by Laura Acton
Brody smiled as he finished the song, happy for Dan. With time, things would work out. “Sleep well, brother. You’ve earned the rest. You will reach your goals.” He faded, needing to recharge before tomorrow.
Nemesis and Mind Games
63
June 28
TRF HQ – Training Field
Colton clicked his stopwatch and noted the time on the requalification sheet. “Excellent time, Dan. Right on par with your last.”
Dan raised his arms, placing his hands on the back of his neck, and expanded his chest, breathing in deep after his all-out sprint as he walked in circles to cool down. After several moments he snatched a water bottle from his bag and wiped the sweat from his brow. He found the muggy heat quite different than Kandahar’s dry heat.
After gulping down half, he bent over and poured the rest over his head and neck. He shook like a dog to remove the excess, and as he straightened, Dan wiped a hand up his face and through his hair. “What’s next?”
Checking the sheet, Colton smiled. “Thirty-foot rope.”
Jon and Nick shared a glance. No one climbed faster, but Dan had been unsatisfied with his time since returning after his lung injury. Every time he approached the obstacle he muttered his damned nemesis wouldn’t beat him. He desired to regain the same speed he attained during his Special Ops training, and Dan came close a few times, but always shy of the time he wished to achieve.
Dan dried both hands before grabbing a pair of gloves. Determination infused him. “This time I’m gonna match my old JTF2 record if it damn well kills me.” He stood at the climbing apparatus and fastened his gloves.
Jon overheard Dan muttering like always and called out. “Dan, the rope’s not gonna beat you. It’s going down … that’s an order.”
Dan laughed not realizing he spoke out loud. “Copy.” Dan grabbed the nylon rope and tugged, testing his grip. He readied himself and listened for Colton’s go command.
Colton shouted, “Go,” as he clicked the stopwatch. Hand-over-hand, Dan sped upward, tapped the top, and descended rapidly. Colton clicked the timer and looked down. Wow! He beamed and turned the timepiece for Dan to view the result as Broderick sauntered over.
“Hot damn! Finally!” Dan yelled with pure excitement, then with a touch bravado said, “No one’s touching my record. Three seconds off my best time at JTF2 and nobody’s broken that one yet.”
Jon, Nick, Colton, and Walter all patted his back or offered a high-five congratulating him. With a sense of accomplishment, Dan ran through the remainder of his requals acing them with ease. As he repacked the gear his bag to head into the showers, Dan easily heard Colton talking to Jon a short distance away.
“I’m gonna steal him from you one day, Jon. The open spot on my team is made for him,” Colton said.
Jon turned on his unyielding glare, raising one eyebrow and said in his most steel-hard commanding voice. “Not happening. Not now, not ever. Dan belongs with Alpha Team. We’ve got his back.” He turned to Dan and said in the same voice. “Got that, Dano? You’re not going anywhere.”
Dan peered up from where he knelt in time to catch the hint of a smirk crossing his tactical lead’s face. Jon is acting possessive and protective. Dan held back the dopey grin which threatened to ruin Jon’s effect and responded straight-faced and firmly, “Copy, Boss. There’s no place I’d rather be.”
Letting his smile show, Jon said, “Damned straight. Now go shower. You got a psych eval to ace. I want you in headquarters for workout at five tomorrow morning … don’t be late.”
“Sure thing, Jon.” The vote of confidence put Dan on cloud nine and renewed his sense of belonging … no longer an outcast. He grabbed his pack and jogged towards the building with a huge ear-to-ear grin splitting his face.
TRF HQ – Psychologist’s Office
Dressed casually in well-worn jeans, a navy polo shirt, and a comfortable pair of tan, soft-leather boots, Dan sauntered towards Dr. Royce Marfont’s office with the dopey smile still plastered to his face. He slowed a few doors down to form his expression to one of nonchalant disinterest as he prepared for his encounter with the department psychologist.
After knocking, and told him to enter, he took a seat where Marfont indicated with a wave. Leaning back, Dan stretched out his legs languidly in front of him and crossed his ankles. He placed his arms on the arms of the chair and smiled pleasantly. Every bit of his posture and appearance crafted into his let’s bullshit the psychologist mode. I can play mind games well.
“Constable Broderick, a pleasure to meet you.” Dr. Marfont took in the poised man seated before him making an initial assessment, but realizing first impressions rarely gave one the full picture of a person.
“Likewise, and call me Dan, please.”
Royce opened the abduction case file on his desk and made a show of reading and jotting down things from the account but not saying anything out loud. A technique he sometimes used to put the clients a little off-kilter. He found it often worked to remove false confidence and masks his patients wore, especially tough-guy police officers who tended to be uncomfortable dealing with touchy-feely emotions. The silence usually only lasted a minute or less before they ended up talking.
He strategically placed mirrors around the office to covertly observe his client as he waited. After five minutes, Royce was the one unnerved. The officer continued to appear cool, calm, and collected with no impatience. Unable to wait longer, his strategy backfired on him as Royce said, “This report indicates you were abducted and assaulted. Care to tell me about it?”
Upon sitting down, Dan located the mirrors and recognized the silent trick. He understood how to handle this type of method. “What do you want to know?”
“What would you like to share?” Dr. Marfont pushed his glasses up and gazed at the constable.
In a conversational tone, Dan said, “Four former cops I put in prison were released in error, they captured and beat me, my team rescued me, I recovered from my injuries, and am now ready to return.”
“Anything else?” Marfont pressed.
Dan cocked his head to the side and slightly raised his chin as if he considered saying something more. After holding the position for a moment, he straightened and peered at Marfont. “Nope. Bout sums it up.”
Becoming frustrated, Royce queried, “How did it make you feel to be held against your will and beaten?”
“Not good.”
Damn, he is giving no information. Asking a probing question Royce prepared to take notes. “When you say ‘not good’ what do you mean?”
Dan stopped himself from smirking. “Well, I mean ...” he paused for effect, remaining detached as Marfont fidgeted, showing annoyance and expectation of more details, “not good.”
“What did you feel when they kicked and hit you?”
“Pain.”
Marfont jumped on that word. “What kind of pain?”
“The kind you experience when a steel-toed boot rams full force into your ribs. Pretty much hurts like hell,” Dan replied non-pulsed.
Over the next half hour, Royce became exasperated by Broderick’s unruffled appearance and answers which were non-answers. The constable divulged nothing of his emotions. Feeling thwarted, Royce stopped his inquiry and opened Broderick’s personnel file. New to the department, and unable to obtain the data until right before today’s appointment, Royce had not had an opportunity to review more than the abduction report and the first page of Broderick’s jacket before his client arrived.
He flipped the pages scanning them. On the third page, his eyes landed on three words which changed his whole demeanor … Special Forces, JTF2. I would’ve approached this meeting entirely different had I known this piece of data before I began. Blowing out a breath, releasing his tension, Royce grinned. “Your records indicate you served seven years in JTF2.”
“Yes.”
Royce realized he would never pry anything from Broderick that he didn’t want to share. “Trained to withstand int
errogation, I presume.”
“Yes.”
Royce laughed lightly. “I’m not going to get anything out of you that you don’t want to tell, am I?”
Dan grinned at him. “Correct, sir.”
Still smiling, Royce closed the file. “You just want me to sign off, correct?”
“Yes.” Dan remained relaxed.
“I have a few questions I need real answers to, and if you answer truthfully, I will rubber stamp your eval.” His concerns lay in the notes he read regarding Dan’s numerous injuries and recent targeting of the Alpha Team by the BDC, the psychologist visually red-flagged a specific encounter … the near-fatal shooting of a teammate. “First, I noted you started an unscheduled vacation the day you were abducted. What was the reason for the vacation?”
“Boss and my tactical leader thought I required a break.”
“Why?” Marfont was a bit surprised he answered without deflecting.
“You’d have to ask them.”
And there’s the deflection. “Dan, that isn’t an answer. What reason did they give you?”
“They wanted me to take time to think and said I needed a real vacation. Disagreed, but they’re my bosses, so, I took time off.”
Like a soldier, follows orders. This was the first real information Royce received, so he delved a little deeper, “What do you mean real vacation?”
Thank goodness he picked that piece of my answer; no lies needed still. “If you check the records, you’ll find I have not taken any vacation. Been on medical leave several times, but not holiday. Hardy takes his role as TL seriously, as he should. We’ve had a string of tough calls. Both Pastore and Hardy believed I would benefit from a relaxing break not associated with recovering.”
Marfont nodded. “And the reason they believed you needed to think?”
Dammit, why did I say that? Dan’s mind spun, looking for an answer, and decided the truth would be best. “Girlfriend broke up with me.”
“Was it serious?” Marfont probed.
‘Hell, yes,’ he wanted to answer but instead replied, “I liked her and didn’t want our relationship to end if that is what you’re asking.”
“So, your sergeant wanted to give you time for some soul searching,” Marfont quipped.
Dan grinned. “Something like that.”
“Okay, so last question. If you ever need to talk to someone about your abduction is there anyone you would be comfortable asking for help?”
“Yes. Last summer I worked with Dr. Dawn Tansy after being shot. If I need or want to discuss anything, I’ll contact her,” Dan answered candidly.
Dr. Marfont noticed the slight changes in Dan’s posture. He shifted in his seat, his eyes closed briefly, his arms came close to his body, and he clasped his hands. He also caught a barely perceptible sigh before he spoke. Those small things combined with the fact he identified Dr. Tansy, indicated to him Broderick responded with the truth.
Royce stood, offered his hand, and as Dan rose and shook hands, Marfont said, “I’ll be sending my report to Sergeant Pastore today. My recommendation is you are fit for duty. Welcome back, Constable Broderick.”
“Thanks.” Dan strolled out of the office on cloud nine. He only had one more thing to do here today.
TRF HQ – Men’s Locker Room
Replaying the day in his head, Dan stood in the empty changing room grinning at all the flying screaming animals hanging from his locker. His sense of belonging in this place grew. He opened his door and stared at the photos on the inside, zeroing in on Brody.
If someone asked me two years ago if I would ever be happy again, I would’ve said hell no … but I found a home here.” He tapped the snapshot. “Miss ya, Brody. Thanks for always being there for me. I wouldn’t have survived Kandahar without you and my brothers.”
Dan cleared a space on the top shelf in the back before grabbing his gym bag from the locker floor. Setting the rucksack on the bench, he unzipped the bag and withdrew the contentious article, handling it much like a venomous snake. Placing the black box in the spot vacated and camouflaging its presence, he hoped the need for opening the lockbox again would never arise.
He closed the door, slung his go-bag over his shoulder, and ambled out, eager for tomorrow and glad to be back with his chosen family.
Nick’s Home – 4:00 p.m.
Nick reclined on his couch with his feet up on the coffee table, comfortable and relaxed enjoying watching the race on TV. His phone rang, intruding on his pleasant afternoon, and he muted the sound before answering, “Hello.”
“Sergeant Pastore this is Dr. Marfont. I hate to bother you on your day off, but I’m calling to give you my initial report if you have a moment.”
“Certainly.” Nick grinned recalling Dan’s beaming face as he beat his rope nemesis earlier today and aced his physical requalification.
“I emailed you the full assessment but wanted to speak to you about something which will not be in my report.”
“Alight. I’m listening,” Nick shifted, sitting up as concern edged in.
“First, I cleared Constable Broderick for active duty. I believe he is fit. Otherwise, I would not have signed off.”
“Wonderful to hear.” Nick couldn’t help the smile gracing his face, despite the hesitancy in the caller’s dialog. He waited for the other shoe to fall.
“However, I must tell you something for the safety of your officer. My background includes training Special Forces soldiers in techniques to withstand interrogations. You must be aware Broderick received extensive training in playing mind games. If he wanted, he could bullshit his way through any psych eval and most psychologists would be none the wiser.”
“You said if, … did he?” Nick asked with concern.
“No. As I said, he is fine to return. He frustrated the hell out of me until I noted his military service. Shifted tactics and did a proper evaluation. I am satisfied he will seek help if he requires any.”
Not wanting to breach patient confidentiality by giving specifics Royce phrased the next bit carefully. “If you ever feel you need a second option, I suggest you bring in a Dr. Dawn Tansy to consult. Her reputation for counseling soldiers with Broderick’s obvious expertise is excellent. She can break through the veneer they project and genuinely helps them.”
Nick recalled Dan working with Tansy last summer. “Thank you for the info. I am aware of Dr. Tansy’s skills. Is there anything else?”
“No, the rest is in my official report,” Royce concluded.
Surprised with Dr. Marfont’s frankness, Nick went to his computer to read the assessment after hanging up. He focused on the reason Dan gave for the unscheduled vacation, relaxation and a bit of soul searching.
Nick closed the file and went back to viewing the race. He wished he would be there for morning workout to welcome Dan back but must attend the sergeants’ meeting. A grin grew. My family is almost back together. Once Lexa returns, everything will be normal again … hopefully. Will Dan and Lexa truly be able to work with one another after sharing an intimate relationship?
Paying It Forward
64
June 29
TRF HQ – Men’s Locker Room – 4:55 a.m.
“Dantastic you’re back!” Loki enthusiastically shouted as Dan appeared in the team’s aisle. He came in extra early so he would be here before Dan arrived. Racing forward, Loki embraced his teammate, overjoyed he returned.
Bram, Jon, and Ray all chuckled at Dan’s stunned face when Loki nearly bowled him over. Jon said, “Loki, reel it in before you break his ribs and send him out on sick leave again.”
As Loki peeled off Dan, his eyes gleamed with joy and he patted his back several times. “Missed ya, buddy. Glad you’re back. Oh, you gotta see my army of flying screaming animals. Been waiting for you. Wish you were there to witness Jon’s reaction when I got him with the monkey you sent me. Darned good thing I was already in the hospital, otherwise, I probably would’ve been making a trip there.” He couldn’t contain h
is mirth as he chuckled. “Quite funny to both stun and tick off the man of steel at the same time.”
The distinctive wooh wooh ahhh eeewww wooh wooh ahhh eeewww, thunk sounded as a monkey hit the side of the techie’s head. Loki whipped his head around. “Hey, not fair.”
Jon laughed, preparing to launch a second animal. “All’s fair in monkey wars.” He let it fly. The war was on.
TRF HQ – Gym – 5:20 a.m.
Kinsey continued to pedal the stationary bike, as she listened to the loud, boisterous laughter and screaming animal sounds coming from the men’s locker room for the past twenty minutes. At first, she wondered what set them off again since several weeks passed since the last monkey war, but then recalled Dan was due back today and her mood soured.
Just as she began to wonder if the men would ever make it to workout, the group entered the gym. “Morning boys, who won this time?” Kinsey put on an artificial grin, none too happy to witness Broderick’s triumphant return and with him, she assumed, his irritating, childish attitude.
Ray smiled as he went for the bike next to Kinsey. “A draw. Although Dan’s and Jon’s aim are the best.”
Dan arched a brow at Jon as he grinned. “Better be, we’re snipers. It would be sad if we weren’t able to aim a monkey.”
Everyone laughed except Kinsey, who only smiled wanly.
Walking over to the radio, Bram said, “My day to pick the music.” They all groaned.
“No, no please, Bram, I can’t take any more country music,” Jon teased.
Bram turned to Dan. “Your first day back, what’s your pleasure?”
Dan preferred rock, but he laughed evilly as he moved to the heavy bag. “Country’s fine with me.” He ducked the wadded towels thrown at him by Jon, Ray, and Loki as he produced a lopsided grin.
The remainder of the workout session was filled with joking and laughter among the guys with a backdrop of twanging tunes. Kinsey, however, bristled, unsure how to react with a non-sullen Broderick who didn’t shoot any glares her way … but rather wholly ignored her, as did the others … as if she didn’t exist or was an outcast.