by Gina Austin
Chapter 24
Nick arrived fifteen minutes earlier to roll call on Friday in anticipation of talking with Susan for a few minutes before his 24 hour shift started. Susan didn’t disappoint as she came into the station garage shortly after Nick.
“I saw your coverage report on the carbon monoxide call on Tuesday night’s news. Great story! Nick said.
“Thanks. I’ve learned so much from riding with you guys. How were your days off? Susan asked.
“I had so much time off when I was on leave that those 3 days felt like a week. Besides I was looking forward to coming back.” Nick said.
“Couldn’t wait to get some more adrenaline on your next shift?”
“Actually, this being the last day of your news story, I wanted a chance to say goodbye.”
Susan knew what he meant but wanted to tease him by saying, “Goodbye? Are you transferring to another fire station or leaving Chicago?”
“No but this is your last day riding with us.”
“True, but it doesn’t have to be goodbye. I could bump into you on the field one day and you can give me an exclusive or I could see you in the supermarket shopping for recipe ingredients. After all, we both live in Logan Square, so instead of saying goodbye, let’s just say see you later. Deal?”
“Ok deal.”
“Don’t forget. I’m looking forward to my last dinner at the station house.”
“Oh, I haven’t and it’ll be a dinner you won’t soon forget.”
“I’m sure I won’t and here’s your recipe book you lent me. Can’t wait to cook some of them myself.” Susan said smiling as the captain began roll call.
Little did Susan and Nick know that they would both have to take a rain check on tonight’s dinner.
It was about 4pm when the call came in. The firefighters were dispatched to an auto accident on the west side of I-90/I-94 between W. Fullerton Avenue and Logan Boulevard. Dispatch had already informed Captain Miller that officers on the scene reported one of the drivers was trapped and suffering from back injuries. When they arrived at the scene, both accident vehicles were on the shoulder lane. Captain Miller told Troy to park the fire truck right next to the vehicle with the injured driver so it would provide a safety buffer for them as they rescued the driver from the vehicle. The paramedic truck parked on the shoulder in front of the crashed vehicles and proceeded to grab the gurney once they noticed fire truck #1 was providing cover from oncoming traffic.
Captain Miller and Nick where the first one’s out of fire truck #1 and the captain ordered Nick to grab the cutters. Susan and James where already filming the incident from inside the fire truck cabin to capture an elevated view from the truck but also to stay out of everyone’s way. Troy stayed in the driver’s seat until told otherwise. Alex jumped out to and the captain told him to check the driver of the 1st vehicle who seemed fine standing by his car.
A Chicago police officer named DeLuca was already on the scene directing traffic, walked over to fire truck #1 and said to Troy, “What the hell ya doing? Rush hours startin and you’re blocking 2 lanes. You need to move the truck to the shoulder now! Officer DeLuca shouted.
Nick didn’t appreciate the officer’s attitude one bit and put up his hand to Troy to wait and said, “Wait till you get the order from the captain.” Looking at the very annoyed officer, Nick said, “We need the truck to stay where it is to provide us a safe working area so we can rescue this person and not worry about getting hit by a speeding motorist.”
Looking at Nick as if he was no one of importance, he said, “Why do you think I’m here for. I’m to make sure everyone goes around you but the truck can’t stay here.”
“There’s no way you can guarantee our safety,” Nick told the officer. “Besides we’ll probably be done here in 20 to 30 minutes.”
“Move the truck now!” Officer DeLuca yelled back
Unbelievable thought Captain Miller, hearing the argument, he walked over to the truck and said, “Under no circumstances do you move this truck!” Troy nodded in agreement. The captain directed his attention to Officer DeLuca and said, “Like my firefighter explained to you, we need a safety barrier. We shouldn’t be here that long anyway So don’t make a big deal about a little traffic.”
Walking away so he can focus his attention on the injured driver, Officer DeLuca grabs the captain’s arm and begins to argue with him about jurisdiction. Captain Miller pushes Officer DeLuca’s arm off of him and says, “Are you crazy? You want to risk the lives of my firefighters from safely rescuing this person because of some petty traffic?”
Ignoring the officer, Captain Miller said, “Nick start cutting the door so we can pull that guy out.” The captain ordered. Nick nodded but looked at Officer DeLuca one more time, wondering what the hell was his problem.
Relentlessly Officer DeLuca confronted Captain Miller again and yelled, “I’m giving you one more chance to move that truck.”
“I’m giving you one more chance to come to your senses and let us do our jobs!” Captain Miller answered angrily!
“That’s it! You’re under arrest! Put your hands behind your back.” Officer Deluca commanded.
Doing as the officer instructed Captain Miller told him, “I’m going to make sure you lose your badge for this.” Reading the captains rights as he was walking him to his patrol car, Nick got in between them.
Oh God! What are you doing? Susan thought. “James! Are you getting all this? Susan asked.
James gave her thumbs up so his voice wouldn’t come over the audio recording.
Nick asked, “What’s the charge?”
Officer DeLuca put his hand on Nick’s chest to push him aside and said, “Stay out of the way or you’re next.”
Nick didn’t budge at all. “You still haven’t answered my question. What’s the charge?” Nick countered.
Officer DeLuca, riding really high on his superiority complex, let go of the captain and pushed Nick with both his arms. He pushed Nick so hard that he tripped over the mechanical cutter cables making Nick hit his head on the expressways pavement. As he lost consciousness, the last thing he remembered was Susan screaming.
Chapter 25
NICK! NICK! Susan screaming as she jumped out of the truck to check on Nick. Once Officer DeLuca saw the cameraman filming the situation, his heart sank. Alex and Troy came to look on Nick but with the captain under arrest and Nick unconscious, Alex was now in charge of this call. Alex ordered Troy to cut the door so paramedics could get the injured driver to the hospital. Starring at Officer DeLuca, he grabbed his radio and called dispatch, “Engine 43 to dispatch. Firefighter down, requesting additional paramedic assistance over.”
“10-4 Engine 43. Will advise on paramedic ETA.” The emergency dispatcher said.
“Dispatch – Engine 43. Please inform the Fire Chief that Captain Miller has been taken into custody.”
Controlling his anger and disgust towards Officer DeLuca, Alex demanded to know, “What precinct are you taking him to?
“14,” Officer DeLuca said.
“Dispatch – Engine 43. Be advised. Captain Miller is being taken to police precinct 14.”
“10-4 Engine 43. Standby.”
Looking to notice that Troy successfully removed the car door and the paramedics were already caring for their patient, Alex refocused his attention onto Officer DeLuca and said, “Hope you got a good lawyer because camera man over here, got you on video. Alex walked away to check on Nick but it was now Susan’s turn to really give Officer DeLuca a piece of her mind.
Already having her microphone in hand, she confronted Officer DeLuca saying, “ Susan Taylor. Chicago News 7. Having witnessed and captured your actions on video during this rescue attempt, can you explain what reason would compel you to arrest Captain Miller of Engine Company 43 and forcefully knockdown one of his firefighters Nick Gates who is now unconscious?”
Knowing that he allowed his anger to get the best of him, Officer DeLuca hesitantly answered, “No comment at this t
ime.”
Oh no! You’re not getting off that easy, thought Susan. “What is the charge against Captain Miller?”
“Obstructing justice.”
“How did you come to that conclusion? The only thing he was obstructing was a traffic lane to keep his men safe while answering a medical call.”
Noticing that a fellow patrolman was arriving on the scene to take over while he took Captain Miller down to the station, he replied, “No comment.”
Susan turned off her microphone, had James turn off the camera, stared at Officer DeLuca’s cold eyes and said, “You coward. I’m disgusted to know that there are men like you that carry a badge and a gun. Just remember this was all you’re doing and I hold you personally responsible for whatever happens to that firefighter.
Officer DeLuca, noticing that the camera was not on him any longer, simply smiled and walked towards the arriving patrolman. He shortly got into his patrol car and took Captain Miller to custody.
Noticing that Nick was still lying unconscious, Susan heard the sirens of the distant ambulance as it was making its way through rush hour traffic. Walking back over to Nick, Susan realized that Alex had removed his fireman’s coat so he wouldn’t overheat in the mid-August heat. Taking the coat and holding it up to provide some shade from the sun on Nicks face, Susan asked Alex, Why isn’t he waking up?”
“I don’t know.” Alex responded with concern. “He’s breathing, but he’s knocked out cold. We’ll know more once a doctor’s looked at him in the hospital.” All Susan could do was wait until the paramedics came to help Nick but she kept wake up Nick, please just wake up.
Chapter 26
Nick woke up on route to the hospital, thankful that the first person he saw was Susan.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” Susan asked gently.
“Like I got hit with a bat. Some cop pushed me down. Didn’t he?” Nick asked.
“He did and James caught it all on video.” Susan said
“What happened to the captain?”
“He was taken to precinct 14. Alex called to have the Fire Chief notified.”
“Good! The captain won’t be there long.” Looking at Susan with a grin “I’m happy you’re here with me.”
“What are friends for?” Susan smiled back and pointed out the rear window of the ambulance to show Nick that his fire house friends were following closely behind.
While waiting in the hospital for Nick to be fully evaluated by the doctor, Susan called Mike, who wasn’t on shift today, to let him know all that had happened with Nick. All the guys from the fire station were also in the waiting room. Mike wanted to come but Susan told him Nick wasn’t going to be admitted so it wouldn’t make any sense for him to come over. Thirty minutes later, Nick was released.
***
When everyone got back to the station house, it was business as usual until they received further news on Captain Miller. Reports were filled out and dinner was starting to be prepared. Shortly afterwards a Chicago patrol car had personally chauffeured Captain Miller back to his fire station. Everyone clapped as the captain came up the stairs and entered the dining room area. “Seems like the Fire Chief had a conversation with the Police Chief regarding this little altercation and all of a sudden they started treating me like the Mayor.” The captain said.
“I’m so sorry that happened to you Captain.” Susan said thoughtfully. “Just so you’re aware James did capture everything on video. We’re actually heading back to the news station to edit it and prepare if for the 10 o’clock news.”
“Not really looking forward to seeing myself being led away in handcuffs in the evening news, but Officers like DeLuca need to be sent a message and I know what you captured today will show that. How’s Nick doing?”
Walking in the room, Nick said, “Got a nasty bump in the back of my head but I can still see straight.”
Captain put his hand on Nicks shoulder and said “Thanks for standing up for me out there today.”
“Any day Captain.”
“Now go home and rest your head. Troy, go ahead and take Truck #3 and give Nick a ride home.” The captain said.
“I’m actually heading in that direction so I can drop him off.” Susan offered.
“Forget it Troy.” The captain said. “Chicago’s prettiest reporter has this covered.”
“Before I leave, I just want to let you all know that both James and I truly appreciate everything you all have shared with us. It’s amazing everything you guys do to keep the community safe and you are all heroes in my heart. It’s been an honor to have shared this 3 day’s with you. Thank you so much.” Susan went around the room to personally shake the hand of every firefighter.
“You’re always welcome here Miss Taylor. Don’t be a stranger.” The captain said.
“I won’t and if you decide to take legal action on what happened today and need me to testify, please let me know. I’ll be there.”
“I may just take you up on that.”
Leaving the fire station, Susan told James she would meet him in the editing room of the news station. Opening her card doors, Susan was looking forward to having some private time to speak with Nick before dropping him off at his house.
“I think you and the captain should sue this cop once today’s incident is made public.” Susan said.
“The thought did cross my mind. Was pretty humiliating.” Nick said
“Guess I’ll have to take a rain check on that fabulous dinner you were going to make tonight.”
“You’ll have to claim that rain check soon. You’ll be married in a couple of weeks and I don’t think your husband would take too kindly the idea of another man cooking you dinner.”
Ouch I really didn’t need to hear that. Susan thought as guilt tried to creep into her heart but not allowing it to damper her spirit.
Feeling an awkward silence, Nick said, “Well at least you have all my secret recipes.”
“Yes but I’m sure it won’t taste the same as the master chef makes it.”
“I’m sure you’ll do fine. On the next light, make a right and it’ll be house number 273 on the right side. Nick said. As Susan pulled into the driveway, both hearts began feeling a sense of loss. This is it…I’ll probably never see her again unless she’s doing a live report on TV or if we’re both volunteering in the soup kitchen the same day. Nick thought.
Susan thought, Unless I’m covering another fire story, I probably won’t see him again.
“I know you’ve still got work to do but I wanted to let you know that I wish you the best in your marriage. I hope Tom realizes how lucky he is to have you in his life. For me, I want you to know that I will miss our friendship. Take care Susan.” He wanted to say more but knew it would be inappropriate. He felt his heart aching to be losing Susan’s friendship and wishing they could have so much more and be so much more.
Susan was at a loss for words and her heart was beating just as hard and fast as if she just finished running a 5 mile marathon. For a reporter who had plenty to say when she was in front of the camera, the words escaped her at this very moment as she admired Nicks face one last time. Not wanting to say the words goodbye or any other she leaned over, hugged Nick and kissed him on the cheek. Sitting back into the driver’s seat, she sent him a brief smile and focused her attention straight ahead waiting for Nick to step out of the car.
Nick realized that this was difficult for Susan as well when he caught her forced smile. He didn’t want to complicate matters for her or himself any longer. He got out of the vehicle and walked to the front of the house stopping at the door to see Susan drive off.
As Susan pulled away from the front of Nick’s house, she looked at her rear window mirror and took her last look at Nick and noticed that he stopped at the door to see her off. As she arrived at the end of the block waiting for the traffic light to turn green, she covered her face and took a deep breath to control her feelings. One tear managed to escape. Then another…and another.
Chap
ter 27
Nick walked into his house and saw Mike watching Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. “Hey bro! Heard you and the captain had a run in with the law!” Mike said.
“Yeah. Something like that. Could you lower the volume on that, got a bit of a headache.” Nick said.
“Not a problem. Hey, got us pizza tonight. Grab a slice and tell me what happened.
“Didn’t Susan tell you from the hospital?”
“Yeah but I wanted to hear it from you.”
“No offense Mike but not really in the mood besides you’ll see it all on the 10 o’clock news later. I’m going to the garage to work on the bike.”