BELONGING: Hope, Truth And Malice (Beauty 0f Life Book 3) Read online

  Lexa was standing with her feet apart, hands on hips, fists tightly clenched and was intently screaming at another woman who appeared totally shocked as she was shrieking back and gesturing at the man pinned to the wall.

  Dr. Fraser was hiding behind a patrol officer in the corner and both looked shell-shocked by the pandemonium around them.

  Heather began to register individual comments, but not who said them.

  “Jon, stop! think man.”

  “You’re fucking kidding me.”

  “I will see him, you can’t stop me.”

  “You’re a dead man, Donner.”

  “Blaze, no, God no! stop now!”

  “You fucking bastard!”

  “Stop now!”

  “He can’t do that, can he?”

  “You son of a bitch!”

  “I won’t let this happen.”

  “He isn’t a murderer!”

  “Dan needs us now!”

  Goodness gracious, what the heck happened? Heather thought knowing this wouldn’t be the reaction if Dan had died. Her next thought was, How do I get the room under control?

  She could call security, but what could they really do in the face of a group of elite TRF officers and Special Forces men on an emotional rampage? Several of them were still armed. Sweet mercies, no one had pulled a weapon—yet! The last word entered her mind unbidden then receded.

  As she stood there with the door open a crowd was gathering around behind her. Heather had to act and now, otherwise there would be bad repercussions for the officers and she wouldn’t allow that. She would deal with the crowd, knowing that the officers would regain control of themselves—she hoped quickly. Heather rapidly closed the door and turned to the crowd.

  St. Michael Hospital – Private Waiting Room – Outside – 11:15 p.m.

  Heather Barkley plastered her emotionless nurse face on and said, “They got some really bad news about a fellow officer. The one injured in the gang war today. Please, move away and give them the privacy they deserve.”

  That would give them something legitimate to chew on that would both explain and excuse the behavior they’d seen. Especially since the news had been running accounts of Alpha Team’s day all evening. The news had found out who the injured officer was and were reporting on his exploits today.

  Someone had supplied them with cellphone video of one of their calls today. It showed the handsome young officer, flanked by his teammates, carrying a sleeping child in his arms. Dan had carefully put the girl into the waiting arms of her mother, whispered something that made the mother smile, then he stepped back. He smiled down at the little girl, gently stroked her golden hair and kissed her forehead.

  The video ended with his teammates protectively surrounding him as they walked away. You could hear the ‘ahs’ from the women in the room every time it was shown. The newscasters were calling him a hero, saying he saved that little girl from a drug crazed gunman.

  They had also interviewed the bank manager who was a hostage in a bank robbery call who recounted how Dan had saved two men from committing suicide by talking to them. The manager seemed too shaken up to give many details, only saying that the officer showed him the beauty of life that morning.

  The reporters delved into his history and reported that he was ex-Special Forces and had served with distinction before joining the TRF’s best of the best Alpha Team. The video showing the unguarded, volatile reactions of the team when they heard the officer being hurt was played repeatedly as the newscasters commented on the fact that he must be special to garner emotional reactions like that from teammates who typically were highly composed even in the worst situations.

  If they only knew the price the young man had paid today to save others they wouldn’t be all smiles, Heather sadly thought. They wrapped their stories up in fancy paper and pretty bows. But the reality was that it was ugly, bloody, and agonizingly brutal. Heather stayed outside the door acting as guard allowing the violent storm inside the room to blow itself out.

  St. Michael Hospital – ER Treatment Room – 11:17

  Dan knew only two things for sure, he was conscious and he was in inconceivable pain. His eyes may or may not be open, it was all blackness and there was only a deafening silence roaring in his ears. He had no idea if he was alone or surrounded. He didn’t know where he was. Nothing, absolutely nothing in the physical world registered—except pain, incredible pain.

  Time had no meaning. Dan had no idea how long he lay awake and in pain. It felt infinite and unrelenting. His head throbbed with merciless pain. Breathing brought searing pain. Pulsating pain followed any movement. Pain, pain, and more pain—that was all his world consisted of now.

  Why couldn’t he just stop existing? It would stop the pain. Why wouldn’t oblivion take him back and stop the pain? Why must he always feel pain? Was he such a bad person that he deserved to be in pain? Why couldn’t he just slip away and be released from the pain?

  He was so very tired of pain. “Please … oh God, please …stop the pain,” Dan screamed in his head, but it came out as a barely audible whisper.

  “Doctor!” called out Nurse Clare as she quickly looked around for Dr. Fraser. Not seeing him she grabbed the closest orderly. “Where’s Dr. Fraser?”

  “With the family, I think in the private waiting room,” he replied.

  St. Michael Hospital – Private Waiting Room – 11:20 p.m.

  Clare rapidly walked to the waiting room. Heather was standing outside the door. She motioned her to step aside and jerked open the door and called out, “Doctor Fraser, you’re needed. He spoke!”

  The tempest in the room instantly stilled. No one moved a muscle. All sound ceased.

  Clare blinked not believing the scene in the room.

  Dr. Fraser’s years of emergency room experience kicked in as he quickly moved toward the door as he asked Clare, “What did he say?”

  “It was so soft and choked, I almost didn’t hear him, but he said ‘Please, oh God, please stop the pain’,” Clare reported as the doctor reached the door and then started to follow him toward the emergency room at a rapid clip.

  “Shit!” Patch cried and raced after the doctor. If Blondie was begging them to make the pain stop then he was in overwhelming physical agony. Normally Blondie had a high pain threshold, but sometimes his body overloaded him with a level of pain he couldn’t manage and that would be his whole world.

  Shit, shit, shit! This shouldn’t be happening. He told them exactly what and how much to give him to prevent it. Why didn’t it work? Was something different? It always worked in the past and Blondie was right as rain in a few hours as his body adjusted. Patch needed to get to Blondie now and he wouldn’t let anyone even that goddamned NRB guy stop him.

  Hearing Patch cuss and run, Blaze and Winds knew it was serious and immediately followed. They would remove any barrier—be it doors or people—that got in Patch’s way. They’d done it before and they’d do it again. Blondie needed Patch and needed him now!

  Alpha Team realized something serious was up. From the few stories they’d heard, it was clear they didn’t have the experience the Special Forces guys had with Dan and injuries. Sure, he’d been in the hospital for bronchitis and for the glass shard in his ass, and they did know he didn’t do well on pain medication—they’d seen him get loopy and funny after the SUV crash—but mostly he’d been checked out at the scene and deemed okay.

  Donner be damned—they all followed Blaze, Winds, and Patch. Dan needed help. They figured that Patch knew what Dan needed after treating him for six years in Special Forces. They would ensure Patch got the cooperation he needed to help Dan.

  Commander Gambrill watched the nine of them leave the room and a tight smile briefly crossed his face. Dan would be alright, those nine would ensure it. So he would stay here and deal with that asshole NRB Agent Richard Donner. He would set that man straight. Dan wasn’t a murderer and for the agent to even imply that infuriated Walter.

  As he turned to
face Donner, Agent Stevens stormed over to Donner and icily said, “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing? I’ve already started the process to lodge a formal complaint against you. You’ll be lucky to still have your job by tomorrow.

  “I’ve reviewed your interviews with Constable Broderick—you’re disgusting. How you behaved was deplorable. He insisted on painting the picture? You were the one asking for all the details … you’re a sick man, Richard. I intend to see you fired. You’ll regret the day …”

  As Agent Kendall Stevens went on and on verbally lashing out at Donner, Gambrill took a position slightly behind her. He assumed his best stern command stance and face and provided solid, but silent support to Stevens. What she was saying twisted his gut. Why hadn’t he known this NRB agent was behaving in this way?

  Walter swallowed hard—another thing for William to ream him about. Damn, keeping his distance and watching over Dan was a hard job. Then his stomach turned to stone. He’d just shared about Sara. Damn. Pastore wasn’t a stupid man, he’d work out that there was a relationship between him and Dan. Double damn. Today just couldn’t get worse.

  Officer Marc Fargusson moved quietly to a chair and slowly sank down as he listened to Agent Stevens ream Agent Donner. Wow! This is one profoundly unique day. Never seen one like it in all my decades on the force.

  Marc wasn’t sure what to expect when Agent Stevens requested he join her as protection detail, but it certainly wasn’t this. He still wasn’t sure why she needed him here—she was doing a damned good job of protecting herself. Maybe it wasn’t her she needed him to protect? He would wait until she finished verbally whipping that idiot agent before he asked.

  St. Michael Hospital – ER Treatment Room – 11:23 p.m.

  Nine people stormed through the ER looking for Dan. The looks on their faces were so fierce that everyone immediately moved out of their way. They arrived at Dan’s bedside at nearly the same time as the doctor and nurse.

  Patch was the first to push past the doctor and look over Blondie. Anger flared when his worst fears were realized. Dr. Fraser’s description of blankly staring had nothing to do with a mental state. This wasn’t Blondie’s blank emotionless mask from the ravine—this was clearly the result of intense physical distress.

  Blondie was in so much pain that he’d contracted every muscle to prevent movement that would cause even greater misery. The agony he was experiencing was most evident in his wide-open pleading eyes. Pleading eyes—not blank empty eyes. Why the hell couldn’t they see the difference?

  Everyone’s hearts fragmented when they heard low, hoarse sounds barely distinguishable as words. The words were desperately slow as they escaped his dry throat with the minimum possible movement—intense pain showing with each syllable.

  “… please make it stop … I can’t take … any more … no more pain … please stop the pain.”

  “Blondie, I’m here, I’ll make the pain stop. Hold tight, it’ll go away soon I promise. I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I’ll make the pain stop,” Patch crooned to Blondie as he lightly squeezed his left bicep.

  Bram watched Patch squeeze Dan’s bicep as he spoke so compassionately to Dan. It was a warm and gentle gesture that looked natural. Dan’s reaction to his touch there started to make sense. The affection Patch had for Dan was clearly visible on his face—as was the fury that was rising.

  Patch turned and pinned the doctor with a death glare as he angrily demanded, “What and how much did you give Blondie for the pain?”

  Dr. Fraser grabbed the chart and handed to Patch.

  Patch quickly scanned the chart. His fury increased and his face turned red with his controlled rage. His voice uncontrolled as he shouted, “Why the hell didn’t you give him what I told you to give him? I knew what he needed! Can’t you tell pain when you see it? Damn you!”

  “Per protocol, I prescribed the standard dosage based on his weight,” Dr. Fraser replied defensively.

  Blaze flamed hot and fast as he got in the doctor’s face and yelled, “But Blondie’s not standard issue. He’s exceptional! You were told how to care for him by someone that knows Blondie’s body inside and out and has kept him alive for six damned years! But you were too high and mighty to listen to a mere medic. How do you feel now that Blondie’s the one who suffered for your pride and arrogance?”

  Alpha Team all took a deep breath. They could see why the guy was named Blaze. Crap, none of them wanted to face that man when he was enraged. They were getting a fast lesson in how much Dan meant to these men.

  Patch checked his anger, moved into medic mode, and quickly outlined exactly what Blondie needed to control the pain.

  Dr. Fraser gave a curt nod of agreement when Clare looked to him for direction. His patient suffered for his pretentious attitude and disregard of the medic’s information. It was a humbling experience—he would never allow something like this to happen to another patient in his care.

  As Clare rushed to comply, she felt ashamed that she hadn’t recognized that her patient was in pain. Within minutes, Clare was back with the requested medication and began to administer it via the IV line.

  After the medication was given, Patch leaned in close to Blondie. He placed one hand on Blondie’s left bicep again and gently squeezed. Patch murmured in Blondie’s ear, “It’ll be okay in a moment, rest now, little brother. Close your eyes. Stand down, we’re here, we’ve got your six, Blondie. Pain will go now—it will fade soon. It should be easing now. That’s right, close your eyes. The pain will go now. Rest now. I promise, no more pain.”

  Lexa was at Dan’s right side and leaned in close as she gently threaded her fingers through his golden blond hair and whispered, “We’re here. Not going anywhere. There’s no place I’d rather be. Sleep now, close your eyes. You’re safe. I’ll keep you safe. We’ll keep you safe. Rest now, close your eyes, rest.”

  As Dan’s eyes slowly drifted shut, the tension released from his body. Patch and Lexa lifted their heads and locked eyes. Both sets filled with unshed tears of compassion and they both mouthed, “Thank you.” They sighed and then straightened up, but Lexa kept stroking Dan’s hair and Patch kept his hand on Blondie’s left bicep.

  With dread coloring his voice, Winds asked, “How long was he awake?” not really wanting to know the answer.

  Clare replied, “About an hour and a half. Why?”

  Winds didn’t answer, he just hung his head, lifted his hands to his face and wiped away tears that started to silently fall. He turned away and crouched down with his hands hiding his face as he contemplated how long Blondie was in pain. It broke Winds’ heart. Hadn’t the kid suffered enough?

  Nick had perceived the reason for the question from the tone Winds used and his body language. He responded wearily, “Because that’s how long your patient was stuck in a world of unbearable pain, unable to communicate, and none of you noticed.”

  A horrified look took over Clare’s face and tears welled in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, so very sorry. I … I … no excuse.” Clare covered her mouth as a sob escaped and she rushed from the room in tears.

  Dr. Fraser turned and slowly went after Clare—it wasn’t her fault—it was his and he’d make sure she knew it.

  Nick, Jon, Ray, Bram, Loki, and Blaze all moved towards Dan and reached out to lay a comforting hand on him. They hadn’t dared touch him before not wanting to cause more pain. Winds wiped his eyes, stood, and turned to join the group around Blondie. The group stood silent, surrounding the bed, watching him sleep as each were lost in their own thoughts.

  Relieved to see Dan relaxed and pain free now, Loki looked at the downcast faces of the group surrounding Dan. The tension was too thick, so he said in a deadpan manner, “Kinda figured Dan’s not standard issue. Think our ‘Proper Care and Feeding of Dantastic’ manual needs some additional details.”

  Alpha Team chuckled. It was Blaze’s, Winds’, and Patch’s turn to stare and wonder what was so funny.

  “What is a ‘Proper Care and Feeding of
Dantastic’ manual?” Blaze asked.

  “I think the nine of us need to have a serious exchange of information. Then a long talk with Dan,” Jon replied.

  Eight heads nodded in agreement. They discussed when and decided that they would meet at TRF HQ tomorrow morning. The team was off duty, but the briefing room would accommodate them all and the team need which made it a good place to meet.

  A little while later Dr. Fraser cleared his throat to gain their attention. They turned their heads as one towards him, but didn’t move. They were Dan’s protective barrier and they wouldn’t allow anyone close to him at this moment.

  Dr. Fraser had a look of contrition planted squarely on his face as he cautiously said, “We need to move him to ICU now. Jim, I confess I should’ve listened to you in the first place. I would very much like to have a discussion with you on proper dosing for Constable Broderick. I want to enter it into his permanent medical records here, so we never repeat the inexcusable episode that occurred. I would also like your opinion on giving him more sedative to help him sleep tonight.”

  Bram stated in a voice that would brook no defiance, “We go with him to the ICU.”

  The doctor nodded as he and Patch stepped away for their discussion. The rest of them opened ranks to allow the nurses prepare to move Dan. They encircled the gurney as they escorted him to the ICU and then waited outside the glass paneled room as the nurses attached the necessary monitors. Patch rejoined the group just as the nurses finished and left.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  July 15

  St. Michael Hospital – ICU – Outside Room A – 11:55 p.m.

  The room was only large enough for two or three visitors at a time. As they were deciding who should enter, Commander Gambrill, NRB Director Reed Caldwell, and the patrol officer approached the group.

  Director Caldwell stated, “I’d first like to apologize to each one of you regarding Agent Donner’s behavior. He clearly overstepped bounds. He will be dealt with appropriately. No assault charges will be brought against Constable Hardy or Captain Blain.”