Chapter 435: Tree Hill Fire Rescue Headquarters
Monday, February 13th, Afternoon
This afternoon after lunch, Huck took a seat in his bedroom/office and started working on his paperwork. He looked up and over to his wall locker which there were several pictures of his family. Huck finally stood up and walked over to the locker. He looked up and down the open door at the various pictures from Brett holding each of his younger kids for the first time.
Huck rubs his fingers over a picture of him and Chase right after she pinned his horn on for the first time. That was about five years ago when he was assigned to Truck Company 26. Huck smiled and nodded; Col was so little back then. These were good days, but it ended when he came here to Rescue Company 27, and the Annus Horribilis happened, starting on January First.
His room phone rang; it was the tone to indicate that it was an internal call. Huck walked over to his desk and picked up the phone.
"Rescue 27," Huck said into the phone handset.
"Huck, it's Junk," the voice came over the phone.
"Yes, Chief," Huck said.
"Could you come over to my office?" Chief Moretti said.
"Yes, Chief," Huck said.
"See you in a few minutes," Chief Moretti said.
"Yes, Chief," Huck said and hung up. Huck walked over to a series of coat hooks. Huck pulled off his light blue shirt, with his Lieutenant Horns on the collar points.
Huck pulled his shirt on and buttoned up the shirt. He tucked the tails into the pants and looked into the mirror. After making sure he was presentable, he walked downstairs and stopped behind the rescue rig, among the tables and swivel-type desk chairs where members of Rescue Company 27 were sitting.
"Smeadly, I'm heading over to the Chief's Office," Huck said.
"What did you do, Lou?" Smeadly asked.
"I don't know, maybe it's one of y'all," Huck said.
"Not me, Lou," Smeadly said.
"Just watch over the guys," Huck said.
"Alright, Lou," Smeadly said.
Huck nodded and walked over to the administrative wing of the station. Huck walked through the door and walked a few doors down and through the open door.
The civilian secretary looked up from her computer. "Ah, Lieutenant Burke, he's waiting for you," she said.
"Thank you," Huck said and walked through the inner door.
Inside the spartan office, in the center of the room, was a government-issued desk. The typical decorations of Fire Department Memorabilia and awards were scattered around the room. Huck even saw a few pictures of the Chief, the Chief's family, and a few with other important people.
"Huck, please have a seat," Chief Moretti said.
"Yes, Chief, you wanted to see me?" Huck asked.
"Actually, we wanted to talk to you," Chief Moretti said.
Huck looked around and saw his captain, his immediate supervisor, standing in the corner. Captain Robert Peary stood there watching with his arms across his chest.
"What would you like to discuss, Chief?" Huck asked.
"The up-and-coming Captian's Test," Chief Moretti said.
"What about it, Chief?" Huck asked.
"Your name isn't on the list to take it," Chief Moretti said.
"That's because I've yet to put it in, even if I choose to, Chief," Huck said.
"I figured with the size of your family, you'd want the promotion," Captain Peary said.
Huck shrugged, "I don't know," he said.
Chief Moretti nodded, "Huck, I've followed your career over these nine years, you're ambitious, but I've heard rumors you've been talking about transferring and also not taking the Captain's Test," he said.
"Chief, I have, and for different reasons," Huck said.
"Okay, let's deal with the transfer rumors first. What is that about?" Chief Moretti asked.
"In short, Chief, I don't want to be under the command of Chief Lowell," Huck said.
"Why, Lieutenant? Chief Lowell has nothing but good things to say about you and the rescue," Chief Moretti said.
"I don't know how to say it, Chief," Huck said.
"I need to know, Lieutenant," Chief Moretti said.
"I have a tough time working under Chief Lowell, Chief," Huck said.
"Is that because Chief Lowell is a woman, Lieutenant?" Chief Moretti asked.
"Lieutenant, why didn't you bring this to me?" Captain Peary asked. Chief Moretti held up his hand to silence Captain Peary.
"No, not at all, Chief," Huck said.
"Then what is the reason, Lieutenant?" Chief Moretti asked.
Huck sighed, "Chief, I feel that Chief Lowell is responsible for my dad's death," he said.
"Huck, I was the incident commander when your dad became trapped, and I ran the rescue attempts for him. Am I also responsible?" Chief Moretti asked.
"No, I don't hold it against you, Chief," Huck said.
"But I was in command of the fire when he became trapped, Lieutenant," Chief Moretti said.
"Chief, I don't know why; it's not rational," Huck said.
"Well, Huck, I'm not transferring you off the rescue, nor am I swapping your shift with any of the other lieutenants," Captain Peary said.
"Yes, sir," Huck said.
"I would add that maybe you should see a counselor about this, Lieutenant," Chief Moretti said.
"I'll take that under advisement, Chief," Huck said.
"Alright, Lieutenant," Chief Moretti said.
"I'll follow up in a week, Lieutenant," Captain Peary said.
"Okay, Captain," Huck said.
"Now onto your reasons for not taking the Captain's Test," Chief Moretti said.
Huck nodded, "I don't want to leave the rescue, Chief," Huck said.
"Is that all?" Chief Moretti asked.
"Yes, Chief," Huck said.
Chief Moretti chuckled, "I see," he said.
"What's so funny?" Huck asked.
"We don't want to lose you on the rescue," Captain Peary said, also chuckling.
"Okay?" Huck asked.
"Captain Peary will soon be Chief Peary, as you know," Chief Moretti said.
"Okay," Huck said.
"You were on the shortlist of promotable lieutenants we want as the Rescue Company Captain," Captain Peary said, "Chief Moretti asked me for a list of who I would suggest to take over the company."
"What about the current captains?" Huck asked.
Chief Moretti shook his head, "While all good officers, none of them are quite what I'm looking for to command the rescue," he said.
"Okay?" Huck asked.
"With the three other captain vacancies, we're promoting four lieutenants after this test. If you're in the promotional range, you're getting the rescue," Chief Moretti said.
"Me?" Huck asked.
"There are several reasons you have your slot while there were several other ex-rescue company firefighters, that are now lieutenants, are still on the engines or trucks," Captain Peary said.
"I see," Huck said.
"Well, that brings us to something else," Chief Moretti said.
"Yes, Chief," Huck said.
"You're losing Smeadly soon to promotion," Chief Moretti said.
Huck nodded, "Yes, Smeadly mentioned it, and I've been wondering about who I was going to get to replace him," Huck said.
"You'll get the usual soup for a few shifts," Captain Peary said.
"Okay," Huck said.
"Well, we may have found someone," Chief Moretti said.
"So, why discuss this here?" Huck asked.
"Just have an open mind," Captain Peary said and walked over to Huck, handing him a file.
Huck flipped the file open and looked, "Are you sure?" he asked.
"The best candidate I interviewed," Captain Peary said.
"Out of Truck 26, a damn good company," Huck said.
"Of course," Captain Peary said, himself a veteran of Truck 26, The Pride of Second Avenue.
The station speaker in the hall opened up. The room got silent. "Engine 23, 24, 25, Truck 26, Rescue 27, Car 20, report of smoke in the building, 1918 Vincent Lane, time of the alarm thirteen twenty-three hours," the dispatcher reported.
"I have to go," Huck said, "Chief?"
"Go, Huck," Chief Moretti said.
Huck stood with a nod and left the office, heading for his rig on the truck room floor.
