“Want to tell us what happened here?” one of the troopers asked, lowering but not holstering his weapon while he assessed the situation.
“I will,” Hayley replied before any of the men could. “Those two—” she pointed to their prisoners, “—and their partner were going to hijack the truck…” She went on to explain in detail, with the driver adding his bit to the story.
The second trooper listened for a moment before going over to Ez, who was keeping an eye on the pair of hijackers while the EMTs worked on the wounded one.
“We were trying to help the semi driver because his rig broke down,” the uninjured hijacker said as soon as the trooper came over. “Then these bastards showed up and began hassling us and they had guns so we pulled ours in self-defense and they tried to kill us and shot our buddy…”
“Believe that and he’s got a bridge to sell you,” Ez said, rolling his eyes. “We work for a private security firm that was hired by the owner of the trucking company to stop whoever was hijacking his trucks.” He took out his Vanguard ID to show the trooper.
“I’ve heard of you guys,” the trooper said, handing the ID back. Returning his attention to the hijacker, he said, “Your buddy?”
“There were three of them,” Ez explained. “One of them was going to pull the driver out of the cab when we arrived. Ben shot him…in self-defense.” He smirked at the hijacker. “From what Ben said, the man crawled under the truck. After that…” He shrugged.
At that point, the trooper took charge of the unwounded hijacker while the EMTs prepared to take the other man to the ambulance.
“There was one more man,” Hayley was saying when Ez came over. “I think he’s still under the truck.”
“He was going to shoot me,” the semi driver said. “He would have if that man,” he jerked his head toward Ben, “hadn’t stopped him.”
“Is that true, sir?” the officer asked Ben.
“Yes. I wounded him, he rolled under the truck. He had a second gun. I shot him. I don’t think it killed him but he was bleeding badly.”
The EMT who had been bandaging Zach’s arm stopped and went to look under the semi. “We’ve got another one,” he hollered after training his flashlight on the third hijacker. “He’s breathing, but we’d better call for another ambulance.”
“Definitely should,” the trooper who had been interviewing Hayley said after taking a look.
The pair of EMTs finished putting the wounded hijacker into the ambulance by then. “I’ve called it in,” one of them said before climbing in back, while his partner got into the driver’s seat.
“What about Zach?” Ben asked as the ambulance sped away, followed moments later by the trooper who was transporting the uninjured hijacker to jail.
The remaining EMT replied, “It’s a bad flesh wound but not life-threatening. I’ve put an occlusive dressing on it, but you,” he looked at Zach, “should stop by the emergency room at your local hospital or go to your doctor tonight, or tomorrow at the latest to get some antibiotics.
“Got that covered,” Zach said. “Check his knee.” He pointed at Ben.
“You were shot, too?” the EMT asked Ben with obvious surprise, undoubtedly because he didn’t see any blood.
“Over a year ago,” Ben told him. “Kneecapped. There’s nothing you can do about it now except maybe give me a strong painkiller to tide me over until it stops hurting.”
“Wish I could,” the EMT replied as he knelt beside Ben, carefully pulling the leg of his jeans up so he could take a look. “Against the rules.” He gently probed Ben’s knee, getting a groan from Ben in response. “Sorry,” the EMT said. “I don’t feel anything that says you’ve done more damage to it than there was already, but I’d suggest you get your doctor to X-ray it to be certain.”
“I’ll get right on it,” Ben said dryly. The pain was slowly abating, but he knew it would, although it would take time to get back to its normal uncomfortable but not debilitating level.
“You will,” Zach said, shooting Ben a hard look.
“May we leave, now?” Hayley asked the trooper.
“Once I’ve seen everyone’s IDs for my records. I’ll write up your statements, which you’ll need to sign at some point.”
As he was doing that, an ambulance screamed to a stop next to his patrol car, two EMTs jumped out, and when the trooper told them where to find the final hijacker they extracted him from under the truck, did what they could to stabilize him, and after putting him in the ambulance, took off.
“All right, you’re free to leave,” the trooper said to the semi driver and the team.
“What about their car?” Zach asked as he got to his feet.
“Our tow truck will pick it up and take it to the impound yard,” the trooper replied. “I’ll let you know when your statements are ready.” With that, he returned to his vehicle and drove away.
“Can you stand and walk?” Ez asked Ben.
“With a little help,” Ben told him. “Not from you,” he said when Zach offered his hand. “You’re in no shape to help anyone right now.”
“Says you,” Zach retorted, but he stepped back so that Ez could get Ben to his feet.
“Guys,” the semi driver said loudly enough to catch their attention. “I don’t know how to thank you for saving me and my rig.”
Hayley grinned. “Don’t worry; your boss will take care of the ‘thanks.’”
The driver chuckled. “Will he have enough left to keep the company running when he has?”
“Maybe?” She gave him a quick hug, to his obvious surprise. “You take care, you hear.”
“Will do, ma’am,” he replied.
Then, with Ez helping Ben, the team returned to the van. Hayley had taken a moment to retrieve Ben’s rifle, which he’d left by the side of the hijackers’ car. As she stashed it in the back of the van she said, “This was definitely an exciting night.”
Ez lifted an eyebrow. “A bit of an understatement I’d say. I suggest we call Durand to let him know we were successful and tell him we’ll come in for debriefing in the morning, once everyone’s gotten some sleep.”
“If he argues, tell him to stuff it,” Hayley suggested.
Durand didn’t argue, but they hadn’t really expected him to.
Their first stop when they were back in the city was to drop Hayley off at her car, which was sitting in the diner parking lot where they’d left it after picking up Ben.
The three men went on from there to the Vanguard parking lot where Zach had parked his jeep. When Ez asked if he was in shape to drive, Zach glowered at him. “It’s a flesh wound, damn it. Even the EMT said so. Besides, I’ll need the jeep. Ben’s staying the night at my place so I’ll have to drive him home to change in the morning.”
“I am?” Ben said at the same time Ez asked, “Why?”
“It’s not what you’re thinking,” Zach said to Ez with a brief smile. “He’s…” He turned to Ben, “You’re not really mobile yet. I don’t want your leg giving out on you so you crash-land against something and knock yourself out.”
“Uh-huh. You’re not in the best of shape either, you know.”
“Better than you. I’d say we could go to your place, but I’ve got prescription antibiotics at home that I need to take.”
“Do you get shot that often?” Ben asked.
“No, thank God, but it’s happened and the clinic doc trusts me enough to let me keep a stash at my place for minor emergencies.”
“Jesus.” Ben shook his head but didn’t argue. Zach had a valid point, and truth be told, he didn’t mind the idea that he wouldn’t be alone if something did happen.
* * * *
“Welcome to my palatial estate,” Zach said as he let Ben into the house he owned on the south side of the city.
“Not sure about palatial, but it’s definitely larger than my apartment. Why just one floor?”
“Because that’s the way it was built?” Zach replied without blinking an eye.
; “I could have figured that,” Ben muttered.
“Truthfully, I wanted a place that was easy to take care of. No lugging a vacuum or a laundry basket up and down stairs.”
“You got it with this place. How many bedrooms?”
“Three, off the hallway.” Zach pointed to the arch to the right of the large living-dining area. “I use one as my office. You want anything to eat?” he asked, going around the waist-high partition that separated the kitchen from the rest of the room.
“What I want is to get off my leg, preferably in bed.”
Chuckling, Zach replied, “Guess that answered that. Come on, I’ll show you the guestroom.” Going down the hallway, he said, “Bathroom, straight ahead, the first door on your left is the office, the second will be your room for tonight. My bedroom’s to the right. It’s got its own bath.” He opened the door to the guestroom. “Make yourself at home.” Noting the lines of exhaustion and pain on Ben’s face, Zach told him, “I’ve got painkillers. I’ll be right back, as soon as I get rid of my shirt and the damned tactical vest.”
When he returned, wearing a bathrobe and carrying a bottle and a glass of water, he paused in the doorway. Ben had stripped down to his jeans and socks, and was lying on the bed, one arm behind his head, his eyes closed.
There was something about him at that moment that Zach found extremely sexy. If I wasn’t a nice guy…but I am…most of the time. He tamped down on his libido as he walked silently across the room to put the pills and water on the nightstand.
“I’m still awake,” Ben said, opening his eyes. He eased up to lean against the headboard, took two pills from the bottle, and downed them. “I should shower, but I don’t have the energy.”
“If you need help…”
“In a different time and place, and if I were a different man, I might take your offer and see what happened.” Ben smiled bleakly. “Not that you meant it that way.”
“If I did,” Zach replied seriously, “I wouldn’t want you to be a different man.”
“Yeah, right. I’m not…well, you know. I told you so a while ago.” Ben sighed. “The last thing you’d want in your life, that way, is a guy who hasn’t a clue. And why are we even thinking along these lines? Go to bed, Zach. Get some sleep. I’m going to.” He moved the covers, slid under them, and pulled them up. “Turn out the light when you leave, please.”
“Yeah, okay.” Zach started toward the door, paused, and turned back. “There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, Ben. You’ll never find out what it’s like if you don’t give it a chance.”
“And you’re willing to show me?” Ben asked, barely above a whisper.
“I think…yeah, when the time is right. If you want me to.”
“I’ll have to think about it.” Ben paused before saying, “At least I’d have a good teacher, I suspect.”
Laughing, Zach replied, “I’m no expert.”
“No, but you’re a friend, which counts for more when you come down to it.”
“It does, and I am,” Zach said softly as he turned out the light and left, closing the door behind him. I hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew, presuming he wants to take a chance. I suppose time will tell.
Chapter 8
The late the following morning the team convened in Durand’s office to tell him what had happened in the process of bringing down the hijackers. When they finished, Durand quizzed them on the details until he was satisfied that they had done everything ‘by the book.’
Only then did he tell them that the two men they’d shot would survive. “According to the troopers’ captain, who I spoke with just before you arrived, the men are in the prison ward of the hospital and will remain there until they can be moved to the jail. The third man has refused to talk without his lawyer present. He’ll be arraigned tomorrow morning.”
“Did the captain happen to mention if our statements are ready for us to sign?” Zach asked.
“They are, and I asked him to send someone over with them.”
“You must have a lot of pull to make that happen,” Ben said. “We always had the witnesses come in, when I was on the force.”
“His powers of persuasion are legendary,” a woman said as she came into the office. She crossed the room to hand Durand a sheaf of papers and then smiled at Ben. “We haven’t met, yet, which is my fault I’m afraid. I’m Noreen, Craig’s wife.”
“Ben Mercer,” he replied. “But then you probably know that already.” Ben realized this was the first time he’d ever heard Durand’s first name.
“I do. Welcome to the team, as belated as it is.”
“Thank you.”
Returning her attention to the team as a whole she said, “A nice young man is waiting for those to be signed. He’s kind of cute, so you all can take your time.”
“Noreen,” Durand muttered.
“Yes, dear?” She beamed innocently at him.
He shook his head. “Go…entertain him.”
She laughed, kissed his cheek, and left.
“Why I keep her around…” Durand grumbled as he sorted through the papers, handing each team member their statement for them to read and sign.
“Because she’s, and I quote, your good right arm,” Zach said. “And you love her.”
“There is that,” Durand admitted. When everyone had signed their statements, he gathered them up and left the room. He returned a few minutes later to say, “Unless there’s anything else we need to discuss, you’re free to leave.”
“Nothing I can think of,” Zach replied, glancing at the others in question.
“Good. Zach, you and Ben are to check in at the clinic. I want a full report from Doctor Franklin saying you’re cleared for active duty. Not,” Durand added, “that I have anything that needs your special attention at the moment.”
Ez chuckled. “But you could two seconds after we leave.”
“Exactly,” Durand agreed. “Now get out of here.”
* * * *
When they left the building, Zach smirked at Ben. “That EMT said you should get your knee X-rayed. Guess that’s going to happen, like it or not.”
Ben shrugged. “They’re not going to find anything that’ll keep me from doing whatever Durand needs us for next. I didn’t do anything to damage it more than it already is.”
“You’re sure?”
“Zach, I’ve been living with this for over a year. Yeah, I’m sure.”
Ben was correct. After looking at the X-rays, Doctor Franklin said, “It’s as good as can be expected, all things considered. I would suggest you take it easy for a day or two, however.”
“Meaning I shouldn’t go to the gym.”
“Two days without it won’t kill you.”
“Says you,” Ben grumbled, even though he knew the doctor was right. That rated him a laugh and the promise that he could get back to doing his knee exercises in two days’ time.
“Remember, take it slow,” Doctor Franklin warned him.
Ben promised he would, shaking his head when Zach, said, “I’ll make sure he does.”
“You’re to go easy using your arm,” the doctor cautioned him. “The EMTs did a good job of cleaning and bandaging your wound. You don’t want to reopen it because then I’ll have to stitch it. I know how much you like that.”
“Not,” Zach retorted.
“Exactly. I’ll let Durand know that both of you should be able to get back in the field in a couple of days, if you behave.”
“Don’t add the ‘behave’ bit,” Zach said. “He’ll put us under house arrest or something.”
The doctor grinned. “Knowing him, he probably would, so I won’t.”
“Good. May we leave, now?” Ben asked.
“Yep, you’re free and clear. Just—” Doctor Franklin grinned, “—behave.”
* * * *
Behaving wasn’t what Ben wanted to do, now that he’d broached the possibility that Zach could teach him what it was like to make love to a man. But it wasn’t only
his choice and he knew it. Still, when they got to his building he asked if Zach wanted to come up for lunch. “It won’t be fancy. Not with what I’ve got on hand, but it’ll be edible.”
“I’d take you up on your offer,” Zach replied after a moment’s thought. “If I didn’t have a couple of things I need to do. Maybe another time?”
“Yeah, sure. Thanks for the ride.”
“No problem. It’s getting to be a habit. Not that I mind, you understand.”
Ben nodded. “Maybe I should start taking the bus, or go looking for a cheap car.”
“I meant it, Ben. I don’t mind. I like your company, in case you haven’t gotten that. If you’re free tomorrow, and your offer still stands…”
His pulse jumped, but Ben replied as calmly as he could, “Barring Durand’s coming up with another job for us, which I doubt, it does.”
“Great. Say around noon.” Zach chuckled. “That’s usually lunchtime.”
“Noon for sure. I’ll see you then,” Ben replied before getting out of the car.
“You better believe it.”
As Zach drove away, Ben wondered if he realized there was more to his offer than just lunch. I suppose I’ll find out when the time comes. That is if I can get up the nerve to let him know. Damn it, I’m a grown man. How hard can it be to say it straight out that I want him to teach me? Or…fuck, that I want him, period. A thought that didn’t surprise him as much as he might have expected. He was attracted to Zach on a level he’d never been with any other man. But then I never allowed that to happen. Maybe I’m finally to the point of fully accepting what I am and it’s coloring the way I see him? He hoped it was more than that, because if it wasn’t then he’d be using Zach and that wouldn’t be fair to either of them.
* * * *
“Damn and double damn,” Zach said under his breath when he saw who was calling. He’d been about to leave the house to go over to Ben’s place for lunch—which he knew would turn into more than lunch if he’d been reading Ben correctly the previous afternoon.
“Zach here,” he said, answering the call.
“I need you and Ben to come to my office as soon as possible.”
A Second Chance Page 9