep into the wolf’s jaws. He wasn’t far off if Snow assumed the role of the wolf.

  Shelving his interpretation of the painting, Ray refocused on the here and now. “First, we will grant you the courtesy of listening to your explanations. Second, Loki and Kinsey will never be privy to this conversation. Kinsey does not have a vested interest in our family, and I refuse to hurt Loki by creating disillusionment in his eyes towards you two. He’s experienced enough upheaval in his life recently with finding out Narciso murdered his father, Lexa being shot, Dan abducted and beaten, and all the crap with the BDC.”

  Drawing in a breath, Ray eyed Boss and received a nod. Ray understood the connection Loki had with Nick, and although this situation disappointed him, he didn’t want Loki to lose the only father figure in his life.

  Continuing, Ray said, “Third, Bram and I will never reveal to Dan we are aware of the horrible way you treated him and the disgusting things you said to him. If he chooses to tell us, we will maintain his confidence. Fourth, the same goes for each of us regarding Dan’s and Lexa’s private comments. Fifth, we will not disclose to either Lexa or Dan that we found out about the relationship they shared. What they do in their off time is none of our business, and neither of us believes it impacted their performance.”

  When Ray stopped, he turned to Bram to lay out the last and most critical condition, one which saddened him but he would fully support.

  His gaze moving between Jon and Nick, Bram said, “Our last condition, which is non-negotiable, is we expect you to resolve the issue with Dan no matter what it takes. However, if in the end, Dan decides he cannot trust either of you and requests to switch teams, I will go with him.

  Bram’s blue-green eyes locked on Jon’s gunmetal gray ones and reflected determination. “And Jon, if Dan leaves TRF altogether, I will request a transfer to another team because I won’t be able to continue to work with you. Time after time you failed to treat Dan with respect he’s more than earned. I no longer care if he rubs you the wrong way or gets under your skin, Dan deserves better from his tactical leader and teammate. Your actions might’ve driven away an exceptional officer.”

  Nick interjected. “What do you mean if he decides to leave?”

  Bram turned puzzled eyes to Nick. “I told you yesterday.”

  Reeling from Bram’s declarations, but on some level not surprised Bram would stand in Dan’s corner regardless of the decade-plus long friendship they shared, Jon said, “No, all you said was Dan is gone. Your statement made us believe he died when you shouted it at us.”

  Troubled b
y Jon’s remark, Bram strove to recall precisely what he said yesterday. He had been exhausted and overwrought, causing the events of the day before to be a bit fuzzy. “What? No. I relayed Ridgewater’s message to you. Didn’t I?”

  Nick said, “No. You yelled Dan’s gone before running from the ER and then slugged Jon in the parking lot when he attempted to stop you.”

  Stunned, Bram’s eyes rounded. “I DID WHAT?”

  Jon rubbed his lightly bruised jaw and chuckled despite the seriousness of the topic at hand. “Never saw the right hook coming. Damn, Bram, you hit like a tank when you’re pissed.”

  Shaking his head, Bram said, “I don’t recall hitting you. I’m sorry, Jon. No matter how angry I am with you, striking you isn’t the way I resolve matters.”

  “Don’t sweat it. I deserved the punch and more for the way I mistreated Dan. If hitting fixed things, I would stand still, not duck or block, and let Dan beat the crap out of me. I realized my mistake after we told the team Dan was on vacation. Tried to call him twenty-eight times to apologize, but …” he trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid since they all understood Dan had already been abducted before Jon’s first call.

  Nick needed answers. The idea of not only Dan potentially leaving but Bram too sent his emotions on a wild ride. Though, outwardly he strove to project calm, drawing on his years of training, something he wished he had done with Dan in the first place, understanding they wouldn’t be in this quagmire if he had handled things appropriately from the beginning. “What did you mean by Ridgewater’s message? We read the letter. It said nothing about him departing the team.”

  Blowing out a breath, Bram related what Ridgewater said to Dr. Fraser. Both Jon and Nick’s faces drooped recognizing the high probability Dan would choose not to return.

  As Nick and Jon digested the information, a depressing thought came to Ray’s mind. “All this is probably moot. I only now realized the auto-transcriber must’ve captured everything Bozonnet spewed. The brass will surely review this one, learn of their relationship, and kick them off the team.”

  Smiling oddly, Nick shook his head. “Don’t worry about the transcription. I have no idea how, perhaps some sort of glitch, but not one single incriminating word regarding the relationship is contained in the transcript.”

  Jon stared at him. “Are you certain?”

  Nick opened the folder in front of him and slid the file to Jon. “Went to HQ early this morning to obtain a copy. Peter printed it off. Read it five times because I didn’t believe my eyes. Called today and asked Tia to email me another copy thinking there might be a problem with the printer. I know, stupid thought, but anyway the PDF version matches this exactly.”

  When Jon finished scanning the document, Bram pulled it to him to review. Ray stood and moved to peer over Bram’s shoulder. Sure enough, any reference at all to Dan and Lexa was missing.

  Returning to his seat, befuddled, Ray’s mind sought a reasonable explanation and only landed on one. “The program doesn’t glitch like that. The deletions are too precise. Someone must’ve hacked in and wiped them out. Dan’s got a guardian angel out there.”

  “Perhaps more an earthly godfather. Wonder if Gambrill would scrub incriminating statements for his godson?” Jon spoke his wild, half-baked thought out loud.

  Incensed by the notion, Bram retorted, “Careful, Jon. You’re walking on eggshells with me. You need to consider your words before you let them fly. Gambrill possesses too much integrity to do something like that. He doesn’t grant Dan any favors regardless of their familial connection.”

  “Sorry, I spoke out of turn. You’re right.” Jon blew out a breath and kept his next thought to himself. I wouldn’t put this past General Broderick or Blaze, but how would they know and how would they take action so fast?

  Ray expressed one of the things which bugged him. “How did Ridgewater obtain authorization to move Dan from the Prime Minister?”

  “Been wondering that myself,” Jon remarked guarding his comments.

  Nick rested his elbow on the table and his chin in his palm. “Been giving that thought as well. Marbella Ridgewater is a prominent figure in the country with many ties in both politics and business. The connection may not have anything to do with Dan himself. She may have called in a favor believing she was protecting him.”

  “Why would she do something like that?” Ray queried.

  Jon leaned back and shared, “She cares a lot for him. Ridgewater possesses a familial connection with him … she is the general’s godmother and has known Dan since he was born.” A slight grin appeared as he said, “She even called General Badass, Willie. Ridgewater also revealed to us Dan lived with her for two years when he was a teen, and she attended his police academy graduation.”

  “What?” Both Bram and Ray exclaimed.

  Nick told them about the pictures and the conversation with Marbella. Each one wondered how Dan ended up living with her but didn’t engage in conjecture since that was not the pertinent topic.

  Over the next several hours the men discussed in minute detail all that transpired since Lexa’s birthday party where Nick observed Dan kissing Lexa. Ray and Bram listened as Boss and Jon explained what happened and their concerns related to Dan, Lexa, and the team. The regret expressed by Jon for how poorly he behaved towards Dan rang sincere in Bram’s and Ray’s ears.

  Both Jon and Nick agreed fixing the problem lay at their feet and vowed to do all in their power to resolve the issue. Jon sought advice from them on how he might repair the damage he caused to his relationship with Dan. Ideas were offered and examined while Jon took copious notes to read later to internalize the suggestions provided.

  Bram weighed all he knew of Nick and how he typically coped with difficult challenges against the way he had previously handled Dan before entrusting him with making Dan feel wanted and part of their family again. Nick, for his part, agreed to listen to both Dan and Lexa, allowing each the opportunity to speak on this matter before deciding if anyone must leave their team. Jon made it clear he remained concerned about the priority of life protocol and Lexa’s and Dan’s ability to stay objective on the job but committed to stand behind Nick’s decision.

  However, all agreed it might be a moot point if Dan decided not to return to the team. No debate ensued when they discussed how to handle Loki and Kinsey. They agreed their meeting, and the things said here, much like the Proper Care and Feeding of Dantastic discussion, would remain confidential among those present. Nothing would be served by sharing with the others.

  When they ended, they stood and shook hands while apologies were offered and accepted for behaviors intended or unintended. Though the looming anvil of Dan’s and Bram’s potential departure from the team still hung over them, a workable balance had been restored between the four of them.

  Summerfield Sports Therapy – 3:15 p.m.

  Lexa entered the physical therapy building and went to the front desk to check in. She smiled at Alice. “Afternoon.”

  Alice returned the grin. “Hey. I’m glad to see you could make it today but sad to tell you Chloe is out sick. If you want to reschedule you can, or I can put you with our new physiotherapist. He comes highly recommended. Just transferred to Toronto from a practice in Ottawa.”

  Needing to throw herself into rehab with a vengeance to quell the tumultuous emotions which constantly hounded her, Lexa answered, “The new therapist will be fine.”

  “Fantastic. If you take a seat, I’ll tell Stewart you are here.” Alice stood and headed to the therapy room.

  Lexa sat in one of the open chairs in the crowded waiting area. Dan recommended this office to her after a conversation with Jim. Turned out Jim’s paramedic partner, Trey, was currently dating Chloe and the company she worked for specialized in sports rehab. Upon starting therapy, Lexa discovered a goodly portion of their clientele were first responders.

  She liked working with Chloe but perhaps having someone who was not connected in a roundabout way to Dan would be better for now
. Her name being called stopped any further thoughts. Glancing up, Lexa spied a well-built man with dark brown hair and a day’s worth of stubble on his jaw but was drawn by his broad smile. She rose and approached him.

  “Hi, I’m Stewart Adams. Please follow me.”

  Lexa trailed behind the physical therapist to the private room where Chloe did the shoulder manipulations. After a brief exchange, he stepped out and closed the door so she could remove her t-shirt. Leaving on her sports bra, she hopped up on the padded table and sat with her feet dangling, no way they would ever reach the ground with the height of the treatment table. A few minutes later, after a slight knock, Stewart re-entered the room.

  After checking the file, Stewart glanced up. “Thanks for giving me the opportunity to work with you today, Miss McKenna.”

  “Lexa is fine.”

  Stewart grinned as he peered at the petite beauty, glad she was Chloe’s patient because it would be wrong to ask out one of his patients, but perhaps the next time she came in and was working with Chloe he would stop by and chat her up. “How’s your shoulder been feeling since your last visit?”

  “Better, still twinges, but the range of motion is improving,” Lexa said.

  “So, a line of duty injury?” Stewart asked as he started his assessment.

  “Yeah.”

  “What are your goals?”

  Lexa eyed the PT. “Return to TRF in better shape than before I was shot.”

  Stewart’s grin grew. “Perfect. Love it when patients have a positive goal.”

  Grimacing as Stewart moved her arm beyond its current comfortable range, Lexa used sniper breathing to control her pain.

  Watching the deep inhale, the hold for four counts, and the gradual exhale, reminded Stewart of someone he hadn’t thought of in many a year. His star patient who taught him to remain optimistic and not be confined by boxes. Daniel Broderick blew away all his preconceived notions of the capabilities of the human body.