SOLACE: Behind The Shield (Beauty 0f Life Book 2)

by Laura Acton

  In a distressed but quiet voice, Celine said, “She’s crazy, she just shot and killed him. Anatole was on his knees proposing to me when she called his name. He stood and turned recognizing her voice. He had a restraining order out against her. She aimed and shot without a single hesitation. Anatole pushed me to the ground to keep me safe. After he fell, she reloaded and tried to shoot me. I ran and ran. Please. Get here soon. I don’t want to die.”

  Continuing to reassure Celine, Nick noted his team worked their magic preparing for their arrival. Loki pulled up Celine’s phone GPS signal, and Jon worked out a plan for the team. They would break into two groups at the park. Boss, Lexa, and Bram would head directly to Celine’s position with the objective of moving her to safety. Jon, Ray, Loki, and Dan would focus on locating the subject.

  Serena Grundy Park – 7:55 a.m.

  Celine remained hidden, waiting for rescue. Her soft sobs came over their headsets every once in a while. Celine continued to struggle through her grief and fear, unquestionably a terrible day, but one she would eventually be able to recover from, but Anatole would not, he was dead.

  As the team separated and jogged towards the tree line, they all caught sight of Anatole. He lay on his back with lifeless eyes still wide open in surprise. The poor guy never had a chance. However, the arrow sticking out of his heart shocked them. They believed the shooter used a gun in the commission of the crime. All Celine had said was Lydia shot Anatole.

  Dan glanced at the projectile sticking out of Anatole’s heart. “A crossbow bolt. If she shoots, we won’t hear her.”

  Jon nodded. “Yeah, everyone, heads up, go careful.”

  En route, Ray pulled up information on all involved. Anatole Dubuisson had become the victim of Lydia Renaudin’s fatal attraction. Starting out innocently, she became obsessed with the man, and her demands grew in intensity during the five months they dated. Their relationship ended after she unexpectedly moved all her belongings into his house and told her family they got married on February fourteenth last year—which they had not.

  Afterward, she committed a series of acts of vandalism on his property. She keyed his car with hearts, arrows, and declarations of love. Lydia painted his front porch red and pink and painted LR & AD across the front of his house. She even broke into his home and ripped up all the pictures of his current girlfriend and left snapshots of herself in a wedding dress and photos of the two of them from their dates. The last transgression spurred Anatole to seek legal protection.

  Nick, Bram, and Lexa made excellent time to Celine’s hiding place. Nick crouched down next to her as the other two kept watch. “We’re here, Celine. Come on out now. We’ll escort you to safety.”

  Shaking like a leaf Celine’s frightened eyes locked on to kind hazel one. “Did you find her?”

  “My guys are searching for her now. You’ll be safe with us.” He held out his hand to the terrified young woman.

  Celine reached out tentatively. When her hand touched the officer’s hand, she instantly felt safe, and Celine launched herself at her savior, clinging to him as she cried out loud sobs.

  Nick stood, bringing the distraught woman with him, and the four started out of the woods. They remained on high alert for Lydia, who could be anywhere. All three were startled by Loki’s distinct scream through their headsets.

  Stopping cold when Loki shrieked, Jon called out, “Status?”

  With a hint of humor, Ray said, “No harm. Well, at least not to humans. The tiny spider … not so lucky.”

  “Tiny my foot … enormous! It tried to bite me,” Loki responded in shaky and higher than usual pitched voice.

  Chuckling, Jon grinned at Dan. “Poor wee spider.”

  Dan stared at Jon in disbelief as adrenaline pumped through him. The shriek made him believe Lydia shot Loki. Dan blew out a steadying breath.

  “Loki, focus on finding our subject and leave the poor spiders alone,” Jon lightly admonished.

  His voice returning to normal, Loki grumbled, “I hate the woods. Nothing good ever happens to me here.”

  Ray patted Loki’s back. “I promise not to leave you all alone amongst the trees and creepy crawlies.”

  After Mr. Muffet regained his composure, silence persisted broken only by the four of them occasionally calling out positions as they continued to search for their crossbow-wielding subject. As they hunted, Dan wondered about Ray’s comment in response to Loki’s declaration of hating timberlands. Why does Loki hate forests?

  An image of Wilson Keswick, Bella’s security guard, entered Dan’s mind. Wilson said almost the same thing to him when he was sixteen after Wilson located him in the Algonquin Provincial Park. A frightening three days he spent being alone. He clung to his savior and blubbered when Wilson found him. Dan felt like an idiot crying over being lost, but Wilson only held him and told him he would help. The man was true to his word and even introduced him to friends who taught him to navigate so he would never be lost again.

  Another piercing scream from Loki interrupted Dan thoughts. Though, this one sounded different. From Jon’s reaction, Dan discerned this did not involve the presence of a spider.

  “Status?” Jon yelled.

  Ray’s voice clearly held a note of distress as he urgently said, “I need help here. I can’t reach Loki by myself.”

  Nick, Lexa, and Bram had reached the SUVs and handed off the victim to the paramedics. She would be safe here with the patrol officers now on scene. Nick said, “We’re on our way.”

  Bram pulled up the GPS locator, identifying Loki’s position from the transponders they wore. A precaution they often used in remote areas. Particularly with Loki. The techie had the worst luck in the woodlands. In the past two and a half years, Loki had been sprayed by a skunk twice, chased by dogs once, scared by numerous spiders, knocked into poison ivy, and fell down a ravine leaving him unconscious.

  Though most incidents became fodder for teasing, the ravine did not engender humor. Loki spent a cold, wet night all alone as they searched. Since then, Loki hated forests, and they didn’t blame him one damned bit. Now, if required to go into thickets, they ensured Loki was fitted with a locator.

  All five converged on Loki’s and Ray’s position at almost the same time. Their heads all titled up. Loki hung upside down about twenty feet in the air. One leg held by a rope … snared like a rabbit.

  “I hate the damned woods. Get me down.” Loki huffed out disgusted as his body swung in mid-air.

  Lexa grinned as she said, “I would climb the tree and release him, but although I can drag him across a room, I doubt I possess the strength to lower him safely, and I don’t think Loki would appreciate the rapid trip down.”

  Bram noted the spindly tree. “My weight is too much for the branches. Sorry, Loki.”

  Dan examined the situation. Easy for him to reach Loki with no issues. “I’ll do it. No problem.”

  Jon quickly assessed the situation. He knew Dan to be a fast climber. He smashed the climbing record at TRF, and he witnessed Dan scaling a few trees in calls when they provided the only available Zulu position. The rookie seemed to be as much at home in a tree as a monkey. With the team exposed and distracted, they must rescue Loki without delay because hanging upside down, he became a prime target for their armed subject.

  He nodded to Dan. “Do it. Bram, help him. We’ll keep watch for Lydia.”

  Dan slung his MP5 to his back and jumped up, catching hold of a branch about a foot above his head. After pulling himself up on the limb, he rapidly ascended twenty-five feet to where the snare originated. He took a moment to scan the area below.

  Taking a position beneath Loki, Bram said, “I’ll catch him if the rope isn’t long enough to lower him all the way.”

  Working on the knots, Dan replied, “Shouldn’t be an issue if I don’t have to cut the line. These knots are tight, but I should be able to untie them.” Dan mused aloud, “Who puts out snares like this?”

  As he scanned for the subject, Jon answered, �
�A gang used to hide their drugs in this region. My brother’s team routed them and shut down their operation about six years ago. They booby-trapped the areas around their stash to prevent others from waltzing in unexpected. I guess the cleanup team didn’t find and remove all the traps.”

  Loki grumbled. “Just my horrible luck!” He peered up at Dan. “Did I tell you I hate woodlands. Only dreadful things happen to me here. I think my ankle is sprained.”

  Dan suppressed the chuckle which wanted to escape. Loki’s spider scream and hanging from a tree are hilarious. Though, him being hurt and a potential target are definitely not funny. Dan loosened the last knot and carefully fed the rough hemp to lower Loki.

  “Got him,” Bram said catching hold of Loki and taking his full weight.

  After releasing his grip, Dan took a moment to survey the expanse from his vantage point. Finding Lydia in the densely wooded area without a clue would be difficult. Being up high, he hoped to spot something which might help.

  Catching sight of a rustle of leaves he spoke quietly into his headset so his voice wouldn’t carry on the wind. “Movement about a hundred yards off to the right. Could be our subject.” Dan scurried down the tree, gracefully leapt down, and pointed in the direction.

  Nick said, “I’ll stay with Loki. Go careful, children. There might be more booby traps.”

  The rest of the team followed Dan when Jon told the rookie to lead the way. When they reached the section, Dan squatted and studied the ground for tracks or signs which would indicate the route. A decent tracker in his own right, Dan recognized his skills would never match those of Shy or Dutch. Both had been master trackers and compared to them he would always be an amateur. He appreciated all Dutch taught him when he was a teen, and those lessons came in handy hundreds of times over the years.

  Dan stood and whispered, “Someone went this way recently.”

  Jon nodded and motioned for Dan to take point. They moved prudently through the trees. Jon noted Dan barely made a sound as he walked. He observed closely as Dan kept checking the trail he followed. Another skill in which their rookie excelled. Jon tucked the knowledge in the back of his mind for future use.

  They followed the disturbed woman’s path for another forty minutes before Dan raised an arm indicating to halt. He glanced at Jon and pointed to the left. The female subject sat on a log taking a drink of water, and the loaded lethal weapon lay on her lap.

  Jon signaled for them to encircle her. Once in position, Jon stepped out of cover with his gun raised. “Police, don’t move. You are surrounded.”

  Lydia jerked her eyes toward the voice, wearing a shocked expression. She dropped her water bottle, swiveled her head back and forth, and confirmed she was surrounded by several police officers, all with their guns leveled at her.

  “Anatole is dead. Didn’t mean to hit him. I targeted the bitch who stole him from me. Nothing left to live for now. The love of my life is gone,” she mumbled softly to herself. Lydia grabbed the wooden stock, finger on the lever, as she stood and faced the tall, bald officer who spoke to her. He yelled at her not to move and to put the bow down. I can’t do that. Anatole’s dead.

  Dan moved closer, and he realized the woman tuned Jon out. She would end up dead if she didn’t comply. Without thinking, Dan launched himself at her. He took a risky, stupid action, prompted by the thoughts he didn’t want to kill an emotionally disturbed person, and he couldn’t allow her to shoot Jon either.

  As he impacted her, her finger squeezed the trigger. Two grunts and one scream rent the air. Dan landed hard and grunted as he ripped the crossbow from her hands. Lydia screamed as she fell in the dirt and continued to shriek as she struggled in the officer’s grip. Jon grunted when he staggered back and collapsed to the ground. His hands moved to the bolt sticking out of his vest near his stomach.

  Ray, Bram, and Lexa moved in two different directions. Lexa and Ray rushed to assist Dan in securing the wildly thrashing woman. Bram raced to Jon and knelt next to him to discern how much damage cupid’s arrow caused.

  Drawing in a shaky breath, Jon gripped the metal shaft to yank the head of the bolt from his protective vest. “I’m fine … hit absorbed … by my vest.” It hurt like hell, but Jon managed to add again, “No harm.”

  After taking a steadying breath to release the tension, Bram quipped, “Don’t think Jen is gonna take this as an excuse for not taking her out tonight.” He reached out and helped his best friend to his feet.

  Peering over at Jon as Ray hauled the now despondent and submissive woman to her feet, Dan recognized he screwed up royally today. Locking his stoic mask in place tightly, he prepared to be verbally reamed by the tactical lead. He deserved whatever punishment Jon decided on.

  Jon studied the rookie. A damned fool move Broderick made. Jon had nearly taken the shot, and if he had, he would’ve hit Broderick. His insides churned. What the hell was the rookie thinking to make such a dumbass move and take such an unacceptable risk? About to lay into Dan, Jon turned to Bram when his friend’s hand landed on his shoulder.

  Aware Jon was about to flay Dan alive with words, Bram softly urged, “Later. In debrief, Jon.” He recognized Jon needed to cool down and think before dealing with Dan’s move.

  Cognizant of the need to modify his tactics with Broderick, Jon acquiesced to Bram’s advice. He must calm down first, so he didn’t slip further back into the hole he endeavored to climb out of. A hole of his own making because of his previous attitude towards the rookie.

  Striding away, glad Bram stopped him from making another error, Jon decided he would analyze this situation and try to understand why Dan reacted in that manner before he laid into him. The rookie’s actions often confounded him but moving forward he would try not to make assumptions.

  Dan picked up the crossbow and followed the rest of the team out of the forested area. Though not impaled by the bolt, Dan kicked himself for his reckless action which might’ve ended with Jon dead. His desire to save people was not always the best option and could result in others getting hurt. If that bolt hit Jon a little lower, his tactical lead would be seriously injured.

  His thoughts swung like a pendulum. In the field with his unit fighting terrorism, choices were always black and white. He merely took out evil targets. But here, the subjects were often not criminals.

  Although they dealt with the seedy underside of the city often enough, the majority of their calls involved decent people going through the worst possible time in their lives. They encountered individuals suffering from mental illness, or people pushed too far or in situations they didn’t control who made horrible decisions.

  TRF excelled at helping to resolve those issues peacefully. Protecting the citizens of Toronto was many shades of gray. I must learn how to operate in gray before I fail and someone dies.

  Surprised, Perplexed, and Befuddled

  26

  February 14

  Serena Grundy Park – 10:40 a.m.

  When the team made it back to the clearing, Ray and Lexa handed off the subject to the patrol officers. The medical examiner loaded Anatole’s body into the coroner’s van. Jon and Loki were sent over to EMS to be checked out. Nick engaged with Inspector Pope to hand off the scene so the investigators could do the wrap-up.

  Dan gave the crossbow to one of the crime scene officers. He leaned on the SUV as Lexa approached him. Her eyes flashed daggers at him. Here it comes. Dan steeled himself for her tongue lashing and perhaps a few punches to his bicep for causing Jon to be shot.

  Furious, Lexa’s emotions grew unchecked. Why would Dan take such a risk? Jon could’ve shot him. Dan needs to realize his life matters. She halted, set her feet shoulder-width apart, and placed her clenched hands on her hips. Her eyes raked over Dan. She noted the flash of resignation in his eyes as he held his body rigidly and a stoic countenance remained firmly in place.

  Witnessing the tiny flicker of emotion changed her intended verbiage and modified her body language as she unclenched her fists and rela
xed. She needed to remember underneath Dan’s stoic, soldier mask, lived a wounded soul. Everything in her wanted to reach out and tell him he would be alright, he didn’t need to hide his emotions from her, and that she accepted him … every flaw and strength. She desired to help him heal but found it difficult to do when Dan’s shields dropped into place.

  She modulated her voice to a soft, neutral tone. “Not the best choice of action. You could’ve been hurt or killed. Any of us might’ve shot you in the split second her crossbow rose. Please, don’t do that again. I would … we would hate to lose you.”

  Dan’s mask slipped. Surprise flashed on his face. Lexa is worried about me? She didn’t lay into me about Jon getting hit with the bolt. She spoke only of me getting injured or dying. Unsure how to react or what to say, Dan just stared.

  Lexa stepped forward, into Dan’s personal space, and lay a hand on his forearm. “Don’t forget you’re important too!”

  An intense surge of something undefinable coursed through both as their eyes met and held each other’s gaze and threatened to pull them to a place neither could go.

  Dan’s head began to dip down—he needed to kiss her.

  Tia’s voice broke the spell. “Sarge, we received another critical call, and Bravo Team is in the thick of their call. Is Alpha Team available?”

  Nick stopped speaking to Pope. “Yes, what’s the situation?”

  “Shots fired at the Graceful Vines Florist on Eglington and Brentcliffe. The shop is near your location,” Tia relayed.

  Nick called out, “Bram, Lexa, Ray, Dan, and I will head over. Jon, if you and Loki are cleared by EMS join us there.”

  “Copy,” sounded from the entire team in acknowledgment.

  Lexa moved back and drew a deep breath. Dan tried to kiss me, and I would’ve allowed him. Crud. Why would I risk everything for him? Pulling on her professional cloak, she stated, “I’ll drive.”

  Dan went to the passenger side without comment. Crap! I almost kissed Lexa in full view of the entire team. What the hell am I thinking? I’m not … not with my brain anyway. She drives me … pulls me in … a primal instinct I fight every time Sexy Lexie comes close to me. I gotta put a stop to this, or I’ll end up fired. How do I do that? I don’t have a friggin clue how to stop my desire.