FORSAKEN: On The Edge 0f Oblivion (Beauty 0f Life Book 1)

by Laura Acton

  “What is today’s date?” Walter asked softly to avoid increasing any pain Dan may be experiencing.

  Dan cleared his throat. “September fifteenth.”

  “Correct. Do you recall what happened today?”

  “Not all of it, sir. Things go fuzzy after I took a lethal shot today.” Dan shifted on the bed and glanced at the IV wanting to remove the damned thing.

  Thank goodness Dan remembered, one less issue to deal with. “The team is debriefing and will write their statements. You did your NRB interview. I’ll be the one to listen to your account. However, before you report to me, I would like you to speak with Dale Gibbson. Are you up to talking with him now or is the pain still too intense?”

  “I can meet with him now.” Rather get this over with and done today.

  The commander stood. “I’ll make the nurse aware you’re awake and call Gibbson. You rest until he comes. Can I bring you anything?”

  Dan gave a half-hearted lopsided grin attempting to deflect from his current tenuous state. “Coffee, if allowed. If not allowed, coffee.”

  Walter grinned. Dan didn’t realize how much his smile mirrored William’s. Nor did he know they shared the same addiction to the black gold. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  TRF HQ – Briefing Room

  Nick scrutinized his team as they finished signing their written statements. He stood before addressing them more formally than usual. “After today, I am requesting the withdrawal of Alpha Team from active duty tomorrow. You will all to go home, rest, and think about your actions today.

  “Additionally, no one is to have any contact with Dan until further notice. Loki, Lexa, I don’t believe Dale Gibbson makes idle threats. He will file assault charges if either of you goes near Dan. I’ll call each of you tomorrow after speaking with Gambrill. I suspect everyone will be required to undergo a session with the department psychologist.”

  Looking at Jon, Nick added, “Jon, stay.”

  Lexa, Bram, Loki, and Ray filed out somberly.

  Nick reclosed the room. Drained, he resumed his seat and gazed at his friend. Silence dragged on as Nick corralled his emotions before dealing with a complex and fractious issue. The team’s appalling behavior, his included, disgusted him. Lexa’s and Loki’s show of aggression inexcusable, but that all paled in comparison to his tactical lead’s errors in judgment.

  Jon broke the silence first. “I recognize I screwed up today. I shouldn’t have gone off like that in public. Broderick rubs me the wrong way. Nick, he’s too much soldier. Broderick is always action before words. He doesn’t fit. I can’t grasp why Gambrill hired him. We worked well as a six-member team. We didn’t need a seventh. All the other teams are still only six members.”

  Standing and starting to pace, Jon continued, “You see what this is doing to the team. Christ, Loki of all people, driven to attack a teammate. And Lexa, she is a spitfire, but she has always been in control. Broderick negatively affects every single team member.

  “Broderick doesn’t listen and goes off half-cocked. I’m responsible for the tactical plans, and I cannot keep worrying what stunt he is going to pull next. If my head is worrying about his actions, I can’t concentrate on the situation. His risky exploits are gonna cause someone’s death. Ray got hurt today. Who will it be tomorrow? Bram? Loki? Lexa? You? Me?”

  Nick allowed Jon to vent. When Jon didn’t continue, and his list was incomplete, Nick quietly added, “Dan?”

  Jon stopped cold. He held the gaze Nick leveled at him. Broderick doesn’t count. He’s not a real part of my team.

  Nick sighed. I shouldn’t have allowed things to progress to this point. This fracture occurred on my watch, and team dynamics is my responsibility, not Jon’s. “I’ve been hands-off because tactical is your realm and you do a superb job. You are my right-hand man, and I depend on you. But I’m team sergeant, and ultimately responsible. I should’ve intervened sooner. Jon, this can’t continue. It is tearing the team apart.”

  Jon resumed his seat. Nick’s right this can’t go on. This is a disaster. Our performance rapidly deteriorated after Gambrill forced Broderick on us.

  With Jon now appearing calmer, Nick said, “You seem to measure Dan against atypical criteria, and hold him to a higher benchmark than any rookie we’ve ever had. Why is Dan so different?”

  Pinching his brow, Jon considered Nick’s remarks. Do I measure him differently? Is my criterion for the ex-soldier different? If so, is it unreasonable? Jon blew out a breath. “Yeah, he’s different. I can’t tell you why. I need time to think. If I’m honest, yeah, I am holding him to an advanced standard. He’s Special Forces trained. He should comprehend teamwork, how to be a team member, and follow orders. But he goes lone wolf and is constantly putting my team at unacceptable risk.”

  Nick challenged, “Putting us at risk, or himself?”

  Dodging the question, unwilling to examine the answer, Jon went on the defensive “Broderick is reckless and aggressive. We were told nothing of his past. Just, here is your new teammate like it or not. Well, I don’t like. The commander thrust Broderick upon us. I can’t read him like the others. I never know what he is thinking behind his expressionless face.”

  A lightbulb went off in Nick’s head as he listened to Jon’s remarks and searched between the lines for insight. “Jonny, Dan isn’t Burl Henderson, and he is not Alejandro Espina either. You can’t let what happened with those two color your view of Dan.

  “Yes, Dan was imposed on us. But we are team leaders, and we set the tone, Jon. Our actions, inaction, and reactions brought the team to this place today. Loki and Lexa never would’ve exhibited such extreme behavior unless they believed we would condone their conduct.

  “Let me be clear, under no circumstances do I condone what they did. You and I have some critical thinking to do.” Nick stood and clapped Jon’s shoulder. “Go home. Reflect on this matter, and we will talk tomorrow.”

  Jon clenched his jaw. Yeah, understatement of the year … I need to think of a solution to be rid of Broderick before one of us dies.

  Nick drew in a breath gradually exhaling as he gazed where Broderick routinely sat. “You know, you are right about one thing though.”

  Jon had dropped his head as Nick spoke but raised it at the last statement. “What?”

  Nick sighed. “If things continue the way they are, someone is gonna get killed. Though, I fear that someone will be Dan, rather than any of us.”

  Jon’s eyes bored into his friend’s wondering if he could read minds. “Why do you say that?”

  “A gut feeling. Now go home. Relax and take some time to put your head on straight,” Nick said.

  With Nick’s words swirling in his head, Jon nodded, stood, opened the doors, and strode out.

  As Jon left, Nick glanced down at the two transcripts in front of him. Nick didn’t relish the coming discussion with Gambrill. I am accountable. The manner in which they comport themselves is a reflection of me. My image is quite ugly … I must change things.

  His mind focused on Dan. He asked himself the same questions. Why was Dan so different? Did he hold Dan to a higher or different standard? He had only a partial answer for the first. Yes, Dan is different. So vastly different from anyone I have ever known.

  Discerning why stumped Nick. It could be his military demeanor, his unreadable face, or something he had yet to identify. Challenging to do when Broderick keeps his emotions tightly contained. Why does the rookie wear a mask? What is Dan afraid to show the world?

  His last thoughts stopped him cold. Can Dan be scared?

  Rubbing his face briskly, Nick tried to answer that last question. Highly unlikely, he’s an Army brat through and through. Almost ten years in the armed forces according to Dan’s personnel file. A Special Forces soldier for six of them. No one makes it into those ranks being frightened. No, it can’t be fear. It is much more likely his stoic countenance is a by-product of his training. Possibly also a natural outcome of his upbringing since his father is a
general.

  Those answers only gave Nick pause to wonder. Why did Broderick leave the military? A curious change for someone born, bred, and trained for a soldier’s life. Why did Dan find it necessary to go another route?

  Nick pressed the button to clear the windows, sat back, and stared at the city as he continued to ponder the conundrum of Dan Broderick.

  Loki’s Home

  Loki entered his new home sluggishly. His whole body reflected the devastation threatening to overtake him. He closed the front door, locked it, and set his state-of-the-art security alarm. Then he banged his forehead on his wall several times as he dropped his go bag on the floor.

  Boss said to go home and contemplate his actions. He witnessed the disapproval in the depths of the eyes of the man he looked up to. He let down the one man who he most wanted to be proud of him. Nothing he did today was pride-worthy.

  “My stupid, horrible actions.” Loki stopped, turned, and slid down the wall. He sat with his knees bent and banged the back of his head for good measure. He bungled up things so royally it wasn’t funny. He couldn’t believe himself capable of inflicting such pain.

  “Why didn’t I listen to Ray? He is so angry with me.” Loki hoped he didn’t irreparably damage their relationship. He tried to speak to him before he left, but Ray told him he was too upset to talk. “More likely he didn’t want to say something he would regret later. If only I acted like Ray.”

  Loki raked his errant lock of hair from his forehead, and he stared at the picture of his ma hanging on the living room wall across from him. “Ma, Dan isn’t a bad guy. Why did I say those things to him? I understand all too well how much words can hurt.”

  His ma’s eyes bore down on him with perceived censure rather than love, making him ashamed of his deeds. Well versed at being on the receiving end of hurtful words for years from his stepfather and the bullies at school, he had vowed never to be like any of them. Today he broke his pledge.

  Words could wound deeply, but they also possessed the power to resolve situations without violence. The right words, chosen carefully, could diffuse a terrible crisis as effectively as cutting the correct wire diffused a bomb.

  Confessing to his mother’s portrait, Loki said, “Ma, I acted just like Narciso today. I slammed Dan into the lockers. I screamed awful things at him. This isn’t who I am. I’m not a bully.”

  Loki lowered his head and fought the welling self-loathing and sense of worthlessness that Narciso Ricigliano pounded into his head for years. All the degrading words his ex-stepfather used to verbally beat him came back full force and walloped him.

  Lifting his head, Loki shouted, “No! Your words have no control over me now Narciso. I refuse to be like you.”

  His volume lowered. “I’m friends with everybody. I use humor to make others laugh when they need cheering up. I openly show concern for people. I’m not worthless. I’m a decent and caring person!”

  His outburst quieted old demons, but today reentered his mind. Why did I react with so little care and respect for Dan? Dan is cocky …. No! Wait! Quit parroting others.

  Surging to his feet, Loki nervously paced. “Cocky isn’t my word. Neither are reckless and soldier. Those are all Jon’s words.” Loki raked his fingers through his hair and growled. “What are my words? How would I describe Dan? Honestly, what words would I select?”

  Stopping, he returned his gaze to the most amazing and loving woman on this earth. He thought long and hard, racking his brain, letting words roll in and out as he selected ones that fit what he observed in Dan.

  Having his list, Loki released them to the world, “Self-assured, skilled, fearless, bold, self-sacrificing, competent, fast, strong, serious, protector.” Ma’s eyes peered at him approving of his choice. Those words painted an entirely different picture of the man.

  Loki’s heart sank. “I was a bully. I let other’s words and opinions guide me instead of making my own decisions. I turned into all I abhor, and Dan became my target for the past two months. Unacceptable and so incredibly wrong. I failed to be the champion for the underdog, for the new guy.”

  A strong desire to right his wrong propelled Loki into action. He strode into his spare bedroom slash office and sat down at his computer. His fingers began to fly as he started a search program. He knew next to nothing about his new teammate. If he was going to fix things, it was high-time to find out more about Daniel Broderick.

  Minor Injury … I Think Not!

  22

  September 15

  Mercy Hospital – Dan’s Room

  Dan swallowed a bite of his ham and cheddar sandwich, and lifted his ginger ale, a replacement for the coffee Gambrill supplied, which the nurse quickly confiscated. He was mid-sip when Dale opened the door, entered, and greeted the commander. He set the drink down and popped the last bit of his sandwich in his mouth.

  Acknowledging Gibbson, Walter stood. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

  Mouth full, Dan only bobbed his head in response.

  “Rough day?” Gibbson asked as he pulled out his notepad and sat down.

  Swallowing, Dan said, “You could say that.”

  “You ready to tell me about it?”

  “Yeah,” Dan explained the May Complex call up to the point of rappelling and getting into position. “From my location, I could see the subject behind the half wall. Ray, Sarge, and Bram stood on the other side. Sarge began negotiating. Unexpectedly my headset quit working. When I tried adjusting it, I found the connecting wire was severed.”

  Dale stopped him and asked, “Severed? How did that happen?”

  “Probably caused by the knife from the previous call.” Dan sighed. “I didn’t have time to check out my coms unit before the next critical call came in. I was still buttoning my shirt when the klaxon alarm sounded.”

  “What do you mean knife?” Intrigued, especially since Dr. White indicated the laceration on Dan’s side most likely came from a knife, Dale wanted clarification.

  “Uh, yeah, that. Do you want me to continue with the report of this call or roll back to today’s first one?” Dan toyed with the glass of ginger ale before taking another sip.

  Gibbson thought a moment. “I want to understand your full day. So, take me through your first call. I’m assuming that one is where the cut on your right side occurred.”

  Dan gave a brief nod. “Yeah. We started the day on patrol, and I was partnered with Lexa. Tia notified us a man robbed a mini-market brandishing a handgun. As he fled police, he hijacked a car with a woman and an infant in it. We were closest to the area and I caught sight of the blue sedan near the freeway section which is under construction and Lexa informed Jon.

  “Hardy directed us to follow but wait until they reached us before making a move. The subject spotted us, panicked, sped up, and lost control crashing into one of the barriers. He exited the vehicle, pulling the woman out with him. Keeping our distance, Lexa attempted to negotiate.

  “The man didn’t want anything to do with talking and began shoving the hostage ahead of him. He held a gun to her head. She continued to scream for her baby. As he moved away from the car, we walked towards it. Lexa stopped to check on the infant.

  “A few minutes later, the others arrived but were way back from us or way up front. The frantic subject believed himself cornered, and the only means of escape for him was down the embankment. I tried to convince him to release his hostage while Lexa tended to the baby moving the child safely away to be checked out by EMS.

  “As I maneuvered closer to the armed subject, I noted a bowie knife housed in a sheath at his side. The pistol pressed against the woman’s head was not his only weapon. When he threw down the gun, might’ve been fake or unloaded, he pulled out the knife and started to bring the blade up to her neck.

  “I didn’t want to shoot him. I wanted to take him alive, but I couldn’t let him slit her throat. With no other option, I rushed him because I’m aware how fast a person bleeds out if their jugular is sliced. And if he stabbed
her … well, knife wounds aren’t fun.”

  Dan’s hand unconsciously went to his right side over his wound. “The three of us went tumbling down the muddy embankment. By the time the rest of the team reached the top, we had come to a stop at the bottom. They all made their way down cautiously.

  “Unfortunately, the lady pulled a muscle in her leg. Nick and Ray helped her up the hill. The unconscious subject must’ve hit his head on a rock or something on our uncontrolled descent. Loki and Bram went to check on him. I sat up, covered in mud from head to toe, and spit mud out of my mouth.

  “While sitting there, attempting to wipe the muck from my eyes, Hardy laid into me for not following orders to hold. When Bram called to him for help with the subject, he stalked away after telling me we would discuss it further in debriefing.

  “Once I could see properly, I tried to rise. The sludge was so slick I couldn’t keep my feet under me and ended up falling on my ass. Second time in two days. Embarrassing. After, I managed to stand, I searched for the knife. I found it buried near where the man had landed. I gave it to the patrol officer to bag for evidence. I figured I could tell Hardy about the weapon in debrief and explain why I took action.”

  Stopping to take another sip of ginger ale, Dan sighed. “I didn’t get a chance to tell him before the next call came in. When we returned to headquarters, I headed straight for the locker room for a quick shower to wash all the mud off and change into a clean uniform. I first became aware of the cut when I showered. I cleaned the wound and applied a field dressing, knowing everyone was waiting for me to debrief.”

  Gibbson stopped Dan again. “You dressed your wound?”

  Dan gave Dale a small smile. “Yeah. Patch, my unit medic, taught me to take care of minor injuries. A few butterfly strips and good as new.”

  Gibbson shook his head in disbelief. “I wouldn’t call a wound which took twenty-three stitches to close minor nor steri-strips an appropriate repair.”