Hero series Box Set

by M A Comley

  “Cara, go and see the person in charge of the brigade team. Tell them we need the Jaws of Life.”

  “I’ll be right back,” she said.

  Hero knelt beside the car and smiled at the woman. “We’ll soon get you out of here. What’s your name?”

  The woman swept back her blonde hair with her bloody hand. “Caroline Mullins. Nice to meet you.”

  Hero admired the woman’s chirpiness, considering her predicament. “Nice to meet you, too, Caroline. Where were you heading before your little bump?”

  “Liverpool. I’m a model. I was on my way to a photo shoot.” Tears welled up, and she swallowed hard.

  “Ah, well, I’m sure they’ll be able to rearrange the shoot, once you explain what’s happened.”

  “Maybe. Not sure my legs will be any good to still entertain doing modelling after this.”

  Hero was lost for words. Without knowing the extent of her injuries, he couldn’t think of a suitable response, and it wasn’t in him to give anyone false hope.

  He smiled and held her hand until the firemen arrived. He stepped aside and watched their attempts to save the woman and her legs began. Hero’s nerves were in tatters when the Jaws of Life started up; he wished he could have remained by her side, comforting her through the noise and the unknown. Instead, he looked on from ten feet away. If the woman was crying out in pain, the machinery drowned it out. It was a full five minutes, which seemed more like a couple of hours, before the machine finally stopped and the door had been removed. A doctor who had arrived via the air ambulance rushed past Hero to assess the woman’s injuries before the firemen continued.

  Hero strained his neck to see; it didn’t look good at all. The front of the car had been involved in a major impact. Jagged metal and even parts of the car’s engine were pressing down on her legs.

  Cara stood beside him. “Why don’t we let them get on with this, Hero?”

  She was aware how much he hated it when things prevented him from completing a job, especially while on duty with the TA. He saw it as failure. “Just a few more minutes. I need to make sure she’s okay.”

  “We’ve helped all the people we can. I’ll see what Sergeant Milton wants us to do next. He may want to pull out now, Hero.”

  “If he does, then I’ll have to adhere to his orders. Until then, I’m staying put.”

  Cara shrugged and walked away. Hero inched closer to overhear what the doctor was saying to the fireman in charge after he’d assessed Caroline.

  “It’s not good. We need to remove the engine or whatever it is pinning her in the vehicle before I can attempt to make a proper assessment. She’s saying that she no longer has any feeling in her legs. That’s a grave concern to me. If the blood supply is cut off, then there really is only one solution—to amputate—but I’m not willing to call that just yet.”

  “Okay, Doc, leave this to me and the team.”

  Hero’s heart sank. He crossed his fingers and hoped the doctor was wrong for Caroline’s sake. She was a beautiful woman with her whole life ahead of her. He shuddered at the thought of her losing her legs.

  The firemen called for more equipment, which included a winch. Four firemen stood around the engine, manoeuvring it away from the car and towards the road as the winch lifted it out of the cavity and off the woman’s legs. Caroline’s screams rose above the noise of the machinery. The doctor gave her an injection to make the pain more bearable. Caroline’s screams died down to a low moan while the firemen continued with their mission. Within a few minutes, the task was completed, and the doctor was able to get a better view of how much damage had been caused to Caroline’s legs. Every time he touched her, Caroline whimpered. Hero took that as being a good sign—at least she’d regained feeling in her limbs.

  Sergeant Milton stood beside Hero. “We’ve got to go now. She’s in safe hands, Nelson.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll just say farewell.”

  “Don’t get in the way.”

  “I won’t, sir.” Hero knelt beside the car and reached for Caroline’s hand. “You’re doing well, sweetheart. These guys will get you out of this mess in no time at all. I have to leave now. Good luck.”

  She turned to face him and smiled. “Thank you for all your help. If it wasn’t for you…ahhh!” Tears of pain squeezed out of her eyes.

  Hero tightened his grip on her hand then released it. “Hang in there.”

  The doctor shuffled closer, easing Hero out of the way. “I’ve got this now. Thanks for your help. You probably saved this woman’s life.”

  Hero walked away from the scene, feeling like a genuine hero for a change.

  Cara rubbed his arm when he stood alongside her, back at their vehicle. “Let’s go. We’ve done our bit.”

  Hero jumped behind the steering wheel and headed back to the TA centre. “That was nasty. I hope there weren’t too many casualties.”

  “We’ll know soon enough. Not seen a bad accident like that in a long time. Damn air displays should be banned from flying over motorways. Look at the carnage it causes when one of those planes has a mishap. If those guys want to kill themselves, fair enough. Just don’t involve other people. There, I’ve said it—that’s my rant over.”

  “You’re hilarious when you’re angry. I totally agree with you. There’s enough greenbelt land around our countryside where these guys can show off.”

  The rest of the weekend remained uneventful back at the centre. The team had the hangar in tip-top condition by mid-afternoon on Sunday. Hero dropped Cara off at her flat around six that evening.

  “Doing anything nice this evening?”

  Cara shifted in her seat before she answered.

  Hero cocked an eyebrow at her. “Sis?”

  “Okay, now don’t go getting annoyed with me, but I’ve got a date.”

  He switched off the engine. “Oh? Why all the secrecy, and why on earth would I be mad at you? You’re a free woman since you split up with Mark.”

  “I know. However, I have a date with Darren Rogerson.”

  He frowned, trying to remember where he’d heard the name before. “Sorry, do I know him?”

  “Hero, that just proves that you never listen to me.”

  “What have I done now?”

  “I work with him.” She cringed and closed her eyes.

  “What? Bloody hell, Cara! When will you learn to keep work and your personal life separate?”

  “I asked you not to have a go at me. We’re only going out for a drink. He’s recently split up with his girlfriend, and we’re both at a loose end.”

  Hero hit the steering wheel. “I know what will happen; you’ll both get drunk and end up in the sack together.”

  Cara’s mouth dropped open, and she shook her head. “Whoa, now wait just a minute—do you realise what you’re saying? You’ve called me some pretty ripe names over the years, Hero, but never intimated that you think of me as a slapper.” She undid her seatbelt before he could respond and slammed the door.

  Hero chewed his bottom lip, pondered whether to go after her to apologise or not, then decided it would be best for her to cool down a little first. After she entered her flat, he drove home. This weekend just gets better and better…me and my big mouth. I’ll have a fair amount of grovelling to do now to make up for that dumb remark.

  Fay was bathing the kids when he arrived home fifteen minutes later. He went in the garden with Sammy and played football with his pal until Fay came downstairs.

  “Hi, are you coming in?”

  He turned to smile at her. “I was waiting for you to finish; needed to vent some frustration out on the ball.”

  “Tough weekend?”

  He walked through the back door and pulled her into his arms. After sharing a long kiss, he smiled down at her. “It’s just got a helluva lot better. How have the kids been?”

  “The usual. Louie helped me prepare the dinner today—wanted to ‘help out while Daddy wasn’t around’, is how he put it.”

  “Ouch! That
hurt. It’s been weeks since I went away for the weekend with the TA.”

  “Don’t take it to heart; he’s probably got used to you being around at the weekends.”

  “Never thought of that. Did you save any dinner for me? I’m starving.”

  “Of course. Grab a beer from the fridge, and I’ll heat up your dinner in the microwave.” Fay served up his meal.

  He studied it carefully before he chose the first mouthful.

  “Something wrong? It’s not like you to be fussy.”

  “I’m looking for the parts Louie prepared.”

  Fay laughed. “Idiot, he only prepared the veg for me. You might find a carrot with a bit of skin left on it, that’s all. Get on with it, man.” She rolled her eyes, and Hero looked under the table at Sammy sitting by his feet. “And don’t even think about giving it to the damn dog. Are you going to tell me how your weekend went?”

  “I’d rather not during dinner, love. It was a bit grim. I think I upset Cara before I dropped her off, though. Might need to do some making up there the next time I see her.”

  “That’s unusual. What was it about?”

  “She told me she was going out on a date tonight.” He placed a piece of beef and flat Yorkshire pudding in his mouth.

  “So? You don’t usually object when she has a date. What’s so different this time?”

  “It’s with that Darren Rogerson, a colleague of hers.”

  “Oh dear. Well, I can understand you being cautious. I hope you weren’t too harsh with her?”

  Hero stared at his dinner and remained silent.

  “Hero Nelson, I’m ashamed of you!”

  “Not as ashamed as I am of myself, I can guarantee that. I’ll ring her tomorrow when she’s had the chance to cool down.”

  Fay dropped into the chair opposite. “Really? It was that bad?”

  “Yeah, she said that I was virtually calling her a slapper. I didn’t, but I can see her point of view.”

  Fay shook her head, and her eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s unlike you, love. Cara has her head screwed on; she didn’t deserve to be spoken to like that. I suggest you send her a bunch of flowers as an apology and nothing less.”

  Hero pushed his half-eaten dinner away from him. “I think I better, too. I hope she forgives me. I was more upset about her going out with a colleague, and my mouth engaged before my brain.”

  “Hey, that’ll be the least of your problems if you don’t finish that bloody meal,” Fay said, slapping the back of his hand and smiling.

  “Okay, although I really don’t have much of an appetite, to be honest.” He ate another five mouthfuls then pushed the plate away again. “I’m done, sorry. It was really tasty.”

  Fay stood and collected his plate. “You won’t be wanting any syrup sponge and custard, I take it?”

  He placed his hands on his stomach and grinned. “I never said that. I can always find room for comfort food.”

  “Maybe I should save that for Cara instead.”

  “That was below the belt, love.”

  “You’re too sensitive at times, Hero Nelson. I was joking.”

  Fay heated the pudding in the microwave, and Hero ate every last morsel of his favourite dessert. Then he and Fay went through to the lounge to relax. Once they were settled, he recounted the events of the weekend.

  “Hero, how awful. I saw something about the crash on the TV but turned it over because the kids were sitting with me. Do you think this woman will be okay?”

  He shrugged. “Only time will tell. By the looks of things, she’s going to have to say goodbye to her career.”

  “Oh my, that’s not good. Maybe you can do some form of charity event at work for her.”

  Hero sat up. “What an excellent idea. I knew I married you for more than your syrup sponge.”

  Fay slapped his arm and pointed to her head. “You bugger! There’s still a brain up there somewhere.”

  “What a beautiful brain it is, too.” He kissed her hard then sighed. “I’d be lost without you by my side, Fay.”

  She shrugged, and a twinkle entered her eye. “Yeah, I know.”

  Chapter 8

  Myers’s heart pumped harder. Dusk was descending rapidly, which meant he wouldn’t have to wait in the car park much longer. The post office was less busy. Only five customers had entered in the last half an hour, and there were three cars besides his left in the car park. He looked over at the duffel bag sitting on his front seat, the end of the crowbar poking out of the opening. Grinning, he narrowed his eyes to slits at the thought of what lay ahead and the injuries he was about to cause.

  He glanced at the clock on the dashboard and watched the digital reading change to 5:27. Another minute, and he would make his move. Grasping the duffel bag, he placed his hand on the door handle in preparation of a swift exit. The last customer walked out of the shop, got in his car, and left the car park. The time ticked over, and Myers sprinted from the car and marched through the door of the post office. A youth of around eighteen or nineteen was rearranging the birthday cards in a display rack, and just beyond him, a blonde woman was tidying up the notepaper and envelopes section.

  Before either of them had the chance to look up, he pulled a gun and the crowbar from his bag then flipped the catch on the front door.

  The woman screamed and attempted to run, no doubt to alert the authorities, but he reached for the young man. He tugged the youth towards him and hooked the crowbar under his chin, the metal tight across his throat, and the youngster gasped for breath. The youth’s arms flailed like a windmill caught in a high wind.

  “Don’t do anything, bitch, or I’ll kill him. No reaching for the panic button. No screaming to alert anyone outside. Nothing. Got that?”

  The blonde’s eyes widened, and she gulped. In a weak voice, she replied, “Yes. What…what do you want?”

  He tutted and rolled his eyes up to the ceiling. “Umm…let me think about that for a second. I know—why don’t you tell me what you think I want. Be careful now. Any foolish answers, and the kid will get hurt.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes. “Money?”

  He dipped his head to look at the terrified young man’s face. “She’s smart for a blonde, ain’t she?”

  The terrified youngster nodded.

  “Empty your safe, and put the money in the bag. Try anything behind the counter, and I’ll kill him. Am I making myself clear?”

  “Yes. I understand,” she replied, her voice trembling as much as her hands.

  “Don’t just stand there—fucking move, woman! I ain’t got all day.”

  He yanked the bar up under the youth’s chin, and the boy cried out in pain. The woman screeched, grabbed the duffel bag, and rushed behind the counter. Myers pushed the youngster in front of him until they were both standing at the narrow doorway that led into the secure serving area.

  The blonde removed her keys from one of the drawers and knelt in front of the safe. Her hand shook so much that she kept missing the keyhole.

  “Get a grip, woman. I want to be out of here in five minutes.”

  “I’m sorry. You’re scaring me.”

  He laughed. “I ain’t done nothing yet. You want me to scare you? I can arrange something to happen to the kid. You’re going the right way about it.”

  “Please, don’t hurt my son.”

  “Your son, eh? Well, that puts a different light on things. Stop backchatting and fucking do as you’re told.” Myers twisted the youth’s arm until he screamed.

  The woman’s tears cascaded down her face. She swiped them away angrily. “Don’t hurt him anymore. I’m begging you. I’ll give you what you want, I swear. Just don’t hurt my son.”

  “Stop talking and get on with emptying the goddamn safe, woman. I ain’t here to have a conversation with you.”

  The woman turned her full attention to emptying the safe. His eyes lit up when he saw how much money was stored inside compared to the other post offices.

  “That’s all
,” she said quietly. The way the woman avoided eye contact with him told him she was lying.

  Without saying anything, he yanked the youth backwards and threw him on the floor before he aimed the crowbar at his lower legs.

  “No! Please don’t. I’m sorry. I have more money in the backup safe in the other room.”

  “Thought you might see sense. Just in case you try another dumb trick, I’ll give you this to think about.” He raised the crowbar high above his head and smashed it onto the youngster’s right shin.

  The youth’s scream echoed around the small shop area.

  His mother’s response appeared to be stuck in her throat. She sobbed openly and threw herself on top of her son. “No more. If you have to hurt anyone, hurt me, not him.”

  “I’ve got plans for you, bitch. Don’t worry about that. Now, do as you’re frigging well told and get the damn money. Next time, it won’t be the crowbar doing the damage.” His gaze drifted down to the shotgun he was holding in his other hand then back to her. “Get my drift?”

  “Yes, okay, I’ll do it. I need to get up.” She clutched the edge of the counter and hauled herself to her feet, still gazing lovingly at her son, writhing in agony beside her.

  Myers grabbed the youth’s jumper at the neck and yanked him to his feet. The youngster cried out in pain again.

  “Shut the fuck up! You’re lucky I didn’t break it. Any more crap from either of you and I’ll finish the job off properly. Hear me? Go on, follow her.”

  The three of them moved into the next room, where there was a much larger safe. The woman picked up a key off the desk and knelt in front of the safe, glancing over her shoulder at her son as she shuffled into position.

  “Don’t mess with me, lady. You’re wasting time; I can tell. Speed things up, or I’ll hurt him again. The choice is yours.”

  The woman looked at her son, her expression a mixture of sorrow and desperation. She inserted the key and opened the safe to reveal a large stack of notes.

  Myers let out a long whistle. “How come you carry so much cash here compared to the others?”