Sin City Uniform 01 - All Fired Up (10 page)

“Yeah. Even though the point of origin was in the kitchen, the investigative team found traces of an accelerant near the opening.”

“Suspicious burn patterns?”

“Oh yeah, the usual. But what makes this one unusual was the anonymous letter sent to all the local media.”

Trent pressed his lips together. All the city needed was some crazy running around.

“What’d it say?”

“It’s from a group. Citizens Against Immorality. It said they were on a mission to stamp out all deviant behavior from the City of Sin.”

Trent smirked. “That’s a rather broad statement, especially as the meaning of the word ‘deviant’ isn’t the same for everyone. Any indicators as to who they are or that it really is a group and not some lone psycho.”

“I heard from Darren that the investigative team thinks it’s a group. They don’t see how one person could pull off such a thing in a crowded restaurant without help.”

Trent nodded. “I would tend to agree. It was packed in there that night.”

Lee furrowed his brow. “And what in the name of all that is holy were you doing in a burlesque-themed restaurant?”

“Lee, really?”

“Just doesn’t seem your thing.”

“It’s not.”

The alarm sounded and they immediately jumped up to run and grab their gear. Trent switched into firefighter mode and endeavored to push aside any other considerations. The next free moment he had, he would text Shawn. Since he wasn’t much of a talker, phones weren’t his best friend but texting worked. A few choice words would be nice so he could have that connection with Shawn that he already missed—already wanted all the time.

* * * *

He couldn’t stop grinning. Truthfully, he was sure he looked like an idiot. From the occasional odd glances Vicki gave him, he figured she probably thought so too. He turned his attention to the alcohol-fueled madness all around them. Even though it was a Tuesday night, people were still out in droves. He and his partner remained as vigilant as ever.

“Ever planning on telling me how it went?” She smirked. “Although I think I can guess.”

His happy grin instantly morphed into a scowl. “How did you…?”

“The man grilled me like a cheese sandwich when I first got to the station the other day.

After I gave him some advice—and info—I told him you’d texted me that you were on your way. That’s how.”

“I never said I forgave him—or anything.”

“No. But the goofy smile you’ve had on your face all night told on you.”

Shawn couldn’t make eye contact. Even though it was doubtful the flush he felt crawling up his neck would be visible amidst the garish nighttime lights of the Strip, he didn’t want her to read the expression in his eyes—the one that would give everything away when he thought about Trent.

Still mindful to keep his gaze averted, he really wanted to at least let her know that things seemed like they might work out between him and Trent. He’d never been super social and the few guys he’d hung out with back in California hadn’t been close friends— more like buddies to chill with. Now that he wasn’t there to go grab a beer or movie with, he was of little interest.

He supposed it was mutual. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be close to anyone. He did.

It was more that he tended to focus on fewer people. Quality over quantity. His family had certainly taught him that lesson. When he did get into a relationship, he concentrated his energy on that person. It worked for some and not for others. He hoped it was something that would work for Trent.

“Okay, Ruiz. We went out the other day. And yeah, it was good.” He smiled to himself again. “Real good.”

“Enough. I don’t need to know any more.”

“Don’t worry. That was all you were gonna get.”

She fixed her gaze on him.

“You sure about that? You seem awfully starry-eyed over there.”

He gave her a look of irritation and she chuckled.

“You’re an easy target, Everly.”

“Funny.”

A woman screamed and their attention was drawn to an area between a chain motel and a liquor store. Off in the darkness near some bushes, a woman struggled with someone.

Shawn lunged forward, drawing his Glock 17. Vicki radioed in for backup as she followed him. If they were lucky, Darren and Parker would be close by.

“Las Vegas Police! Show us your hands!”

The attacker threw the woman to the ground and Vicki ran to her aid. He took off running and Shawn gave chase. Almost immediately, Darren and Parker pulled into the motel lot and Shawn gestured frantically in the direction of the suspect. Darren joined in the foot pursuit while Parker pulled into the alleyway behind the motel, no doubt hoping to cut the guy off.

It worked perfectly. The attacker hadn’t expected the cruiser and ran into the immobile vehicle so hard, he bounced off it before he hit the ground. Parker leaped out of the car and pounced on him. Darren joined his partner in collaring the guy, but he’d already given up the fight. After verifying that Darren and Parker had things under control, he headed back to where Vicki and the woman were near the front. He jogged through the motel parking lot then hit the ground knee first. Landing with a thump, he managed to tear a sizeable hole in his pants. Blood trickled from his knee and he thought he might have even sprained it. He looked around for the source of his tumble and noted a tree root pushing up from the asphalt near the edge of the motel office.

Son of a bitch.

He felt like a walking disaster film. The department was going to think he was jinxed.

He heard sirens approaching and assumed that Fire and Rescue had been called out to help the woman. Right then, Parker and Darren rolled by. They stopped and Darren hopped from the vehicle.

“What the hell happened?”

So fucking embarrassing.

“I, uh… I guess I tripped.”

Fortunately, Darren and Parker had always been cool. But that didn’t mean that he might not be the recipient of some good-natured ribbing. Hell, if things were reversed, he probably would do the same thing.

“Isn’t Vicki supposed to be keeping an eye on you? Technically, you’re still the new guy. I think we’re gonna have to have a talk with her.”

“Very funny. Can you help me up?”

“That’s a negative.”

“Huh?”

Was he going to be a dick after all?

“You’re not moving until paramedics get here.”

Shawn groaned. “Oh come on. I banged my knee up a little, it’s no big deal.”

“That’s their call, not mine. Stay put.”

Already a crowd had gathered. First it had been the woman and now he was on display as the evening’s entertainment. It really had to stop. Darren waved Vicki over.

“Everly, I can’t leave you unattended for five minutes.”

“Not in the mood, Vicki.”

Darren turned to her. “I’m disappointed in you, Ruiz. But maybe you can make it up to him by holding his hand until the medics get here.”

Darren had said it with such seriousness that it almost made him want to laugh, even if he was the main recipient of the mockery.

“Sorry. I’ve gotta wrap things up with the victim over there.”

“Hey, Vicki, she all right?”

“Yeah. It’s a domestic, but they’re not even gonna transport her. Someone is coming down to give her a ride.”

“Thank God for that.”

He heard more sirens.

Oh shit. Trent’s on tonight.

Darren glanced down at him. “Sounds like your ride’s almost here. Trent’s not gonna beat me up for letting something bad happen to his boyfriend, is he?”

Shawn couldn’t stop his jaw from dropping. He whipped his head around to glare at Vicki.

She put her hands up. “I never said anything. I didn’t even know for sure until tonight.”

“What do you mean ‘for sure’? No one knew anything at all.”

Darren sputtered out laughter. “Right. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time— especially the way he’s had his paws all over you this past week. Never mind the meaningful, Twilight-worthy stares you’ve both been sharing with each other.”

Shawn was pissed. The fuck. Off. It must have showed.

“Hey, hey, Shawn. Don’t be mad. We’re actually really glad for you guys.” He squatted down next to him, bringing his voice down. “Look, a lot of us knew Paul. liked him a lot. It was hard on everyone when we lost him, but watching Trent go through that was devastating. He’s always been such a tough guy, no visible emotions. After Paul died, it was excruciating to see him work so hard to remain stoic every day. Sometimes I wanted to shake him and tell him to let it all out.” He patted Shawn’s arm. “You have no idea how nice it is to see him get soft about someone. And I mean that in the best possible way.”

Shawn wasn’t able to formulate actual words. He’d never really thought about what the other officers must have been through as a result of Paul’s murder. Of course they would have known him, had a relationship with him. He’d only been focused on Trent’s personal relationship with his lover.

The lights on the Fire and Rescue truck approaching blinded him, kept him from seeing where it was from right away. Two guys jumped down and ambled over to him. He was finally able to adjust his eyes and read the side. They were from Station 11. Maybe 32 was on another call. It was hard to say. He pondered whether to phone Trent. If he was at an incident or asleep at the station, he wouldn’t want to be interrupted. On the other hand, he didn’t want to have him find out through someone else. It had become startlingly clear that everyone blabbed to everyone else across all the departments. Maybe that was the case for all work scenarios, but it was just that he was the one who was blab-worthy for the first time ever.

After an examination by the medics, they were sure it was only a sprain, but they insisted on transporting him so he could be checked out at the hospital. An ambulance arrived to cart him off and he noted that his little tumble had kept a group of bystanders interested right up until he was loaded into the back of the truck. It was amusing from the standpoint of there being so many other things much more interesting going on in the immediate vicinity. But he supposed it was all relative. Those people probably saw a lot of the same shit every night. At least a police officer tripping was different.

It was well past midnight by the time he got to the hospital, so he decided he’d wait and send Trent a text in the morning. He’d be getting off his shift at noon anyway, so it would be better that he not have anything bothering him before then.

No hiking this weekend, dammit. Or foot patrol.

He was sure they’d find other things to keep themselves busy—he grinned at that thought. But he’d been looking forward to the drive they’d planned for the day they both had time off. Still, it was nice to have that comfortable feeling where he knew that it was okay if they didn’t get to that drive right away. Somehow he knew they’d have plenty of other opportunities in the future.

* * * *

Trent washed off in one of the shower stalls in the station. Only a few more hours to go before he was off shift. After he made some breakfast, he’d send Shawn a text. Maybe they could grab some lunch before Shawn went to work. It’d be difficult to get together too much before their planned excursion to Spring Mountain at the weekend, but he hoped they could at least grab a few hours here and there.

After toweling off and getting dressed, he ambled out to the kitchen. Most of the guys ate whatever they could find laying about, some of them eating sandwiches around the clock unless someone else cooked. Trent almost always made something fresh. If he didn’t have time, he would at least make a high protein drink. When both he and Lee pulled a shift together, his friend made sure to sniff around the kitchen as much as possible—just in case.

He scrambled some eggs and heated a few slices of lean ham. Sure enough, Lee showed up by his side, seemingly from out of nowhere.

“Mmm. What’s for breakfast?”

First words he’d heard all morning and already he was shaking his head.

“Eggs and ham. Where’re the other guys?”

“Zonked out. Damn, it was busy last night. If things stay quiet, I might grab a nap later.”

“Even the captain?”

“Guess so. The office was dark.”

Trent nodded, pushing at the eggs with the spatula. Once he’d made two plates, he handed one to Lee then took his to the table. They ate in silence for a while. Jamal shuffled into the room, yawning and stretching.

“How’m I supposed to sleep with that tasty aroma of food wafting through the station?”

Trent grunted, but continued eating.

“Not only that, but your cell buzzed a couple times. You must’ve forgot to put it on silent.”

He didn’t want to appear obvious—or excited. The only person who could possibly be trying to reach him would be Shawn. Other than Lee, he didn’t have many people he socialized with or who would be calling so early. He quickly finished up, pointedly ignoring the amused stares from Lee. Rising to wash off his plate and utensils as quick as he could, he froze when Lee grabbed his arm.

“I got it.”

“Why?” he was thoroughly confused.

Lee arched his eyebrows and gave him a look as though Trent was the dumbest man alive.

“I said, I
got
it. You made breakfast, so it’s only fair.”

Jamal snorted. “That’s a good one. Since when?” He continued shoveling food into his mouth from where he stood, leaning against the counter.

Lee rolled his eyes and bobbed his head in the direction of their shared bedroom.

“Thanks.”

He couldn’t deny that he was grateful to Lee but wondered at his own behavior. It was bewildering to him that his heart could leap with joy, flutter in his chest at the mere thought of Shawn contacting him. Things seemed right,
felt
right. Seemed like they were clicking on all levels as a couple. But it was new and he hoped it all wasn’t only because he was desperate to have someone in his life again.

Once he reached the room, he snatched up his phone and tapped the ‘messages’ icon. It was from Shawn and his heart went from fluttering to clenching in record time.

Everything’s ok, but banged up my knee last night. Won’t be on shift til next Monday. No
hiking either.

But wouldn’t mind some company.