A/N: Welcome to the next installment of A House Divided. I hope you will forgive me for what I'm about to do to our favorite engineer.
Warning: strong language
Stoker's Scandal
Chapter 1
Mike Stoker grumbled as he pulled a dry light blue uniform shirt over his white tee shirt. Chet's unexpected water bomb had managed to dampen not only his face and clothes, but further dampened his already sour mood. He had cut himself shaving during his morning routine, spilled his coffee onto his pristine kitchen counter, then dribbled milk from his cereal bowl onto his first uniform shirt - all while still at his apartment. His later than usual arrival combined with his disastrous morning left his blood pressure elevated and a tension headache developing at the base of his skull.
When he heard the jovial mood of his shift mates echoing across the apparatus bay, he decided to join them in the locker room for a little light hearted conversation, a diversion from his frustrating morning. Then it happened. The springing sound he had heard too many times sounded near his left ear, but the end result was not an angry Johnny with water dripping off his shaggy dark hair. Instead, the prank left the station engineer wet and enraged, changing into his third shirt of the shift and they hadn't even had roll call, yet.
When he heard his superior's voice booming across the locker room, he expected the man would be summoning the alter-ego of their younger lineman. But, it wasn't the Phantom who was being called into the captain's office - it was Mike. He quickly tucked his shirt into his navy blue pants, following Captain Stanley across the apparatus bay as they headed for the small office at the front of the building.
"Who is it?" The engineer questioned in his usual soft spoken voice, hiding the frustration that was simmering just beneath the surface of his calm exterior.
"County Fire Marshall and investigator," Hank tossed over his shoulder. "We're being stood down for an hour while they interview us."
Immediately, Mike bristled. Investigator? Fire Marshall? He rolled his eyes as he approached the open door. He had already answered so many questions about the fire at Alexia's apartment on the night of her rescue. There was nothing more he could tell them. He and Marco had agreed to only discuss Alexia with those who had a need to know about her, and only about her assault and apartment fire. That short list included Police Lieutenant Crockett, Chet, and the hospital staff at Rampart. Even Johnny and Roy had only found out by accident. Hank had not been privy to the information. At the time, there had been no real reason to notify him, as nothing had happened that interfered with their work. Of course, when Marco notified Hank of his need for extended leave, he had to explain the details to his captain. However, Marco and Mike had agreed not to disclose the fact that Mike had been contacting Alexia, spending time with her, and giving her money on a regular basis for several weeks prior to the incident. That decision would haunt the quiet engineer in the weeks to come.
The decision to remain closed-lipped about Alexia's past served two purposes; one was to protect Marco's sister and family, the other was to protect Mike and his reputation in the community and the department. Mike was a man with a perfect personnel file and exemplary service record. He was a gentleman with values, dignity, and respect for others. He never clamored to be the center of attention. He cared for the well-being of his fellow man, regardless of socio-economic status, skin color, what their religious beliefs might be, or which political party they preferred. He was not a womanizer, or a serial dater. And he certainly wasn't a man who bought sexual gratification from a prostitute. Michael Stoker was a man of character.
The engineer walked into the office, expecting to see their guests scrambling for additional details about what Mike had observed at the scene of Alexia's apartment fire. He couldn't have been more wrong.
Hank stepped inside the office, closing the door behind his second in command. "Mike, this is Investigator Samford Bennett with the Arson Unit," he introduced, indicating the tall younger man. "And Assistant Chief Leonard Hunley, the Fire Marshall," Hank said, sweeping his hand toward the more rotund gray-haired gentleman, intentionally introducing the higher ranking man last. "This is my engineer, Firefighter Specialist Michael Stoker."
Mike surveyed the set jawline of his superior and knew that something was amiss. Hank was obviously uncomfortable with their guests, which made Mike's muscles tense up. He also noticed that his captain had not offered the two men any coffee or even a place to sit. Instead, the experienced captain narrowed his eyes at the two guests as if waiting for them to pounce.
"Okay, you have my man in here. Go ahead and ask your questions." Hank stepped aside slightly, crossing his arms over his chest in a defensive stance.
"Alright, I believe the A-shift from this station responded to an apartment fire just after assuming duty on the morning of 29 July 1975 at Lexington and
Carmichael."
Hank allowed a sarcastic smile to cross his chiseled features as he nodded to the obviously new investigator. "I believe I've already answered that one. We've rolled on several apartment fires, Mr. Bennett. If the log says we were there, then we were."
"And the casualties from that fire included an elderly female with minor smoke inhalation, and a pregnant woman. Is that correct?"
Mike looked at Captain Stanley with a questioning look. "Yes… That's right."
"And, Mr. Stoker, you reported seeing a suspicious looking male, leaving the scene, right?" Sam Bennett continued.
"Look, do I need to raise my right hand, or be sworn in or something?" Mike asked, grinning good-naturedly, feeling as if he were being cross-examined on the witness stand.
"Did you?" The Fire Marshall questioned, returning the conversation to a state of seriousness.
"Yes," Mike responded, his nervous smile morphing into a scowl.
"Can you describe the individual?"
Mike looked at the investigator, wondering where the line of questioning was headed. "No… I mean, he was tall and slender, but he was wearing a gray jacket with a hood on as he walked away, so I didn't get a good look at him. I thought it was strange that he was wearing a jacket when the weather was so warm. It stood out in my mind."
Fire Marshall Hunley pressed his lips into a thin line as he looked over at his investigator. He gave the younger man a nod to continue.
"And are you aware that prior to her apartment being set on fire, the pregnant woman had been assaulted, which resulted in the death of her unborn child?"
"Yes… Our paramedics told us about it when they returned from the hospital follow-up," Mike offered, glancing down at his feet as his thoughts turned to Alexia Lopez. He had found out much later that the woman the investigator had just referenced had become Alexia's roommate as a result of the incident.
The Fire Marshall noted how Mike began to shift his weight, diverting his eyes away from the questioning men. He made a mental note of the engineer's behavior, which further convinced him that Investigator Bennett was right.
"Do either of you need to see the log book?" Hank questioned, spreading his feet just a little wider apart.
"That won't be necessary," Marshall Hunley stated, his palm facing outward to Hank as he turned away from the station captain and back towards the engineer.
"Ahem, yes," the investigator continued, opening up his folder. "Mr. Stoker, I've read the report from Captain Gunn regarding a gas station fire which you reportedly observed in the early morning hours of…," he flipped through the documents in his manila file folder, dropping the first page onto the floor. He reached over, picking up the paper and scanning for the date.
"Yes, I did," Mike responded. "I mean, I certainly don't remember the date, but I do remember the incident. I spoke to the captain on scene to show him where I thought it had started," he continued.
"Were you alone?" The Fire Marshall butted in.
"Yes," Mike answered, his back stiffening as he remembered that Alexia had been with him when he had first smelled the acrid smoke, but had disappeared by the time the fire department had arrived.
"The attendant on duty reported that a woman, who he thought to be a prostitute, entered the store and asked him to call the fire department. Did you ask her to do that?"
"Yes." Mike responded flatly. "But he obviously didn't do it since I had to go back in a few minutes later to get him out and make the call myself."
"And was she in your, uh, company?" The older man asked.
Mike narrowed his eyes. "She was at the gas station. I asked her to go inside and tell the attendant to call the fire department," Mike stated, ignoring the question of whether Alexia was with him or not.
Fire Marshall Hunley pulled out a large plastic bag with a soot-covered gray garment inside. "And, is this yours?" He asked, pushing the foul-smelling jacket towards Mike.
Mike placed his hand inside the hood of the familiar item of clothing, seeing his initials scrawled across the label. "Yes… It's an old jacket I kept in my truck. I used it to try to smother the flames. I guess I left it at the scene that night, but it was ruined anyway." He crossed his own arms, mimicking the stance of his captain. He didn't like the inferences of the men from the Fire Prevention Division.
"Um," Sam Bennett flipped over to another piece of paper. "And… Were you the person who called in a fire at an abandoned warehouse on…," once again, he hesitated as he looked for the address and date.
"Yes, I was. I was driving by with my friend, Firefighter Marco Lopez, and we both noticed the smoke." Mike narrowed his eyes as he felt his heart racing. "Why?"
"Just answer the questions, Mr. Stoker," the Fire Marshall interrupted, his lips dripping with sarcasm.
Hank glared at the Fire Marshall, turning to face him directly. "With all due respect, I believe he is doing just that."
The two older men in the room glared silently at each other as Sam Bennett continued his questioning. "Okay, and I have a report here that indicates that you asked Lieutenant Ronald Crockett to call in an apartment fire approximately one week ago."
"Yes," Mike answered, curtly.
"And were you the first person to become aware of the fire?" The questioning continued by the investigator.
"I don't know. I just drove up to the stop sign, saw the flames, asked Crockett to call it in, while I tried to evacuate the building."
"I see...," Bennett responded, perusing the papers. "And, what were you doing on the scene at the time?"
Mike flared his nostrils. "Are you asking me why I was at that particular building?"
"Uh, yes, that is the question," Bennett commented, feeling threatened by the taller man who was inching toward him.
"Meeting Crockett to assist him with a police matter involving a friend," Mike snorted, unwilling to tell the two men the details of his plans on that particular night.
"What is your friend's name? We're gonna need a statement…"
"Like hell," Mike cursed through gritted teeth. He took another step forward, his bad morning only getting worse. "Have you questioned Lieutenant Crockett? He'll tell you that I saw the flames when I drove up." Mike glared at the Fire Marshall, unaware that he was clenching and releasing his fists.
"We've gotten a statement from the police officer, yes," the Fire Marshall began. "And all he could confirm was that you wanted him to talk with a young woman who might have been involved in some illegal activities. He arrived at the appointed meeting place, you were a few minutes late, and when you got there you saw the fire."
"Damn you," Mike croaked out, pushing the curses past the angry lump in his throat.
The Fire Marshall turned toward the station captain. "Hank, you better get your man back in line here."
"I always get my men back in line… When I feel they've stepped out of it." The fire captain remained stone faced, ensuring that everyone in the room knew he was in agreement with his engineer.
Mike felt his heart leap into his throat. He recognized the line of questioning, and he was rapidly becoming infuriated. "Why don't you go ahead and say it," Mike spoke up, positioning himself threateningly close to the nervous investigator. "I know what you're both alluding to, and…"
"Why were you late meeting him? Busy setting your stage?" The cocky Fire Marshall asked. "I'm just gonna straight up ask you, Stoker."
Before he could ask his question, Hank took a step to the side, partially in front of Mike. "You better make damn sure what you're about to accuse my man of, Hunley."
The Fire Marshall felt his face turning a bright crimson color. No one had talked to him that way since he'd been promoted six months earlier, and he certainly wasn't going to allow Captain Hank Stanley to embarrass him in front of his employee. "You WILL respect me as your superior, CAPTAIN Stanley," the older man growled, emphasizing Hank's lower ranking.
"And you will respect MY man, in MY station, on MY shift, Assistant Chief Hunley," Hank spat out, knowing he was bordering on insubordination.
"I respect all the men who wear this badge with honor and pride. But not those who become a disgrace to the department and all we stand for," the pudgy man replied, moving closer to the taller Hank Stanley, both men beginning to posture, both determined to be the alpha male in the small office space. "I have a form here for you to sign, Specialist Stoker," the Fire Marshall said, deliberately omitting the term 'Firefighter' as he reached out his hand to his investigator.
Sam pulled the requested paper from his folder and handed it to his supervisor.
"Michael Stoker, as of the signing of this acknowledgment, you are immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation," he said, passing the form over to a fuming Hank Stanley.
Mike had seen and heard all he could take. The quiet engineer, planted one hand on his narrow hip and pointed the other in the direction of the two accusing men. His blue eyes turned dark with fury, and his breaths became short and fast. "I AM a man who wears my badge with honor and pride, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna stand here and be treated like a god damn arsonist by the likes of the two of you," he cursed. "I won't sign your damn paper. In fact, why don't you shove…," he scoffed, restraining his tongue as he spun on his heels and rushed out the door, slamming it behind him as he exited.
Hank shot orbital daggers at the two men left standing in his office. "What the hell are you doing? You know I wasn't made aware of this prior to discussing it with Mike."
"This is a very unusual situation," Hunley commented, staring at the form in Hank's trembling hands.
"Stay put," the captain ordered, knowing he had no authority to keep the men there. He stepped briskly into the bay, greeted by a startled Chet Kelly exiting the dorm room. "Round up the men and stay in the kitchen," Hank ordered, loping out the back bay door hoping to catch Mike as he crossed the parking lot heading for his vehicle. "Hold up, Mike."
At the sound of Hank's voice, the engineer froze in his tracks, his face burning with a rage he had never felt before. He stared at his pick-up truck as Hank approached him from behind. Slowly, he turned around, his angry blue eyes glaring at his captain. "Why didn't you tell me? I deserved better than this, Cap."
"I know you did, Mike. I found out about it at the same time you did. That bastard Hunley didn't follow procedures laid out by headquarters, and I promise you I will be filing a grievance against him."
"I'm outta here," Mike scoffed again.
"Don't do it, Michael," Hank said in a raised voice. "Do NOT walk away from this. You'll get more than administrative leave."
Mike turned halfway around, staring at the base of the hose tower. "Why the hell not, Cap?" He waved his hand in the direction of the station. "I did NOT set any fires and I'll be damned if I'm gonna be sent home on administrative leave while they trump up more allegations against me. I'll resign first. I've had a clean record with the department until this… shit," he said blowing out his breath, his hands trembling from the adrenaline rush his body had experienced. "I mean, this department, this station… You and the guys, it's… This is my life; it's what defines who I am," he continued, his voice quivering with emotions as he splayed his hand on his chest. "I don't have anything else, Cap. They're trying to take it all away… So… What do I have to lose?"
"Everything," Hank said, summing up the situation in a single word. "This is a terrible mistake on their part," he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. "They have no idea what hornets' nest they just stirred up. Hunley and I go way back, Mike. He hates me and I feel the same way about him. This new prick, Bennett, I don't know what the hell his problem is. I don't think he could make his way out of a wet paper bag, let alone a burning building."
"What are you saying, Cap? That I should just stand there and be accused of the worst thing a fireman can be accused of? Sign the form, basically a confession, and go home?" Mike's chest was heaving as he waited for an answer.
"No… I'm saying that you sign the acknowledgment. That's all it is, Mike. It means that it was discussed with you, not that you agree with it or that you are confessing your guilt. If you don't, then you ARE guilty of insubordination. I can't defend you on that one. Sign it… Calm down… Then you can leave. I know you're upset, but… Mike, I won't… I can't allow you to leave under these circumstances. Not when you're this upset."
The world seemed to keep turning, the sounds and smells of Los Angeles continued around them as if nothing had happened. But Mike's world had just come to a screeching halt. He looked up at the man he both admired and respected, knowing that the words of wisdom his captain spoke held a lot of truth in them.
"Fine," Mike acquiesced, glancing down at their shadows on the concrete beneath his feet. "But you can't defend me on these accusations, either. You weren't there," Mike's blue eyes reddened as he looked down at the paper in Hank's hands. He hated it and what it represented. He especially hated being removed from his post when his friends, his brothers, were on shift. His job was to keep them safe. Now he had to trust another engineer to keep his brothers safe.
Hank waited for his engineer to scrawl his name along the signature line of the administrative leave form. When Mike shoved the paper back at him, he spoke softly in response. "Very well." Hank gulped as he forced the words out of his mouth. "You're formally dismissed… Temporarily… If you think you've settled down enough to drive." Hank continued to stare at his engineer. "Are you able to drive yourself home?"
Mike's blue eyes turned toward his captain. "Yes… Just please… Will you do one thing for me?" Mike asked.
"Of course."
"Don't tell the guys. Tell them anything else, whatever it takes… Just please don't tell them that I'm facing accusations of arson," the younger man begged. "Please, Cap?"
Hank slowly nodded his head, unsure of what he might be able to tell his men, but he respected his engineer, and he would do as the younger man asked. "Alright… I won't tell them anything, just… Just go home, Mike. Nowhere else, but home… I'll call you later… Okay?"
Mike gave a non-committal shrug of his shoulders then walked to his truck. Hank watched as one of the finest engineers in the county drove away from the station. He hung his head, his hands propped on his hips. "Hunley… You'll pay for this, you bastard. If it's the last thing I do, you'll pay for this," he mumbled.
Hank turned around, heading toward his office to face the dastardly duo he had left behind. When he walked inside, the Fire Marshall was seated at Hank's desk while the sweating investigator continued to thumb through his paperwork, seated beside his Assistant Chief. "So… Did you accomplish your task, Hunley?" He grunted, shoving the signed acknowledgment in the direction of the man he so hated.
Leonard leaned forward slightly, aware that he was imposing on the captain's private space. "I think so. His actions certainly tell us more than those reports do."
"And what did his actions tell you that you didn't already know?" Hank sneered. "Sounds to me like you've already got your mind made up."
"I won't allow the worst kind of fireman to invade our department. I won't let a fire starter remain employed with LA County, Hank."
"If I wasn't wearing this uniform right now, I'd be pounding your cocky ass into the floor," Hank spoke up, noting the shocked look on the young investigator's face. "This isn't about my man, and you know it."
"It's ONLY about your man, Stanley. Nothing else, no matter what you may think. Now, I might be able to overlook the fact that your crew rolled on a call shortly after shift change, where Stoker says he saw a suspicious looking male that he can't describe, leaving the scene. That's plausible, but look at it among the other evidence. I can't overlook the fact that he was in a shady part of town, in the middle of the night, and was the first to see the fire in a dumpster that our investigation proved was deliberately set. He left his jacket, oddly similar to the one the unknown male was wearing at the first apartment fire, AND," the man held up his chubby hand, "that he was the one who called in an abandoned warehouse fire, in that same crime-ridden part of town, with a friend who could conveniently corroborate his story. AND," he said, drawing another deep breath, "that he also happened to REQUEST that a Los Angeles City Police Lieutenant meet him at yet ANOTHER shady location with some cockamamie story about helping out a young woman caught up in some illegal activity, and when he arrived, later than expected, he just happened to see flames in the window of an apartment. Oh, and the woman in the burning apartment had been conveniently assaulted by her pimp, too. Beaten like the pregnant woman in fire number one." The Fire Marshall leaned back in his seat, his chest heaving. "I know a man has been arrested for the last assault. Maybe he is the one who's guilty of that crime, but was he hired by Stoker to cover up his act of arson… Or maybe Stoker had him assault the woman AND set the apartment on fire so Mike could come in like the damn cavalry to save the damsel in distress, to be the hero." He paused once more, running his thick fingers across his chin as he pondered the evidence. "You gotta admit, Hank. When you look at all the scenarios, the only common denominator is your man. That can't be a coincidence."
Hank sat back, realizing how all of the pieces were painting a nasty picture for his engineer.
"Is your man tired of looking at gauges, missing the fight with the dragon? Has he grown tired of standing in the shadows of the engine while the paramedics and linemen get the accolades, being forgotten while his brothers are being called heroes? Hasn't been credited with a rescue in a long time, has he?" The Fire Marshall leaned forward even more as he allowed his words to sink their teeth into the tender heart of the captain. "Is he a firebug? Is he seeking the services of hookers, Stanley? Did he assault that poor young woman in the first fire, setting it ablaze before going to work, because she was a prostitute carrying his unborn child?"
Hank gritted his teeth together. He intentionally interjected himself into the Fire Marshall's personal space by leaning his weight on one hand propped on the corner of his desk. "You better get outta o' my station, you filthy sonofabitch," Hank spat out, drops of spittle landing squarely along Hunley's cheekbone. "Get. Out. Now. And don't think headquarters won't hear about this. I'll be filing a complaint against you both!" The enraged fire captain threatened.
Hunley stood, looking up into the steaming face of Hank Stanley. "You better think twice about that, captain. Your man's already in deep shit. Don't wanna make it worse for him now, do ya?" Hunley looked over at his young investigator indicating that their interview was over. He then returned his chalky face towards the captain. "Think about what I said, Hank. He fits the profile. It's always the quiet ones you have to worry about," he said, stepping over the threshold of the office door and out towards his department issued car. The interview had gone exactly the way he had expected, and he couldn't have been happier.