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

by Laura Acton

  She offered her arm to Wilson, pleased he accepted the support, role modeling behavior Danny needed to emulate. Her other arm extended to Dan, and she beamed when he followed suit, consenting to her assistance. The three made their way back to the chalet, building trust one small step at a time.

  Ridgewater Chalet – 9:00 p.m.

  Dan shuffled towards the couch near the fireplace in the main room after eating a late dinner. The doctor sent both Wilson and him to bed upon their return this afternoon. Fortunately, Wilson only suffered a minor twist to his ankle and would be okay with a bit of rest and ice. Dan chuckled as Bella fussed over Wilson when they went to Wilson’s room after supper to check in on him, only to receive a commiserate eye-roll from the bodyguard for their effort.

  Still weaker than he liked, Dan had not argued when Dr. Braxton ordered him to lie down and rest. His long nap, sleeping the afternoon and half the evening away, somewhat restored him. Cautiously lowering himself into one corner of the plush couch, Dan appreciated the fire now flickering in the hearth, which took the chill off the room. Though the temperature had been in the lower seventies during the day, as the sun set, it began to drop and was now in the fifties and predicted to be in the mid-forties overnight.

  During his walk, Dan enjoyed the cool breeze in his face. He never quite understood why but a light wind while up high tended to calm his unsettled mind, allowing rational thought to prevail. The only thing lacking in today’s stroll was high ground, but his mother’s presence seemed to provide the calming sensation he associated with being on rooftops and in tall trees.

  Bella sat in a chair across from Danny. He appeared pensive. “Penny for your thoughts, my boy,” she said as Yvonne joined them bearing a tray with three hot chocolates. Yvonne handed them out and then sat on the opposite side of the couch near Dan.

  Dan’s gaze moved between the two women. “Was thinking, wondering really, why it’s easier for me to think when I’m somewhere high.”

  Their reaction was unexpected as both ladies started giggling. As Mom wiped away tears of laughter, she said, “You will not believe all the high places we found you as a toddler. The kitchen cabinets were the first. Then there was the linen closet shelf … you were curled up on a velveteen blanket.”

  Bella smiled. “Don’t forget on top of the fridge, the bookshelf in the library and the one in Willie’s study too.”

  Yvonne added, “Oh, and atop the water heater in our basement. William installed a flip lock on the basement door after we located you. Too many dangerous things stored for you to be wandering about down there.”

  A shiver coursed down Bella’s spine. “The scariest one … you crawled out the third story window and managed to make it to the gables. Scott scaled the roof to retrieve you, but you kept scampering away from him until Scott promised you two would climb a tree together in the backyard.”

  Yvonne sighed. “We quickly learned that if you went missing to start looking high, not low.”

  Bella nodded. “We discovered you in some heart-stopping places, but you always wheedled out of a scolding by flashing your bright smile or laughing until we laughed too.

  As the ladies continued to recount places he ended up, Dan listened, and it became apparent to him the closeness these two women shared. He never realized, though he probably should’ve, though in his defense Dan never spent time with them together. He perceived his two mothers were much alike; intelligent, full of life, gentle and kind, but also strong and protective.

  Dan grinned as his mother tittered while recounting the time she found him napping up in Sara’s closet with his toy gun when he was five. Apparently, he insisted, he must be on overwatch while his dad was gone to protect Sara from the scary, twelve-winged monster with red eyes who wanted to steal her away from them. The last of his reserve with his mother slipped away, and now he had one more person he wholly entrusted with his real self.

  For the most part, that felt fantastic, amazing, and totally awesome, but a small piece of his heart still carried guilt for ever believing she abandoned him. Those years he isolated himself from her, hurt her badly. He vowed to never cause her heartache again.

  Their conversation shifted, covering lots of general topics but in due course broached his current situation. With a slight prod, Bella got him talking about how his and Lexa’s relationship began. Dan related how they met at the Grand Citadel when Lexa’s date became inebriated, and how Lexa took Sven down and sent the guy packing, but left out the fact he and Lexa slept together that night. He glossed over the miserable months of being an outcast on the team and focused on times Lexa reached out to him and how she slipped past all his shields and made him comfortable in his own skin.

  Yvonne listened carefully and read between the lines comprehending what Danny didn’t say, but couldn’t hide from her in his eyes. Though Dan used only general statements, she believed Danny had found his soulmate. She warmly asked, “So when do I get to meet Lexa? She sounds lovely. I would enjoy meeting the woman who captured your heart so completely.”

  Dan’s heart slammed. Oh no, I gave her the wrong impression with my choice of words. Well, not entirely wrong, Lexa is my one, and everything I said is true. But the glint in Mom’s eyes … she thinks I will marry Lexa, and she will have grandchildren soon. Things which will never happen with Sexy Lexie.

  He must break his pledge not to cause her pain. Shit, if my vow was written in blood, the crimson ink wouldn’t be dry yet. He trusted Mom now so he would not deflect or give half-truths even if it meant hurting her. She would receive the unvarnished truth as he had always shared with Bella and allow Mom to view the real Dan, flaws, insecurities, and all. This would be difficult, undoubtedly one of the hardest things he had ever done.

  My resolve to remain a bachelor will mean no grandchildren from me. Mom is empathic and will experience my pain too. She will understand how much my decision to be only friends with Lexa hurts me, and thereby it will also hurt her.

  Dan swallowed hard, his pain reflected in his tone, he said, “You won’t. Although I believe with all my heart Lexa is my one and only, I can never have her. I must let her go. Her heart has been shattered in the past, and she needs the team more than me. The men of Alpha Team are her support structure and only family. Lexa’s a strong and capable woman, but without them, she’ll crumble and fall apart. I can’t bear to watch Lexa break into bits and pieces.”

  He peered directly at his mom as tears started to mist in his and her eyes. “Unfortunately, I need both my team and Lexa to survive. I love you, Dad, my extended family, but they provide me with something I can’t get anywhere else. I’m unable to fully explain it … I only know it is true. I’m terrified my world will disintegrate without both.”

  Dan sucked in a breath and confessed, “When Brody died, I wanted to die … many nights I sat with Great Grandfather’s gun and contemplated ending my life. A year ago, I put my pistol away. Bram, Lexa, Loki, Ray, Nick, and even Jon gave me a reason to live after Brody. I’m not so sure the pistol would stay in the gun safe Jon presented to me if they aren’t in my life. So, I can never be anything more than a teammate … a colleague … a friend to Lexa.”

  Surprised by Dan’s admission he considered suicide, the gravity of the situation landed like a two-ton boulder on Yvonne’s heart. She slid over and pulled her boy into a hug and held him, glad he now allowed her to comfort him. “I understand, Danny. Everything will be okay. Time heals all wounds. Someday things will change, and one or both of you may find a place which allows you to be together. Remember, Son, there is always hope. I carried hope with me for twenty years.”

  She pushed him up and away a bit so she could gaze into his sad eyes. Yvonne placed a soft hand on his cheek and tenderly caressed as she thumbed his tears away. “Hope, Danny. Never let go of hope. Wondrous things can happen if you keep hope. Hope brought my boy back to me.” Pulling him back into a tight embrace, she ever so gently rocked back and forth providing her son the solace and safe harbor he need
ed.

  Bella’s eyes filled with tears as she gazed upon a scene she had wished to witness for decades. Danny confided in Yvonne … his rightful mother. Her heart soared for the two of them, even as she ached for the trials Danny must face before he would find happiness. Lifting her eyes to Heaven, Bella smiled. The Lord would ensure Danny found joy with Lexa … one day.

  Flying Monkey Wars

  42

  May 17

  TRF HQ Men’s Locker – 6:30 a.m.

  Woo-wooh-ah-eeww-wooh-woo-ahh-eee. Thunk.

  Quaackaaak-quaackaaak-quaackaaak. Thunk.

  Moooo-moo-moooo. Thunk.

  Woo-wooh-ah-eeww-wooh-woo-ahh-eee. Thunk.

  Caaww-aaaaaah-caaaw-aaah. Thunk.

  Woo-wooh-ah-eeww-wooh-woo-ahh-eee. Thunk.

  Ooooinnk-oinnk-ooooinnk. Thunk.

  Woo-wooh-ah-eeww-wooh-woo-ahh-eee. Thunk.

  Nick opened the door of the men’s lockers and chuckled finding the guys at it again. A menagerie of flying, screaming animals invaded headquarters upon Loki’s return three days ago. He acquired several more monkeys, a chicken, pig, cow, and duck. Everyone at TRF joined the fun, and no one remained neutral during the flying monkey wars.

  As he sauntered in to dress for shift, Nick recalled the night they entered Loki’s hospital room, when Jon became Loki’s first victim. The screaming monkey startled their tactical leader as it smacked him in the face. Jon’s reaction was priceless … damned-good thing he was not armed. In short order, the nurses begged them to take the toy away from Loki. They brought in a DVD player to distract Loki with the Three Stooges movie. The doctor released him early the next morning citing the fact Loki’s nurses plotted to dismember his annoying monkey.

  Loki arrived back at work with his flying army, and let them loose everywhere … the gun cage, bathroom, showers, briefing room, gym, dispatch desk. Gambrill finally laid down the law, and the animals were now relegated to the locker room only.

  When not flying missions, Loki hung them on the outside of Dan’s locker, which Loki said was only fitting since Dan sent the monkey to him. At this thought, Nick’s mood changed to pensive melancholia. Neither Jon nor he were able to locate Dan, nor did the general return any of their calls. They assumed the busy man didn’t have time to spare … better than thinking Dan’s father chose to ignore them.

  Quaackaaak-quaackaaak-quaackaaak. Nick dodged the flying duck as it thunked to the floor near his locker. He sat on the bench, but the kamikaze duck didn’t improve his mood as the memory of Lexa’s frantic, angry call after she found out Dan left the hospital came to mind. Thoroughly ticked off no one told her Loki ended up injured, and the fact she learned about it on the news after he was released, Lexa rightfully gave him an earful.

  He pushed off the meeting with her for a week, dreading the discussion he must have with Lexa regarding her affections for Dan and how the relationship must be over … one of the conditions of her returning to Alpha. If Lexa desired to continue to date Dan, then Kinsey would keep her spot, and he would find one for Lexa on another team. When he, Jon, Bram, and Ray discussed who stayed if the two elected to remain a couple it became a contentious topic.

  As much as I want to turn a blind eye to their dating, Jon is right. If the brass ever discovered we knew and did nothing, the entire team might be reassigned. Alpha Team will be no more. It is also possible Jon and I, as the leaders, could be suspended. And the deciding factor is the high probability both Lexa and Dan would be fired. None of us want that outcome for either of them.

  Woo-wooh-ah-eeww-wooh-woo-ahh-eee. A direct hit to his chest. Nick glanced up and found Bram grinning at him. He gave Bram a small smile to cover his real mood before sending the monkey flying at Jon’s butt as he bent over to tie his boot. Jon jumped and tried to determine who launched it. Nick slipped on his pants, and as he buttoned up, he returned to his thoughts.

  Who to keep became an emotionally charged and draining discussion, and they ended up putting the decision to a vote. Bram abstained from voicing an opinion. Nick still did not know if Bram ventured to cast a ballot if the results would’ve been a three-to-one majority or a two-to-two tie.

  Ray stated his vote first … no need for a secret ballot with only the four of them. He wanted Dan to remain, though he refrained from expressing his reasoning. Nick suspected Ray still held on to his anger at Lexa for the way she dumped Dan, particularly after hearing the details from Bozonnet.

  He voted to retain Lexa, his feelings for her ran deeper, and he understood she would be utterly lost without the team. Nick couldn’t move beyond his fatherly frame of mind and had an inkling Dan might be pissed at them if they choose him over Lexa. Dan had always been quite protective of Lexa too.

  Jon became the deciding vote and shocked him when he folded his arms and sat back after declaring, ‘Dan stays.’ Jon also kept his reasons to himself. Nick tightened his jaw, not liking the outcome one dammed bit, but nodded, accepting them. Later he realized the guilt Jon carried for the nasty words said to Dan most likely influenced Jon’s vote. It didn’t mean he cared any less for Lexa. It smacked more of a way for Jon to offer some recompense for reaming Dan in the bar.

  Whatever Ray’s and Jon’s reasonings, the die was cast, and if the former couple couldn’t convince him their relationship ended and would not pose any ongoing issues, Dan would stay, and Lexa would transfer to another team.

  Tucking in his shirt, Nick observed three more flying animals screaming in various directions. He actually did smile. Though not here physically, Dan initiated something sorely needed by the team now, a fun diversion. He sincerely hoped everything worked out.

  He wanted both Lexa and Dan on this team … in his family. As Loki and Bram landed direct hits on Ray, Nick chuckled lightly. “Okay, boys, time to put your toys away and to keep the peace.” Nick ambled out, to the sound of, Woo-wooh-ah-eeww-wooh-woo-ahh-eee.

  TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 11:00 a.m.

  So far today the team only responded to one call which required Nick to negotiate with an irate man who threatened to shoot his neighbor’s dog for continually defecating on his front lawn, while the neighbor swore up and down his animal didn’t leave the stinking piles. The situation resolved itself when the armed man’s own dog wiggled out from under the fence surrounding the backyard and proceeded to eliminate his load right in front of them all.

  As they congregated in the main conference room, completing necessary paperwork, they joked and reminisced about crazy calls they experienced over the years. The easiness which filled the room evaporated when Inspector Pope and NRB Agent Kendall Stevens entered.

  Pope wore a dour expression and Stevens appeared unhappy. The inspector glanced at the entire team, but his gaze stayed longer on Ray. Shifting his eyes to Nick, Pope said, “Sergeant Pastore, I am here to escort Constable Palomo to NRB to take his statement relating to the accusations of police brutality.”

  Ray sighed. He and the others all comprehended he must face this, just not when. He spoke at length with Boss and Jon regarding the ramifications of his momentary loss of control. Ray told them he would state the truth without giving the exact details of what Bozonnet revealed and would stick to the transcript’s content. He understood he acted rashly and would submit to whatever consequences stemmed from his actions.

  Nick said, “If Ray goes now, we will be shorthanded and put the team at risk if we must respond to a critical call with only five members. Charlie Team is out on a bank robbery call. Perhaps this can wait until his day off, especially since you waited this long already?”

  Pope disliked being questioned. TRF officers believed they were special, but they were only constables, and he outranked them. If he had his way, Palomo would’ve been hauled in for interrogation the day Bozonnet made the accusation. But his superior prevented him, stating they must wait for NRB to assign an agent. The Nonpartisan Review Board dragged their feet on this one … unlike them. “Agent Stevens is here now, and Palomo’s statement is needed before the arraign
ment for the convicts scheduled for later today.”

  Kendall still held a soft spot for this team. They experienced one hell of a year, starting with the day of the gang war last July. She recognized the frustration on Pastore’s face and didn’t like the idea of putting them in a precarious position. Citizens depended on TRF to deal with the hazardous events, and it would be imprudent to allow them to respond without proper manpower, so she offered a suggestion. “I can take his statement here, that way if a call comes in, we can break, and you will be able to take action. If I recall correctly, there is a soundproof room here, right?”

  Nick nodded at Stevens … a caring and considerate agent who went out of her way to handle delicate situations with integrity and compassion for the constables involved.

  Smiling, Kendall said, “Excellent. This should not take too long. Constable Palomo, if you will please lead the way.”

  Ray stood, and moved around the table, eager to remove the anvil dangling over his head and face the consequences.

  Pope followed them out, none too happy at the change in venue. This is a grave matter, and TRF shouldn’t receive kid glove treatment.

  TRF HQ – Conference Room Three – 11:05 a.m.

  Agent Stevens set up the recorder and turned it on before taking her seat. “Constable Raymundo Palomo we are here to obtain your statement regarding events surrounding the charges filed against you for excessive use of force. Do you wish to proceed without your attorney present or shall we wait until he or she arrives?”

  Ray should wait for Gibbson but he wanted this over, so he said, “You’re recording so let’s get on with it.”

  Kendall nodded. “For the record, Robert Bozonnet filed a complaint stating Constable Palomo punched him after being restrained in handcuffs. Constable, please tell me in your own words your account of the events.”

  After taking a cleansing breath, Ray began his statement all the way back when Arbor and Fulco entered the briefing room on the morning of May eighth. He explained how they discovered Dan had been abducted, how the team located him in Snow’s maternal grandfather’s farmhouse. Ray went on to talk about the sting they established with the task force, what occurred in the master bedroom leading up to Bozonnet rushing him, and his struggle to restrain the combative subject in the hall.