Her Steadfast HERO (Black Dawn Book 1)

by Caitlyn O'Leary

  “Let me explain the situation,” Bernardo began. “The hotel you are staying in has sustained the least amount of damage. It has its own generators and water supply because it was built last year. The city of San Marcos is a disaster. We never had a good land line system, so we depend on cellular phones. We already have our cell towers back up. The city doesn’t have electricity, and water is at a premium.”

  David looked around and saw the aid workers nod. This didn’t seem to come as a surprise. Bernardo continued. “On the bright side, our hospital and certain government buildings have generators. The rural areas are in better shape because they never depended on electricity or sewer systems, but many houses have collapsed, and we have a lot of people injured in our countryside. We are burying people as quickly as we’re able, but we have over five hundred bodies that still need to be buried.”

  David watched Sarah take in that last piece of information, even though her face remained impassive, her fists clenched, a sure sign she was upset.

  Carys stepped forward.

  “Governor, we’ve dealt with situations like this in the past. We should be able to help you with your crisis. If there are specific things you want us to focus on first, please let us know. Otherwise, we will focus on the injured in the hospital.”

  “There are two clinics as well. Those will need coverage.”

  “I will ensure that my personnel provides coverage there as well,” she assured him.

  Bernardo nodded his head to David, indicating they needed to leave. David took one last look at Sarah, wishing they had a chance to talk, but knowing he had to go.

  They went to the prison together for the first time. It was a mess. He’d bet his bottom dollar, his savings account, and his newly restored 1974 Cougar that the warden was corrupt. Only seven prisoners had been caught, and they had nothing to do with the drug trade. Since David was at the prison, he demanded to meet with Riggs and Harrison.

  “Why?” Warden Nunez asked. “We’re in the middle of an epic crisis. Are only American lives important to you?”

  “From what you’ve told me, Riggs was instrumental in saving four men in the infirmary after it collapsed. I would think you would be grateful to him. As for Harrison, he was in the same cellblock as most of the men who escaped, and he stayed. He chose not to escape. This tells me a lot about the men’s character. These are good men who have proven themselves. They are members of the United States Army, and I demand to talk to them. Have I made myself clear?” David was too tired to play any phony diplomatic games. Bernardo was standing beside him. He knew the governor would weigh in if necessary, but it wouldn’t be. The warden would cave.

  “Follow me,” the warden said woodenly.

  Bernardo started to follow.

  “Governor, I would like to speak to my men in private.”

  Bernardo looked startled, but then he smiled. “Of course.”

  The warden led him to a small sour smelling room with a table surrounded by four chairs. Riggs and Harrison were brought in by two guards, they were handcuffed but not shackled.

  “My name is Captain David Sloane. I’m a member of Military Police Investigations. I came to Las Flores two days ago because of you two. Things got a little off track.”

  “It sure as hell did.” Harrison put his elbows on the table and rested his head in his hands. “Jesus, I thought when we were brought here it was as bad as it got, and then the earthquake hit. This shit just keeps getting more and more real.”

  Riggs let out a nervous laugh.

  “So you’re Robert Harrison, and you’re James Riggs?” David pointed to each man in turn.

  “I’m Bobby.” Harrison held out one hand as best he could in handcuffs. David shook it.

  “I’m Jim,” Riggs said, doing the same.

  “Okay, so Bobby, I know you were only giving name, rank, and serial number. I think I know a little bit of what was going on. The cop that you decked was corrupt. He was probably forcing underage kids to sell drugs for him, and was knocking them around for money, and you got involved trying to protect them.”

  David watched as both of their mouths fell open.

  “I’ll take your looks of disbelief as confirmation. Look, I don’t have time for the little happy dance we would normally do. We have thousands of people dead. We have a worthless police force that is on the take, probably a corrupt warden, and forty-six prisoners still on the loose. Just tell me what the fuck I need to know to get you guys cleared of the charges.”

  “It’s complicated,” Harrison began.

  “I’m good at complicated,” David responded.

  “Some people could get hurt.”

  “I won’t let them,” David promised.

  “How do you know that? They’ve already been hurt.” Harrison was adamant. He wasn’t going to talk, and David needed to convince him.

  “I’m not going to tell anyone what you tell me in confidence if I think it will get them into trouble. I promise you. I’m just trying to understand. Your keeping quiet only guarantees that you’re going to stay in prison. That helps no one. Trust me, the government has bigger fish to fry right now. So, please, tell me,” David coaxed.

  “We’re staying at this little hotel, down near the beach. This is the second year I’ve been here.” Harrison said.

  “It’s my first. I came to sketch. Bobby’s here because of Lola.”

  “I want to marry Lola.”

  David nodded.

  “Lola’s little brother and her cousin are both thirteen. They’ve been selling drugs in the capital city, San Marcos. I promised Lola I would get them to stop. When I confronted them, they told me that their boss had been threatening them. He’s been saying that he would kill Lola if they didn’t do what he told them. I said they should introduce me to him. I didn’t realize he was a cop.”

  “What happened when you were introduced?”

  “At first, we weren’t. We hung around the bar having a beer. The kids were in the back playing pool. The age rules aren’t as strict.” Harrison let out a half laugh. “So we’re at the bar having a beer and the next thing I know Jim gets hit with a pool cue.”

  “Was it the cop?”

  “No, it was Lola’s brother. I turn around, and he’s standing there, beaten to shit, blood, tears and snot streaming down his face. I knew it was the drug dealer that had done it to him, and who had made him hit Jim.”

  “Jim, I assume you’re on the ground?”

  Jim nodded.

  “What did you do, Bobby?”

  “I took the cue from Eduardo and put him behind me. I asked who did this. He was crying too hard to tell me. But up pops Juan, and he points at the cop. He says it was Felix. When I turned to Lola’s brother, he nods and points to the cop. He says, ‘Yeah, it’s Felix.’”

  “I confront the asshole.”

  “What did you say?”

  “I ask him if he’s the motherfucker who uses children? He takes exception to the way I phrased the question. He pulls his gun, but doesn’t point it at me, he points it at Juan. That’s when I hit him with everything I had.”

  “Good for you. Where are the kids now?”

  “They’re with Lola, at their grandparent’s farm in the country. I pray to God they’re safe.”

  “Sounds like you did the right thing.” David gave a grim smile.

  “Except for assaulting a cop in a foreign country.” Harrison said as he sank lower into his chair.

  “Well, it seems like you might have a friend in that government.”

  “Yeah, who?”

  “The acting chief of police.” This time David’s smile wasn’t as grim.

  Chapter Three

  Sarah Kyle. The ash blonde hair with streaks of gold had been a kick in the guts. God just seeing her for five minutes at the airport, and almost five years had been stripped away.

  Four years, five months and sixteen days.

  What?

  Shit, had he been counting?

  He hadn’t eve
n realized he remembered the date of their last night together, but he did. April seventeenth.

  David shoved out of the shower stall and dried himself off. He braced himself on the sink as he examined his thigh. He grinned. This bruise was the winner. Even beat the one he’d had when he fell off his cousin’s motorcycle.

  He yawned, and went to the bed where he had upended his duffel bag, which contained all of his miracle gear. It still amazed him that it had been totally untouched by falling debris in the earthquake. He snagged his shaving kit and went back into the bathroom so he could brush his teeth and shave. Maybe he would feel human enough to get some sleep.

  Since there had been two significant aftershocks, David decided to sleep in sweats instead of naked, in case he needed to get out of bed quick. Same reason his gun belt was on the nightstand. He yawned again. He set his phone for four a.m. His stomach growled as he yawned for the third time. Well, his stomach would just have to damn well wait, now wouldn’t it?

  He groaned with pleasure as his head hit the pillow. The sheets even smelled good. April seventeenth. It was his last thought as he drifted off to sleep. To dream.

  * * *

  Four years earlier…

  Damn, he was supposed to have four months.

  “Face it, Sloane, you’re a hot commodity. They’re always going to move your ass once you have something slightly under control.” Rick loved being right, he’d called it yesterday, and his grin was huge.

  “But we don’t know if the case is actually going to be closed like I said it would be,” David protested to his friend and current partner as they walked down the hallway to the exit.

  Rick laughed.

  “Quit your damn laughing. How were you so sure yesterday? Why are you laughing anyway?” David demanded as he opened the door, and then grimaced at the rain. It was constant at Fort Lewis. Washington State sure was different than Georgia. At Fort Benning it came down in torrents, this was like being under an actual warm shower. Sarah said it was Mount Rainier giving you a hug.

  “I’m laughing because you still don’t see yourself clearly. You’re good, Sloane, and the brass knows it. When you say a case is coming together, they know it’s in the bag.”

  “Come on, Rick, it’s both of us. You’re my partner.”

  Rick snorted. “I’m just along for the ride, and I know it. I’m learning a lot. I don’t mind. It’s David Sloane and his partner what’s his name.”

  “That’s not true,” David jumped in.

  Rick gave him the side eye.

  David sighed.

  “David, I was the one who asked to be partnered with you. This last year working with you has been like four normal years on the job. If I have to be in your shadow, it’s a small price to pay. So let me continue oh exalted one. You told them the case was almost cleared, so you’re on to another assignment.”

  “It’s not even close to being done,” David protested.

  “Yes, it is. We know Allen is our perp. We know who we have to squeeze. This is something I can finish up. Your part is done,” Rick called out as they went to their respective cars.

  Fuck!

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Sloane.” David watched as Rick got into his car. He checked his watch. He had an hour before he was supposed to meet Sarah for dinner, and it was now going to be their last date, instead of their fourth.

  Fuck!

  * * *

  She took a sip of her root beer float, and then looked up at him. “David, why did you want to go somewhere else? I thought you loved the burgers at this place.”

  “I do. But someplace near the water or downtown Seattle sounded nice.”

  “We have to be at work tomorrow,” she reminded him gently. “If we had done that we would have spent all of our time driving. This way we have more time to talk.” Her smile was normally contagious, but he felt time slipping away.

  “Hey, what the heck is going on? You haven’t been yourself all night. Do I have lettuce in my teeth? Did something go sideways with your case?” She asked both questions in a soft and caring tone. That was Sarah, soft and caring. It must be why she got into nursing in the first place.

  “No and no.”

  “Then what? Something is definitely going on.”

  “Are you sure this is just our fourth date? You sure have gotten to know me pretty well in a short amount of time.” He watched as she sat back from the table, and folded her hands in her lap, her expression going blank.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything bad by that,” she said quietly.

  What the hell? He’d somehow managed to step on a landmine. He placed his hand on the table, palm up. “Would you give me your hand, Sarah?” She looked at him with her big gray eyes. She bit her lip, he could see both want and hesitancy in her expression. He decided to help.

  “Sarah,” he said in his command voice. She unclasped her hands and for long moments held her hand over his before it finally came to a soft landing, like a butterfly. Just as carefully, he cupped his fingers around it, showing her she had made the right decision. He watched her and saw her shudder.

  “You’re right, I’m upset.” She tried to jerk her hand away, but he was ready for it, and his hold was gentle but implacable. “I have my orders to leave in the morning.”

  “Oh no,” she said before she could censor herself.

  “My feeling exactly. I thought I had at least another month. I actually was counting on four months. This is a complicated case.”

  Sarah sighed. “That’s what happens when you’re good at your job.”

  “You should know.”

  Her head jerked up.

  “Weren’t you number one in your class at Beaumont? Don’t they want you to re-up with a promotion so you can get more into the administrative side of things?”

  “I talked a lot on our last date, didn’t I?” She laughed.

  “I’m trained to interview people. Plus, I plied you with wine.”

  “That’s why I’m sticking to ice cream this time,” she said holding up her root beer float. “As for the job, I’m still debating their offer. I love bedside, and it seems to be either or. I wish there was more of a hybrid. But that’s not tonight’s topic.” He watched as her expression turned wistful. “I was really hoping for a chance to get to know you better.”

  David rubbed his thumb along the sensitive tissue of her palm.

  Ah, little nurse, I wanted that time too. He watched as she looked down at their linked hands. She liked being touched. She’d liked the few kisses they’d shared, but there’d been a sense of hesitation to go along with her desire. That’s why he hadn’t pushed, why he had taken it slow. Damn, he’d been looking forward to finding out the reasons for those barriers, and getting past them.

  “David?”

  “What, honey?”

  “I’m done with dinner. Would you like to have a nightcap at my place?” Her eyes shyly met his. Such a brave girl.

  He twined their fingers together and brought her hand to his lips. Her nipples spiked under her soft red sweater. “I would love to see your home.”

  He threw some bills on the table and helped her out of the high booth.

  They got outside the restaurant, and when he started towards the parking lot, she stopped him.

  “What?”

  “David, are you sure I’m not pushing you into something-”

  He pressed his fingertip on her plush lips. His Sarah was always worried that she was making waves.

  “I promise you’re not pushing me into anything. And I’ll take that a step further. I won’t be pushing you into anything either.”

  “I know that,” she said in a slightly exasperated tone. “If I didn’t you wouldn’t be coming home with me.”

  David walked Sarah to her car and opened the door for her. “I’ll follow you,” he promised.

  “Okay.”

  A half hour later, he pulled up beside her in the driveway of her house. It was a pretty blue ranch style with a wealth o
f rhododendron and azalea bushes flourishing in the front yard. It suited her.

  “You kept up.” She grinned at him. She pushed off her hood and looked up at the moonlit sky. The rain had stopped, and now they were blanketed by a beautiful Pacific Northwest night.

  “I’m trained to track people, of course, I could keep up,” he said as he pulled the door key from her hands.

  “No, you’re trained to protect people,” she corrected. “You’re a protector. I felt it from the first time I saw you in the hallway at the clinic.”

  “You remember me from then?” he asked as he opened the door for her. She went to go in, but he held her back. “Let me take a quick look, okay?”

  She frowned at him, “Why?”

  “Humor me, it’s what I do.”

  “My dad was like that.” He heard her say as he went into the house. He made a cursory sweep of the interior and ushered her in.

  “Your dad did that, huh?”

  “He was a cop in Georgia.” She smiled as she turned on lights, and set her purse on the counter. He watched as she kicked off her heels and dug her toes into the thick carpet.

  “You never told me that before,” he said as he watched her stretch her arms. “There’s a lot you haven’t shared.”

  “We’ve been talking about our careers and the base gossip. We would have gotten there eventually.” She stopped mid-stretch. “I guess there won’t be time for that now,” she said biting her lip. She twirled and headed toward her kitchen. He followed.

  “What can I get you to drink? Usually, you have bourbon, but I don’t have that. I have beer and wine. I think I might have some tequila.” David watched as she stood on tiptoe to open a cupboard above her microwave.

  “Anything will be fine.”

  “I want to give you options. I invited you over.” She closed the cupboard and turned around to face him. He watched as she bit her lip. She did that whenever she was feeling unsure.

  “I’ll have whatever you’re having, honey. Hell, water’s fine by me.”

  She gave a relieved laugh. “Okay, I’m done being nervous,” she promised. “Let me give you a tour.”

  She slipped by him, and he followed her out of the kitchen into the dining room that opened up into a spacious living room. The centerpiece of the room was a large fireplace made from river rock. On the mantle was a wedding photo, Sarah looked beautiful and so young. The man looked young and handsome in his dress blues.