by Laura Acton
“I’m sorry, I hadn’t heard. How?” Theiner asked.
Blaze stepped forward and put a stop to the questioning. “Blondie, we have to go. General Broderick is waiting for us.”
Dan appreciated the interruption. “Catch you later, Theiner.” He strode forward with Blaze.
Theiner watched the Special Forces man put an arm around Broderick’s shoulders. He heard the captain say, “Blondie, I’m here if you need me. You’ll get through this. Then put all this behind you and move forward.” Theiner briefly wondered what that was all about, but he turned back to the parking lot and gazed longingly at the Ducati again—sweet ride.
Dan nodded.
As they walked towards the building, Blaze asked, “So how are things going with Lexa?”
A huge grin covered Dan’s face as he recalled waking up with her this morning. “Good.”
“That’s all you’re going to tell me?” Blaze asked with a chuckle.
Dan cocked his head and eyed the man who was like a father to him. A man he trusted without reservation. “She’s the one. The beauty of life Brody said was out there for me. Lexa makes me happy.”
Floored by Blondie’s admission, Blaze grinned and squeezed Blondie’s shoulder. “Glad to hear that, kid. You deserve it after the fires of purgatory you walked through.”
“We,” Dan corrected. “Hellfire we walked through together. I wouldn’t have made it without my brothers.”
Blaze nodded. Yes, we. We all forged unbreakable bonds of brotherhood in that six-year journey through the fires of hell. None of us would’ve made it without Blondie, too.
Keep reading for a sneak peek
at Laura Acton’s fifth novel
in the Beauty of Life series.
Sneak Peek:
Purgatory
Bonds Forged in Hellfire
Go back in time and see how
Dan Broderick’s bond of brotherhood
with Brody, Blaze, Patch, Mason, Winds, and Ripsaw
were forged in the fires of hell.
November 19
CFB Borden – Interview Room – 1:00 p.m.
Lieutenant Colonel Lambert Bonomi twisted his gold band around his finger. He enjoyed getting away from this for several weeks and spending time with his bride. This morning when he left the house to catch a flight to CFB Borden, he kissed his wife goodbye and let her know he would be back as soon as possible. He wished it would only be a few days, but seeing as this interview was with Daniel Broderick, it would likely to be the longest one.
Major Martha Kenric entered the room and took a seat. She looked at her co-investigator and smiled. “Enjoy your honeymoon?”
“Yes. You enjoy your vacation in Bali?”
“Absolutely. Beautiful beaches to relax on.” The major abruptly switched to the reason they were here. “One thing before Broderick gets here.”
Bonomi inclined his head waiting.
“I fielded a request from General Broderick last week that he and Captain Blain be allowed to sit in on the interview.”
“You said no, of course. We cannot compromise this investigation in any way. Too much is at stake here.”
Kenric blew out a breath that rustled her bangs. “I did. The general became quite insistent even after I explained. He is concerned for his son’s … how shall I say … ability to cope with rehashing all the events and felt his son needed moral support. To address the general’s concern, I agreed we would take frequent breaks or breaks whenever Broderick requested them and that the general and captain would be allowed to wait in the room next door in case … well, in case Broderick needs them at any point.”
Bonomi nodded. “Nice compromise.”
“There is more.” Kenric grimaced.
“What.” Bonomi lifted his brows.
“General Broderick wants to listen in from the other room. I told him I must defer to you and you would decide before we start.”
“Absolutely not! Kenric, no father needs to listen to his son give the kinds of details we are about to hear out of Blondie’s mouth.”
Bonomi checked himself and calmed down. He began thinking of former Master Corporal Broderick by his code name after hearing it said so often in an impassioned and saddened way by his unit mates. His interview files were thick and painted a horrible picture of what Broderick went through.
In a calmer tone, Bonomi said, “It’s bad enough this will be documented and the general will listen to the details presented in court by the lawyers. No, I can’t allow him to listen in.”
The door opened, and they both turned. Dan Broderick entered the room rigidly with his soldier mask firmly adhered. General Broderick and Captain Blain flanked him as all three came to a stop just inside the doorway. Bonomi and Kenric both rose and came to attention seeing the general.
“At ease.” William studied the lieutenant colonel. The man conducted his interview months ago. He understood why McFergus chose Bonomi. The no-nonsense man and sought the truth without regard for rank. He glanced at the major. A counter balance to Bonomi, though her emotions played more openly on her face. He believed Kenric would follow through on her commitment to ensure Daniel received breaks when necessary.
Bonomi addressed Dan since he had already met the other two. “I am Lieutenant Colonel Bonomi and this is Major Kenric. Mr. Broderick, thank you for coming. Please take a seat over there, and we will get started in a moment.” He motioned to one of the chairs.
Dan briskly strode to the opposite side of the table and sat at attention, shoulders squared, chest out, eyes level, and his palms flat on his thighs.
William ached for what his son must go through—reliving it would be difficult for him. “Daniel, remember, take a break whenever you need.”
Blaze blew in a quiet breath and exhaled slowly. “I’ll be right next door if you need anything.” He met Blondie’s eyes for a fraction of a second, and he read relief. Blondie understood if he needed him he would be there for him in an instant. Winds and Mason both wanted to be here today too, but they were currently with Galloway in Brazil seeking Pletcher. He would’ve been with them, but Blondie needed him here.
Bonomi addressed the general. “Sir, regarding your request to listen to the interview session. I must decline.”
Truthfully, William hadn’t wanted to listen. He only requested it so he might discern if Daniel came close to a breaking point. He gave a curt nod, pivoted, and strode from the room. Blaze followed him out.
Internally, Dan sighed with relief. He didn’t want his dad to listen because he would’ve hurt him when he disclosed his thoughts of his father back then. Which Dan understood he needed to provide an accurate accounting to show how Plouffe manipulated his attitude towards his father to perpetrate his sick vendetta against the general. Dan had hurt his parents enough already—he didn’t want to hurt them anymore. His body relaxed slightly knowing he didn’t have to do that now.
Major Kenric resumed her seat and assessed the rigid form of Daniel Broderick seated across from her. Martha’s heart went out to this young man for all she was aware pf what he endured. “Mr. Broderick—”
“Dan, please. Just call me Dan.”
Lieutenant Colonel Bonomi closed the door after General Broderick and Captain Blain left the room. He and Kenric were tasked with interviewing everyone associated with Dan Broderick during his time in Special Forces. A nasty job which uncovered an appalling pattern of abuse perpetrated on General Broderick’s son. Over the past four months, they had interviewed everyone except Dan himself.
The delay necessary because Dan Broderick had been recovering from a near-fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The general’s own aide, Corporal Cody Merrill, who turned out to be an assassin for hire, fired the shot. It boggled Bonomi’s mind.
Another Special Forces soldier, Sergeant Blake Murphy, also tried to kill Broderick the same day. Murphy ended up dead after shooting the general in the shoulder when General Broderick pushed his son out of the way.
This debacle
implicated Major Nigel Plouffe and many others in not only criminal activities but treasonous ones. Never had Bonomi been involved in something this complex and far-reaching.
Bonomi pushed a water bottle across the table as he sat down and took over for Kenric. “Dan, for the record, please state your former rank, full name, service number, and your current employment.”
In an emotionless voice, Dan said, “Master Corporal Daniel William Broderick, bravo one zero dash two three one dash nine three eight. I’m currently employed by Toronto Police as a sniper for the Tactical Response Force assigned to Alpha Team.”
Kenric took notes and wrote, Interview with former MCpl D. W. Broderick B10-231-938. Current position Toronto Police, TRF, sniper.
The lieutenant colonel opened a file which contained all the notes from previous encounters for the first topic he wanted Dan to address. “This interview will cover your history with Special Forces. However, there are some areas we must probe more deeply on. I’d like you to begin with recruit selection testing.”
“How detailed do you want me to be, sir.”
Bonomi regarded the man who held himself stiffly for several moments as he tapped the folder. “I have the notes for everyone involved so you can tell what you recall, and it will be added to the perspectives and recollections of all concerned to give us a sense of everything which transpired.”
Dan dipped his head and silently gathered his memories. Once he had them, he raised his eyes to the lieutenant colonel. “I was outside the barracks at CFB Petawawa when I saw Brody.” He looked at Kenric and clarified, “Corporal Brody Mikhail Hunter.”
Kenric smiled and nodded. She was aware from all the interviews that Brody Hunter had been much loved and his death left a hole in the hearts of those who knew him. Though the hole was a deep chasm for Dan Broderick. He had been the one who fired the shot that killed his best friend. It was clear to her from the interviews with Blain, Simons, Shea, and Srònaich O’Naoimhín that Captain Blain’s unit forged unbreakable bonds of brotherhood.
Taking a deep breath, Dan thought about Brody. He heard Brody whisper to him, “I’m here, brother. You can do this. Small steps. When this is over, you can go back to your beauty of life, put this part of your life behind you, and move forward.”
Dan’s mind rolled back in time to the day he was notified that he would be going to recruit selection testing with Brody. He still heard Brody’s loud whoops and hollers when Lieutenant Moss told him he had thirty minutes to grab his gear …
Flashback – Eight Years and Four Months Ago – June 30
CFB Petawawa – Outside Barracks
His smile bright and big, Corporal Daniel Broderick yelled to get the attention of the man a few yards ahead of him. “Hey, Brody. Brody. I did it! I did it, man.”
Corporal Brody Hunter turned at the eager young voice. He saw the megawatt smile which lit up the blue eyes, and it meant one thing only. “You’re back way earlier than I expected. I’m glad I get to see you before I have to ship out. How’d it go?”
Laughing for the first time in two days, Dan said, “I wanted to be back before you left, so I got up the courage first thing rather than waiting. It went about as good as you would expect, stilted and awkward, but he agreed to give me a shot.”
Dan grimaced slightly. “I just have to work my ass off. I need to train like there’s no tomorrow to prepare. He expects me to be better than perfect. Says otherwise I’ll hurt his reputation and undermine his authority.”
Brody snorted, and his jade green eyes darkened with rare anger. “Yeah right. As if anything could touch that man’s reputation. Who in their right mind would ever go against his authority? You’d have to have a death wish to go against him. From the things you shared he’s one mean bastard if crossed.”
“They don’t call him General Badass for nothing, Brody.” Dan raked his hand nervously through his recently shorn golden blond hair. He cut it before he presented himself before the general. Everything needed to be military precision down to the last detail when he made his request to his father.
The general had a justified reputation for being hard and demanding. Dan knew first-hand how hard. Nothing he ever did seemed to measure up to the general’s standards—he was never good enough. He knew that from the hours he spent at the gun range, the brutal beatings, and humiliating dress downs he endured without ever crying. He lived a barren and rigid military life from the time he was five until he ran away at sixteen and ended up living with Bella.
Dan shuddered and pushed thoughts of his childhood away. It scared him to be trying to go for Special Forces. If he got in, he be under the general’s thumb again, but to be with Brody, he would risk it. Brody was his brother in every sense except blood and the only one who actually understood him. Their bond was so tight he would risk anything for Brody—even if it meant being under the general’s command.
Slapping Dan on the back Brody said, “Proud of you for asking. I know how much you’re risking and how hard that must have been for you to ask. Surprised as hell he said yes, though.”
“Not really yes, yet. I have to prove in the prequalification that I’m up to his expectations of the perfect soldier. Only then will he give me special dispensation. I’ve got three months to train before the next session is held.” The trepidation he felt reflected only in his eyes.
Dan worried that if he couldn’t do what was asked of him, he and Brody would be split up. The years with Brody had been good. He had a true friend and brother and didn’t want to be left alone again when Brody headed off for Special Forces.
Brody read the anxiety in his brother’s eyes. He understood the cause. From all Dan shared, the general expected more from Dan than he did any soldier under his command. Brody hated to leave Dan, but being in Special Forces was something he dreamed of doing since he was a kid. Over the years, he and Dan talked a lot about their dreams, and he felt selfish now because of the risk Dan would be taking.
Though in truth, he wasn’t fully to blame. The only reason his application was accepted was that on his twenty-fourth birthday, Dan presented him with a filled-out application for Special Forces. It only needed his signature and to be given to his superior. He refused to sign, and Dan bugged him constantly.
He couldn’t commit to leaving Dan behind since Dan was too young to apply. Brody figured he would wait until Dan met the age requirement and maybe by then the general would’ve retired. Dan changed all that and decided for him. Still a wee bit pissed at what his brother did, but Brody understood Dan wanted him to do what he dreamed of pushed him to go for it.
Brody still couldn’t believe Dan resorted to getting him very drunk and got him to sign the application. And then Dan delivered the signed application to Master Warrant Officer Pickett on his behalf the next morning while he was still in the latrine puking his guts out from his excessive drinking.
Two days later when Pickett told him his application had been accepted to attend the prequalification session, he had been floored. Dan only gave him a lopsided grin and whistled innocently. Three weeks later he was shocked again when Pickett informed him he passed and would be scheduled to attend the Special Forces Recruit Selection Testing.
A week later, at his going away party, Dan got drunk off his ass and confided to him he was going to miss him when he left. Dan bemoaned the fact he was too young and had drunkenly yelled out in the bar that age shouldn’t be a factor. He bragged he could out shoot, out run, out climb, and best any man in the prequalification even being shitfaced drunk.
Dan had been so drunk that night he accepted a one hundred dollar bet from their buddy Stafford he could beat him to the top of the climbing rope. Brody tried to talk Dan out of it but he couldn’t. Dan staggered out with Stafford, him, and a group of about ten guys from their MP unit to the climbing ropes. Dan beat Stafford to the top by five seconds.
He also beat Stafford to the ground too. Halfway down his drunk, idiotic brother fell to the ground when he passed out. When Dan came to
in the infirmary, he had one hell of a headache and nasty bump on the back of his head. Brody recalled Dan had grinned cockily at him and asked, ‘Did you collect my hundred bucks from Stafford?’
Brody loved it when Dan was cocky. His best friend had reason to be. Dan was that good—he’d never seen a better soldier. Brody knew without a doubt he would’ve washed out of basic without Dan’s help.
After that night, Brody realized that the chain of command would give Dan a safe buffer from the general. So he began coaxing Dan into asking the general to grant him special dispensation to apply before he met the age requirement because Dan had all the requisite skills. Hell, Dan had more skills than some men who were in Special Forces, and he was also mature for his age.
Brody attributed Dan’s maturity to his upbringing. Dan had a lonely, hard, and sad childhood—sent away from his entire family at nine years old after his sister Sara died. Sadly, Dan lost his family’s love because he didn’t save his sister. That still tore his brother apart inside, though he hid it well.
Needing to banish his maudlin thoughts and ease Dan’s anxiety, Brody smiled and threw his arm over Dan’s shoulder. “Come on. Help me pack, and we can discuss a training plan for you. Once you graduate, maybe I’ll have some pull with my CO, and I can get you assigned to my unit.”
“You’re so confident I’ll make it.” Unsureness reflected in his voice.
Brody snorted. “Come on! Where’s the cocky kid I know and love? You know you could knock off the competition with your eyes closed, one arm tied behind your back, and shitfaced drunk.”
Dan laughed. Brody always shored him up. He cocked his head and gave Brody a wry smile. “Still waiting for Stafford to pay up.”
Brody chuckled. “Gonna be a long wait.”
He would miss Dan a lot. Never before had anyone accepted him for who he was, without judgment. He and Dan had a special connection from the moment they first talked in basic, and each recognized the other hid their true selves behind masks. They became the first real friends either ever had. Over the past two years, their friendship grew into a strong bond which would likely rival that of any blood brothers.