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

by Laura Acton

  Marching away, Karla let out her held breath. They might not be afraid of me, but Blaze’s protection of Dan is well-known.

  Angry he allowed Blaze’s name to put the fear of God into him, Hicks also realized he wasn’t stupid either. The intense interrogations after Dan had been shot last summer, and the fury he witnessed when doing a joint op with Blaze’s unit to ferret out some of the terrorists who had once held Dan captive, gave Hicks reason to pause. He gruffly ordered his men, “Let’s go guys … appears we’re waiting until the wuss is well enough to chat.”

  Base Hospital – Waiting Area – 2105 Hours

  The minutes turned to hours, and in that time, Blaze’s anger grew. Although the general appeared genuinely upset, Blaze couldn’t for the life of him understand why Blondie was reactivated. He still found it hard sometimes to believe General Broderick didn’t have a clue as to Blondie’s continuous deployment … to him that was a significant failing which almost cost Blondie his life on numerous occasions.

  Unable to contain himself any longer, flames flared in his eyes as he turned and glowered at the elder Broderick. “You’re doing it again. You are only thinking about your duty, your career, and not your son’s life. Why the fuck would you make him travel in his condition? Are you trying to kill him?”

  The words slapped William in the face, and he reared back. Standing, his fists clenching, doing his damnedest not to lash out in a likewise manner, William’s voice came out icy, “I understand you’re upset, but watch what you say, Captain. I am still your commanding officer. Insubordination is not something I tolerate.”

  “Whoa! Both of you. Take a step back and chill.” Wilson moved between the two men, who were as concerned about Danny as he. “Hot heads will not help Danny one damned bit.”

  Turning to Blaze, Wilson said, “Being insolent with a superior is never smart, and in this case, unwarranted. General Broderick would not risk Danny’s health unless he had no other option.” Switching his gaze to William, he said, “Sir, take a moment to understand how this appears from Blaze’s point of view. I certainly don’t know mission details, but you are speaking to a man who kept your son alive for six years. Cut him a little slack, he arrives, and the first thing he sees is Danny passing out on the steps.”

  Both men turned away, and if they had glimpsed what Keswick observed, they might’ve laughed when their bodies executed mirror image motions. Fingers raked through both black and golden hair, going to the back of their necks and squeezing, blew out a long breath, then sucked in a ragged one before turning back to the other as they simultaneously said, “I’m sorry.”

  Any further comment died as all three pivoted to the door when it opened and the physician treating Dan appeared. Three pairs of worried eyes greeted Dr. Ajay Chakram as three men spoke over each other.

  “How’s my son?”

  “How’s the kid?”

  “How’s Danny boy?”

  “General Broderick, if you will follow me to a private room, I will provide details on your son.”

  William shook his head. “You may speak freely in front of these men.”

  Chakram inhaled as he nodded. “Based on the details I received from his physicians in Canada and the CT scan we completed here, it appears an abscess developed in his liver near the original trauma. When it ruptured, the infection spread and damaged the newly formed tissue closing the initial tear. The loss of natural ligature integrity caused the liver to hemorrhage again.

  “With his compromised immune system,” the doctor’s remark was met with blank stares. Recalling each one of them informed him Daniel-Blondie-Danny healed fast, Chakram spelled out the reason and continued, “He lacks a spleen, so fighting this infection will be difficult.”

  Wilson interjected when Chakram paused. “The scan Danny had before we left Lake Louise didn’t show any abscesses.”

  “No, it wouldn’t. According to Dr. Granger’s notes, he didn’t do one with contrast, but I did.”

  William, Blaze, and Wilson all comprehended why and said, “Needles.”

  Chakram’s brows rose, at the immediate response. They all appear to know my patient well. “Yes, it would’ve required an IV to inject the contrast. Dr. Pastore’s notes in the master corporal’s military medical file indicate needles are forbidden unless he is sedated. I marked his chart, and the instructions will be followed with great care.

  “As I was saying, the abscess ruptured,” he halted and turned to Keswick. “Did he experience any trauma on the flight? I’m asking because the rate of bleeding from the tear is rather slow, so it must’ve reopened sometime within the last twelve hours for him to lose the quantity of blood he did.”

  Wilson sighed. “I thought this might be due to him tripping when exiting the jet. He bumped his side, nearly toppled down the steps, and treated me to a lesson in multilingual cursing. But since it is a slow bleed, it likely ruptured when he hit the galley counter when we encountered turbulence.

  “I checked him at the time but didn’t detect anything which concerned me. When he woke before we landed, he admitted he was sore, and I gave him one of his painkillers. I should’ve examined him again since the sleeping pill was a low dose and he slept much longer than I expected.” Turning his gaze toward William, Wilson apologized. “I’m sorry, sir. Danny’s well-being is my priority, and I failed to identify he was bleeding for hours.”

  William laid a hand on Wilson’s shoulder. “He doesn’t make it easy. He hides his pain … always has even as a little boy. Though I believe in this case, I’m to blame. His mind became focused on the anger at me for bringing him back here against his will … and other things.” William didn’t expound, keeping Daniel’s personal issues with the TRF private.

  Dropping his hand, William refocused on Chakram. “What is Daniel’s recovery outlook?”

  “Given his prior weakened state and the vascular nature of the liver, the infection spread rapidly. I will be treating him empirically with a mix of broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, I may need to make adjustments once the lab identifies the agent and provides us MICs.”

  Realizing he used jargon unfamiliar to the trio, Chakram clarified, “Those are the drugs and the concentrations needed to kill the organism.” Receiving nods of comprehension, he continued, “In addition to the antibiotics, we started transfusions of blood products and vitamin K to replace clotting factors lost when his liver became impaired.

  “Broderick will require complete bed rest until the bleeding stops. As bad as this sounds, I remain optimistic it will do so on its own, and surgical intervention won’t be necessary. He’ll be in the intensive care unit until he stabilizes. A nurse will escort you back once he is settled. Any questions?”

  All three shook their heads, and after Chakram took his leave, Blaze said, “I’ll go grab us coffee. Gonna be a long night.”

  William nodded absently as Blaze’s accusation knocked around in his head again. I put duty to country above Daniel once again with almost catastrophic results. I vow never to make that mistake again … ever … my son’s well-being will take precedence in all future decisions.

  May 24

  Base Hospital – Dan’s Room – 1500 Hours

  Colonel Sutton stopped outside the hospital room and took a moment to breathe. He understood William was beating the crap out of himself over the decision to fly Dan here, but in this case, they honestly didn’t have an option. Well, yes, they did, but it would mean a potential for high casualties. Time was of the essence, but they were essentially stalled without Dan’s input.

  Pushing the door open, Tom forced a smile as he carried in a tray with coffees and a bag containing sandwiches, knowing none of them had left Dan’s side to eat since they arrived yesterday. William called him two hours ago to tell him they moved Dan from the ICU to a private room. “Hot and black, the way you like,” he said holding the paper tray out to his long-time friend.

  “Thanks.” William took one of the cups but didn’t bother to drink.

&nb
sp; Tom passed the others out and put the sack on the rolling table after discarding the plethora of empty coffee cups in the trash. “How’s he doing?”

  Blaze laid the damp rag on Blondie’s forehead. “Fever is still climbing.”

  “Dr. Chakram changed the antibiotics today. Should help,” Wilson chimed in as he leaned against the wall. The doctor’s assurance that the abscess would’ve ruptured at some point and he was not to blame for Danny’s condition did little to assuage the guilt he harbored.

  Understanding the mood in the room, Tom switched subjects. “The analysts are pouring through all the material again, but so far have not been able to locate the details we require. If they find anything useful—”

  William cut off Tom, “You’ll brief Hicks’ unit. I will not be leaving Daniel’s side.” He set the cup on the floor, rose from his chair, and strode to the bed. Taking the cloth from Daniel’s forehead, he dipped it in the water, squeezed then gently wiped his son’s sweaty face.

  Tom nodded. “I’ll brief the unit. If you need anything, call me.” He placed a hand on William’s back and waited until worry-filled eyes met his. “I mean anything, at any time, Will.”

  Returning his attention to Daniel, William said, “Thanks, Tom.” He noted the slight smile on Danny’s face and sighed. “I don’t understand why, but sometimes he smiles in his sleep … especially when he is very ill. I noticed it often when he was recovering after his captivity, and this past summer.”

  Blaze spotted the upturn of Blondie’s lips which was incongruent with his fevered state. “Brody used to say Danny went to a happy place … a dream world where he could escape reality and all his hurt.”

  “A sanctuary is what I used to think.” Wilson recalled the first time he witnessed Danny smiling while sleeping … when Danny recovered after being attacked by six high school bullies.

  The room fell into silence, and Tom slipped out to return to business as the other three men became lost in their thoughts.

  Dan’s Dreamworld

  “Sara, hold up … you’re going too fast,” Dan called out with laughter in his tone as he smiled and pumped the pedals on his bike trying to catch up to his little sister who flew as if she possessed wings. The brisk wind in his face a welcome respite from the summer heat, Dan finally stopped and watched Sara, proud he had taught her to ride without training wheels.

  Brody sidled up to Dan wearing a grin as he patted Dan’s back. “Beaten by a girl. Never thought I’d see the day.”

  Dan laughed. “Not just any girl … Sara’s a Broderick.”

  “I stand corrected.” Brody sank to the grass and plucked out a blade. “I like Canada much better than Afghanistan … it is lush and green.”

  Putting his kickstand down, Dan joined Brody and sat cross-legged, keeping his eyes on Sara as she squealed with delight. “Right there with you. I prefer snow or ice storms to dust storms.”

  “Yeah, hated sand getting into places it shouldn’t … never any fun.” Brody flopped to his back, enjoying spending time with Danny in the dreamworld Sara created.

  Brody now understood the reason for Danny’s smiles while he slept. His brother found respite in the idyllic subconscious world. And with all Danny was facing now, and would deal with in the days to come, he gave thanks for this small comfort.

  “My Danny, come on, race me again. I’ll let you win this time.” Sara’s emerald eyes twinkled with merriment and a little mischief.

  Gauntlet thrown and accepted, Dan hopped up and grabbed his bike. “Oh, now you’re in for it. I’m gonna leave you in the dust.”

  Brody chuckled as the siblings tore off, bantering back and forth, and laughing all the while.

  Ripsaw sauntered up and took a seat, his face grim. “I’m glad he is having fun … when he wakes, he will be reliving much heartache.”

  Brody turned to Ripsaw. “Shouldn’t you be with Jim?”

  “Jim’s okay, and Baboon is keeping an eye on him for me. Blondie’s gonna need all the support he can get in the coming days. I wish I could alleviate his guilt.” Ripsaw sighed, his heart heavy.

  “I hear ya, brother. Not an easy task. I keep hoping for something to come along to help me restore the missing pieces of Danny’s heart. Lexa was doing well in that arena … until … well, you know.”

  “Yeah, we all know,” Buzz said as he joined the two on the ground. “Pup looks happy now though. Sara can always make him smile.”

  Glancing at Buzz, Brody nodded. “Yes, she can. Where is Dutch?”

  “He’ll be along in a bit.” Buzz tilted his face to the sky. “Wish the pup didn’t have to go through this, bad enough the first time … but we will be here to shore him up.”

  Ripsaw gripped Buzz’ shoulder. “You do realize Blondie will be briefing Hicks’ unit.”

  “I’m aware,” Yankee stated as he strode up behind the three. “I’ll be having words with his GA to ensure the man stays in line … hope Hicks listens.”

  Brody shook his head. “Hicks is an arrogant ass. Doubt he will because he cannot accept reality. Danny earned everything he ever got the hard way. Harder not easier because of who his father is.”

  “Preaching to the choir,” Yankee replied before asking, “How long will Poppet be able to keep Dan here in wonderland?”

  “Not long enough … wish he could stay for a full week.” Brody closed his eyes, knowing Danny would experience a world of grief again in two days, but they would circle the wagons to protect their brother. He hoped with the combined ethereal energy of him, Yankee, Ripsaw, Buzz, and Dutch, along with the corporeal presence of Blaze, Wilson, and Danny’s dad that his brother would get through this trial relativity unscathed.

  Lost in Thoughts

  50

  May 26

  Base Hospital – Dan’s Room – 0730 Hours

  Loads of caffeine sustained William, Blaze, and Wilson for several days. Though exhausted and in need of showers and shaves, they never ventured far from Dan’s side since arriving on the twenty-third. For the most part, each man kept silent vigil, lost in their thoughts while taking turns cooling their son.

  The few words exchanged had been related to food or coffee runs. With Dan’s raging fever there was not much to say as they all waited for signs of improvement. Wilson now rested in a chair in the corner, worn out and wearing an expression of grave concern. In much the same state, William stood next to the bed wiping Daniel’s face and neck with a damp cloth.

  Staring out the window, Blaze’s mind wandered as he sipped his third coffee this morning. He bowed his head and closed his eyes. Today will always be difficult. Brody died on this day two years ago, and I will never forgive myself for giving the all clear which resulted in his death, and Blondie bearing the weight of having fired the shot that killed his best friend and brother of his heart.

  The only positive to come from the tragedy is Blondie left the military. Although the kid’s transition was not smooth, he seems to be building a new and better life in Toronto with Alpha Team. The police environment provides Blondie what his soul requires to heal … an opportunity to serve and protect where killing is the final resort, not the primary role.

  He glanced at Blondie before turning his gaze back to the barren landscape and sighed. The kid shouldn’t be here. This part of his life needs to be over. He must move forward not backward. Blaze’s lips turned upward at the corners recalling the last time he spoke with Blondie. Though Blondie and Lexa must keep their romance secret, things sound like they are going well. The kid is on cloud nine and made it to great. He deserves happiness … Lexa is perfect for him.

  She is the right mix of softness and sass mixed with vim and vigor. He needs someone like her in his life. I hope one day they will be able to be open about their relationship. I’m sure their teammates will be happy for them too. Lexa will never find a better man than Blondie. He is constant, loves fiercely, and will never break her heart … she is safe in his hands.

  Blaze’s grin faded as his gaze returned to
the man who he considered a friend, a brother, and a son. Too damned bad he is here. He should be home with Lexa and his team caring for him. They will be pissed off if they learn the travel caused him additional harm. Lexa might actually slug the general.

  Remembering how the golden flecks in Lexa’s hazel eyes lit like an inferno as she spewed fiery words at Gambrill in the TRF briefing room when they found out the commander used Blondie as bait for Donner, a smirk appeared. The petite spitfire might give General Badass the dressing down he so richly deserves and wouldn’t soon forget. Man, I would pay to watch her verbally flay him.

  William dipped the cloth in the ice water, wrung it out, and placed it on Daniel’s forehead in a repetitive fashion … his mind not on his actions but lost in thoughts. My boy, I’m so sorry I caused you more harm, that was not my intention nor my desire. I hope you can forgive me and I have not permanently damaged all the progress we’ve made. As it is … your mother and my godmother may never pardon me, but I am not wholly ignorant of your needs.

  His eyes flicked towards Blaze before returning his worried gaze to his son. You’ll probably be surprised by some of my recent decisions and actions. I refuse to be the hands-off father again. You are my son, and I must do a better job of protecting you … perception of favoritism be damned. Your deeds speak to what you earned, and anyone who questions your merit can go jump in a fiery lake as far as I’m concerned. My heart yearns to work side-by-side with you. If you remain, I vow to do all in my power to find or create a position which fits your desires.

  Flames of fury rekindled as William stared at the evidence of the violence visited upon his child … the deep tissue trauma from the vicious attack resulted in bruising which lasted longer than the typical two weeks. Might be considered wrong, but I’m glad they’re dead and can never hurt you or Bella again.