WHITEOUT: Above And Beyond (Beauty 0f Life Book 10) Page 17

  HOW TO HELP DAN

  · NO NEEDLES!!!! Never ever show him a needle. Use nitrous oxide to relax him, then shield his vision from wherever needles must be used. Last resort, sedate him … refer to appropriate medications in another section.

  · NEVER SHOW PITY … unless you want to risk your life. Not going to explain why, but you’ve been warned.

  · NEVER STARTLE HIM AWAKE … ex-Special Forces Badass soldier … enough said.

  · ALWAYS ensure everyone on the team carries their pressure bandages. Refer to the fact Dan is Wile E. Coyote ... be prepared.

  · If he is injured and you require the straight scoop from Dan, contact Jim Shea. Dan trusts Jim implicitly and is always truthful with him.

  · Lexa can coax him into taking meds without orders. Not exactly sure how she does it, but Dan accepts her help in that department.

  · Bram or Blaze can help Dan when he starts to shut down emotionally. Yeah, hard to tell, but some signs include:

  - A zombie-like appearance with dark circles under his eyes indicates a lack of sleep and potential nightmares.

  - Lost weight. Dan tends to forget to eat and lives on caffeine when something is bothering him. Obtain cookies from Jarmal ‘cause he’ll consume them without any questions or thought … or any form of oatmeal raisin cookies.

  - Excessive coffee and yawning … goes with the zombie above. Don’t try to substitute decaf ‘cause Dan will know and likely spew the ‘bilge water’ out.

  - Beating the crap out of the heavy bag … best to involve Jon so he can order him to stop if necessary.

  · Sometimes Dan needs help just breathing. Jon is a master of this, but it is simple, count it out for him like this: Inhale. Hold, two, three, four. Exhale. Repeat as long as necessary.

  · Never press Dan to talk about something … he will stonewall you. Just let him know if and when he wants to share, you will be there to listen without judgment.

  · If Dan tears up … DO NOT REACT … allow him the dignity to regain control of his emotions. Old habits die hard, and he still believes it is a sign of weakness for a man to cry … yeah, its bullshit and Dan is aware, but it is hard to change ingrained thoughts.

  · Music helps Dan deal with stress and to order his thoughts when things go sideways. Contact Loki for Beauty (Dan’s music player with playlists Brody created for him).

  · Don’t put him in the truck unless you have no other choice ... it’ll drive him batty and well, just not a good idea if you want him to stay safe and focused. Paperwork is an excellent way to punish him, though ... works like a charm.

  LIKES

  + Water, coffee, and beer (he doesn’t typically drink hard alcohol, but if you can get him hammered, he’ll sing karaoke)

  + Fruit and nuts protein bars - not the chocolate covered ones, he thinks they’re messy. Always carry extra bars for those times, when to achieve his WOW smile, Dan prioritizes brushing over eating.

  + Cherry cobbler

  + Oatmeal raisin walnut cookies … with extra raisins and walnuts

  + Spicy food, especially the Five Alarm Burgers from Fire Stick Grill

  + Ma’s bread

  + High places and a cool breeze in his face … after bad calls, he likes to go to the rooftop and stand by the air handler.

  + Cycling, running, and motorcycles … anything which gives him a sense of freedom and airstreams.

  HATES

  - NEEDLES! Can’t stress this one enough. No Needles!

  - HOSPITALS! He will sign out AMA if he can crawl … not kidding.

  - Hospital food … would rather starve. Make sure to provide green jello and bring food if he must stay in a hospital for more than a day.

  - Taking meds … Lexa or a direct order works if he refuses.

  - Soft rock. Note: If you wanna mess with him, play Captain and Tennille. Dan is fun to prank, but you gotta work hard to get him. He is situationally aware and possesses supersonic hearing. He still doesn’t know I pulled the Muskrat Love practical joke, and I plan to keep it that way. If he discovers it is you, … watch out, he has a wicked inner prankster. Ask anyone on Bravo about Seven Swan’s Sinking or anyone about the Pants Switcheroo that Dan and Lexa pulled on me.

  Dan leaned back in his chair, recalling how no matter what channel he selected on the gym’s radio, the same tune started playing. He became so frustrated he almost threw the radio across the room. Bram handed him the TV remote, and when he turned it on, a commercial for an oldie’s compilation came on, and the damned song played there too.

  He about blew his top and stormed out of the workout room to grab his music player from the locker room. As he left, the team busted out in laughter, but no one would rat out who was responsible, and he couldn’t seek retribution based on assumptions.

  An evil grin grew as Dan rubbed his hands together. This required some planning, but Loki would pay for that prank … revenge would be best served cold. Scrolling down to the last section, Dan finished reading this strange document.

  WHY DAN BRODERICK IS DANTASTIC

  · He is the best friend, brother, and teammate anyone could wish for, and we are proud he is a member of our Alpha Team Family.

  · His heart is as golden as his hair … he truly cares about making a difference in people’s lives.

  · Dan will go above and beyond for family, friends, and strangers … he is willing to give his life to protect yours, and Alpha will, without hesitation, do the same for him.

  · Although he has seen and endured many horrific things in his life, he is not jaded … Dan believes in the beauty of life

  “Sorry, it took so long, couldn’t find the one I—” Loki halted, his eyes flashing wide open as his jaw dropped when he spotted the monitor’s display. He didn’t know what to say, and what he did say came out a jumbled, chaotic mess, “Um, that um not … is not … care … worry … keep safe … crap … sorry … shouldn’t left open … updating …”

  “Relax, Loki. Breathe. Like this, inhale, hold, two, three, four, exhale,” Dan quoted from the file. He started chuckling and swiveling the chair back and forth. “This makes me sound like an eternal child who needs minders. Kinda ego busting for a badass sniper.”

  “I didn’t—” Loki started to ask for forgiveness.

  Dan interrupted, “Don’t you dare apologize for doing something you felt necessary for a friend. I’m honored you care enough about me to do something like this. Bizarre, but touching too. Sorta reminds of something Brody might do. You two would’ve gotten along great. How long has this existed … revision three?” A memory popped in. “Wait, the bag with food and aspirin before the gang war had Proper Care and Feeding of Dantastic written on it.”

  Loki released a heavy breath, Dan was not ticked off, called him friend, and was honored by his effort. “I drafted the first version almost two years ago when we realized how badly we treated you when you joined. I wanted to understand you, so I started writing things down, and well, it sorta grew.

  “I update the manual when necessary. Um, the zombie bit is new, and I planned on adding, don’t try replacing caffeine tablets with sugar pills ‘cause he’ll notice. Sorry about that too … well, not really, I’m glad you finally slept.” Loki stopped when Dan’s mien changed to one of serious thought.

  “Well, if you want this to be correct, you need to make an edit. The N in fine stands for neurotic, not nervous.” Dan grinned, accepting Loki’s quirkiness without question.

  Loki blinked, so not expecting that comment. “Nervous is the right term. Means a state of anxiety, with synonyms of anxious, worried, apprehensive, edgy, tense, strained, stressed, agitated, uneasy, restless, worked up, keyed up, overwrought, jumpy, on tenterhooks. Whereas neurotic is having, caused by, or relating to neurosis, also meaning mentally ill, psychologically disturbed, deranged, unstable, unbalanced, maladjusted.”

  When Dan gaped at him, Loki paused his rambling. “Sorry. I like to use precise words. You might be anxious sometimes, but you’re not deranged.” />
  Dan snickered, so totally blown away by Loki’s level of detail. “No, deranged applies more to a crazy techie I know, and with pleasure, call my friend. You gotta agree with me,” Dan waved to the monitor, “‘cause this manual is a prime example.”

  “Yeah, okay … maybe a little, but you like me this way.”

  “I do.”

  Loki grinned and moved forward to his computer. “Shall we find the owner of the vehicle?”

  Dan stood and gave Loki his chair as he said, “Ontario personalized plate Romeo, Uniform, November, Foxtrot, Romeo, Echo, Echo.”

  “Run Free … interesting.” Loki started up the program, entered the data, and pulled up the record.

  Backing up to the bed, Dan slumped down on it, put his elbows on his thighs, and his face in his palms. “Shit! It is him. He was such a shy kid.”

  Loki stared in disbelief at the face they all had seen weeks before. One of their hostages … Brant Sullivan. “You knew him … as a kid?”

  Pulling out his phone, Dan said, “I gotta make a call, and if she says yes, are you up for a long ride? Promise there won’t be any trails through the woods.”

  “Yeah, sure, anything you need, buddy.” Loki sat quietly as Dan made his call, a little surprised when he spoke with Bella.

  After gaining permission and promising to visit soon, Dan disconnected. “I’m going to Bella’s home. I would understand if you don’t want to go.”

  “I’m good … no worries. Why are we going there?” Loki rose.

  Generally uncomfortable sharing his past, Dan considered how he felt yesterday, feasting and giving thanks with his family, and now, after discovering Loki went the extra mile creating this manual. Tempering his trust issues, Dan decided to nurture his friendship with Loki. In time, he hoped their bond would become as solid as the ones he forged with his unit brothers.

  Dan shared, “Bella kept my photo albums for me, and I want a few pictures out of one of them. On the ride over, I’ll tell you about the first time I met Brant Sullivan, and how Andrew Sullivan saved my life when I was sixteen.”

  Loki nodded and led the way out. Today would prove insightful, and he was eager to cultivate a deeper friendship with Dan, and hopeful now with him willingly sharing a part of his past. Curious about how Dan knew Brant, and truthfully a little weirded out about the connection with the suicide six, Loki noted Dan appeared to be handling this with aplomb.

  As he strode down the hallway, Loki’s mind shifted back to the manual and grimaced. Oh no, now Dan is aware of who pranked him. Why did I include the note? I’m in for it now. He’s gonna wait until I least expect something then whamo.

  October 10

  TRF HQ – Gym – 7:10 a.m.

  One after the other, the team stepped on the scale, and Commander Gambrill called out their weights. Everyone except Dan put on a pound or two, or in Boss’ case, five. Jon’s head shook. “Boss, no more desserts for you. And Dano, how do you do it? You ate more than me, Nick, and Bram combined. You had four huge helpings of mashed potatoes with gravy—”

  Lexa interrupted with, “And ten slices of pie with tons of whipped cream.”

  “Nearly half a breast of turkey and tons of dressing,” Bram added.

  “Plus, a whole drumstick,” Ray supplied with a chuckle.

  “Don’t forget the two servings of carrot and onion casserole, green beans, corn, and yams.” Nick tacked on in awe of how much Dan consumed.

  “And a dozen of ma’s rolls and five cookies from Gladys,” Loki finished, his eyes rounding with disbelief at the entire list. “Holy smokes, you must have a hollow leg.”

  Dan grinned, thinking about his hours spent cycling yesterday, especially the grueling three hours on the wooded trails before going to Loki’s. “Well, there is this amazing thing called exercise. You could always sell your cars and ride a bike to work like me.”

  His teammates all groaned, and Dan laughed as he ducked the towels tossed at him. He loved being a part of this team and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Indeed, there was no place else he wanted to be.

  TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 7:25 a.m.

  Nick wrapped up the short start of shift briefing, “There was a confirmed sighting of the Barton brothers in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan by an off-duty RCMP officer, but they gave him the slip as he waited for back up. The task force believes they are heading east again, so when you’re out there, keep your eyes open. Partners for today. Loki and Dan. Lexa and Bram. Ray and Jon. I’ll be here with all our lovely monthly paperwork. Go keep the peace.”

  Glancing at his forms as the others rose, Nick recalled Dan’s and Loki’s request on Thanksgiving as they discussed wanting to go skiing once it snowed. He peered up at his officers and said, “Dan, Loki, make sure you fill out the forms for taking personal days. Leave the dates blank, and I’ll make sure they are approved once you know when you’re going.”

  “Thanks, Boss,” Loki beamed and patted Dan’s back. “You heard back from Scott yet?”

  “No. I’ll call him tonight. Want to spend time with him, but not sure he will be willing to leave Lily and the babies so soon.”

  Lexa halted at the entrance, more relaxed and happier than she had been since before she had been shot. “Want a trick for making it happen?”

  Both Dan and Loki turned their focus on Lexa. “Sure,” Dan said.

  “Contact Lily. She will remove any roadblocks. She loves Scott a great deal, and in those snapshots, you showed us on Thanksgiving, he is looking a lot like a zombie with those dark circles. Your twin appears to be burning the candle at both ends … he needs a break.”

  Dan flashed Lexa a lopsided grin. “Thanks, I’ll call her.” His phone buzzed, and he fished it out, answering without checking the caller ID. “Broderick.”

  “Hello, Dan … this is Andrew … Sullivan … Brant’s dad. I received your message and the photos of my son you sent. Are you available to talk?”

  “Yes, give me a moment.” He muted and turned to Loki. “It’s Andrew.”

  “Take the call. I’ll fill Boss in on who and why, if that is okay?” Loki offered.

  Dan nodded, and as he strode out of the room, heading for the stairs to the roof, he unmuted and said, “I’m glad you called.”

  After Dan left, Loki peered around at his curious teammates and drew in a breath. “Life with Dantastic is bizarre.” He told everyone about how Dan met Brant and Andrew and the photos they found in Dan’s high school albums of a young Brant. Loki concluded as he gazed upon stunned faces, “Oh, and if that don’t beat all … Dan is aware of the Proper Care and Feeding of Dantastic manual, and he didn’t freak out when he read it either. Actually, he said it reminded him of something Brody might do.”

  A smile formed on Lexa’s face, happy Loki was cultivating a stronger friendship with Dan, a bond that would benefit both men.

  Wrangling Mud Puppies

  15

  November 21

  Grimestone Mineworks – 1:20 p.m.

  Smiling despite the constant drizzle, Dan handed off his cuffed subject to one of the patrol officers and strolled over to where Loki stood near their SUV. Today’s multi-team coordinated raid on a mining company, which in actuality, fronted a criminal organization trafficking in drugs, went about as smoothly as everyone expected.

  For the past six weeks, the well-oiled machine, otherwise known as Alpha Team, was back in prime condition, running on all cylinders, and riding high on a skyrocketing rate of non-lethal solutions. And to Gambrill’s immense delight, not a single injury report crossed his desk. TRF was experiencing unprecedented success lately, which lifted everyone’s mood even though the weather had been quite nasty all November.

  Most days were rainy, but a few days became so frigid that snow fell, though a driving downpour followed, turning everything to slush and mud in Toronto. No matter the foul climate, or more precisely due to the early cold snap, Dan’s spirits rose, anticipating his first planned holiday in almost a decade.

&nb
sp; Blue Mountain Ski Resort opened last weekend with a decent snow base, so he and Loki requested two days off to tag on to their regular off days. True to his word, Boss approved their leave without issue. And thanks to Lily’s intervention, Scott would be joining them for five days of fun on the slopes.

  “Stop!” coming from an officer struggling to regain his feet, pulled Dan from his musings. He turned and spotted a subject sprinting away, his hands free from handcuffs.

  “Loki, back me up!” Dan called out as he gave chase.

  “Right behind ya!” Without hesitation, Loki poured on the speed, his boots splashing mud as he pounded after Dan.

  In spite of racing after an escaped subject, Loki grinned. His weeks of cycling and running with Dan paid off, and he now came closer to matching Dan’s pace. Conditioning and learning how to regulate his breathing made all the difference, and he had Dantastic to thank for his improvements. Dan was an excellent coach.

  “Stay with him. I’ll cut him off from the other way,” Dan peeled off to the right into the trees and increased his speed to get in front of their rabbit.

  Loki appreciated not being the one to run through the woods, he still didn’t like them, although he had been working on reducing his phobia. The trails he and Dan rode helped dispel his unease a little, and he enjoyed the location where they watched the sun rise. The test would be staying at the cabin on their trip. He wanted to book rooms at the resort at the base of the mountain, but Dan said there was a perfect cabin away from all the bustle, which would be more relaxing, so he agreed since they all desired quiet downtime.

  Spying Dan darting out of the grove ahead of their quarry, Loki put everything he had into running and launched himself at the fleeing man. He caught the man’s waist, and they went down, mud splattering everywhere, causing him to lose his grip upon impact. In a blink of an eye, Dan joined him in the mud pit as they wrestled the slippery drug smuggler. The man fought with all his strength to get away from them, all three slipping, sliding, and rolling in the thick and slimy muck. Finally, they both got a firm grasp, managed to flip the guy to his stomach, and restrained his hands with flex-cuffs.