Chapter 15
"So what do you think the Chief wants?" Chet asked when Mike left the kitchen, heading in the direction of the dorms.
"I don't know…" Roy started to say, before his voice trailed off. His eyes however, kept locked on their target: Mike.
"What?" John knew that Roy knew something.
Turning to his friend, he raised his eyebrows slightly, flicked his eyes in the direction of where Mike had stood a few seconds before, then offered a slight bow of the head.
"Huh…" John's mouth hung open.
"You wanted to clue us in as to what's going on?" Chet asked.
Silently watching from the couch, Marco folded the newspaper and laid it on the coffee table.
"Mike knows something."
"What makes you say that Roy?" Chet walked over, the wet dish rag in his hands.
"He was with Cap during breakfast. And now he comes in here telling us that the Chief is coming, but we should 'act normal' and try not to bother Cap. Obviously Cap told him something."
"Unless he knew all along." John considered.
"Knew all along? What is this? A conspiracy? This is Mike we're talking about. Of course he'd tell us if he knew something." Chet felt an urge to defend his friend.
"No, I don't think he would." Marco spoke next, rising from the couch. He walked towards the door and pulled the stop back. As it swung shut, he took a deep breath.
"Guys, we all know that there are certain regulations that prohibit us from talking about various things. There are things that Cap can't tell us. And he knows that if he told us the things he is allowed to tell us, that we would figure out the things he isn't allowed to tell us."
"I can't decide if that makes sense or if that's completely bonkers, Marco. It's not like we would've told anyone anyways."
"Look at it this way," John piped in. "If it came out that we knew something confidential, it would all fall back on Cap."
Understanding lit up Chet's eyes.
"And if it fell back on Cap, then he'd get in trouble for it." Marco finished for John.
"I think we can all agree that we've figured out the big picture. We know that Cap's got an offer. There's too many signs pointing in that direction to think of anything else. It's just a matter of finding out what's really bothering Cap. It's pretty clear that something is." Roy took a sip of coffee.
"Yeah, but what? He's wanted this promotion for so long and he's worked for it." Chet asked.
He walked back to the sink to finish drying the dishes. On a different day, John would have mocked Chet and made a sarcastic remark about Chet willingly doing the dishes. Today wasn't a normal day. There hadn't been a normal day since Hank took the exam. They all knew it.
As he picked up the last dish and rubbed it dry, it slipped from his hand as a revelation shot to the forefront of his mind. Thankful for his quick reflexes that grabbed the plate before it shattered against the counter, Chet swallowed hard, sure that if he didn't make a run for it and find a place where he could be alone for a few minutes, that he would shatter as the reality of this new revelation overtook him.
As the door swung shut behind him, he didn't know where to go. He was mostly sure that Mike was in the dorm, but he couldn't risk it. He knew that his car would be the first place the other guys would check; he couldn't go there. So, he slipped into the one place that he knew no one would check until the station had been turned inside out- the cab of Engine 51. Leaning back in the familiar torn leather seat, he laid his turn-out coat over his head. It wasn't perfect camouflage, but it would suffice.
He choked back sobs, knowing that he would have to wait to breakdown. He'd have to finish the shift and drive home before he could allow himself to feel the emotions tormenting him.
"Get a grip, Chester B." He whispered as a door squeaked.
"Dorms?" Marco's asked.
"Maybe his car?" John suggested.
"Marco check the dorm, John his car and outside. I'll check the latrines and his locker."
He felt his face boil at the remembrance of Roy finding him hiding in his locker after a bad call. He could also envision the bewildered looks that Marco and John were giving Roy at this moment.
"His locker?" John asked.
Realizing his error, Roy quickly covered himself
"Remember that time you were developing photos in your locker Junior? Well, maybe Chet went to his."
"Oh. Good thinking." John nodded.
"Let's go." Roy commanded.
Remind me to thank Roy for not giving me up like that. Chet thought to himself.
The bay was again silent, but not for long.
"Squad 51, possible heart attack. 12 Sidney Place. 1-2 Sidney Place. Cross Street, Main. Time out 8:00."
"Squad 51, KMG 365."
As the sirens of Squad 51 were dampened by distance, Chet kept his place in the engine.
"You find him yet?" Marco called out to Mike, who had also started looking for Chet upon hearing of the man's sudden disappearance.
"Find who?" A new voice appeared.
"Morning Chief!" Mike spoke out. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Chief McConnicke laughed. "Well, this is an announcement that I think you all will find quite interesting but it seems like I've missed the squad, so you'll have to wait until they get back."
"Chief?" Hank greeted, coming out of the office.
"Oh there you are Hank! Listen, let's get some coffee. I have a story that I'm sure you'll find interesting."
"We put on a new pot about ten minutes ago, Cap." Marco reported.
"Thank you."
As the pair went into the kitchen, Marco and Mike ran for the dorm, looking again for their wayward lineman.
Sitting in the office, two hot coffees releasing a sweet aroma, Hank sensed that the Chief was at ease.
If he's not worried, I shouldn't be worried.
"I'm sorry to have called so late last night. It probably worried you. I bet you're wondering what the update is."
"I'm almost afraid to ask, Sir."
"It's John. We're equals now, Hank."
"Right, John." It felt so unnatural to call his former superior by his first name.
"Anyways, Hookraider is retiring."
"I beg your pardon." Hank coughed out, the scalding coffee burning his trachea.
"I should've given a disclaimer before I said that. Yes. Gene Hookraider is retiring. For real this time. He submitted the paperwork a few days ago. It's already been approved."
"Wow. I can't…" Hank slumped back, staring off at the wall.
"I know. It's hard to believe but this time it's for real."
"I remember when I first started here at 51s. I'd met him before, but only as an engineer. He's a good man, a good firefighter. Strict to put it mildly, but passionate."
"It will be sad to see him go, someone with his experience and all. But, I also know several men who will be relieved to know that they'll be getting a new captain."
Hank smiled.
I'm glad you said that and not me.
"Speaking of captains, by the way, have you heard anything from Mike?"
"Not yet. Why?" He eyed McConnicke suspiciously.
"I was just wondering. I keep trying to get information out of Burke from Battalion 7, but he's a tight-lipped man."
"Ah, 7s the one grading the exams?"
"Yeah."
It was common knowledge in the department that all exams had to be scored by officers from a different Battalion before being submitted to the Board for review.
"Anyways," the Chief began, "I'm wondering how you're doing."
"Me?"
"Well, that was who I was referring to…"
"Oh. Right." Hank again stared toward the wall, hoping that the words he was looking for would appear on the white paint.
"Nervous?"
He sighed. He hadn't actually thought about how he felt. He'd been too preoccupied with figuring out how to tell his crew. In fact, he was unaware of just how much his crew had put together.
I'm not nervous. I'm excited, I really am. It's a change I'm ready for. It's just that I have to leave my friends behind.
It was true. He was thrilled, only that thrill was shadowed by self-doubt and turmoil.
"I guess I have to admit that I am a bit nervous." He finally conceded.
"You'd be a fool not to be."
"Sir?"
"John." He reminded Hank with a chuckle. "You're gonna have a lot of responsibility. A lot of things are gonna fall on your shoulders, things you never thought would. Sure, you'll have lots of training. If you choose my position, I'll be your mentor. If you choose a different position, then that man will be your mentor as you go through the training process. But, nothing in training prepares you for the real thing. Just like as a captain, you won't know what the job is until you're already waist deep."
"That's real comforting." It was a sincere sarcasm.
"You have your experience. That's the best training you can ask for."
"Good morning, Captain Hookraider." Marco's nervous voice called out.
"I guess that's our cue to save the rest of this conversation for a later time."
"Agreed." Hank nodded his head.
"Captain." McConnicke nodded at the man as he walked into the office.
"Chief, Captain." Hookraider acknowledged his fellow firemen.
"Okay, Hank. I'm gonna go make a phone call. I'm sure you two have "captain" things to discuss."
"Right, Chief."
Once the Chief was out of earshot, Hookraider looked Hank up and down with an expression the average man would call a glare. Hank knew it to be one of contemplation.
"So, I hear a congratulations is in order, Captain. Or should I say, Chief?"
"It's not official yet. I haven't taken a position so I'm not a Chief."
"But you will be. I've seen the news. Not only is McConnicke's spot open but a few others too. I would assume that you'd stay in Battalion 14. It's close to home and you're well-acquainted with most of the guys."
He was a straight-to-the-point man, a characteristic respected and appreciated within the department. However, his demeanor had a tendency to elicit anxiety. Hank's anxiety was rising.
"To be honest Gene, I haven't really thought much about those things. It's been quite the whirlwind getting the results and then finding out about the openings…I haven't had time to process it all."
Careful to select words that wouldn't give away how long he'd known about McConnicke's stepping down, Hank still managed to be honest.
"Is that why Chief's here today? He was talking to you about his announcement?"
"Yes."
Again, it wasn't a lie. Hank had to remember that while he'd known for a while about the plan, the rest of the world only found out yesterday.
"If it means anything to you Hank, I'm proud of you."
"Gene?"
"Hank, you came here just starting out as a captain and you command a good crew. I've worked with them enough to know that despite their middle school antics, they're good, solid men. Your reputation is one of the best in the department. Better than mine actually. So, I'm proud of what you've accomplished. You did more in six years than I did in twelve. I envy you."
"You've got a reputation yourself. You work a good crew. You demand respect."
"Maybe for the wrong reasons. I care about how they see me." He motioned toward the clock that had McConnicke's photo in the center. "You don't. The only superior officer you've ever been concerned about is McConnicke, understandable given your history. But you never cared about how the others viewed your captainship. Your focus was always on your men, not the Brass. I did care. And I've got a lot of regrets."
"Regrets?"
Hank had never seen his fellow captain in such a vulnerable place.
"I'm retiring, Hank. I didn't get the paperwork submitted early enough for it to make it to the July board meeting. But I'll be gone by the end of August. For real this time. I've realized that my time is up. I'm too old to be doing this kind of thing anymore and if I know what's best for me, I'll take the retirement package and go."
"Are you ready to retire?"
Hookraider kept silent a minute, considering Hank's question.
"Truth is, I've been ready for a long while now. I just didn't want to admit it. That's part of why I came back. I used that party as an excuse, because I was seeking any sign that I was wrong...It's time for me to go."
He couldn't quite believe it, so he attributed it to being emotionally drained, but Hank could have sworn that Gene Hookraider had tears brimming his eyes.
"Well, Station 51 will certainly be different without you."
"And without you."
"I guess John Mancuso is the only one left."
"No…I don't." Roy spoke slowly and softly, yet matter-of-factly.
The engine was turned off, but the pair sat in the squad.
"You really don't?" It was an unspoken plea for reassurance.
"No."
Pulling the key from the ignition, Roy stopped himself from opening the door.
"Two minutes wouldn't have mattered. He was gone long before we even got the call."
"I know, but…" He turned again towards Roy, his soft brown eyes wet.
"I know." Two blue eyes assured him.
Opening the doors, they left the squad in the bay in search of a much-needed cup of coffee.
Even though he'd been deeply involved in a conversation with his fellow captain, Hank was keenly aware of how slowly the squad backed into the bay and the delay between the engine cutting off and the doors opening. As if he could see through the walls, he envisioned two figures dejectedly pulling themselves from the cab, clumsily walking to the kitchen where they'd stand by the stove, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing in the pot, even though Marco had just put on a new brew in anticipation of the next shift's arrival.
The coffee ruse. Must've been a bad call.
Although he wasn't exceptionally close to Hank, Hookraider noted the change in his comrade's demeanor at the return of his men. Despite his own harsh reputation, he knew the quirks and sleights of his own men like the back of his hand.
"See to your crew. Mine will be arriving soon anyhow."
"Thank you."
Leaving the office, Hank checked his watch.
8:40. Twenty minutes left.
Sure enough, the sight in the kitchen was just as he'd envisioned. His paramedics stood side-by-side in front of the stove. The coffee was ready, though the fresh pot was almost gone. There was just enough left for two cups. A car door slammed in the parking lot and another rolled past the window.
Hopefully Hook's crew will be here soon so that we can get off shift.
To his delight, the voice of Tim Dwyer echoed in the bay.
"Hey Dwyer! What are you doing here?" Mike cheerfully called.
"Stoker! I'm pulling OT today."
"Gotta make that money!" Clarence Holtz, a B-shift paramedic, stuck his head out the latrine door. "Good to see you Tim! I was wondering who my partner would be today."
B-shift filtered in and changed, preparing themselves for a new day at Station 51.
The jokes were, for the time being, thankfully concealed by the heavy doors, though rumbles of laughter made their way out. He made sure to walk loudly enough that his paramedics wouldn't be startled by his sudden presence in the kitchen.
"You guys want to talk about it?" Hank asked softly.
"Not much to talk about. Old man. Heart attack. Was long gone before his wife found 'im on the floor. Long gone before we got the call." John somberly said.
"Yeah, Cap. Nothing we could do. Nothing anyone could do. It's just not how anyone wants to start their day."
"I can empathize with that. You guys need anything? I can have Holtz and Dwyer relieve you a few minutes early."
"No, Cap. We're okay. As we said, it's just not how we want to start our day."
"Okay." He gave them each a reassuring pat on the shoulder, before stepping away to give them some privacy. He walked back into the bay without noticing the Chief and one of his superiors sitting in the far corner of the dayroom.
"He really does care about his men, doesn't he?"
"His men mean everything to him." McConnicke answered.
"Gonna be hard for him to leave."
McConnicke didn't respond. He didn't know what to say.
Meanwhile, the banter of B-shift settled into a coordinated effort of subtle movements and eye rolls as the men approached their no-nonsense captain.
"Captain." They greeted.
"Good morning boys. Why don't you talk to A-shift for a few minutes while we get things sorted?" He gestured to Hank.
"Yes, Sir."
As all the men made their way to the kitchen, the two captains quietly whispered.
"I'm gonna tell my crew at some point during our shift. Better it come from me than from anyone else."
"I agree."
"You tell your men yet?"
"No. Haven't had the time. I was hoping they'd be able to stick around a few minutes so we could talk. It's not a conversation I wanted to have while on duty."
"I understand that, Hank. Anyways, get your men off duty. My crew is here."
They walked toward the kitchen, unaware that their whispered conversation was overheard by none other than the camouflaged Kelly, who was still hiding in the cab of the engine.
How am I gonna get out of here unseen?"
Listening intently for any movement, he decided it was now or never. In one swift movement, he pulled the coat from over his head and jumped from the cab. Just in time. The entirety of B-shift was presently pouring from the kitchen to the apparel closet to set up their turn-out gear. A-shift was on their heels, heading straight for their respective vehicles to put their gear back into the closet.
"Chet! Where have you been?" Marco asked too loudly for Chet's comfort.
He didn't need to look around to know that the burning sensation on the back of his neck was Captain Stanley's eyes.
"What? I've been here this whole time!"
"I guess he really is "The Phantom"!" Dwyer joked, earning a laugh from even Hookraider, who quickly masked his amusement.
"B-shift, roll-call is in one minute."
He strode to the front of the bay, waiting for his men to line up.
As Chet hung his gear in the closet, he saw the tall stature of his captain leaning against the doorway, arms crossed.
As his crewmen hurried out of B-shift's way, they joined him at the closet, placing their gear on the hooks.
"Seriously Chet. Where have you been? Mike and I couldn't find you for almost an hour." Marco whispered, but not quietly enough.
"He was probably rigging a trap to spring on B-shift." John, sensing Chet's increasing frustration, attempted to steer the attention from his absence.
Also noting Chet's discomfort, Hank stepped in.
"I don't know what's been going on out here this morning, but I'm glad that everyone is accounted for. Now, go get changed. Let's let B-shift take over."
Chet was the first one to go, quickly pacing toward the latrine. Not far behind were Marco and Johnny. Roy and Mike hesitated for a minute.
"Do either of you know what that was about?" Hank expectantly waited for his second and third-in-command to answer.
"I'm not entirely sure," Roy began. He didn't want to lie, but he also didn't want to confront his captain about what he thought was happening. "We were in the kitchen this morning, right before the squad got called out and Chet suddenly got up and ran out of the room. We weren't sure what happened, but by the time we went to look for him, the tones sounded."
"I wasn't there, but Marco told me what happened. We searched the whole station, couldn't find him. We checked his car too."
"Maybe he was just joking around." Hank suggested.
"I don't think so. From what Marco said, Chet seemed really bothered by something."
"Any ideas Roy?"
Caught. And he knew it.
"I have a couple." He whispered.
The change in Roy's tone shook Hank.
"Is everything okay, Roy?"
Mike looked down. He was a double agent and didn't like the deception. He couldn't look at either of his friends.
"Cap? I'm gonna go talk to Chet. See if I can get it out of him. I think I know what's bothering him."
It was true that Roy didn't know what caused Chet to flee that morning. He had a good idea and was almost certain. But, he still didn't actually know.
"Cap? They know."
"What?"
"The guys. I told you we'd been worried so we were trying to figure it out. Everything I told you I knew, they know too. I think they're just waiting for you to say it."
"I…" Dumbfounded, he shook his head. "How did I not notice any of this?"
"You've been a little distracted. No one blames you for that. We just want to be able to support you however we can."
"Mike, go get changed and ask the guys if they can stay a while."
"Yes, Sir."
Mike walked away. As he watched, he heard someone approach him from behind.
"Hank? You remember Fire Commissioner Frederick Vaughn. He's the one who finalized the list of to-be Chiefs."
"Oh yes! It's a pleasure to see you again, Sir." He reached out a hand which was firmly shaken by the Commissioner.
"Captain Stanley, likewise. It was a privilege to be on the scoring committee. Your exam was one of the highest scores I've ever seen. By now you obviously are well aware that you have a promotion coming your way, should you take the offer." He raised an eye brow.
"Yes, Sir. I am aware and am considering my options."
"Good. I am here this morning to invite you to the Board meeting next Thursday. I know it's short-notice, but it would be beneficial for you to come. Also, it would be good if you had a decision made by then as to what you're planning to do with the promotion offer."
"Yes, I will be there."
"Good." He handed Hank a small envelop. "Captain. Chief." He nodded, before turning and walking out of the back door to his car.
Once he had shut the door, Hank turned to McConnicke.
"What was that about?"
"It was a welcome."
"A welcome?"
"To the upper ranks of the department. Listen Hank, I know you've got questions, tons of them. I have to get going or else my boss is gonna have my hide. Please call me if you want to talk things over. Right now, I get the feeling that you've got some someones to talk things over with."
"Huh?"
McConnicke gestured towards the latrine door. Five heads crowded around the window. Hank sighed.
"Yes, I do."
