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

by Laura Acton

  His phone rang, startling him from his imagined world and he answered without checking the caller ID. “Broderick.”

  When Dan picked up, Nick said, “Dan, I understand you did Tia a favor and are now stuck. First, thank you for helping Tia. Second, I already informed Lexa you would be delayed. Third, Tia called maintenance. I’m sorry to tell you, but you are gonna be jammed up for a while. Maintenance will arrive in about one hour.”

  Dan drew a sharp breath in. An hour? Oh crap! He scanned the six-foot by seven-foot enclosure. His pulse rate increased, and he began to sweat in earnest. Dan wiped at his forehead and took in a shaky breath and tried for cool and collected. “Fine, Sarge.”

  The sharp intake of breath was not missed by Nick, nor the use of Sarge. He wondered at both those things and the slight tremor as Dan spoke. “Dan, you alright?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Dan was glad the team remained unaware of his definition of fine—Fucked up, Insecure, Nervous, and Emotional. He recognized a single word would deflect them. Jon used fine all the time, and the team accepted the term at face value.

  Nick still noted the tremor in Dan’s voice. Perhaps Dan is claustrophobic. If he is, I don’t think the rookie will admit. And it would be dumb to ask him outright. Intuition told Nick he would likely receive a no regardless of the truth. Perhaps fate shined on him, and this would be a premier opening for a chat. Using his calm negotiation tone, Nick said, “It’s a slow day. Why don’t you take a seat and relax?”

  Sit down? Relax? Ha! Not happening! He started to pace again. His boots struck loudly as they connected with the floor. Only ten minutes had passed, and he was a mess. Dan drew in another shaky breath.

  Nick registered the intake of breath and Dan pacing. His radar went up and concluded he had been right in his first impression. Definitely claustrophobic. Hoping to distract and help Dan, he asked, “So, Dan, what’s in the containers?”

  “I’m not sure.” He stopped and glanced down.

  Nick smiled when Dan halted. “Open one and find out.”

  After swiping the perspiration from his brow again, he lifted the lid. “Call records for Bravo Team.”

  Just the thing to engage him in a productive diversion. “Okay. Perfect. Let’s take advantage of time. How about you pull out the first one and let’s go through the transcript together? We need to work on your negotiation and profiling skills, so this gives us a prime opportunity.”

  Dan pulled out the file as instructed and put his phone on speaker. “Give me a second to rearrange the cartons and make a table of sorts.” He moved the boxes next to each, set his cell on one, and took out the top file. Lying the folder on the makeshift table, he flipped it open. He scanned the contents briefly. “It’s a call from two weeks ago. Robbery at Thunder Wheels Automotive which turned into a hostage situation.”

  Nick nodded as he recalled talking to Camden Bradley about that one in yesterday’s Sergeant’s meeting. It would be a suitable one to illustrate negotiation techniques. “Why don’t you read it out loud? We can discuss the points along the way.”

  Dan started reading the Bravo team’s transcript. Over the next twenty minutes, they reviewed the entire incident discussing how Sergeant Bradley handled the negotiations. Boss asked him questions, and he had to think about his answers. Then they examined his responses and why he thought certain things. He asked Boss about some of Bradley’s actions and decisions

  There were so many variables Dan believed he would never grasp the nuances of negotiations. Words he assumed sounded correct and would elicit one set of actions resulted in a wholly unexpected outcome. He leaned back on the wall as Boss concluded his last explanation regarding the case. “Okay, I get why he did that now. I wouldn’t have expected things to go that way, and the subject would give up.”

  Nick grinned. He noted Dan’s breathing returned to normal as he became fully engaged in their analysis. He appeared completely distracted from his anxiety. Beneficial in two ways since he also had a chance to mentor Dan. The rookie’s questions had been insightful and thought-provoking as he sought to understand. “How about you chose another file for us to examine?”

  Dan put the first call record back into the folder and opened the carton to pull out the next one when over the phone and through TRF PA speakers he heard Tia’s voice call out, “Alpha Team, critical call.”

  Nick said, “Sorry, Dan, I gotta go. You study that one, and if you aren’t out when I return, we can review it. If you are freed before we return, join us.”

  “Copy.” Stay safe. Dan wished to be out there covering the team. He kicked himself for not grabbing his headset before going to morning briefing. Now he couldn’t listen in.

  Unacceptable Nap Locations

  31

  February 25

  TRF HQ – Dispatcher Desk – 8:20 a.m.

  Nick hung up with Dan as he strode to Tia’s desk. Lexa arrived as he inquired, “What’s the situation?”

  Tia answered, “Jumper on the Highland Street overpass. A fifteen-year-old girl, Bettina Granger. Her friend, Phoebe Yarns, called 911. Bettina found out she is pregnant and is afraid to tell her parents.”

  Lexa wanted to have as much information from the girlfriend before she engaged with Bettina. She blew out a breath and requested, “Tia, patch me into Phoebe.”

  Nodding, Tia did so as Nick and Lexa left together. The team would all converge at the scene.

  As they headed out, Nick hoped Dan would be distracted enough reading the call logs on his own. He stopped a moment and turned back to Tia. “How much longer until maintenance arrives?”

  Tia grimaced. “They called and said they would be delayed another hour. The service company is experiencing a high number of service calls, and the senior technician is out ill. The junior one … well, it is taking him longer, but we’re next on the list.”

  A frustrated exhale escaped from Nick, the only outward sign of his displeasure. A lack of competent help and non-functioning equipment is not Tia’s fault, but he wished they arrived sooner rather than later. If Dan is claustrophobic, being stuck in a metal box would be uncomfortable for him. He wanted to be the voice in Dan’s ear keeping him calm and distracted, but duty called.

  TRF HQ – Elevator – 8:50 a.m.

  Dan reviewed the call log. This one didn’t go as well as the other one and Doug Starveling, Bravo Team Tactical Lead, received the PapaGolf command and took the lethal shot. When Dan read the transcript, he thought Sergeant Bradley said all the right things. But the stand-off still ended with the subject escalating and being neutralized.

  He put the file folder back into the cardboard box and checked the time. He had been in here over an hour now. He wondered about the holdup and decided to contact Tia and find out the status. “Hey, Tia. Do you have an ETA on the maintenance guy?”

  Tia sighed. “Sorry, Dan. His last job is taking longer than expected. He called again to say it would be another hour.”

  Dan stood and stretched his legs as apprehension crept back in. “That long? Okay. Is the team still out?”

  “Yeah, they are. I need to go.”

  “Okay, thanks,” Dan said and hung up.

  He started to pace as he wondered how the call progressed and became ticked off by his current situation. They are one man short because I’m stuck in a damned malfunctioning mechanical device. What if something happens, and one of them gets hurt? Trapped in his thoughts Dan’s anxieties began rising again. All he could think about was his inability to ensure their safety and prevent harm from finding them.

  A headache, one building over the last hour, began to pound viciously. He hated to take pain meds, but he couldn’t operate if this headache didn’t stop.

  He wished he had his backpack. He always kept one dose of aspirin inside for emergencies. Wait. I used those tablets yesterday after my head got slammed by the door as the subject ran away on our first call of the day. It happened within the first thirty minutes of their shift, and his head hurt like hell, so he rel
ented and took the analgesic.

  Dan smiled as a thought occurred to him. He reached into his back pocket. “Yes! Damn glad I didn’t put these in my pack yet.”

  He grabbed two replacement pills this morning before racing out of his apartment. Running late, he made a mad dash to dress and rush out the door, so he would not be late to workout. He was happy he remembered to bring them although he left a mess in the bathroom.

  In his haste, he knocked over his aspirin and sleeping pills, spilling the contents from both bottles. Uncharacteristic for him, Dan didn’t stop to clean up. Years of being inspected every morning as a kid made him somewhat anal about keeping things orderly. The general would be rather disappointed he had not squared away his space.

  A part of him cringed leaving pills scattered all over the tiles of his bathroom floor. Though, the choice between showing up late for work or tidying up his place had one right answer … being tardy was wholly unacceptable and the bigger of the two sins. Especially in the eyes of his tactical leader.

  Jon would’ve surely laid into him for the egregious error. Dan still harbored unease from when Jon found him napping in conference room three, even though Jon laughed, said he could use a nap also, sat down like nothing of import occurred and asked his opinion on sniper locations. Though lately, the intense tactician began to chill out somewhat, Dan refused to give Jon any ammunition to use against him.

  Popping the aspirin into his mouth, Dan dry swallowed them. He continued to pace as he rubbed his temples, trying to focus on someplace else. His mind landed on his teammate. Dan stopped and leaned in the corner. He slid down and sat as a dopey half smile came to his face.

  Dan’s mind wandered into dangerous territory as he conjured up an image of Sexy Lexie with her hair free of her trademark ponytail. He found her to be gorgeous, sexy, smart, funny, strong, alluring, and an excellent sniper.

  To distract himself, he imagined running his fingers through her wavy, auburn hair as he did in the hotel. Her soft and silky hair … with the scent of jasmine … perfect in every way.

  Dan focused his visualization on her mouth. Pulling her to him, he leaned down to delicately brush her sensual, oh, so sweet and kissable lips.

  He sighed. What would it be like to kiss Lexa again? He craved to feel her lips and let their tongues duel. He desired to stroke her glossy auburn locks and feel the silkiness on his chest as she bent down, locking lips with him as she rode him to the point of glorious release. Dan’s breathing became a little erratic as he thought about Lexa’s scent. Does she know jasmine is a natural aphrodisiac … the seductive scent increases sensuality. Yeah, she probably does.

  Closing his eyes, Dan leisurely undressed her completely. He used his memory of their special night in his hotel room to recreate every detail of his ideal woman. The golden flecks in her hazel eyes burned with passion. Her flawless skin glowed with health in the low light, and her firm perky breasts … the perfect size for his hand.

  Every aspect of Lexa … her mind and body, her laughter and smile, her drive and passion … filled him with desire.

  Dan took his time caressing every inch of her with roaming hands before tenderly laying Sexy Lexie down on his bed to passionately worship her entire body with his lips, tongue, and hands. Lexa sighed his name and mewled as she arched up, and begged him to take her to heaven, as he touched her in the right spot. Positioning himself over her, he entered her rapidly becoming cocooned in her slick heat, before driving to her core.

  Dan blew out a heavy breath which he suddenly realized came close to mimicking sexual panting. Christ! I shouldn’t be thinking like that. Lexa is my teammate. As much as I want to be with her again—it can only happen in my fantasies … but not at work … never here.

  He needed a cold shower. His body reacted as if it were real and not wistful desires, betraying his readiness to pursue his deep-down desire to join with Lexa as one. These emotions were foreign to him. Dan had never been stuck on one woman, he always enjoyed being free to play the field. Every woman now paled in comparison to Alexandra Isobel McKenna—his Sexy Lexie.

  Dan now required a diversion from his imagery to deflate a certain part of his anatomy. He leaned forward and grabbed another call record out of the box, opened the file, and started to read. Yeah, a hostage situation at the bus terminal will cool my over-heated jets.

  TRF HQ – Dispatcher Desk – 10:50 a.m.

  Alpha Team traipsed in from the call. Though long and tiring, they met with success as Lexa talked Bettina down from the bridge.

  A tearful scene ensued as Bettina’s mom and dad enfolded her within their loving arms. They were accepting and exceptionally supportive of their daughter. Bettina found out her mother conceived her when she was only sixteen. Her parents understood the pitfalls of young love. A heartwarming end to a very stressful call.

  Lexa, Jon, and Nick stopped at Tia’s desk as the others made their way to the briefing room.

  Nick said, “Dan never joined us. Did maintenance ever show up?”

  “About fifteen minutes ago. Benny said it would be fixed in short order.”

  As if in response, the elevator dinged indicating its arrival. Nick sighed. Dan would be happy to be released. Their rookie spent a little over three hours trapped inside. He hoped Dan didn’t stress out too much from the lengthy delay. When he didn’t immediately exit, Nick started forward. The maintenance guy stepped out. Nick smiled. Dan must be down in the basement delivering the containers to records.

  TRF HQ – Elevator – 10:50 a.m.

  Benny’s expression displaying concern, he noted the sergeant approaching. “Hey, I need a hand over here. I’m not sure what’s wrong, but I can’t wake the constable. He’s out cold.”

  At those words, Nick rushed forward, followed quickly by Jon and Lexa. They all came to an abrupt stop outside as they spied Dan on the floor with an open case file in his lap.

  Nick entered and knelt. He lightly tapped Dan’s face trying to rouse him but received no response.

  Jon turned and barked, “Tia, call EMS.” He shoved the boxes out of his way to kneel on the other side of the rookie. “What the hell happened?”

  “I suspected Dan might be claustrophobic, but I don’t think a phobia of confined spaces would cause this.”

  Lexa moved the cartons out of the way, setting them off to the side making room for EMS when they arrived. She stood and gazed at Dan. “What could’ve happened to him?”

  Putting the file back into its folder, and handing it to Lexa, Nick responded, “No clue.”

  Her worry heightened as Dan remained unresponsive as Jon gently shook Dan’s shoulder. Not napping for sure. Lexa shifted her gaze to Tia. “Did Dan call you and say anything about feeling ill?”

  Tia’s voice held a note of apprehension, “No. Not a word. He called once when you were all out on the call, but I told him it would be a bit longer and he sounded fine.”

  Exiting the briefing room after hearing the commotion, Ray, Bram, and Loki moved toward the rest of the team. Arriving, they viewed Dan slumped in the corner appearing to be sleeping.

  Loki took his phone out and prepared to take a picture.

  Bram glared at him. “Loki!”

  “What? Not every day one of us takes a nap in the elevator. This is hilarious,” Loki snickered.

  “Ow!” Loki yelped. He rubbed where Lexa punched him hard.

  Disgust in her voice, Lexa bit out, “This is not funny. We can’t rouse him. He isn’t napping. He might be seriously ill.”

  Bram recalled the previous morning. “Dan refused to be examined by EMS after the call yesterday. The door hit him awful hard. I saw him take something from his backpack a little later. I think he took some aspirin. Perhaps this a delayed reaction to the blow.”

  Jon growled, “Dammit. I should’ve made him get checked out. He said he was okay.”

  Abashed as Bram’s words sank in, Loki stared. Complication of an injury never entered his mind. He only considered this to be an inopportu
ne nap location, something chalked-up as amusing—like when they caught Dan sleeping on the rooftop, but up there he woke up instantly, unlike now.

  This isn’t humorous. Loki chided himself for being insensitive and realized he still had a long way to go in adjusting his behaviors towards Dan. He would never have thought this a photo op had been Ray or any of the others crashed out on the elevator floor.

  When EMS showed up, the team backed off to allow them to work. After a few minutes, one of the medics turned to them. “All his vitals are normal. Is there any reason you can think of for his unconscious state?”

  “Dan whacked his head fairly hard yesterday,” Ray offered.

  “He claimed to be fine and refused to be seen by EMS,” Nick clarified.

  Jon said, “He appeared to be alright this morning in workout and briefing. I didn’t observe anything out of the norm … fit as usual.”

  “He looks to be in a deep sleep. But we’re going to transport him and let the doctors at Mercy figure this out,” the paramedic said.

  The team noted Dan did not stir once as the attendants loaded him on a gurney and strapped him in. Rooted in place, each wondered what the heck happened to cause his current state and how they all missed whatever signs there might have been?

  Nick turned to Tia. “Alpha Team is off critical calls unless Delta Team can’t cover. We’ll be at the hospital.”

  Tia nodded. “Copy.”

  Mercy Hospital – ER Waiting Room – 12:20 p.m.

  Lexa, Jon, Ray, and Bram impatiently sat while Loki and Nick paced the waiting area. No one had been out to tell them anything. Nick and Loki stopped when the ER door opened, spotting a doctor stepping out who then called for the family of Constable Broderick.

  En-masse, the group converged on the doctor. He smiled and spoke in English with a heavy Indian accent, “You must be Dan’s team.”

  “Yes. I’m Nick Pastore, Dan’s sergeant.”

  Doctor Deepak Kohli grinned again. “Dan is fine. No need to worry. He will be out shortly but should take the rest of the day off to be safe.”