Second Chances: A PAVAD Duet

by Calle J. Brookes

  “Yes,” Compton said, moving so Kelly could stand. She shot a look Ally’s way, puzzlement in her green eyes. “Before he does this again.”

  Ally oversaw Cody and Kelly loading the vehicle with the evidence they’d collected. Dr. Bellows and her team would process the bodies, while the forensic lab would handle everything else. The CCU would put the rest of the pieces together.

  Cody drove. Kelly rode in the back, but popped her head between the seats to discuss what they’d seen. “This one bothers Compton bad.”

  “Mmm. Yeah.” Cody said. “Agent Norton told me that one of the previous victims was a close friend of Compton’s. Don’t know if they were together, but Compton wouldn’t have minded. Found her body in Benton Park.”

  “That’s horrible!” Ally said, her heart feeling for the man.

  “Yeah. I guess she was one of the first cops on the scene after the previous victim’s body was found. When they realized it was the Ghost the CCU was called in. That’s how Compton found out his friend was dead,” Cody continued.

  “Shit,” Kelly said. She leaned back in her seat. “No wonder he was so...”

  “Intense,” Ally said when Kelly didn’t finish. “And why your father was worried.”

  “He was worried?” Kelly asked.

  “Yes. He spent half his time watching the area where we were, and watching Dr. Compton as if he thought the man would implode,” Ally said. “It wasn’t...normal. Agent Compton seems like an easy-going guy. And he wasn’t that way today. I thought it was just because he was working, but...Dan was worried.”

  “And you know this how?” Cody sent a teasing look in Ally’s direction. “What do you think, Kel? I think Al has a crush on your dad!”

  “I do not!” Ally could feel her cheeks heating.

  Kelly snorted. “I think you do. I saw you kiss him the other day.”

  “She kissed him?” Cody asked.

  “Not like that,” Ally said.

  “Stretched up and kissed him on his cheek. It was sweet. Relax, Al, I know you weren’t trying to get your groove on with my father. He’s too old for you!” Kelly laughed before turning the conversation back to the evidence they’d recovered and what it meant.

  Ally thought over Cody’s teasing comments for the rest of the drive. Was she right? Was she doing something so juvenile as crushing on Dan? And what about the age difference? Ally was thirty-six years old and Dan was at least fifty-two or three. Sixteen years―that was quite a gap, but not one that was completely out of the question. If she were inclined in that direction, that was. Which she wasn’t. She’d only been divorced for six months! She wasn’t ready for anything―even if he’d be interested.

  She wasn’t crushing. She wasn’t.

  Chapter 28

  Georgia browbeat Dan into joining the rest of the team, plus most of the others from the division at Smokey’s for drinks. No one on the team was much of a drinker, but Smokey’s Bar & Grill was a good place to unwind. Smokey was a tiny pixie of a woman in her late twenties and daughter of the infamous biker-turned-businessman Smokey Bill Schraeder.

  While back in the day Smokey Bill had his fingers in random not-so-legal pies, his daughter ran a clean establishment. She had to―the place was usually packed with off-duty cops and feds.

  Dan’s two younger girls were out somewhere―Gracie to a movie with the Glendower twins and Emma out doing God only knew what―so Dan hadn’t protested too much when Georgia had turned those big dark eyes in his direction.

  He was one of the last to arrive, having somehow been designated chauffeur for Gracie and her friends. He hadn’t minded at all. Gracie’s Thanks, Dad! had been more than worth it.

  The team plus more than half of the PAVAD crew waited in the usual spot near Smokey’s stage. The daughter had added the stage a few years back and Dan thought it had been a wise move on her part. Had helped to change the clientele considerably, moving from the original Smokey’s not so savory cronies to a younger, more professional and more lucrative client base.

  Some of the younger PAVAD agents were known to hop up on stage for impromptu karaoke battles that were both entertaining and amusing to watch. Paige and her partner Alessandra Brockman were bouncing around singing something with a head-splitting beat when Dan approached the table.

  Georgia was the first to spot him. “Hi Dan, we saved you a seat!”

  Right next to little Doc Brewster. She smiled at him and he felt his own smile widen. She looked especially nice in a soft blue sweater and jeans. She’d pulled her blond hair up and several strands were starting to escape. Dan wanted to touch, to see if her sweater was as soft as it looked. To see if she was as soft as she looked. He reined himself in.

  “Hello, Dan.” She smiled at him with just a touch of shyness as he settled in his seat. His knee bumped hers.

  “Doc.” He leaned in closer to hear her.

  “They’re pretty good, aren’t they?” She nodded toward the stage. “You got here just in time. Agent Lorcan’s challenged Cody into singing after Paige. Cody is dragging Kelly up there with her.”

  “Kelly always did love being on stage.” Dan laughed as he remembered how many hours he’d worked with Kelly when he’d first taught her to play the guitar. She’d been six and very determined. “She played Annie in the play when she was eight. Standing ovation. The kid could sing!”

  “She still can. Amazingly well.”

  “So can Dan.” Georgia popped into the conversation from just at Dan’s left.

  “You sing?” the doc asked.

  “Plays guitar, too.” Compton picked up on the conversation. “Says it helps him relax.”

  “And you play piano because?” K.D. asked him, smirking, one hand resting on her baby belly.

  “Because chicks dig piano players?” J.T. said.

  “Computer-boy here plays the drums. We get together with Paige, Al, and Carrie―who also play various instruments. Every once in a blue moon we can browbeat Dan into sitting in on a set or two.”

  “Kelly, Cody, Sam and Payton do the same,” Eric said from his place beside the small short-haired blonde Dan had learned was Sam, his ex-wife.

  Dan missed the rest of the conversation as Paige and Al came off the stage and the music changed. His oldest took the stage along with Agent Cody and a slim blonde Dan had seen but never been introduced to.

  His daughter’s voice was clear, throaty, and powerful. He doubted she even needed the cheap microphone to reach the back recesses of the bar.

  The crowd of regulars hushed, as they often did when unfamiliar talent was presented for the first time. Kelly sang of lost love, of pain, and of renewed hope, joined by her two friends. Dan didn’t focus on the other girls.

  While on stage, his oldest daughter lost the skittish nerves and shyness she always displayed; as she sang, Kelly was confident and vivacious. And Dan felt the rush of pride that only a parent could claim.

  Chapter 29

  “She’s good, isn’t she?” Dan asked, a proud grin on his handsome face. Ally smiled in return. She leaned in closer so that he could hear her words.

  “She’s phenomenal. But so are Agent Daviess and Agent Brockman.” Ally felt his arm go behind her, resting on the top of her chair, as he scooted his chair closer. The music changed once again and Cody sang lead. “They were part of a band in Indianapolis, but things went sour just before we were asked to transfer.”

  His face turned serious. “She’s not warming up to me at all, Doc.”

  “It takes her a while to warm up to anyone. It was six months before she opened up to me.” Ally understood his frustration and his impatience. Ryan was doing a pretty good job of shutting her out lately. “How are Gracie and Emma doing?”

  “Gracie’s quiet. Took me a few days to realize that. First thought she was just shy and insecure. But it’s not that―she’s just introverted. Extremely bright, though. Interested in science, just like her older sister. Emma’s fiery, quick. Secretive. Can’t quite put my finger on her, d
oc. Either she’s plotting a total governmental overthrow or...well, I’m not sure.”

  Ally laughed softly. He looked so bewildered. Children could do that to you, no matter what their ages.

  “They are so different. Even from what I imagined. And Kelly...” He frowned, his expression darkening.

  “Kelly is different. And very, very vulnerable. But she’ll adjust. She’ll warm up to you in time. How could she not?”

  Ally felt the pink hit her cheeks when he smiled. She was saved from anymore embarrassment when several of their tablemates stood and moved toward the dance floor. Cody stood center stage, her voice higher and softer―but no less beautiful―than Kelly’s as she moved into a romantic ballad.

  Soon it was just Ally and Dan as Agents Brockman and Daviess pulled Compton and Tompkins onto the small floor.

  Dan looked around, an awkward look on his face that had Ally puzzled. He looked back at her and smiled softly. “It’s been at least a decade since I’ve done it, but would you care to dance, doc?”

  Ally felt even more heat bloom in her cheeks, but to her own surprise she found herself nodding.

  He took her left hand and they stood. He guided her to the dance floor where the Hellbrooks and several other couples were wrapped around each other as they swayed slowly to Cody’s song.

  He put one hand on her back, just above her waist and guided her against him, the other hand captured hers and held it close. He was just the right height for her to dance with, no threat of his chin bumping her head. He smelled nice, of mint and wood and Ally closed her eyes, just breathing him in. He guided her gently through the song, and then through the next and the next. The voices of the singers changed, but Ally was barely aware of it. When the third song ended she looked up at him as he stopped dancing.

  His eyes were trained on Kelly, who stood staring at the two of them with a confused expression on her face. Ally suddenly felt awkward and ashamed, but that faded when she saw the puzzlement and hurt in Dan’s eyes when Kelly turned away and stepped out through the back door of the bar. To get to the table, Kelly would have had to pass her father. Apparently, she hadn’t wanted to do that.

  Ally loved Kelly, and understood she was going through a rough time. But so was Dan. Ally made a quick decision. Her hand tightened on his and she pulled him closer. “She’ll be ok. Just needs time. And space.”

  He nodded, but his attention wasn’t on Ally and she knew it. She sighed and let him lead her back to the table. He wasn’t as talkative, instead sitting with a contemplative expression on his face. The same expression she’d seen on Kelly’s face numerous times.

  Kelly eventually returned, taking her seat across the table. Ally could have strangled her for the way she withdrew, but since the girl’s father was doing the exact same thing, it partially amused her. They were so alike. She wondered if either of them realized that.

  Eventually she grew irritated at the both of them, and accepted Dr. Aitcheson’s offer to dance gladly. Richison may have been a bit of an ass to Sam, but he was perfectly polite with Ally. Still, dancing with him did not evoke half the feelings that dancing with Dan had.

  When she returned to the table, Kelly was gone, as was Agent Compton. Dan sat beside Hellbrook and his wife, nursing the same beer he’d had earlier. Ally’s knee bumped his when she sat and he stiffened, his eyes turning toward her as if he’d forgotten she was there. They stared at each other for a long moment before the buzzing of Hellbrook’s cell phone jerked their attention in Hellbrook’s direction.

  Hellbrook read the text, then jumped to his feet. “Reynolds, shots fired outside! Georgia, stay here!”

  Dan jerked. “Here? Dammit, Kelly and Josh just went outside!”

  Chapter 30

  Dan’s nightmare was realized as soon as Hellbrook threw open the steel fire doors leading to the alley.

  Josh was leaning over Kelly, his hands pressed to her side. Dan gave a cursory check to ensure no threats remained before dropping to his knees beside his daughter. “Baby?”

  Her hand wrapped around his. He vaguely heard Hellbrook calling for an ambulance, followed by a round of cursing.

  Hellbrook moved to Dan’s side. “Nearest ambulances are at least twenty minutes out. Dealing with a pile-up on the interstate.”

  “Hell!” Josh swore, taking the bar towel Lorcan handed him. Dan wasn’t even sure when the man had joined them. “Somebody get a car! We’ll get her to the hospital ourselves!”

  “Let me through!” Doc Brewster pushed her way through the growing crowd.

  Dan shot a glance to the little doc, seeing the fear he felt reflected in her blue eyes. “Kelly?”

  She fell to her knees beside Kelly. “Kelly, listen. I want you to concentrate on breathing slowly, ok? I’m going to poke around, see if the bullet passed through. Then we are getting you to a hospital, and get you sewn back together. You’ll be ok, and Ryan will be pestering you about what it feels like to get shot. You’ll be his hero.”

  She nearly crooned the words, and Dan watched as she efficiently removed the now bloody bar towel and examined the area beneath. His breath caught when she finished.

  “I think the bullet is still in there, but from what I can tell it hasn’t hit anything major. Probably will be able to extract it, then sew her back up quickly. But we need to get moving.”

  Josh apparently needed no more instruction. Dan felt utterly useless as the younger man gently lifted Kelly and cradled her against his chest. Doc Brewster skirted around Dan, then around Josh’s back, then replacing her hand over a new bar towel Lorcan had once more supplied. The man was resourceful, Dan could give him that.

  “I’ll get your car!” Lorcan sprinted down the end of the alley, headed toward the parking lot. Dan reached into his back pocket for his keys, not surprised to find them missing. Lorcan was quick handed, too.

  By the time Josh made it to the parking lot, with Dan on one side and Doc Brewster on the other, Lorcan had the car idling. He hurriedly jumped out of the seat and Dan took his place.

  He may not be able to carry his daughter to safety like Josh, but he could damned well drive her to the hospital. Josh hadn’t let her go, instead slid into the back seat, using his body to keep her braced. The doc slid into the other side, her focus on keeping the pressure steady. Dan barely waited until her door was shut before throwing the car into gear.

  Kelly was crying softly, the sounds nearly breaking down his willpower. He risked throwing a glance over his shoulder. His daughter had her face turned into Josh’s neck, and the young man kept stroking her bright purple-streaked hair.

  They looked so strange next to each other. Josh was a conservative in both manner and dress. His Kelly was anything but. Yet she clung to the other man. Josh was always so good with victims.

  A victim. It left a sour taste in Dan’s mouth to refer to his own child as a victim. He’d get the bastard responsible, as soon as his little girl was better.

  Chapter 31

  Ally's predictions were correct―the bullet had been small caliber and had done minimal damage. Kelly slept peacefully after having given instructions to both Dan and Ally to stop hovering. Ally knew Kelly hated to have people see her vulnerable, so she quickly led a protesting Dan out. He relented only after she explained. And asked him for a ride home. She'd ridden to Smokey's with Cody and Kelly.

  He was quiet on the drive and she didn't have much to say, either.

  He walked her to the door, as if it had been a date. She readied her keys, thoughts on the night's events and not paying much attention to her surroundings. She squealed when he cursed and jerked her behind him.

  It took her only seconds to see what he had. The pretty green paint she and the kids had picked out for the door the week they'd moved in had been scratched and gouged around the lock, and the door stood open the barest of an inch. He moved her off the porch so quickly she didn't have time to protest.

  “Get in and keep your head down.” He opened the front passenger door and ush
ered her inside, closing the door quickly.

  He rounded the front of the vehicle and slid behind the wheel. Ally shivered as it sank in that her home had been broken into. “Dan?”

  He pulled his cell out of his pocket as he pulled the car out of her drive. “Hit speed dial number four. It'll be Ed Dennis. Then hand me the phone, sweetheart.”

  Ally followed his instructions with hands that trembled. She waited until she heard the answering ring on the other end before handing it to him, and then listened as he explained what had happened. Ally pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders.

  It was then that she saw the stain on her coat. Kelly's blood. Oh, God.

  The next twenty minutes were a blur. Dan pulled the vehicle into the parking lot of a nearby convenience store and they waited for the local police to arrive, then waited for the locals to determine if the scene was secure. Then Dan drove her back to her house, where they spoke to the locals on Ally's front lawn. Director Dennis arrived moments later.

  The older man had his hand out, then wrapped it around Ally's elbow. She immediately felt a sense of comfort. “Dr. Brewster. Dan, how's your daughter doing?”

  “She was sleeping when we left,” Dan said. The two men flanked her and Ally felt an instant sense of safety. These two were powerful, strong men.

  “And what have they said about this?” The silver-haired man nodded toward the front door.

  “Nothing yet.” Dan pulled Ally closer to his side, and she let him. Let him be strong for her just a bit while she dealt with the fact that not only had her best friend been shot but her home had been violated.

  She said little while the two men discussed everything that had happened. She didn't know what to say. She'd never been the victim of a crime. What seemed like hours passed before the local officers cleared the house for Ally to enter. Dan held her hand.

  Once inside she was grateful for his support. The entire house had been upended. The knickknacks, mementos, photo albums she'd just happened to finish unpacking onto the shelves by the fireplace were pulled to the floor. The coin dish Ryan had made in the second grade lay in three pieces on the living room rug. Aislin's finger paints were opened and upended over the sofa.