Chapter Six
Bella raised her brows as she jogged from around the corner to see Peter waiting for her, his fingers drumming a beat on his arms and his work bag at his feet. A groan escaped her lips as she came to a stop a few feet away from her Candidate.
"Oh god, it's too early in the morning for this, Whitlock." She grunted while beginning her stretches to loosen her muscles. "What do you want?"
"My brother has been smiling a lot these days." Peter stated softly, his eyes scanning for curious ears and eyes. "He hasn't done that since Texas."
Narrowing her eyes at him mid pause Bella straightened once more. "And?"
"I just want to thank you. I dunno what ya and him are Lieutenant but still, thank ya," He replied quickly, holding his hands up in surrender at the warning glint in her eye and tone.
Humming, Bella nodded but didn't comment, she too had no clue what was between her and Jasper. It was a toss up between texting and scathing remarks when they were in the same vicinity. She had seen him yesterday when she went to visit Emmett to drop off something for Rose and his lunch, they tossed out barbed insults like cats and dogs, the familiar routine between firefighters and cops, yet flirting several hours later via text.
It was a love-hate relationship, friendship, thing.
"You two coming in or what?" Jared's voice echoes across the distance. "Chief wants to see us!"
Both Bella and Peter share a look before hurrying towards the House, Peter diverted to the locker room to drop off his gear and hurried back towards the meeting room. First shift and Second shift were all in place, one half of the house looking bleary eyed as they reached the end of their shift while the others stood alert.
Chief Volturi stood at the front, his dark eyes scanning over each and every one of their faces with grimness. "I received a call not long ago, Captain Ly from Firehouse 20 and his wife were shot late last night with what appears to be a robbery gone wrong."
Every single firefighter jolted forward at that, Henri and Yvette Ly were a nice couple and were good friends with many in this house and the others in the vicinity. First it was with Heidi Fisher one of the Medic's for Firehouse 18 and then Candidate Lee Stephens from firehouse 38 now Henri?
"That makes three in the last couple of months Chief." Demetri pointed out with a frown, his eyes connecting with Bella's across the room.
Marcus eyed his people wearily; he and his brothers had been discussing this since the early hours of the morning. "Yes, that is why I want you all to be careful both on the job and off it. I have spoken to the Police Chief and we are still unsure if there is a killer or a gang hunting down firemen or if it's just a horrible bout of luck. Now, those of you finishing get out of here and be safe; I'll give you more details when I know them."
"We understand Chief." Isabella stressed as she saw her men and some of the others open their mouths. "You heard the Chief, your shift is over so why the hell are you still here? Don't some of you have families to get to?"
The guys on first watch snapped their mouths shut and ambled to their feet, some grumbling while others nodded as they walked past. Both Isabella and Demetri shot their guys a look, telling them to leave the room while they spoke to the chief.
"This is the third death of a friend, Chief, this can't be a coincidence," Bella stated once the door clicked close.
Marcus sighed, running his hand through his hair roughly. "I've spoken with Aro extensively, as well as Caius. There are clues that indicate they are all connected but it's mostly looking like extremely bad luck. Heidi was killed on duty when she was aiding someone; Candidate Stephens was a hit and run and now this."
"Is there anything we can do?" Demetri asked placing his hand upon his uncle's shoulder.
Shaking his head Marcus patted the hand briefly. "No, just be safe, all of you. Seattle isn't what it once was, the crime rate is rocketing and we're stuck in between."
The three paused as the alarm blared within the house.
Truck 91, ambulance 61. Multiple gunshot wounds.
Bella was out the door before the speaker finished the detail; she passed her men each groaning and bickering as they shoved on their shoes and pulled up their turnout gear and jacket. The truck roared to life as she hopped in, giving Eleazar a look while her men scrambled to their seats.
X
"Something doesn't feel right." Bella muttered as she turned her eyes outwards. Curtains fluttered closed as they grew closer to their call destination. "Alright, listen up, keep your eyes and ears ready."
The sound of affirmative and 'yes lieutenant' rung through her ears as they came to a stop, two bodies laid ahead of them across the street like their strings were cut, it had them all on edge. If this was a shooting, then where was SPD?
Her boots hit the ground with a thud, eyes scanning the houses, apartments and smattering of tents that were the homeless. She knew this area, she and Rosalie coming by every now and then to donate blankets and food; she knew how dangerous it was as well.
The familiar pop-pop-pop of a gun firing and the twang of it hitting metal had all of them hitting the ground, her body being yanked back by Felix as he rolled under the truck and pulled her with him. She could see Alec and Jane ducking behind their ambulance, a radio at Jane's lips as she yelled.
"You okay?" Felix asked as his eyes roamed over his friend's and lieutenant's frame for any sign of blood.
"Yeah, you?" She asked as her head dropped back onto the pavement.
Relief flooded through him as he patted himself down for any sign of blood. "Yeah."
"Good," She replied, turning her head towards the back of the truck where she could see wounded men pleading for help and then to Jane and Alec, signalling for them to get ready. "Get ready to move; when they stop, slowly creep forward to block the way."
Both Jane and Alec nodded and waited while Bella and Felix crawled out on the other side. She gave them their instructions, Eleazer hopping in the truck and waiting. When the gunfire stopped Alec rushed to the driver's seat and drove forward the moment the firetruck crept forward, the crack of a weapon began once more but they were out of danger for now.
"All of it," Jane instructed at her brother's silent question, her eyes roaming over the injured patients with a critical eye.
They wasted no time to reach them, Alec going to one while Jane went to the other.
"Dead," Alec informed his sister sadly, each of those gathered dropping their gazes as Alec moved the boy's face towards them. He wasn't old, could be no more than thirteen and filthy, unlike the man who was lying next to him. An innocent casualty.
"He was… trying to help… me." The man groaned out in pain as Jane cut away the pant leg and began to bind the wound. He would need stitches but thankfully he was only clipped in the side and shot in both the leg and shoulder, he would live, unlike the boy.
The blare of the police siren reached their ears as Alec and Peter helped Jane roll their victim onto the backboard and carry him to the ambulance. Bella rushed forward to the first officer she saw and pointed out where the shooting was coming from, watching as two men fled the scene and four cops gave chase.
"What took you so long?" She asked with a bark, her ire could be heard by all. "We nearly got shot, you should have been here before us! You put my men in danger!"
She knew deep down that she shouldn't be yelling but fuck was Bella pissed, the news of Henri and Yvette fresh in her mind as well as her Chief's words ringing with them had her on high alert and furious.
"Lieutenant, not here," Ben whispered, his hand curling around her arm gently but with enough pressure to warn her. Jerking her arm out of his grip she gave the officer one last look before making her way back to the truck.
"Move out! We need to do an inspection before next call!" She ordered, slamming the door behind her in her wake. She's gonna have to give a few words to her brother and she – they all- knew their Chief was not gonna be happy about this.
Their shift had just begun and it was going to be a long ass one.
Author Note: Can anyone see the Chicago Fire! As it was also my inspiration... also... *throws in drama*